12-29-2018, 12:18 AM
Built a plumbata (186g, 40cm) and have been testing it today.
Underhand, my throws are consistently 31m. Overhand I've been getting 45-47m regularly. I sprained my knee during the testing (I am 67 and arthritic) so my eldest son took over.
His best UH throw was 51m, his overhand throws were all in the 57-60m range. We had a headwind of 7mph to contend with.
While the difference is less than I had thought, we are still seeing about a 20% increase in distance with the overhand method.
I did notice much more initial instability at launch when thrown overhand. Despite this, my son reported his overhand throws were more accurate than underhanded ones.
My conjecture is that the overhand release imparts so much energy that any aerodynamic flaws are exaggerated. Because I used PVC pipe for the dart's body, I believe that I have too much mass in the shaft. I plan on switching to thinner, lighter hardwood dowels for future tests. I used PVC for strength in resisting breakage, but I think they are too thick and are causing problems.
So, at the very least the myth that overhand plumbata throws have a maximum range of 30m has been well and truly busted.
I am going to try to attach a photo of my plumbata. I tried this 10 minutes ago and my whole message disappeared, so if that happens again I shall post without the photo.
Thanks all,
Underhand, my throws are consistently 31m. Overhand I've been getting 45-47m regularly. I sprained my knee during the testing (I am 67 and arthritic) so my eldest son took over.
His best UH throw was 51m, his overhand throws were all in the 57-60m range. We had a headwind of 7mph to contend with.
While the difference is less than I had thought, we are still seeing about a 20% increase in distance with the overhand method.
I did notice much more initial instability at launch when thrown overhand. Despite this, my son reported his overhand throws were more accurate than underhanded ones.
My conjecture is that the overhand release imparts so much energy that any aerodynamic flaws are exaggerated. Because I used PVC pipe for the dart's body, I believe that I have too much mass in the shaft. I plan on switching to thinner, lighter hardwood dowels for future tests. I used PVC for strength in resisting breakage, but I think they are too thick and are causing problems.
So, at the very least the myth that overhand plumbata throws have a maximum range of 30m has been well and truly busted.
I am going to try to attach a photo of my plumbata. I tried this 10 minutes ago and my whole message disappeared, so if that happens again I shall post without the photo.
Thanks all,