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The Trash Kannon
In a zombie dystopia, there will be those survivors who will be unable to acquire any great deal of projectile weaponry, which rapidly seem to be the ideal weapon against both the living dead. Therefore, it is vital that there be a weapon that can be made from almost household items that will be effective against both foes. The Trash Kannon, named for its original design involving a normal trash can, is such a weapon. The Trash Kannon is a weapon designed to be powerful against undead and living foes to varying degrees whilst being easily created from materials scavenged from around the typical human city. Under perfect conditions, it can fire through a line of approximately 10-11 undead bodies, or 5-6 living bodies, due to differing activity (I do not advise attempting to find an accurate number prior to the actual dystopia). It can be used as a trap, by creating a simple firing mechanism keyed to activate under certain conditions, which will vary depending on the situation and location. Components:
Tools:
In addition, the construction of the Kannon requires an area that is well contained, and not at risk from incursion by zombie or enemy forces. Cut pipe A in half and create 2 circular sheets of steel that fit completely over the end of pipe B leaving no cracks or openings. This serves to prevent the explosive in the Kannon from backfiring and directs the force forward. Use the remainder of pipe A to create a targeting funnel by cutting 2 triangular strips out of parallel sides of the pipe, then weld the pieces together to form the conical shape, keeping a rectangular end large enough for the ammunition. Weld this funnel onto the open end of pipe A. This serves to increase the aiming ability of the Kannon and prevents a large amount of the thrust from being lost out of the unnecessary sides. The barrel on its own is far too weak and pliable to safely fire a projectile. Therefore, reinforcing the barrel is a must if you wish to safely fire the Kannon more than once. Without the reinforcement, the Kannon can, however, be used as an ad hoc shrapnel explosive, but this is not a recommended course of action due to the materials and time required. To reinforce the barrel, first cut the tires into segments each about 5 inches long and melt them together using the welding torch into 3-4 long chains capable of fitting around the barrel itself. Then, use the cord to securely fix the chains to the barrel after melting them into the required rings. Afterwards, coat the barrel in the cement, be sure not to leave any areas uncovered, as this will create a structural weak spot that will gradually worsen with each firing, eventually causing the Kannon to explode as it would without the reinforcement. Allow the cement to set completely, more so over the portions of the barrel not bound by the tires. Once complete. the Trash Kannon should appear as a long cylinder with a narrow opening at one end. There should be a hole at one point in the other end, where the explosive is to be poured and lit. Were it possible, I would post images to assist this, see the Disclaimer at the article for reasons why I haven't. Feel free to paint names/messages on the Kannon to signify its place in your group, this will not affect its performance.
The ammunition used for the Kannon is simply put the hubs that were on the tires used in the construction, however any hub of similar size and strength can be used, steel hubs are recommended due to their structural integrity. The explosive should be created from gunpowder, created from charcoal; sulphur; and saltpetre, which are all biological substances found quite easily in most households or created by the human body itself in the case of saltpetre. Regardless of the supply of ammunition, a copious amount of the explosive should be kept on hand at all times. Obviously, using just the one type of ammunition (Hereon known as 'Solid shot' ammo) will leave you in a tight squeeze because yes it is powerful and will take them out well, but it's pretty fixed and less deceased targets (READ: bandits/raiders/enemy livings/etc.) will easily dodge it. The first alternate ammo that comes to mind is Shrapnel ammo. This could be done easily using a SABO (Basically, a covering around an ammunition that falls away once fired, it's used to fire ammunition out of a gun it probably wouldn't fire out of otherwise) and lots of wreckage. Ball bearings are especially useful for this task, but may be slightly harder to fire than wreckage. Good ol' rocks are also a good option. In the same vein as Shrapnel ammo is Rapid fire ammo. This involves a large number of rocket fireworks being placed in the barrel, and the traditional gunpowder-based firing substance being replaced with a more gasoline-based mix. Lighting this mix will inevitably light the fireworks almost simultaneously, producing a rapid succession of rockets leaving the barrel. Safety methods are to be exercised with this ammo, as any rockets that are caught inside the barrel may instead explode and with them cause the Kannon to do likewise. Flare ammunition is always going to be handy, but it'll be tricky to do without blowing yourself up. Perhaps you could place a simple firework into the barrel and light it, since as I said firing a firework with the actual cannon is suicide. However, the cannon could be used to aim the firework, and allow you to get light where you need it instead of the dangerous method of lighting the firework and pointing it wherever. If you managed to protect it well enough, Hermes ammunition (A quickly delivered message) is possible, unless you have an alternative, but the remote outpost will be wanting this kind of ammo. I'd suggest perhaps a specially built container, probably with a removable cap, or perhaps a strongly built steel box that can be fixed to the center of a drilled out wheel hub. Now, of course, you can decorate your Kannon however you like as long as you don't risk compromising the strength of the barrel. Naturally, target practice is a must with this weapon given that nothing like it is in current circulation, I advise doing this practice away from inhabited areas and with a hasty means to return should something go wrong. This is especially recommended because suppressors/silencers will be almost impossible to construct for this weapon. Safety Precautions- It has been noted that for the projectile to 'aim itself', the force of the firing must be almost entirely directed backwards. For this reason, do not stand within 4 metres behind it, and do not stand within 1 metre alongside it whilst it is being fired for safety purposes. If possible acquire protective clothing should this not be possible. Disclaimer – Do not, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to build a Trash Kannon prior to a zombie invasion whilst laws are still in place without first acquiring a legal notation allowing you to do so. Constructing weaponry is illegal and extremely dangerous. For this reason, there are no images of a fully constructed Trash Kannon in this article and, barring an actual zombie invasion; it is unlikely there ever will be. |
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The effectiveness of the weapon used is highly dependent on what TYPE of zombie you're dealing with. With those portrayed in the original "night of the living dead" almost any moderately heavy blunt object will be effective against all, but the most cornered, swarmed-by-many-zombies situations.
It that movie, those zombies were very slow moving, slow-witted, and slow to react zombies with little or now agility and were quite easy to take-down. Furthermore, they pass zombie infections very slowly and even if you're infected, you won't transform for hours (rendering you safe and useful to the other unaffected members of your party who may yet need your help in a hairy situation before killing your doomed ass!)
However, those portrayed in the '04 remake of night of the living...or in 28 days later (though technically NOT zombies) require not just powerful weapons with excellent "STOPPING POWER", but combat apparal (in the form of light, comfortable, boots, long pants, gloves, and neck protection) to make bites and scratches less likely in the more probable event of a close encounter requiring a melee weapon or hand-to-hand combat.
For starters, the remake was of Dawn of the Dead, not Night. To continue, yes I realise that the zombies portrayed in that movie were of the "Runner" variety as opposed to the "Shambler" version we are most comfortable with. Obviously, any weapon is going to be more effective against a slow moving target like a Shambler, Runners are more like human targets if anything. Therefore, stating the obvious, Shamblers will be easier to hit in just about any scenario. I tend to go for what is most likely, and in this case, that happens to be the Shambler zombie type.
Although, if you can work up a reasonable shrapnel round for this, you could feasibly take down at least a couple Runner types too
i suggest at least having an axe with you while you use this, so that if the runners get too close you don't have to scream and die. Also, has anyone here noted that the zombie's speed is based on the condition it was zombiefied in? although it would be hard to do to yourself, i suggest that anyone bitten or scratched that will become a zombie use any weapon availible to remove their own legs. sure, it will hurt, but it will make life easier for those who live, and they will be remembered as a hero.
You know, they could just shoot themselves. Much more heroic than bleeding to death and making yourself into a tripping hazard.