Some years ago a Patrol of Scouts built a giant catapult and fired a stave an incredible 99 yards (90.5m). Fortunately they had allowed plenty of room.

Equipment

- 5 x 2.4m (8ft) spars
- 1 x 1.8m (6ft) spars
- 3 x 1m (3ft) spars
- 5 pickets
- 6 lashing lengths
- 4 x 5m (15ft) ropes for guys
- 1 single pulley
- 1 double pulley
- 1 x 15m (50ft) rope to suit pulleys
- 3 - 4 old car inner tubes (depending on size)
- Sisal

Method

Construct an A frame using 2 x 2.4m (8ft) and 1 x 1.8m (6ft) spars.

Attach the guys (2 x 5m (15ft) ropes) to the top of each side of the A frame using round turns and two half hitches.

Join the inner tubes together into a chain by binding them using plenty of sisal. Hang the two ends of the tyre chain over the top of the A frame spars.

Stand the A frame up, heel in the butts and then drive in the pickets. The guys should be adjusted so that the A frame leans at approx 20o to the vertical.

Set 2 x 1m (3ft) spars into the ground vertically approx 2.4m (8ft) from the A frame and parallel to it.

Lash the third 1m (3ft) spar across the previous two about 0.3m (1ft) down from the top.

Lay one of the 2.4m (8ft) spar in the crutch of the A frame and lash the other end (the butt) on top of the horizontal 1m (3ft) spar.

Lay the other two 2.4m (8ft) spars alongside the first with one end in the crutch of the A frame and the other resting on the horizontal bar. Join the three together at the lower end using a figure of eight lashing.

Drive in the remaining picket in line with the sloping spars and about 1.8m (6ft) away from the support for the butts of the 2.4m (8ft) spars.

Rig the pulleys and the 15m (50ft) rope into a handy billy. Attach one end the handy billy to the centre of the tyre chain using sisal and the other end to the fifth picket.

To fire the bolt shooter

Prime the firing mechanism by tensioning up the handy billy and then make off to the rear picket.

Load a light spar or stave.

Check that the coast is clear and everyone is behind the line of fire.

Cut the sisal.