The Korean War Part Deux.

[Mich the Tester]

Not sure how many penguins you could get into orbit with a trebuchet

I bet he'd try it though, just for a laugh.

[TykeMerc]

Not sure how many penguins you could get into orbit with a trebuchet

Wouldn't that depend on how big a trebuchet you build?

[DaveB]

A final act of belligerence from a dying tyrant, or the nepotic successor starting to flex his muscles and test the waters?

The dying tyrant keeping the military sweet so the nepotic successor can take over with a minimum of fuss.

[Troll]

Wouldn't that depend on how big a trebuchet you build?

Not so sure - a trebuchet by its very design limits the trajectory possible by the object being launched.

Orbital is right out, sub-orbital with a humongous trebuchet jobbie might theoretically be possible - but finding suitable lengths of seasoned oak at B&Q, overcoming wind resistance - and the inherent dispersal problem in launching 12 tons of penguins over a prolonged distance, suggests that this idea may be best consigned to the dustbin

[Troll]

You could attach your trebuchet to some helium balloons, get it up to 100,000 feet & launch then.

Less air resistance.

true but the effectiveness of the trebuchet would be reduced due to less gravitational effect at altitude, also the survivability of the penguins in reaching that altitude is a serious limitation.
I suppose we could put the penguins in a hermetically sealed and pressurised Routemaster and launch from the helium assisted trebuchet or design little oxygen masks for the critters

[TykeMerc]

I'm not convinced about the Routemaster as a projectile, wouldn't a bendy bus be better? Significantly larger impact area and you can get far more penguins in.

No need to hermetically seal or provide breathing gear, penguins being sub aquatic in their hunting habits can hold their breath for ages.

[SupremeSpod]

I'm not convinced about the Routemaster as a projectile, wouldn't a bendy bus be better? Significantly larger impact area and you can get far more penguins in.

No need to hermetically seal or provide breathing gear, penguins being sub aquatic in their hunting habits can hold their breath for ages.

Oh No!!!

Bendy-bus think boomerang...

[d000hg]

Do you want to drop buses on the North Koreans?

We've had trench warfare, naval warfare and guerilla warfare, so now we try surrealist warfare.

Maybe a bus filled with guerillas gorillas.

[shaunbhoy]

Maybe a bus filled with guerillas gorillas.

Urbane Gorillas?

[OwlHoot]

The lift capabilities of the Delta 4 Heavy are impressive - 24 tons which is x 2 old school extended fully laden Routemasters

(less of course if the 72 passengers are skoolkids)

You were probably right the first time - These days the kids would weigh 12 tons on their own