World's Simplest and Newest Trebuchet (Walking Arm Trebuchet)

We recently received a very informative and interesting email from Jonathan Stapleton our 2018 VTPC Heavyweight Champion and current world record holder (700 feet). His son, Orion Stapleton, won last year's Lightweight Division and the overall Grand Championship for Best Design of a trebuchet. Orion's lightweight trebuchet, named Demolisher, demolished the competition with a throw of 266 feet, which was 180 feet better than the 2nd place competitor. Orion's trebuchet also beat the 200 foot lightweight world record that his sister, Emmerson Stapleton, had held since 2016 with her "Destroyer" trebuchet. At the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' competition lightweight trebuchets are required to weigh less than 20 lbs. and be under 41" in height.

The Stapleton's have achieved their dominance of the VTPC competition over the years with a very unique and innovative trebuchet design called the "Walking Arm Trebuchet." This design looks so simple and straightforward that almost anyone should be able to build one.

The Stapleton's have graciously published an excellent Instructables.com article showing and explaining how to build this incredible trebuchet. You should all check it out.

By Mr. Stapleton / Instructables.com:

World's Simplest and Newest Trebuchet (Walking Arm Trebuchet) --

This is the world premier of our new trebuchet design. Not only is the trebuchet simple, it is extremely efficient. It has many of the advantages of a floating arm trebuchet, but with fewer parts, less friction, and a unique projectile launch path. As you can see in my son's video, above, the projectile never swings backward beyond its starting point, reducing the dangers to bystanders behind the trebuchet....

Stapleton Walking Arm Trebuchet

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Final Throw:

A big hat tip and thank you to Boston.com.

Thanks for recognizing our win in the USA Today Best Fall Festival. And for talking up some other great New England Fall festivals:

USA Today readers say this New England fall festival is the best in America

The Hackaday website did a very nice review of the Stapleton Trebuchet:
Walking Arm Trebuchet is different, but effective by Lewin Day

"uses an unconventional design to great effect..."

BTW, there are now only 17 days 'till the 11th Annual VTPC at Stoweflake Mountain Resort