Post by Pitbull on Oct 21, 2007 1:04:31 GMT 1
My son has been studying the Romans in his history class at school. His project was to construct something a Roman would have used. This could have been anything from a wooden staff to a battle Ballister. He was allowed to have adult supervision with his choice of model, so I chose the most complicated thing I could manage. Whilst other kids turned up at school with a shield made that morning from their cereal packet, Daniel walked into school with this.
Overall length is about 30". Every detail is from my imagination. I have never seen a picture or one in a film.
Designed to be drawn by four horses , with a bucket that fires the missile.
Turning the handle brings the bucket down, attached at the other end by rubber bands, pivoting in the middle.
Pull the loose piece of string, releasing the hook and thus the bucket. We managed to get a bottle of correction fluid about 30 feet.
The hinge mechanism was made from....well hinges. The two front discs swivel one on top of the other with a piece of dowel through it. I even used dowel to fix the front arm to make it look authentic. I also cut off the sharp edges of the wood to make it look like it was 'knocked up quickly' on the battlefield.
The four white plastic things that go on the horses backs are from an electric motor.
Chocs hanging on the back.
Underside view.
Daniel had to give a demonstration to every teacher and child that came into his classroom that day. The news of this 'fantastic working model' spread like wildfire through the school very quickly.
The model was on display in the main reception area for the rest of the year, and laid out on the table every parents evening.
Needles to say he got an A for his piece.
I was asked about it a few months later and convinced the teacher that I only supplied the idea and the wood.
Overall length is about 30". Every detail is from my imagination. I have never seen a picture or one in a film.
Designed to be drawn by four horses , with a bucket that fires the missile.
Turning the handle brings the bucket down, attached at the other end by rubber bands, pivoting in the middle.
Pull the loose piece of string, releasing the hook and thus the bucket. We managed to get a bottle of correction fluid about 30 feet.
The hinge mechanism was made from....well hinges. The two front discs swivel one on top of the other with a piece of dowel through it. I even used dowel to fix the front arm to make it look authentic. I also cut off the sharp edges of the wood to make it look like it was 'knocked up quickly' on the battlefield.
The four white plastic things that go on the horses backs are from an electric motor.
Chocs hanging on the back.
Underside view.
Daniel had to give a demonstration to every teacher and child that came into his classroom that day. The news of this 'fantastic working model' spread like wildfire through the school very quickly.
The model was on display in the main reception area for the rest of the year, and laid out on the table every parents evening.
Needles to say he got an A for his piece.
I was asked about it a few months later and convinced the teacher that I only supplied the idea and the wood.
