Shooting the trebuchet at Weisbach

Approximately halfway between Weisbach and the Wysburg there has been build a fully functional scale model of a trebuchet ( tribock or blide ).

Each summer this siege engine will be put to use 3 of 4 times, albeit not for warfare but instead for more festive occasions like on the archaeological field trip.

Although this is a scale model with a scale of 1:3, the forces that are unleashed here that should be handled with great care. This device will hurl a concrete ball the size of a soccer ball a fair distance with a nicely curved trajectory.
Also the violent swing of the arm and ropes can still cause serious injury which is why safety instructions are meticulously followed up on.

Apart from solid ammunition, water filled balloons are also used. These are easier to spot on impact and also tend not break harvesting machines when lost is a field.

This video was shot in 2005 by Meliantha and pulling the trigger rope for this shot is Han.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Trebuchet
• Blide
• Blijde
• Tribock
• Wysburg
• Wysbach

[coilgunner2]

One thing I really like about trebuchets, is they are powerful, quiet and most importantly (to me) they don't do any damage to the object being thrown, so they are intact while at their maximum speed. It makes it easier to see what damage they do during the aftermath knowing that. Better then a cannon in my opinion!

[Diggnuts]

Indeed. For a siege engine that is supposed to do that so much damage one expects a tremendous noise, but this machine just gently swooshes the stone bolder away.

Another great attribute of trebuchets is the accuracy. A capable trebuchet master could set up the machine so that it would hit the same area every time. Also the high degree of reconfigurability makes this not only one of the first the first WMD's but also the first smart multi purpose weapon.

[akitist]

That big follow-through means the ball was too light and/or the arm too heavy. The machine is begging for some serious ammo. The long lanyard is a good touch, and the release seems well-engineered.

[Diggnuts]

That is a typical thing all trebuchets do, the long swings after the initial shot and those ropes flinging everywhere. While waving around, the ropes still have enough power to seriously hurt a person when standing to close. Also note how peaceful and quiet such a shot is. Realize that massive forces are at work here but all you hear is the soft "whoosh". it shows that this weapon is a durable and efficient piece of equipment.

[cupstrapspazz]

i would try it :)