SSW001 Tradframes.indd 42 20/07/2018 17:17 S S 1 7 : 1 7 SS 17:17 CLASSIC FRAMES 042 SlingshotWorld T he catapult goes back to the vulcanisation of rubber, with one chap, Thomas Hancock, patenting it in the UK on May 21, 1845 and another doing so in the USA three weeks later, on June 15. We recall the name Goodyear to do with rubber but we tend not to hear about Hancock. Goodyear reckoned he had discovered the process in 1939. There must have been home made slingshots initially but the commercial slingshot does go back a ways and appeared not long after inner tubes in tyres did. Here in the UK, the ones you recall simply indicate your age. In my case, I go back to being an original purchaser of first a DeadShot and then a Goliath catapult in the early 1970’s and finally, a Wham-O Powermaster. Later in life I found a moulded Crosman ‘starship’ design that was awfully potent if hard to aim, as it had harpoon tubes, pulleys and a guard to stop injuries. Once I started collecting in the 21st Century, I found some old Milbros (I had had mine used as a sacrificial confiscation in my youth, they never knew how many I owned!) and then a mint-in-the-box Goliath that I simply had to possess. The Milbro is coming back, meanwhile, with SMK, owners of the brand, showing them in their advert. As soon as they exist, we want to see them. So here are the oldies and a repro or two. And then, the work of the most prolific classic gypsy catapult maker of all the UK, Mr. David Brazil. His metal frames are just exquisite. And his lass does the expert-grade classic square bands, without which no frame is sold. Just check out the breadth of the designs, looks and creativity. His prices are keen and sells at shows up and down the land. Catch him on Facebook by asking to be a mate “David Brazil (catapult man)” is how you will know it is him… Then, go look at this rather rough web page from Germany (don’t worry, it translates) and marvel at catapult history: http://www.melchiormenzel.de/ vintage/vintage.html The Slings of Yesteryear & Modern Classics SSW001 Tradframes.indd 42 20/07/2018 17:17