I’ve made several over the years for demonstrations using a couple 2x4s, 2 oak dowels, a steel rod, and nylon rope that’ll hurl a “bolt” (tube used to separate clubs in a golf bag with a tennis ball on one end) 400 yards.
Depends on the mass of the projectile, and how the throwing arm is tuned.
If its release is tuned for distance and they’re flinging period-accurate projectiles, tuned firmly distance a typical period tree could throw stones about 300 meters.
Depending on the kind of fortifications they were against (and if they had siege engines of their own, or other artillery- bow and arrows, whatever) they might set up a little closer and tune instead for more forward velocity rather than range.
The typical mass was about 200-300 kilograms, or a small sedan. You could go heavier, but that typically reduced range.
What’s the distance on those things?
Over 300 meters. Truly the superior siege engine.
But I still love the Ballista.
I’ve made several over the years for demonstrations using a couple 2x4s, 2 oak dowels, a steel rod, and nylon rope that’ll hurl a “bolt” (tube used to separate clubs in a golf bag with a tennis ball on one end) 400 yards.
They’re just fun.
Depends on the mass of the projectile, and how the throwing arm is tuned.
If its release is tuned for distance and they’re flinging period-accurate projectiles, tuned firmly distance a typical period tree could throw stones about 300 meters.
Depending on the kind of fortifications they were against (and if they had siege engines of their own, or other artillery- bow and arrows, whatever) they might set up a little closer and tune instead for more forward velocity rather than range.
The typical mass was about 200-300 kilograms, or a small sedan. You could go heavier, but that typically reduced range.
A small sedan weighs about four times as much as that
Get out of here with your facts.
(for what it’s worth, a reliant robin was about 450 kilo curb weight. I’m sure we can find a car that weighs in the range.)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65099834.amp
And cheese my cows. They could launch cows as well.
search YouTube “punkin chunkin”
1000 meters easy.