[Theoretical Invention] Wall Buster, Dual Lateral Slinging Engine

[oblivionsbane 714]

     The Duel Lateral Slinging Engine, or DLSE is a theoretical low arc weapon meant to deal with more forward defenses. You will have to work with me here because this is completely in my head, there is nothing to my knowledge like it ever made.

 

     What it is, is basically two sideways mangonels facing away from each other, base to base essentially, that work in tandem. It would have one centralized crank meant to crank both torsion springs back using gear works. The chassis itself would be capable of being risen at the front to apply slight angles and somewhat greater and adjustable range. It would have normal arms, made to length, and pouches similar to what you are familiar with trebuchets having.

 

     Now you might wonder what makes this so much more effective than a normal mangonel, or even, a trebuchet? A normal mangonel arm moves ninety degrees or a little less and manages to fire a single projectile at a medium to low arc at, depending on the size, the strength of a ballista to even something like a small trebuchet if large enough.

 

     What are the disadvantages of this? Mangonels work by torsion springs, which propel projectiles using stored energy in the springs. The first problem is the arm has to use some of the energy produced by the springs working against gravity to lift up the arm and its projectile due to its forward firing action. This means that in its entire motion it should be producing energy, energy is being used up in the motion itself, making it inefficient. Secondly, the ninety degrees doesn't allow for the most energy to come from the springs, as more energy would be produced in the latter half of the motion due to it not having to work against gravity as much. The problem with letting a normal mangonel go 180 degrees is that its arm would likely bust from, you guessed it, gravity pulling on it and causing more downward force. Along with this, because it is going forward and the latter stroke of the conventional mangonel is at a downward motion, the projectile would follow suit more than likely slamming into the ground almost immediately. In comparison, a trebuchet has a counterweight that uses gravity to fire, and provides an undefined degree travel by it being on a sort of free floating axle that allows it as much movement as the arm needs, which is why you see trebuchets recoil back and forth from the counterweight.

 

     Now that you understand the concepts and problems with current mangonel designs, let me elaborate on the DLSE. The DLSE fires both arms at a 180 degree arc sideways, creating centrifugal force in this motion, keeping the projectile in the sling until it is ready to launch as a trebuchet does. It would also create more energy using the projectiles weight to its advantage with the centrifugal force to help move the arm forward, creating more energy to launch the projectile. After the projectiles have been launched both arms would hit a padded strut towards the front, stopping their motion where they could again be winded back, loaded, and fired. The projectiles would probably leave the sling somewhere past 90 degrees, 120 maybe, cross paths possibly in mid air, and proceed to their forward targets. Of course there would need to be iron reinforcements, but most siege weapons really need those anyways. Not to mention this design facilitates the firing of two projectiles instead of one, the dual impacts more effective at rattling a wall or defensive structure.

 

     Now, I am sure you are thinking, why not just use trebuchets? The answer to the question is simple, trebuchets fire at a large arc meant to hurl stones over walls, not into them, although they could if they tried. Most don't though, because they feel it is a waste of time to deal with the walls. This is overlooked rather foolishly though, since the walls are what stops your 100 guys from going in to fight the fortified 80 guys who are firing arrows at you that you can't get to. And again, it's frame can be tilted to a slight angle to allow a short arc and increase its range slightly.

 

Summary

-More power than mangonel

-More efficient than mangonel

-Just slightly higher rate of fire than mangonel

-Easier to move than mangonel

-Is wider and takes up more space than mangonel

-Slightly more complicated than mangonel, but not much honestly

-Low chance of missing due to relatively flat linear firing angle and targets generally being easy to hit

-Is generally more effective than a mangonel

-Range slightly increased

-More versatile and easier to aim than mangonel

 

OOC: After thinking about it, this isn't meant as just a new siege weapon, but something meant to succeed an already existing weapon. This weapon eliminates all shortcomings of the rare to see robust mangonel and converts it into a useful weapon meant for destroying forward fortifications much more effectively than a mangonel. Trebuchets actually have a minimum range, while these do not, they fire forward more or less and bash into walls, gatehouses, bunkers, or whatever and mess them up. This is just an interesting idea I had when thinking of a new siege weapon that the server could use. It in my head is full proof, although I did write this kinda drowsy so forgive any little mistakes or minor faults in logic.

 

Too long, too lazy to read

It's this catapult thing that fires sideways and generally outdoes the mangonel in every way so that you can bust walls and stuff from a distance while your trebs can lay waste to the keep and things.

 

 

In any case, thanks for reading, hope it didn't hurt too bad, haha.

 

EDIT: Name/acronym changed to DLSE

[Lark 2227]

((Don't do drugs kids. On a more serious note, looks cool and needs balancing. Name needs changing to .-.))

[The Fact Core 511]

The Lateral Slinging Device, or LSD

 

 

((Don't do drugs))

[Shadeleaf 1022]

((I swear to god Lotc has forced people to learn more about siege equipment and military strategy than the history-classes at West-Point))

[Silent™ 552]

(( The first thing I noticed was the LSD... and it seems others did as well... ))

[Samson Option 9652]

 

((I swear to god Lotc has forced people to learn more about siege equipment and military strategy than the history-classes at West-Point))

 

((Learning history is more beneficial than Anime!))

[monkeymo14 53]

((Learning history is more beneficial than Anime!))

^^^^

[oblivionsbane 714]

It'd be really easy to rename, Lateral Slinging Mechanism, Lateral Slinging Equipment, Lateral Slinging Machine, ect ect, so don't worry about the name too much. I'm gonna +1 you all because I like feedback (And Arzota I love you.)

[Destroyer_Bravo 1054]

((LSD.

 

Were you high when you made that name?))

[oblivionsbane 714]

((LSD.

 

Were you high when you made that name?))

No, just seemed the most fitting, it actually is a very accurate name, the acronym is just silly.

[oblivionsbane 714]

I am going to temporarily rename it to something that your mind won't associate with hallucinogens. I will be changing the name to Dual Lateral Slinging Engine, or DLSE, which is more accurate. An engine by definition is a machine that takes energy and turns it into mechanical motion, which is what this is. I could make its name Dual Lateral Slinging Machine, but that isn't as precise a statement, because engine further defines machine into -what- machine. (Gotta explain everything with you guys, haha.)

[Birdwhisperer 1174]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.