It depends on what size trebuchet you're talking about, and what payload. I think we should adopt a standard trebuchet size, which other trebuchets could be compared to.

The standard trebuchet could be one that can fling a standard toilet 500 yards.

The standard trebuchet could be one that can fling a standard toilet 500 yards

That could work. However, your typical urban trebuchet needs to be effective but not of such a size as to scare the shit out of the neighbors when stored in the backyard.

We're generally content with a duffle bag full of soccer balls flung into an approaching army at 100 yards.

Nonian, egad, your roommates response is so.... so... isolating. I can understand it, but still.

Sparky1, sadly, it seemed like a good idea at the time; well, really, it just tasted SO darn good, I couldn't stop myself.

If/when you fling 800#s, do you attempt to recover it, so it can be flung again?

Naw, the 800 lbs is the counterweight. It pulls the "arm" up and over, which is what does the flinging....

If/when you fling 800#s, do you attempt to recover it, so it can be flung again?

I don't have the formulas handy, but the 800lbs is the weight at the end of the arm that provides the force. I'm not sure what weight of missile you could throw most effectively with 800 lbs.

I think a flung toilet can stay where it's flung. There's a guy in Scotland who flings grand pianos and dead cars. Considering his sheep live in the target field, I'm sure he cleans up regularly. The sheep, however, have been observed to run like hell when a cloud's shadow passes over them.

Heh. Original weapons of mass destruction crosspost.

The sheep, however, have been observed to run like hell when a cloud's shadow passes over them.

Heh heh.

But on a serious side:

Recently there have been attemtps by people in England to hurl people using a large trebuchet. Several people were badly hurt- one person ruptured his liver and another person broke her pelvis.

Sadly, and most recently, a student was killed when he missed the landing zone and hit the ground. People were arrested and there is a criminal case pending. Worst of all, someone died.

If you endeavor to repeat a similar stunt, YOU COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED! DON'T DO IT.

This warning, of course, is from people who have done it. [link]

Oh, yeah, the folks doing the flinging into the water. Damn, the g-forces alone would be hell on an unsecured person. I'm amazed it wasn't a snapped neck.

Still . . . It'd be the kind of thing you'd think of doing if your doctor said, "You've got six months to live, go, have fun."

Thinking of Chris' piano fling. Only vaguely on topic, but a very happy television memory that pops in my head at weird times.