The "Big 10 Inch" is a pumpkin cannon, so-named according to military custom for its bore. The "Big" refers to the fact that its barrel is 100 feet long! It's an air cannon - that is, it operates on compressed air. And, it's not just any air cannon. Pumpkin throwing (also referred to as "punkin chunkin") is becoming quite popular -- there are at least a dozen events each fall that attract all sorts of "chunkers", catapults, trebuchets, contraptions and machines.
"How far?" you ask. Most people think that the length of a football field would be impressive and guess two football fields to confidently overestimate. Would you believe: we hurl a 10-lb. pumpkin SIX TIMES THAT -- OVER 4000 FEET! And, stay tuned...We've got a few improvements in mind for the coming year. We've actually chunked a pumpkin over a mile (5280 feet)!
The modifications we've made should make the Big 10 Inch the cannon to beat. We're looking forward to going head-to-head with the other members of the "4000 foot club" at this year's world championships - The Big 10 Inch and a dozen other cannons that have all launched a pumpkin over 4000 feet.
Year End SaleOfficial BTI shirts for $12.99 shipped!!! Get 'em here
Here's where you can see The Big 10 Inch in action in 2012:* Apr. 1 noon - 5 PM near Downingtown, PA. Blowin' it up for Cancer. Pull the trigger on The Big 10 Inch to smash a car or van. Here's more info. Event site is at Paradise Farm. At the intersection of Boot and Quarry roads is Valley Creek Rd. Head south until Ravine Rd. The farm camp will be on the right. Map of Paradise Farm.
Video ripping a car at Damariscotta, Me '10
Rear door goes flying. - 3.75 MB
Front post rocking. - 6.5 MB
BTI's Facebook page:
thebig10inch
BTI's YouTube channel:
Big10InchAirCannon
2011 PCWC Results:
A strong wind Friday and Saturday blew into the muzzles of the air cannons but helped set world records for adult torsion and adult trebuchet. Way to go "Chucky III" and "Yankee Siege II". We were in 1st place Friday but had slipped to 4th by Saturday. Sunday saw a front move in with a warm, mild breeze to our backs. Six guns shot over 4000 feet. For us it was like the driver of a dragster in the finals who misses 5th gear. We've been here before, but 8th place really sucks.
BTI breaks one mile barrier:
On 9/9/10 in Moab, UT, The Big 10 Inch launched a 9 lb 12 oz LaEstrella pumpkin 5545.42 ft, thats 1.05 mile (1.690 km). Thin air (a mile high), a perfect pumpkin, favorable conditions and The Big 10 Inch did the rest. Actually we shot 2 pumpkins more than a mile that day. We're the first Pumpkin Chunker in history to break a mile. View the Guiness World RecordTM for "farthest distance to fire a pumpkin" here. The one mile story is told here.
HEY, got the fever yet? Join the "team"! We are offering a broad line of stylish apparel, including polo, tee ,and sweat shirts, and baseball caps with our logo ASK ME ABOUT THE BIG 10 INCHTM on the front and a cannon barrel shooting a pumpkin on the back (tees). Please click here if you would like to purchase one.
The Big 10 Inch team would like to acknowledge our sponsors, who have made possible bringing The Big 10 Inch to you. We're proud to be sponsored by:
* Kompressed Air of Del., New Castle, DE, supplies our air compressor and keeps it in top performance. For all your air compressors, accessories and service needs call K*A*D at (302) 322-4900.
* Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA, provides the lubricant for our flying gourds and soaring spirits. These makers of hand-crafted beers have beverages to satisfy any taste. We especially enjoy their HopDevil IPA ourselves. Visit Victory's web site to find a retailer near you.
Having mentioned compressed air, here's a word about SAFETY. The Big 10 Inch is a compressed air cannon. We use no explosives or combustibles to accelerate pumpkins down the length of our 100-foot barrel to speeds in excess of 500 miles per hour. Even so, air compressed to hundreds of pounds per square inch (psi) deserves considerable respect. If you're tempted to build your own pumpkin-hurling device, please keep safety in mind, and seek the advice of trained professionals, as needed. We have engineers and scientists on our team who have helped to build a powerful, but safe machine.
Contacts and comments: bigten [at] big10inch [dot] org. Use Pumpkin as the first word in the Subject line so we can filter out spam.
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Copyright © 2011 Big 10 Inch Organization. All rights reserved. Revised: 12/11
Webmaster: bigten [at] big10inch [dot] org
Copyright © 2011 Big 10 Inch Organization. All rights reserved. Revised: 12/11
Webmaster: bigten [at] big10inch [dot] org