Assisted by the strength and young backs of the VMI cadets, the 24' hemlock arrives, destined to be the trébuchet's arm. Carefully, it's rolled off the wagon to its temporary station.
Right: The trunk isn't straight, so Wes Quinlan (left), Jim Kricker, and Ed Levin must find its center and carve out a tapered arm for the machine.
Donna Williams (left), Janel Grice (middle) and Paula Spiers (at right) work with cadets. The cadets' experience working closely with female instructors is good practice for next year, we learn, when VMI accepts the first female cadets.
The old saw, "Measure twice, cut once" was never so true as during this workshop. Brian Wormington and Bruce Cowie (left) lay out a brace. At right are Ken Rower and Jeff assisting.
The physical work begins: Will Beemer instructs cadets on the proper operation of the boring machine, used to rough out the mortises. VMI cadets, each with a boring machine, compete to be the fastest.
Grigg Mullen uses a Japanese saw to trim a timber. (Middle) Curtis Milton uses his bowsaw, and a cadet (right) gets into his work.
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