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[1] Introduction
Since the use of gunpowder in recreating medieval gunnery is potentially
quite dangerous (and in many places illegal without special licenses) the use of water rockets provides and alternative
mechanism that still retains much of the flavour of gunpowder weaponry but without the risks.
[2] Pressurisation and Maximum Pressure
The maximum allowable pressure to be used in a water rocket is 100 PSI.
Water rockets may only be pressurised by the use of hand powered pumps of
the type designed for pressurising car or bicycle tyres.
All pumps used should be fitted with a pressure gauge that reads up to 150
PSI.
[3] Rocket Construction
Only PET bottles that can be demonstrated to withstand 150 PSI may be approved
for used in the construction of water rockets.
Rockets can be constructed from the list of following materials
- Approved PET bottles
- Duct Tape
- Closed cell foam - for padding or fins
- Half tennis balls - for striking surfaces
- Plywood disks - for weight
- Lead sinkers - for weight
- Rubber sheet - for fins
- Plastic sheet - for streamers
Materials not on this list must be approved by a marshall experienced in
the use of SCA Siege weapons on each occasion they are used untill they are accepted or banned by the marshallate.
All water rockets must have a minimum of 1 1/2 inches (4 centimetres) of
closed cell foam between any weights and the striking surface.
All water rockets must have a minimum of 1/2 an inch of closed cell foam
between any weights and the end of the bottle.
All water rockets must have fins or streamers to ensure that they fly with
the striking surface to the front.
The total weight of the water rocket must be less than 8 ounces (225 grams).
Two Examples of Water Rocket Construction
[4] Cannon Construction
Cannons shall replicate the appearance of cannons built prior to 1600. Cannons that look obviously like modern
guns will be disallowed.
Cannon can be either breech loading or muzzle loading.
In the case of breech loading cannon the breech assemblies shall extend
beyond the length of the water rocket. Breech assemblies should be constructed solidly enough to carry the weight
of an armoured heavy fighter without breaking.
The barrels of muzzle loading cannons that sit low enough to the ground
that there is a danger of their being accidentally stepped on must also constructed solidly enough the carry the
weight of an armoured fighter.
Firing pins should be either constructed in a fashion that minimises the
chance of accidental firing (ie. pins that must be pulled 'up' to fire) or be fitted with a safety device that
will prevent the cannon from firing while it's in place.
Separate breech assemblies 'must' be fitted with a safety device.
The firing mechanism shall be constructed so that no more than 2 inches
(5 cm) of the mouth end of the bottle will be visible when locked into place.
[5] Minimum and Maximum Ranges
The minimum range at which a water rocket can be discharged is 10 yards.
The maximum range a rocket should be able to fly at a launch angle of 45
degrees is 80 yards.
[6] Field Inspection
Water rocket cannon will be field tested by firing four shots at an angle
of 45 degrees. All cannon must fire their water rockets between 40 and 80 yards.
All wars at which water rockets are used shall have an appropriate number
of Marshals equipped with a suitably accurate pressure gauge for the performance of spot pressure check. The crew
of any cannon found to be pressurised above 100 PSI will be held in breach of the rules.
[7] Reloading
Cannons will only be reloaded in an area specifically set-aside for the
purpose and delineated by some means (Artillery Park).
The size of the Artillery Park shall be large enough that there will be
at least 15 feet (5 meters) between the edge of the park an any cannon being reloaded.
All loaded cannon that are parked prior to being deployed on the battlefield
shall be left with their barrels at an elevation of at least 15 degrees 'below' the horizontal.
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