Thursday 29 March 2012

Couillard (scratch built)

Bit of an odd one this device, not commonly seen and  I only came across it whilst researching about trebuchets.
Put it into a web search...there´s a couple of bits about it,  mostly in French and virtually no pics.
This one is a big version..they appear to have been about twice the height of a man  but I prefer big stone throwers. The range was apparently 180 meters with a 50kg shot and needed a crew of 8 to fire at a rate of 10 shots an hour.


Here´s a video of one firing. Thiers has a "running board" for the sling but some were just launched from the ground. The firing action looks pretty "violent", the counterweights wobbling all over the place.

20 comments:

  1. superbe couillard ! très bien réalisé.

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  2. Stunning work Paul! Loved the video at the end, tres bon!

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  3. Amazing job Paul, you've put the lob back into lobbing!

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  4. Fantastic work! Any plans to go into business? I'd buy at least 4 ;-)

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  5. great stuff. I was wondering about the name but picture number 3 clarified things.

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  6. Wow! The detail of your model is great. That thing in the video looks like it was terrifying from both ends.

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  7. Yours is brillent (detailing fantastic) theirs is scarry!!

    Ian

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  8. Great job on this model. How did you make the gears/sprockets? It looks as if this machine would actually work.

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  9. Cracking model! Really impressed with the "Y" shape that you have made for the throwing arm

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    1. That's exactly what I thought too!
      Great job!

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  10. A great job as always mate, but this one is better because you scratched it yourself - well done indeed!

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  11. "great work"
    I think that :
    1- I know why this machine is called a "couillard": the two weight on the front of the engine are like "testicles" which is the "common" french word of "couilles" !!
    2-I've seen one (and take a picture...)in real: I'll search in my computer!

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    1. I confirm for the pictures! with some more siege engines!

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  12. Cool paul. I find it funny that such a machine is not often commented on

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  13. Great build Paul!

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.com/

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