Comment on Anon misses the classic design
TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee 2 days agoEh, the extra momentum probably doesn’t overcome the extra weight and drag created by the handle. People are comparing it to an atlatl, but you’re throwing an aerodynamic object with the atlatl, not the atlatl along with the spear.
More than likely the biggest reason is just logistics, extra weight, extra space, additional steps in fabrication.
Hazmatastic@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Catapult vs trebuchet. The extra rotation point makes a world of difference.
Agree that the benefits dont quite outweigh the space issue though.
TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee 2 days ago
According to what other people posted, my argument seems to be correct. The benefits of extra rotation does not overcome the negative effects of adding additional weight and drag.
"According to the British War Office, the stielhandgranate had a throwing distance of up to 27m while standing, compared to the 35m distance of the more modern and still used M67. Which weighs 30% less and take up 75% less space lengthwise. Even the Mk2( classic pineapple design) reached 30m despite weghing the same as the German one, because it was denser and more aerodynamic.
EDIT: For anyone curious, the ideal shape among those used and weight for distance and accuray is apparently round and ~300g. Reaching a distance of (38.6±6.5 m) and an accuracy of of (6.9±3.9 m).
doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2005.06.008"