Ancient Engineering SeriesONAGER.com
The Mighty Roman War Machine
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Torsion and Tension Catapult Plans CD


This CD includes plans for a variety of torsion and tension catapults and more! Including:

The Greek BallistaThis model is 41 inches long, 24 inches wide and stands 31 inches tall. The ballista uses a pair of skeins (bundles of twisted rope) for power. Similar to the working of a crossbow, the Ballista actually preceded the crossbow in western culture by over a thousand years.

The Mighty Roman OnagerAlso known as a Mangonel, this model is 16" long, 12" high and 8" wide. This historically accurate, compact and portable catapult uses the exact same principles as the ancient Roman war machines.
Petraria ArcatinusPowered by a steel bow, this is the catapult you've seen in ancient drawings and Hollywood movies, but with a difference... This one really works! This model is 18 inches long and 10 inches wide. The arm reaches 18 inches high at rest.
Scorpion IIThe completed model is 18 inches long and 9 inches wide. The arm is 28 inches long. The Scorpion II main fulcrum is attached to an aluminum linkage for smoother action and a more dynamic arm tip movement.

And the new Rat-trap Spoon-a-pult!
Designed to be easy to build using simple household items and common tools like pliers and a hammer, and using a Rat Trap for power (available at most hardware stores). Great for school science experiments!

This disk also includes these additional manuscripts:
  • Historical conjecture on the Petraria concept
  • Useful information on scaling
  • Safety notes on working with wood
  • and more!

Tools you will need:
For all projects (except for the rat-trap model) you will need a table saw, drill press, screwdrivers, carpenter's square, scissors, needle-nose pliers (for the petraria) and if you have a router, that would be useful too. But these can be made without a router.


BONUS MATERIAL!
Our two highly popular e-books are also included:
The Projectile Throwing Engines of the Ancients, By Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey
And
Catapult Design, Construction and Competition. By Dr. Bernard F. Barcio

$29.95
Our Price: $8.95
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    Price: $29.95
    Our Price: $8.95
    Minimum age: 8
    Availability: In stock.

    Buy Now or Add To Cart
    Item code: 99014


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Interesting Notes

The Roman Onager was the main artillery device of the Roman army. It was named after the Asian Wild Ass because they both have a tendancy to "kick" when they go off.

Oftentimes, an Onager would be fitted with a sling on the end of the arm instead of a cup or bucket. The sling will give greater range to a heavier projectile, but can only hurl one rock at a time. The bucket could be filled with lots of rocks at once - an effective anti-personnel device.

The kinds of things the Romans hurled includes heavy rocks and clay pots filled with pitch and tar- on fire.

Onagers are sometimes called a "Mangonel", but Mangonel literally translates as "War Machine" - a category that also includes ballistae and trebuchets.

The Onagers were used from early Roman times right up to the medieval period alongside the trebuchets. They lost their advantage to the cannons and gunpowder in the 13th century.