MISSILE WEAPONS CONSTRUCTION MANUAL AS ADOPTED JULY 2001 UPDATED JANUARY 2002, MARCH 2003 © 2002, 2003 The Adrian Empire Inc., all rights reserved. "Adria" is a registered trade name of the Adrian Empire, Inc. Anyone is welcome to point out any error or omission that they may find. Imperial Minister of Archery archery@adrianempire.org Empress empress@adrianempire.org Emperor emperor@adrianempire.org Missile Weapons Construction Manual: Table of Contents Page 2 of 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE.............................................................................................................................. 3 COMBAT ARROWS ................................................................................................................ 3 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. A. B. Size .................................................................................................................................................................3 Arrow Heads.................................................................................................................................................3 A Reminder...................................................................................................................................................4 Safety..............................................................................................................................................................4 Specifications ................................................................................................................................................4 Materials.........................................................................................................................................................5 Combat Arrow Construction .....................................................................................................................7 Combat Arrow Finishing ............................................................................................................................9 Siege Weapons Construction ...................................................................................................................10 Ammunition Construction .......................................................................................................................10 SIEGE WEAPONS.................................................................................................................10 APPENDIX A: USING CAMPING MATS AS CIRCLES .............................................................12 © Adrian Empire Inc. March 2003 http://www.adrianempire.org Missile Weapons Construction Manual: Preface Page 3 of 14 PREFACE This is the authorized construction manual for combat arrows and other missile weapons, to be used by the Ministers of Archery and populace within the Adrian Empire. The original manual was created by Second Skin Designs for the use in the LARP organization. http://www.here-be-dragons.demon.uk It was used by permission, re-written and revised for use in the Adrian Empire. Archery was authorized in Adria in 1999, when this manual was first published. Since that time, it has undergone clarification and expansion, the most extensive in 2002. In February, 2003, missile weapons were added to the manual, requiring an extensive rewrite and reorganization to include all aspects of missile weapon combat. There were no changes to existing rules, only clarifications. All additions pertain to missile weapons. COMBAT ARROWS What do we need from an arrow to be used in Adrian combat? · Most importantly, we need an arrow design which is as safe and durable as possible · We do not want to compromise the accuracy of the arrow too greatly with over bulky head designs · We want an arrow that is as accurate as we can possibly shoot · It must be fairly cost-effective The cost-effectiveness is important because arrows get broken (usually under foot in combat situations). Readymade arrows get expensive. They are fairly time-consuming to make, and therefore sell for a high price from retailers. Many people want to make their own arrows anyway, and many others have to for financial reasons. If you can make your own safely and correctly, it will only cost you the price of the materials, and you will be in a position to make new ones whenever you want (and it can be fun!) A. Size In any live combat environment, there is only one safe size for an arrow point: large enough to prevent a hit in the eye from hurting that most-precious part of the body. The most appropriate size we have found is around 50mm (2" inches) in diameter. If the head is any larger than that, it simply slows down the arrow and spoils its accuracy - any smaller and the head becomes a dangerous size for eyes. For this reason, no head diameters less than 40mm. B. Arrow Heads The head of an Adrian combat arrow must be soft enough for a close range shot not to damage delicate areas of the body (in case of unforeseen accidents). It must be robust, long-lasting, and eliminate all possibilities of the arrow shaft punching through the foam to the outside world. If this were to happen, the possibility of someone being impaled by a combat arrow would be very real indeed! This must be avoided at all cost as the future of the hobby depends upon it. The head of an Adrian combat arrow must be soft enough for a close range shot not to damage delicate areas of the body (in case of unforeseen accidents). It must be robust, long-lasting, and eliminate all possibilities of the arrow shaft punching through the foam to the outside world. If this were to happen, the possibility of someone being impaled by a combat arrow would be very real indeed! This must be avoided at all cost as the future of the hobby depends upon it. For the sake of this guide, we will call the foam point on the end of the arrow that we are going to make the head. This way nobody can get too confused about sharp points, foam points etc! © Adrian Empire Inc. March 2003 http://www.adrianempire.org Missile Weapons Construction Manual: Combat Arrows Page 4 of 14 C. A Reminder Nothing in this world is guaranteed. Bows and arrows are killing tools and must be treated with the utmost seriousness and care. Once you let that arrow fly, it's out of your hands. No matter how good you are, fate will play its part. D. Safety The marshals will be tasked with the