Actually, I think Ernie should stay in the mortar business. Something along the lines of this:

http://www.mikelynaugh.com/VirtualCivilWar/New/Originals2/pages/TheDictator.html

Now, I do expect an invitation to watch, if he gets a 13" done!! I'll even help load.

Hmmm! Looking at the pic again, I do believe I would drop a nut trying to load those balls!