The Roman Ballista was the main type of Torsion Artillery used by the Romans. The Scorpion is a small version of the Ballista. The Ballista was invented by the Greeks and adopted by the Romans. Ballistas could fire both spears and round shot to in excess of 300 yards in a flat trajectory. The best 1/30 scale model Ballista produced to date was made by Conte; which was made for their Viking line.
Country Honor recently made one in 1/30 scale; but the proportions were unrealistic!
The Elastolin Ballista is probably the most accurate Roman Ballista model made to date. The size is 70mm or 1/25 scale; but since Ballista size was proportional to the weight of shot fired size varied widely and the Elastolin model works well with 60mm figures. The first 3 photos show the Elastolin Ballista in a Roman Siege Diorama. The 4th photo shows a large Siege Ballista capable of throwing 50# stone shot 300 yards. The model is scratch built of wood and actually works using Torsion Springs to fire 1/4 inch lead shot over 50 feet! The 5th photo shows the Country Honor Scorpion; which is a small anti-personnel Ballista and is very like the larger Elastolin model.
Hopefully TG, FL, K&C or TCS will make an accurate 1/30 scale Roman Ballista for their Roman Lines; they would do well to emulate the design of the Elastolin Ballista IMO.
Country Honor recently made one in 1/30 scale; but the proportions were unrealistic!
The Elastolin Ballista is probably the most accurate Roman Ballista model made to date. The size is 70mm or 1/25 scale; but since Ballista size was proportional to the weight of shot fired size varied widely and the Elastolin model works well with 60mm figures. The first 3 photos show the Elastolin Ballista in a Roman Siege Diorama. The 4th photo shows a large Siege Ballista capable of throwing 50# stone shot 300 yards. The model is scratch built of wood and actually works using Torsion Springs to fire 1/4 inch lead shot over 50 feet! The 5th photo shows the Country Honor Scorpion; which is a small anti-personnel Ballista and is very like the larger Elastolin model.
Hopefully TG, FL, K&C or TCS will make an accurate 1/30 scale Roman Ballista for their Roman Lines; they would do well to emulate the design of the Elastolin Ballista IMO.