Roman Scorpion / Catapult scale reconstruction

[groppoman]

Salve all,

Wanted to share my 'mini' catapult / scorpion reconstructions I've been fabricating (quietly) for a few years now - especially considering my perusing this forum over same period is responsible for a good deal of my motivation to see things through.

Or, to put it another way, I hold you guys responsible....

I've decided to place one on EBAY, below is link to auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 287wt_1137

I am also attaching a handful of pics, assuming I am able to follow all rules.

Basic dimension data:

2 sizes - 1/2 scale or Catapult Minimus as I've dubbed it. This has a 38mm modiolus diameter
3/4 scale or Catapult Minor. Modiolus diameter 57mm

Catapult Minimus (little guy):

28" high
24" wide (arm tip to arm tip)
34" long

Weight is 38 lbs.

Dimensioning and engineering data 'developed' using a blend of: Vitruvius / Heron / Philon - with the guidance of Mr. Marsden of course. Alan Wilkins, in my opinion, is as fine as anyone out there in interpretative
skills and applying reason to the issues at hand. And I would be remiss not to mention the outstanding work(s) of your very own Mr. Campbell - his book shines in it's concise, 'linear' breakdown of the entire category of artillery. And I proudly acknowledge incorporating some of Aitor's.... hmmmmm...'wonderfully creative' perspective on things.

Anyway, I've rambled enough, hope you enjoy pics.

Greg

[M. Demetrius]

That's some high quality workmanship, sir!
Good job!

[Astiryu1]

I want one on my sailboat (when I get it)!!! Very Nice!
I wonder if local authorities will let me fish with it?

[Gaius Longius]

Absolutely stunning well done.


Now where did I put the kids college money!!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:


Regards,

Gary.

[D B Campbell]

Catapult Minimus (little guy): 28" high / 24" wide (arm tip to arm tip) / 34" long / Weight is 38 lbs.

Very nice workmanship!

If I may quibble with one minor point. A catapulta, being feminine ("little gal"), would be minima. (I keep hearing Bob Peck saying, "Clever girl", for some reason.)

Alan Wilkins, in my opinion, is as fine as anyone out there in interpretative skills and applying reason to the issues at hand.

Agreed.

And I would be remiss not to mention the outstanding work(s) of your very own Mr. Campbell ...

You are too kind, Greg. I have simply stood on the shoulders of Schramm, Marsden and Baatz, from where the view is often much clearer.

[rocktupac]

(I keep hearing Bob Peck saying, "Clever girl", for some reason.)

Yes! I love Jurassic Park. One of my favorite movies. That raptor 'hunting' scene is one of the best!

And excellent work by the way! Wow, simply wow...

[P. Clodius Secundus]

Beautiful craftsmanship, kudos!
I see a number of influences and themes.... Marsden & Feely in the base and winch box, Tomb of Vedinnius in the design of the battleplate, defintely Wilkins' cheiroballistra in the claw/trigger and ratchet. Any data on perfomance? I'm just beginning field trials with my interpretation of a 1/2 scale (1.5") Flavian era catapulta. It's just a cheap (mostly pine and plastic) working model on my way to building a full-sized weapon. I'm learning a lot though. Even with only partial tension on the bundles, I'm looking for a bigger field to shoot in.

[Magnus]

Very cool! How much for a 1:1 scale?

[derek forrest]

Very nice. The Guard had 2 up at Housesteads last weekend built by Tom Feeney and Len Morgan. Both the same 2 spanners with stands and winch with a slightly different winch on each.
Both worked fine although we had fun not hitting the targets. Certainly not a hand catapult as they needed a stand to span them and would not work slotted onto a shield like our old metal framed one (spanned by belly). Indeed we put a handle on the back of one so you could push down with the left hand and operate the winch with the other.

They would be ideal for boat mounting on the gunwale of a rhine patrol boat which fits in with the find at Xanthen.

Quite rightly Tom and Len avoided the MG42 butt placed on the one in the Xanten museum. Neither recoil nor barrel creep is a problem with tortion artillery

[D B Campbell]

the MG42 butt placed on the one in the Xanten museum.

Just an error of judgement. (Pity it has probably start created another catapult-related factoid for a new generation.)

[jvrjenivs]

Very nice work. Are you planning on doing more? Just the metal parts would be fine also.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Wow, that is excellent craftmanship!! Some how I've managed to miss this thread!
I see you've applied varnish? Excellent idea as weather is a big problem on displays.

Very nice work.

[P. Clodius Secundus]

Greg, I have a couple questions about your design choices for these engines.

First, why did you opt for linear saw-tooth ratchets? Since your base and most other features are Vitruvian, one would expect to see a circular ratchet attached to the winch drums. Marsden, Morgan, Feely, and Wilkins all seem to agree on that point. There is evidence of round ratchets as far back as Ephyra and, to my understanding, none that supports that type on stand-mounted engines after Biton of perhaps Philon. The Cupid Gem distinctly shows a round ratchet as well. Alan Wilkins did include them on his Cheiroballistra, but indicated that he did so because it was safer in case the rope breaks. The only evidence of a linear ratchet in a Roman context is the "C" channel one from Elginhaugh, but that is a totally different type.

Second, it appears that your center stanchion is aligned with the front of your hole carrier rather that with the curved portion that extends to the rear. This appears in Wilkin's writings and designs, but contradicts Marsden. Do you know of any source that suggests which is right? On my prototype, I made the center stanchion run the full depth of the hole carrier, but now after installing the arms I find myself having to cut out a lot of the "meat" of the front portions to gain clearance for the heels of the arms. Unless there is difinitive proof to the contrary, my next one will be recessed per Marsden's text.

Third, the centerline of your arms and the bowstring seem to be directly on a plane with the top of your slider. I know Wilkins says that this alignment is "axiomatic" but I'd like know to the source for this bit of wisdom. This has never been a requirement on crossbows where the bow is usually offset downwards with the string riding along the groove. Marsden's drawing of the gastraphetes (TT P.47) illustrates this point perfectly. Caminreal, Cremona, and the Cupid Gem all indicate that some degree of downwards offset or "underslinging" of the frame was normal. This is another deficiency that I plan to correct in my next version.

All of my nit-picking uber-geek questions aside, I really do admire the time and craftsmanship you've put into these machines. I hope you'll continue to share pics and data here on RAT.
Regards,
Randi/Clodius

[Robert Vermaat]

Posted on behalf of Graham Sumner:

Here are some pics of the ESG mini Catapulta.
"Derek and his new Gal!"

[D B Campbell]

Here are some pics of the ESG mini Catapulta.

That's sweet. But d'you think it really needs that stand?! :lol: