This is the first test of an arrow with a cone shield on tip. The purpose is to keep the arrow flame from blowing out on the way to the target. The design is similar to that used for the 1992 Olympics Torch Lighting Ceremony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vumkrLwcF8&feature=related . We had some problems with the flame blowing out on some of our shots, even with a 30# recurve bow. This is the best solution we have found and tried so far. Credit goes to Lee for researching and experimenting with this design. See Lee's test shot with rain down flame from target at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi96PCErFCw Further refinements TBD. See album on page two for construction info. 1992 Arrow Tip Picture at: http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?p=6916915
Here is a test shot with a 33" flu-flu arrow with a 2" fire wick tip saturated with Coleman camp fuel (white gas) about 25 minutes after sunset. 40# bow but not at max draw length. I'll try to make a more visible test next week about 15 minutes after sunset. Be sure to have your arrow length made about 3 or 4 inches longer than your standard draw length.
First video of test shot of tethered arrow at a Trojan Horse mini target on my garage 150 feet away. The upward angle is 11 degrees which equates to shooting at a target 30 vertical feet above horizontal ground level.
Note the wire and wire guides on the arrow. The arrow penetrated the 1/2 plywood behind the one inch styrofoam target face. This shot was made with kinetic energy (punch) to spare with a 40# pull recurve bow. I am confident that the results would be the same for a slightly more elevated target at say a 40 foot height above ground (15 degree elevation at 150 feet distance). The distance from the target could even be extended to 60 to 90 yards for this bow or a slighty heavier pound pull bow of 50# or 55#. See still photos on second page of this site to see progress of arrow from release (technically "loose") to impact.
Second video of test shot. (same info as above).
Test shot of tethered arrow at a target on a pine tree 90 Yards (270 feet) away. The upward angle of the wire is 8 degrees. This equates to shooting at a target 38 vertical feet above horizontal ground level. As a result of testing, I am confident that an archer could easily shoot a flaming arrow into the Trojan Horse torso 40 feet high (15 degree up angle) from a distance of 50 yards with a 35# to 40# pull bow (maybe even 30# for some Amazons). See still pictures on second page for more info.
