Our new cheiroballista...

[Nerva]

Salvete Omnes!

Here's a few pictures of our new Cheiroballista. It was built by Len Morgan of Fabrica...





Notice the new footwear

[jvrjenivs]

That's a nice machine! What's the shooting range of this beauty?

[Doc]

Awesome machine.

I am not so knowledgeable when it comes to machines. Where do you get the plans for such machines and how much does it cost on average to make one.

Of course, I am interested in the plans more than anything else. I will of course not be making one any time soon however, for future refernece it could come in handy.

[Robert Vermaat]

Here's a few pictures of our new Cheiroballista. It was built by Len Morgan of Fabrica...

A beauty!! Could you send me a PM of what it cost you?

Btw, it's a cheiroballistra or a manuballista.. :wink:

[Nerva]

Salvete Omnes!

I'll try and answer your questions with what I know. Firstly the Romans would have called this machine a Manuballista, Cheiroballista or Cheiroballistra is Greek.

I do not have the plans for this machine but Len Morgan and Tom Feeley do. Of course the man who did all the technical research and development was Alan Wilkins who both Len and Tom would acknowledge as being the brains behind the machine...apart from the Romans of course :wink:

Unfortunately we do not have a lot of performance data on this machine. Alan Wilkins measured the projectile velocity at 50ft/sec, but this was done with a machine which had a wind back problem and could not achieve its full potential. To the best of my knowledge the range of the Cheiro has never been measured, the best I can tell you is that Alan managed to achieve 209m with a 3 span machine.

[D B Campbell]

Firstly the Romans would have called this machine a Manuballista, Cheiroballistra is Greek.

Actually, it's Alan Wilkins who calls it a cheiroballistra. Some of us have our doubts! :wink:

There is no denying that you've got a beautifully crafted machine (kudos, Len Morgan), but its design owes as much to Alan Wilkins as it does to Ps-Heron! But that's another story ...

[Crispvs]

Very nice Nerva. I had been wondering who all of the parts I have been seeing lying around at Len's house were intended for. Now I know.
Have you read Len and Alan's paper 'Scorpio and Cheirobalistra' in JRMES 2000? I contains all of the test results of the testing done on our machines ten or eleven years ago now. It would be interesting if you were to conduct similar tests to then produce test results which could be compared with theirs and to note any variations and differences which might further our understanding.

Crispvs

[fasta]

Ha! Ha! Someone to borrow spare parts from :wink: :lol:

[PhilusEstilius]

Hey now Martin who are you kidding with that Red bolt in the lower pic'
Anyway looks realy fantastic man!!!!

[Nerva]

Firstly the Romans would have called this machine a Manuballista, Cheiroballistra is Greek.

Actually, it's Alan Wilkins who calls it a cheiroballistra. Some of us have our doubts! :wink:

There is no denying that you've got a beautifully crafted machine (kudos, Len Morgan), but its design owes as much to Alan Wilkins as it does to Ps-Heron! But that's another story ...

Perhaps you would be so good as to elaborate Duncan?

Hi Brian, I see you noticed our Roman 'Tracer' rounds :lol: :lol: :lol: Unlike our forefathers, our bolts are not fire and forget but rather fire and "don't take your eyes of that £25 bolt!" !:

[Salvianus]

Looking Good

I can't remember what range ours has done, I'm sure John will know.

Much more importantly, how far away was it for the bullseye? I can see an internet based international sharpshooting competition developing... :lol:

[M. Demetrius]

Who would judge it?

[Nerva]

Looking Good

I can't remember what range ours has done, I'm sure John will know.

Much more importantly, how far away was it for the bullseye? I can see an internet based international sharpshooting competition developing... :lol:

Salve Ste!

The target was 35m away but I must stress that this was a pure fluke of a shot. My others went all over the place :oops: There was one marksman, or should I say markswoman at the event. She's normally an archer and by Jupiter she could fire that Cheiro! She must have loosed 6 bolts and every one landed within the red and yellow zone with two striking the inner yellow ring. She totally out shot us :roll: :roll: :roll:

[fasta]

Looking Good

I can't remember what range ours has done, I'm sure John will know.

Much more importantly, how far away was it for the bullseye? I can see an internet based international sharpshooting competition developing... :lol:

Not just sharpshooting Ste. But run the full crowd line with the disassembled weapon,set it up and then hit the target everytime :lol:

I only noticed one minor difference between the two so it should be a fair contest and we can always have a female as part of the crew :wink:

[PhilusEstilius]

Martin. It appears to me that your bunch are like a load of kids with a new toy at the moment but come on guys don't let the girls beat you.
I have to say that trip you made was realy my pleasure it's a shame you have such a full calender at this time for there is so much more I would love to show you along that route. Infact next time we shall go get that huge ornager ball on that three lane Roman road.