That would actually be kind of cool if the motor housing had a see-through cover. That said, it's probably a bunch of greasy pistons and dirty motors and probably doesn't look as cool as we're imagining.
Attraction The Flying Machine
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
That would actually be kind of cool if the motor housing had a see-through cover. That said, it's probably a bunch of greasy pistons and dirty motors and probably doesn't look as cool as we're imagining.
I am not the most mechanically inclined person but I would assume that leaving it exposed would cause increased wear and tear more breakdowns and a shorter operating life
At least the fake mechanical artwork is in the style of Da Vinci, I guess.
The actual mechanics on this one would look quite boring I think.
I doubt there is much more in there than a hydraulic cylinder and maybe a big gear.
The hydraulics for the arms are already visible and not much to look at.
I doubt there is much more in there than a hydraulic cylinder and maybe a big gear.
The hydraulics for the arms are already visible and not much to look at.
Now if they could show the mechanics in the middle of the Kinder Karussel that would be fantastic.
However, I do think @Nibbins is probably right that the center shaft wouldn't look like much - not unless they did a Day Vinci's Cradle and add a bunch of ornamental cogs and whatnot that will probably cease to function within a year and maybe get repaired every half decade or so.
However, I do think @Nibbins is probably right that the center shaft wouldn't look like much - not unless they did a Day Vinci's Cradle and add a bunch of ornamental cogs and whatnot that will probably cease to function within a year and maybe get repaired every half decade or so.
Its really just a six-armed excavator with rotating buckets...
The generic name of the ride is called Orbiter. It used to be common at carnivals. The carnival versions are much faster..
Yup! It’s a Tivoli Orbiter. I believe Tivoli went out of business back in 1998 causing these to become much rarer to come by. BGW may have the most family friendly model I’ve ever ridden! Below is a Tivoli Orbiter that I rode at an England fair in 2018 and it is a completely different ride experience. One of the most insane things I have ever experienced haha
Not my YouTube channel or video
Not my YouTube channel or video
That is very much what I remember from the 80s. It was not family friendly. In fact in thoes days neither was flying carpet.
Yup, Flying Machine use to run that fast back then. And Battering Ram use to go higher too.
Edit to add:
I posted a POV comparison of Flying Machine and a Tivoli Orbiter at a NJ Carnival on this thread...
Best Non-Roller Coaster In The Park
I would swear the Flying Machine used to go higher and faster. I remember it's ending up perpendicular to the ground. At some point they dumbed it down...or I am imagining things... You're not imagining it. It absolutely did run much higher and faster than it used to. The way it runs now is...
parkfans.net
You can clearly see the difference in speed and intensity.
Last edited:
If I had to guess why it is toned down from even it's former self, it's either because of guest complaints or, more likely, it helps to extend the lifespan.
I'm curious if/when these flats will need to be replaced and what will go in their spot.
I'm curious if/when these flats will need to be replaced and what will go in their spot.
I guess this is the wrong opinion, but to me the BGW version looks more fun... but this is entirely because it looks to me like the correct way of running this would make me violently ill, while the BGW version moves more like a Scrambler, in a star pattern, and *might* not make me sick, just as Scramblers (mostly) don't. Scrambers are one of the few spinning flat rides I can ride and I love them.
I’d love to ride one of these running at its actual max speed, but I’m also sorta in favor of BGW running their rarer, nearly-impossible-to-replace flats in ways that will keep them running longer. I’d rather have the last, operating, park-model Tivoli Orbiter than the fastest one.
Last edited:
Counterpoint: I used to love the Flying Machine, when it was fast and would go nearly perpendicular. I think it is boring now.
I understand wanting to preserve it, but I think there is a case to be made for making a ride as fun as possible for as long as you can.
I understand wanting to preserve it, but I think there is a case to be made for making a ride as fun as possible for as long as you can.
This ride is nothing more than a datasheet check mark to the park, another ride they can add to their total. I think all of their "let's give them a good ride" energy is focused on their large rides, and even then the end product usually comes out "meh not bad, could've been better".
From a park perspective, there is absolutely 0 reason to run the Flying Machine fast and harder when running it slower will extend its lifetime. Of course as huge fans of the park we would love to see it run faster, but you also have to think of the majority of the park's audience (the public) I bet you could show a picture of this ride and maybe 5% could name what it is, let alone that it runs slower than it once did. Hell, I still hear people call Alpie "Griffon" everytime I go.
From a park perspective, there is absolutely 0 reason to run the Flying Machine fast and harder when running it slower will extend its lifetime. Of course as huge fans of the park we would love to see it run faster, but you also have to think of the majority of the park's audience (the public) I bet you could show a picture of this ride and maybe 5% could name what it is, let alone that it runs slower than it once did. Hell, I still hear people call Alpie "Griffon" everytime I go.