[Coastal] trebuchet

[Steelquist, John F]

Here's the simple explanation of the footprint rule: 18 square feet = 3 foot by 6 foot.  

Most trebs built to fall into this category tend to be about 6 feet front to back and 3 feet side to side.  The scale "Warwolf" out of the box is too small - being a little generous - it's 3 foot by 3 foot = 9 square feet.  It also seems a little underpowered, actually.  They claim to get a 1 pound shot about 100 feet.  Our maximum range is 80 *yards* (or 240 feet), throwing not so-aerodynamic 4 tennis ball 'rocks'.  100 feet is *well* within the archers range - you'll get shot up before you get the second shot off... :)

However, footprint is easy to scale up - just mount the thing on a larger footprint 'cart' (wheels are a *very, very* good invention).  Range is harder - more weight will get you more range, but it's almost exponential - and you'll quickly run out of room / strength to hold the weight.

Also be aware that SCA engines must have a mechanical crank - that's to slow the engine's rate of fire down to something more reasonable and for safety.

Not to be too down - they sell the plans, and they should scale up just fine.  And if I remember, Ron Toms is very helpful.  And there are other plans, and lots of good engineering stuff on his site...

Ulsted

-----Original Message-----
From: Sandra Jakl [mailto:kieralady2 at yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 7:28 PM
To: loch-solleir at ansteorra.org; coastal at ansteorra.org
Subject: [Coastal] trebuchet

My mother saw the coastal trebs at Gulf war and wants
to start researching siege warfare.

Can someone check out the attached page and let me
know if the described kit is SCA legal. 

Thanks, 

Clara von Ulm

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary and Larry Beeler 
Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 12:56 PM
To: Sandra
Subject: The Trebuchet Kit!

http://www.trebuchet.com/kit/warwolf/ 

<snip>  It has to have a 18 sq. yd. footprint.  It's
34" X 29" = 986" divided by 36" (?) =  26 sq. yds. (?)
  I'm sure of the measurements, but not of the
calculations to determine sq. yardage.  <snip>