Build Your Own Backyard Catapults

I was scanning my library’s RSS feed for the new books they have just catalogued and saw the title “Backyard Catapults : How to Build Your Own” in the list. This book brought back some memories of driving to visit the Wincklers out in the country for some function. As we rounded a bend, out of the sky fell a projectile. Looking down the road I could see Matt and a friend of his lobbing water balloons from a giant home-made sling shot.

Although this book is about catapults, I think Matt might be able to get some new ideas while drawing up plans for his new home?

Wilson provides photos of the building process, detailed and updated plans, plus construction information on ballistas, onagers and trebuchets. You will aso find information on catapult web sites and how to be included in some of the catapult contests around the country. Also included is some interesting catapult history, its strength and weakness as a weapon, and what it was that led to its demise as a functional war machine. There’s no question that warriors have found more efficient means of lobbing projectiles at enemies, real and imagined, but has it ever been as much fun?