Greek and Roman Ballista kit in Red Oak
Cut from Red Oak!
Designed and made in the USA for better quality, better performance!
This version of the kit is cut from high quality Red Oak instead of the
whitewood (Poplar) used in the other version of this item.
Customer review: The new Greek and Roman Ballista Kit is
fantastic. I just bought one and am in the process of putting it together. There
is quite a bit more finishing work but the results are well worth the extra
effort.
- Will B.
The Ballista was an engine of war invented by the Greeks in 800 BCE, and later
adopted by the early Romans. Ballistas were constructed of different sizes for
the various purposes of siege and field warfare. The largest ones could throw
projectiles weighing up to fifty pounds as far as 400 yards!
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 and is where we get the word
"Ballistic".
This model shoots five-inch long, 1/2" diameter bolts (also called darts) about
thirty to forty feet (when property constructed). It stands ten inches tall,
twenty inches long and the arms sweep an arc over twenty inches wide. When not
shooting bolts, this model is a great addition to your bookshelf or
desktop.
More than thirty five parts are included in this kit, but it can be easily
assembled in one day. Everything you need is included except for glue and a few
simple tools like scissors, sandpaper, a file (a utility knife would be helpful
too) and about three to six hours of your time from start to finish.
Features include:
- Made from high quality, solid Red Oak.
- Precision cut by computer -- All parts guaranteed to fit properly!
- Authentic trigger and winch mechanism
- True skein torsion power- not a wimpy spring
- Actual range from 20 to 40 feet or more!
The instructions are highly detailed and complete with full-color photos,
diagrams and historical notes. This kit can be assembled to a finished model in
three to five hours, plus glue-drying time. Some light sanding may be necessary
to smooth any rough edges.
We've put a lot of time and effort into making this kit as easy and complete as
possible. It's a fun way to learn about history and engineering!
* Warning: This is a representative model of a real ancient military weapon. Use
only with competent adult supervision.
* Shown stained as red oak. The kit ships as a natural, unfinished poplar wood
product. Colors may vary.
* Can throw 40 feet when properly constructed and using appropriate missiles.
Your performance may vary.
