Catapult Collection

USS Randolph underway at sea with two S2F airplanes on its catapults, 1962
February 27, 1962 - USS Randolph (CVS-15) underway at sea with two S2F airplanes on its catapults

Roman siege of a fortified city
Roman legions attacking a city to expand the Roman Empire. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

A shooter signals the launch of an F / A-18 Super Hornet
Persian Gulf, February 7, 2008 - A shooter on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, gives the signal for an F/A-18E Super Hornet to launch off ship

The Romans (coloured engraving)
3630114 The Romans (coloured engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Romans. Illustration from Bilder aus dem Alterthume (Braun & Schneider, Munich)

Siege of Agrigentum (engraving)
8635764 Siege of Agrigentum (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Siege of Agrigentum, Sicily, First Punic War, 262 BC. Illustration from Rom)

Stone catapult balls found in Pevensey Castle, Sussex (b/w photo)
8675971 Stone catapult balls found in Pevensey Castle, Sussex (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Stone catapult balls found in Pevensey Castle)

Roman invasion: Roman Legion stormed a fortified city to extend the Roman Empire
NWI4859079 Roman invasion: Roman Legion stormed a fortified city to extend the Roman Empire. They use different war machines: catapults, ladders and assault tower

Ballistic or catapult: weapon of war intended to launch projectiles towards enemy positions - 19th century engraving
PCT4286827 Ballistic or catapult: weapon of war intended to launch projectiles towards enemy positions - 19th century engraving -; (add.info.: Ballistic or catapult)

Antique catapult: weapon of war designed to throw arrows - engraving 19th century
PCT4286767 Antique catapult: weapon of war designed to throw arrows - engraving 19th century -; (add.info.: Antique catapult)

A mechanical catapult
5308082 A mechanical catapult.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a mechanical catapult wound up by a winch (right). When the rope was released

Combat weapon or war machines: Catapult used in the seats of the Greek army during battles
NWI4858886 Combat weapon or war machines: Catapult used in the seats of the Greek army during battles. Colouring engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info.: Combat weapon or war machines)

Various ways to scale the wall of a besieged fortress
5307226 Various ways to scale the wall of a besieged fortress.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting various ways to scale the wall of a besieged fortress)

A Mangonel catapult
5308079 A Mangonel catapult.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a Mangonel catapult, used to hurl missiles at an enemy from Roman times until the days of efficient guns. Dated 19th century)

City of Carthage destroyed by the Roman army during the Third Punic War, 146 BC
NWI4860916 City of Carthage destroyed by the Roman army during the Third Punic War, 146 BC. Colouring engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info)

Human invention anticipated: Elastic springs (engraving)
8657959 Human invention anticipated: Elastic springs (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Elastic springs)

Ancient Greek siege weapons (engraving)
8635115 Ancient Greek siege weapons (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ancient Greek siege weapons. Illustration from Hellas)

Catapult: a war machine used by the Greeks in antiquite to launch fire projectiles
NWI4952582 Catapult: a war machine used by the Greeks in antiquite to launch fire projectiles. Colour engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info.: Catapult)

Artillery: Aries or wooden battering ram and catapult used by Lord Heathfield at the siege of Gibraltar
FLO4594063 Artillery: Aries or wooden battering ram and catapult used by Lord Heathfield at the siege of Gibraltar. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or

Roman siege engines (engraving)
8635747 Roman siege engines (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Roman siege engines. Illustration from Rom)

Civilization of Antiquity: siege of Gaza in 332 BC by the army of Alexander The Great
NWI4913047 Civilization of Antiquity: siege of Gaza in 332 BC by the army of Alexander The Great. Colour engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info.: Civilization of Antiquity)

Siege of Syracuse performed by the Romans during the Second Punic War, from 213 to 212 BC (Second punic war)
ELD4961663 Siege of Syracuse performed by the Romans during the Second Punic War, from 213 to 212 BC (Second punic war: Siege of Syracuse (214Ð212 BC)

David standing with crossed legs and holding the head of Goliath on a pedestal at lef... 1600-1700. Creator: Anon
David standing with crossed legs and holding the head of Goliath on a pedestal at left, a sword on the ground, after Reni, 1600-1700

The siege of Barbastro, 1064. From Fleurs des chroniques by Bernardus Guidonis, after 1384. Creator: Anonymous
The siege of Barbastro, 1064. From Fleurs des chroniques by Bernardus Guidonis, after 1384. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque municipale, Besancon

The Siege of Antioch. Miniature from the "Historia" by William of Tyre, c. 1280. Creator: Anonymous
The Siege of Antioch. Miniature from the "Historia" by William of Tyre, c. 1280. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque municipale de Lyon

The Siege of Nicaea in 1097 (From "Li rommans de Godefroy de Buillon et de Salehadin"), 1337. Found in the collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale de France

Illustration from a medieval songbook, 14th century (illumination)
2902709 Illustration from a medieval songbook, 14th century (illumination) by German School, (14th century); (add.info.: Medieval songbook; Whether the mountain of consolation in the Swiss Aargau was)

Study of instruments to launch arrows and to storm fortresses; pen drawing on gray paper, by Leonardo da Vinci and preserved at the Gallery of the Academy, Venice

