I think I'm gonna hurl...

December 7, 2005 9:28 AM

Catapult Kits. Big or small, classic or modern, no matter their taste, you'll find something to drive everyone on your holiday shopping list ballistic. It's all fun and games (audio), but be sure to plan ahead so no one gets hurt.
posted by Gamblor (19 comments total)

Thank you. I've been struggling to think of a gift for my wife. Something different....... Something she'd love but never buy for herself...... Perfect.

Hope she doesn't read MeFi any more. Everyone keep quiet.
posted by y6y6y6 at 9:50 AM on December 7, 2005

Well, there goes my motivation to build the one I had designed from scratch.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 9:56 AM on December 7, 2005

Anyone see that show on PBS, where it was determined that having it free to roll around on wheels made it shoot further than if it was firmly anchored when firing?
posted by StickyCarpet at 9:57 AM on December 7, 2005

Sweet! I just ordered the desktop model for my brother's Christmas present. Thanks, Gamblor!
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:58 AM on December 7, 2005

Nice set of links. Especially the Death by Trebuchet closer.
posted by damclean2 at 10:00 AM on December 7, 2005

StickyCarpet: That would be Medieval Siege. I've seen it & yeah, it was great. They used to put some nasty stuff in those things.
posted by stinkycheese at 10:06 AM on December 7, 2005

You're welcome, MrMoonPie, but before I get a callout for shilling Pepsi-Blue-colored ballistas, this post was intended for entertainment purposes only. Possibly to inspire the launching of poodles and/or hippies, too, but that's totally up to you.
posted by Gamblor at 10:11 AM on December 7, 2005

My little desktop catapult is nowhere near as pretty as these. But its just as effective at flinging disease ridden mice carcasses over the cubicle walls so as to infect my co-workers with the Black Death.

That should teach them for mocking my swanky hat and purple cape!

Death by trebuchet sounds appropriate for some crooks. Launch them into a pit of vipers for extra tv ratings!

As an aside, pumpkin chunking is pretty damned cool too. The other night I saw a air powered chunker shoot pumpkins THROUGH cars. It was quite impressive!
posted by fenriq at 10:11 AM on December 7, 2005

Trebuchet - when you care enough to shoot a grape.
posted by Cranberry at 10:13 AM on December 7, 2005

I think my favorite part is the dinosaurs in the background of The Mighty Roman Mangonel! Because that's the real reason the dinosaurs are extinct... Roman catapults. It's true, I saw it on Bill Nye.
posted by BuffaloBandit at 10:15 AM on December 7, 2005

There is a choice non-fiction book out there called "Catapult: Harry and I Build A Siege Weapon" about two guys who set out to build one (actually a trebuchet), and end up getting funding and the whole bit. Weirdly inspiring and kind of wonderful. Quite a history lesson, too.
posted by theinsectsarewaiting at 10:29 AM on December 7, 2005

Oh, the hours of drunken rock hurling fun these would create...

Thanks for the link. *orders something ridiculous* ;)
posted by drstein at 10:30 AM on December 7, 2005

"Massive rocks, diseased livestock and annoying minstrels could be delivered to your enemy with equal ease."

Man, where was this link when I needed it yesterday?
posted by Mr Pointy at 10:38 AM on December 7, 2005

Xmas shopping = done.
posted by NationalKato at 10:59 AM on December 7, 2005

Great post. And I've ordered a trebuchet for a friend - talk about the perfect gift! And that shot blade is something I have to get for myself!
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 11:09 AM on December 7, 2005

I have a desktop catapult that says CATAPULTA on it. I envision it being used in a card game of some sort, where at some point everyone jumps up and shouts CATAPULTA! and then balloons fall from the ceiling or something.

Possibly to inspire the launching of poodles and/or hippies

You could cross them and launch hippapoos. The boys could call you HoJu...
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:14 AM on December 7, 2005

Great links! I'm about to get my Concealed Trebuchet Permit. This will really come in handy.
posted by breakfast_yeti at 12:09 PM on December 7, 2005

"Excuse me, sir and/or maddam, is that a trebuchet in your pocket?"
posted by Balisong at 1:54 PM on December 7, 2005

Any of you ever play Crossbows and Catapults? I used to love that game. Never actually played it though, just set everything up and then had free-for-all destruction fests.
posted by Jawn at 7:51 PM on December 7, 2005