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The Atomic Bomb of the Middle Ages

Torsion and Tension Catapult Plans CD


This CD includes plans for a variety of torsion and tension catapults and more! Including:

The Greek BallistaThis model is 41 inches long, 24 inches wide and stands 31 inches tall. The ballista uses a pair of skeins (bundles of twisted rope) for power. Similar to the working of a crossbow, the Ballista actually preceded the crossbow in western culture by over a thousand years.

The Mighty Roman OnagerAlso known as a Mangonel, this model is 16" long, 12" high and 8" wide. This historically accurate, compact and portable catapult uses the exact same principles as the ancient Roman war machines.
Petraria ArcatinusPowered by a steel bow, this is the catapult you've seen in ancient drawings and Hollywood movies, but with a difference... This one really works! This model is 18 inches long and 10 inches wide. The arm reaches 18 inches high at rest.
Scorpion IIThe completed model is 18 inches long and 9 inches wide. The arm is 28 inches long. The Scorpion II main fulcrum is attached to an aluminum linkage for smoother action and a more dynamic arm tip movement.

And the new Rat-trap Spoon-a-pult!
Designed to be easy to build using simple household items and common tools like pliers and a hammer, and using a Rat Trap for power (available at most hardware stores). Great for school science experiments!

This disk also includes these additional manuscripts:
  • Historical conjecture on the Petraria concept
  • Useful information on scaling
  • Safety notes on working with wood
  • and more!

Tools you will need:
For all projects (except for the rat-trap model) you will need a table saw, drill press, screwdrivers, carpenter's square, scissors, needle-nose pliers (for the petraria) and if you have a router, that would be useful too. But these can be made without a router.


BONUS MATERIAL!
Our two highly popular e-books are also included:
The Projectile Throwing Engines of the Ancients, By Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey
And
Catapult Design, Construction and Competition. By Dr. Bernard F. Barcio

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    Price: $29.95
    Our Price: $14.95
    Minimum age: 8
    Availability: In stock.

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    Item code: 99014


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Interesting Notes

Some Trebuchet History:

From the 13th century writing: "Itinerarium Peregrinorum et Gesta Regis Ricardi"

In June and July of 1191, Richard the Lionheart (the Duke of Normandy) laid siege to the city of Acre as part of the medieval Crusades.

The Duke concentrated on constructing siege machines and placing trebuchets [petrariae - literally, stone hurler] in suitable places. He arranged for these to shoot continually day and night. He had one excellent one which he called "Bad Neighbor" [Malvoisine]. Its continual bombardment partly destroyed the main city wall and shattered the Cursed Tower. On one side the Templars' trebuchet wreaked impressive devastation, while the Hospitallers trebuchet also never ceased hurling, to the terror of the Turks.

Besides these, there was a trebuchet that had been constructed at general expense, which they called "God's Stone-Thrower". A priest, a man of great probity, always stood next to it preaching and collecting money for its continual repair and for hiring people to gather the stones for its ammunition. This machine at last demolished the wall next to the Cursed Tower for around two perches' Length [11 yards or 10 meters].

The count of Flanders had had a choice trebuchet, which King Richard had after his death, as well as another trebuchet which was not so good. These two constantly bombarded the tower next to a gate which the Turks frequently used, until the tower was half-demolished. Besides these, King Richard had two new ones made with remarkable workmanship and material which would hit the intended target no matter how far off it was. . . . He also had two mangonels [traction trebuchets] prepared. One of these was so swift and violent that its shots reached the inner streets of the city meat market.

King Richard's trebuchets hurled constantly by day and night. It can be firmly stated that one of them killed twelve men with a single stone. That stone was sent for Saladin to see, with messengers who said that the diabolical king of England had brought from Messina, a city he had captured, sea flint and the smoothest stones to punish the Saracens. Nothing could withstand their blows; everything was crushed or reduced to dust.