Post by Cybermortis on Feb 28, 2013 12:30:54 GMT
For the purposes of the myth I think we would classify a cannon as a muzzle-loading, smooth-bored weapon that uses gunpowder to propel a solid projectile of at least one pound in weight. This would give something that most people would consider to be a 'cannon' in the classic sense.
Historically the smallest cannon used two pound shot, as anything that used a smaller projectile wasn't considered to be a 'cannon' - and as far as I can tell were never called this. The Swivel gun is a good example as they used a one pound shot.
In more modern times a 'cannon' is anything that fires a shell of 15-40mm in calibre - although practically the smallest are 20mm calibre.
The need to take into account what is practical for the show - meaning time to construct, cost, size and safety amongst others - means that we need to shift the definition somewhat. So while it wouldn't have been considered as a cannon, the swivel gun of the 17-1800's would be a good design to copy.
This would be large enough to be impressive, but not so large as to be impractical to build or difficulty to move around. It would also not be so large that they would end up spending the week after the testing trying to recover all the shattered glass. (Lets face it, they are probably going to test a glass cannon to destruction even if they have to use C4 as the propellent...)
Although the 'one pound rule' applies to 'accurate' cannon, here we might again grant them some liberty by allowing a much smaller and lighter projectile. As I think was noted earlier in the thread, the best projectile for MB's uses may be a ping-pong ball filled with concreate, rubber, lead or anything else they have access to. While this would result in a projectile considerably lighter and smaller than a one pound shot. It would also allow them to create a much thicker barrel compared to the width of the bore - which again makes for a somewhat more practical build in terms of cost and weight - while using a projectile that would be easy to see on film, especially if painted bright colours. (Such ammunition would also be quick and easy to make, and cheap enough that loosing any of them isn't going to give anyone nightmares.)
Judging effectiveness is a different matter. Clearly the cannon would need to be capable of firing a projectile with enough force to prove lethal to anyone it hits, and be capable of doing so at a distance beyond small-arms of the same period. (Meaning beyond the effective range of muskets). This would require lethal force at a minimum range of 100 yards, as this is the upper limit of the effective range of muskets.
However, it may not be possible for them to conduct test firings at such ranges especially if they are testing indoors. So they might have to settle for just seeing if the cannon works, and if it does estimating range and force from the muzzle velocities they can get out of the cannon.
Historically the smallest cannon used two pound shot, as anything that used a smaller projectile wasn't considered to be a 'cannon' - and as far as I can tell were never called this. The Swivel gun is a good example as they used a one pound shot.
In more modern times a 'cannon' is anything that fires a shell of 15-40mm in calibre - although practically the smallest are 20mm calibre.
The need to take into account what is practical for the show - meaning time to construct, cost, size and safety amongst others - means that we need to shift the definition somewhat. So while it wouldn't have been considered as a cannon, the swivel gun of the 17-1800's would be a good design to copy.
This would be large enough to be impressive, but not so large as to be impractical to build or difficulty to move around. It would also not be so large that they would end up spending the week after the testing trying to recover all the shattered glass. (Lets face it, they are probably going to test a glass cannon to destruction even if they have to use C4 as the propellent...)
Although the 'one pound rule' applies to 'accurate' cannon, here we might again grant them some liberty by allowing a much smaller and lighter projectile. As I think was noted earlier in the thread, the best projectile for MB's uses may be a ping-pong ball filled with concreate, rubber, lead or anything else they have access to. While this would result in a projectile considerably lighter and smaller than a one pound shot. It would also allow them to create a much thicker barrel compared to the width of the bore - which again makes for a somewhat more practical build in terms of cost and weight - while using a projectile that would be easy to see on film, especially if painted bright colours. (Such ammunition would also be quick and easy to make, and cheap enough that loosing any of them isn't going to give anyone nightmares.)
Judging effectiveness is a different matter. Clearly the cannon would need to be capable of firing a projectile with enough force to prove lethal to anyone it hits, and be capable of doing so at a distance beyond small-arms of the same period. (Meaning beyond the effective range of muskets). This would require lethal force at a minimum range of 100 yards, as this is the upper limit of the effective range of muskets.
However, it may not be possible for them to conduct test firings at such ranges especially if they are testing indoors. So they might have to settle for just seeing if the cannon works, and if it does estimating range and force from the muzzle velocities they can get out of the cannon.