Historic catapult on the citiy wall of Alghero, Sassari province, Sardinia, Italy

WW2 - Seaplane Catapulting From HMS Sussex
A photograph of a British WW2 seaplane leaving the catapult of HMS Sussex, a County class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy. Date: circa 1940s

Medieval war machine. Catapult. Parabolic motion machine, used to launch long-distance projectiles. Engraving. Museo Militar, 1883. Later colouration. Date: 2019

Roman weapon. Onager. Engraving. Museo Militar, 1883
Onager. It was an imperial Roman torsion powered siege engine. Engraving. Museo Militar, 1883. Later colouration. Date: 2019

Henry cartoon, Catapulting Flies, by Carl Anderson Date: 1936

RAF Supermarine Walrus, Amphibian Airplane being catapulted from HMS Sheffield Date: 1938

RAF Hawker Nimrod II, K3654, preparing for catapult launch at No.1 RAF Flying Training School, Leuchars, Scotland Date: 1938

Roman Catapult, Siege of Carthage - Carthage must be destroyed is carved into the wood in Latin. Date: 146 BCE

Douglas A-4B Skyhawk 142094 (MSN 11348), displayed at NAS Leemore, CA, with the hump from an A-4F, in the colours of 150033 which suffered a bad catapult launch

The story of Alsace tells the children; End of Roman domination, the Romans defend cities against Francs invaders
JLJ4622602 The story of Alsace tells the children ; End of Roman domination, the Romans defend cities against Francs invaders; by Waltz

Weaponry, two-armed throwing machine in the style of the Greek ballistae
7277992 Weaponry, two-armed throwing machine in the style of the Greek ballistae by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Weaponry)

Arabs defending the city of Mallorca from attack by King James I the Conqueror in 1229
IND364409 Arabs defending the city of Mallorca from attack by King James I the Conqueror in 1229, fragment of The Conquest of Mallorca

DDE-90032497
Medieval War Machine and the Pillory, Campiglia Marittima, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy Date: 16/08/2008

A young soldier sabotages on nights the catapults of the saracens during the siege of Salerno by the muslims, Italy
ELD4849953 A young soldier sabotages on nights the catapults of the saracens during the siege of Salerno by the muslims, Italy

Roman legionaries in lorica armour and galea helmets with shields and spears during a siege
6339995 Roman legionaries in lorica armour and galea helmets with shields and spears during a siege by Corsi (19th century); (add.info)

Soldiers fighting at Carthaginian fortifications (engraving)
7147275 Soldiers fighting at Carthaginian fortifications (engraving) by Chenavard, Paul Marc Joseph (1807-1895); Private Collection; (add.info.: Soldiers fighting at Carthaginian fortifications)

Medieval German castle on a lake (engraving)
7148012 Medieval German castle on a lake (engraving) by Bauernfeind, Gustave (1848-1904); Private Collection; (add.info.: Medieval German castle on a lake)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Catapulte; Catapult (engraving)
7195220 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Catapulte; Catapult (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Catapulte; Catapult)

David standing with crossed legs and holding the head of Goliath on a pedestal at left, a sword on the ground, after Reni, ca. 1635-45

The Saracens besieged a Christian city Detail from one page taken from a manuscript of
LRI4625109 The Saracens besieged a Christian city Detail from one page taken from a manuscript of the Song of Saint Mary (Cantigas de Santa Maria)

Medieval trebuchet (chromolitho)
1094129 Medieval trebuchet (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Medieval trebuchet)

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"From Ancient Warfare to Modern Naval Power: The Mighty Catapult" Step back in time and witness the incredible power of the catapult, a formidable war machine that has left its mark throughout history. In 1962, the USS Randolph proudly sailed through the open seas, showcasing its might with two S2F airplanes perched on its sturdy catapults. A true symbol of naval strength and innovation. But let's not forget where it all began - during the Roman siege of fortified cities, when these colossal machines were used to breach enemy walls. Coloured engravings depict brave soldiers operating these fearsome contraptions during battles that shaped empires. Fast forward to World War II, where seaplanes took flight from HMS Sussex's catapults, soaring into action as they played crucial roles in reconnaissance missions and aerial combat. The medieval era witnessed another iteration of this parabolic motion machine - a towering weapon capable of launching projectiles with immense force. These marvels brought both destruction and strategic advantage to those who wielded them. One cannot overlook the ingenuity behind Roman weaponry like the Onager, captured beautifully in an engraving at Museo Militar dating back to 1883. These ancient engineers understood how to harness tension and unleash devastation upon their enemies. Yet not all uses for catapults were born out of warfare alone. In a lighthearted twist depicted by Carl Anderson's Henry cartoon strip, we find ourselves chuckling at flies being hilariously launched into mid-air using this age-old invention. Moving towards more recent times, aircraft such as RAF Supermarine Walrus and Hawker Nimrod II found themselves taking off from specially designed amphibian airplane catapults – a testament to continuous technological advancements in aviation history. As we delve deeper into historical accounts like the Siege of Carthage or witness officers reviewing troops within Rome's mighty army empire-wide battles unfold before our eyes; each one highlighting the pivotal role catapults played in shaping the course of history.