responsibility to weapons checks to ensure the safety of the arrows. Any cracked or nicked arrows should be removed from the field (they create stress raisers, which will increase the likelihood of breakage). Furthermore, the marshall is responsible for checking bows for their draw weight. This is usually found written somewhere on the bow. The marshall should not allow a bow with a draw weight heavier than 35lbs at 28". These arrows have been tested in a safe environment with a bow that had a 45lbs draw and although they were still safe, hit pretty solidly. Safety first! E. Specifications 1. Minimum Specifications Thick rubber gasket Closed cell foam (polyethylene) Plastic/rubber screw protector cup MUST BE A SNUG FIT 40-50mm Closed cell foam (polyethylene) 30 mm min. 30-50mm Fiberglass arrow shaftr 2. Recommended Specifications 40-50mm Bullet casing MUST BE A SNUG FIT Thick rubber gasket Closed cell foam (polyethylene) © Adrian Empire Inc. March 2003 http://www.adrianempire.org Missile Weapons Construction Manual: Combat Arrows Page 5 of 14 F. Materials All of the materials are discussed in detail below, but are recapped here for reference. Arrow Part Shaft Material Fiberglass Comments Commonly referred to as Thunderglass. Must be fiberglass. 25mm thick (or 3 layers of 10mm camping mat foam). Must be polyethylene. About 30mm thick Availability Any archery store Approx. Cost $9.00/dozen (bare shafts) or $2.00/arrow Head Polyethylene foam Foam plastics manufacturers $7.00 to $8.00 or camping stores like Big 5 or REI Most furniture stores, shipping or other place where packing material can be found. Do-it-yourself stores $2.00 to $5.00 a block Tip Upholstery foam/ sponge Blunt cap Rubber Recommended: The caps used to cover the ends of "Closet Maid" closet racks Ideal because they don't add any weight to the arrow. 7mm shell case should be perfect The key is THICK rubber. Plumber's gaskets provide the best strength. $3.00 for about 100 to 160 caps Plastic Bullet cap (shell cases) Tip divider (between the arrow head and the arrow tip) Finishing Thick rubber Sporting goods or gun supply stores Tire shops (for pain rubber). Do-It-Yourself stores (for plumber's rubber gaskets): get the thicker of the available gaskets. $10.00/100 $.78 per 6"x6" sheet Liquid latex rubber Do not use water-based adhesives as they will fall apart in climatic (damp) conditions. Acceptable substitute for latex rubber MUST have the threads that run through them (for strength). Much preferred over carpet tape if at all possible Do-it-yourself stores (sold in $5.00/4-oz can cans to dip tool handles or as liquid electrical tape) Do-it-yourself stores or carpet stores. Places like Wal-Mart, craft stores, or shipping places. $5.00/roll $5.00/roll Carpet tape Fiberglass packing tape 1. Fiberglass Arrow Shafts The arrow shafts MUST be made of fiberglass - NO EXCEPTIONS! The arrow shafts can be made or bought at a local archery store. If you buy whole arrows be sure to cut the arrowhead off. Be sure that the end of the shaft is flat with no sharp edges to it. This manual is written with the minimum specifications in mind which are sufficiently safe. However, maximum efficiency is encouraged and are included here. I encourage you to build them to the maximum specifications. © Adrian Empire Inc. March 2003 http://www.adrianempire.org Missile Weapons Construction Manual: Combat Arrows Page 6 of 14 2. Foam The main foam MUST be made of polyethylene - NO EXCEPTIONS! There are two (2) different types of foam used to construct the arrows. The first type is known as polyethylene foam (a very common material in camping mats). It is rubbery in texture. This foam is the main bulk of our arrow as it is medium-soft, resilient, easy-to-carve and hard-wearing. If you can find it, the ideal thickness is 25mm sheets. Note - camping mats made of polyethylene are usually 10mm thick. Upholstery foam is used for the tip end of the arrow head. This should be 30mm thick (more if desired). The cone part of an eggshell crate is a good choice because the cone shaping is already done (a cone shape is best for arrow flight). This foam is not essential, but helps greatly to act as a buffer on impact. 3. Blunt Cap Whatever type of cap is used, it must fit snugly. Caps that are too big for the arrow shaft can affect arrow's characteristics and could make them dangerous. The cap helps to spread the load exerted on impact against the inside face of the foam. It also eliminates any potential sharp edges on the end of the shaft and increases the gluing area of the foam. Plastic caps are ideal as they don't add any weight to the arrow, so it maintains its flight characteristics. There is one advantage to using rubber blunts: when the foam is built around a rubber blunt, the likelihood of anyone be impaled by that arrow, if the foam were to fall apart is very slight indeed. It is better to get a bruise than have vital organs punctured. For maximum efficiency, a bullet cap is the best. 4. Rubber Divider The divider MUST be made of rubber - NO EXCEPTIONS! Plumbers rubber gaskets are the only real choice here as it provides the greatest strength. Carpet tape, duct tape, cloth foam or leather are not acceptable as a replacement for thick rubber. They are simply not strong enough. Do not use a piece of metal or a coin. These materials are too solid (they have no "give") and could cause the fiberglass shaft to fracture. Do not use plastic as it is likely to crack. 5. Liquid Latex Rubber (Finishing Option 1) This helps to seal the arrow head, and make it more presentable for use. Black latex is preferred because it covers better and is less intrusive in color than other color choices. 6. Packing Tape (Finishing Option 2) An acceptable alternative to the liquid latex rubber is fiberglass packing tape. The tape MUST have the threads that run through them for strength. This is much preferred over carpet tape if at all possible. If carpet tape must be used, it must also have the threads running through them for strength. © Adrian Empire Inc. March 2003 http://www.adrianempire.org Missile Weapons Construction Manual: Combat Arrows Page 7 of 14 7. Tools Assemble all the tools needed before starting construction: · Hot glue gun (with glue) · Contact adhesive (spray adhesive is preferred) · Ball point pen (for marking shapes and sizes on the foam) · Steel ruler (steel so that you don't shave the edges if you use the craft knife) · Craft knife (wi ...