wcy wrote on Oct 4
th, 2007 at 5:53pm:
Trebuchet,
105mm? Was that in the movie?
But seriously, years back I had a co-worker talk to me about those beehive rounds being used during his time in Vietnam.
Definitely a good thing to have during human wave assaults.
Curious_aardvark,
Righto about a staff sling, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near somebody whipping a 5lb. bullet. The sling would have to be built tough. And yeesh, I couldn't find enough wheel weights to cast many 5 pounders. "I've got
one shot, it's a doozy but I sure hope I don't miss!"
I'm going to make me a sling soon, so I can go practice. I live near the Indian River so I will be able to fling with abandon out into the water. No lead, just stones.
Take it easy.
Will
(edited for spelling)
"Beehive." That's where I ran across a reference to it: in a book about the 'Nam. The 40mm grenade launcher also had beehive rounds. The standard frag round didn't arm itself until 20 or 30 feet from the end of the "Elephant Gun" or "blooper" grenade launcher. I think the gun, top break single shot like a shotgun, was called the M-70. I stand to be corrected on that. Could be M-79. But it was 40mm and some people called it "Thumper" because of the noise it made when firing.
I believe the civilian version sold to police was 37mm, probably on the theory that you couldn't fire a 40mm frag grenade or beehive if you smuggled some back from the war. The 37mm was tear gas only. In 1974 I watched Montgomery police try to use their 37mm to smoke some murderous self-styled Black Muslims out of a hideout. The first round went halfway across the street. The second missed the building's huge plate glass windows entirely, bounced off the brick wall, and rolled along the sidewalk.
If you want my account of the Great Big Siege of WAPX, send me a PM and I'll post it to you. I wrote it recently when I was mentioned in a local newspaper as one of the radio reporters who covered the story. I had a rooftop view of the entire mess. It was the first story I ever covered as a reporter.
Sling making: there are some excellent designs here, and if you send Chris a small donation, he'll send you a hand made sling. I sent US $25 and was well pleased with the result. In the section about "New articles about sling making" two posters give detailed descriptions --- along with photos --- on how to braid a sling. I'm not brave enough to try that yet. I saw some photos here of traditional slings with very nice modifications. One maker used (this is probably the wrong word) hollow metal grommets to reinforce the holes in the pouch through which the cords are tied. It was not only a great mechanical strain reducer, but was very pretty.
If you'll PM Aussieslinger with your mailing address, he'll send you a sling at no charge. All synthetic, very durable, and well made. Mine is marked #54. He won't even accept an offer of payment for postage. He'll tell you to do a good deed for somebody else. Good guy, Aussieslinger.
Have a good day. I've bent your eyeballs enough.
Trebuchet