http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4667144.stm Here's a novel way to hunt geese . Also check www.trebuchet.com

I think that the instrument the english call a "Catapult"
is what we in North America refer to as a "slingshot", probably of the subtype refered to as a "Wrist Rocket"

AllanD

Allan, a catapult is not a slingshot. A catapult can be made in a number of sizes and is used to toss objects. It is also called a trebochet or trebuchet (french). It was used as a seige weapon as far back as the 15th century. I had an email recently of a large one used to hurl a volkswagon. A common boy scout project in the engineering merit badge is to make a small one, two or three feet high. It can lob large rocks that would easily kill a swan or duck. You would have seen them in the battles at the castles in Lord of the Rings (unless you were one of the 10 people in the world that did not see any of the movies).

It is interesting that they removed the remaining ducks for their own safety. My god.

Here is a link to a site about catapults and trebochets.

I built some catapults when I was a kid.

Plus I must be one of ten people who hasn't seen the Lord of the ring movies.

quote:

(unless you were one of the 10 people in the world that did not see any of the movies).

I would be one of those 10 people also.

I guess I'm 3 of 10...

quote:

Originally posted by Customstox:
Allan, a catapult is not a slingshot.

Actually, the previous poster is correct. Common usage in Scotland (which I assume is the same vernacular of the incident posted on the BBC site) is to refer to slingshots as 'catapults'. Ask on the euro site if you like, but I'm sure about this one. My Wee Muther is from Scotland, and as such I spent time as a kid talking to other young Scottish miscreants. Their 'catapults' *are* slingshots, with little design change from we on this side of the pond. Boys will be boys, regardless of what terms are employed to describe the little tools of destruction they are so fond of.

Cheers,

KG

P.S. I saw the catapult show on Discovery or somesuch as well. Now THAT looked like big fun!