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{{Short description|Cars hang underneath the rails from a pivoting bar attached to the wheel carriage}}{{distinguish|text=the Vekoma inverted roller coaster designs, [[Suspended Looping Coaster]] and [[Suspended Family Coaster]]}}
{{Short description|Type of steel roller coaster}}
{{distinguish|text=the Vekoma inverted roller coaster designs, [[Suspended Looping Coaster]] and [[Suspended Family Coaster]]}}
{{ Infobox attraction model
{{ Infobox attraction model
| name = Suspended roller coaster
| name = Suspended roller coaster
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In 1975, German aircraft manufacturer [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm|Messerschmitt]] debuted ''Alpenflug'' at the annual [[Oktoberfest]] fair in [[Munich]], [[Germany]].<ref name="Alpen">{{cite web|url=http://69.90.47.57/coasterglobe.com/features/lostlegends-alpenflug/|title=Lost Legends: Alpenflug|author=James Kay|access-date=2010-05-17}}</ref> Featuring multi-car trains and a 2700-foot twisting, spiraling layout, ''Alpenflug'' was a hit during the 16-day fair.<ref name="Alpen"/> However, the design was scrapped after analysis revealed significant stress in the track, whose curves were not banked, and in the wheel assemblies, as the train's brake fins were located at the bottom of the train's gondolas instead of near the track itself.<ref name="Alpen"/>
In 1975, German aircraft manufacturer [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm|Messerschmitt]] debuted ''Alpenflug'' at the annual [[Oktoberfest]] fair in [[Munich]], [[Germany]].<ref name="Alpen">{{cite web|url=http://69.90.47.57/coasterglobe.com/features/lostlegends-alpenflug/|title=Lost Legends: Alpenflug|author=James Kay|access-date=2010-05-17}}</ref> Featuring multi-car trains and a 2700-foot twisting, spiraling layout, ''Alpenflug'' was a hit during the 16-day fair.<ref name="Alpen"/> However, the design was scrapped after analysis revealed significant stress in the track, whose curves were not banked, and in the wheel assemblies, as the train's brake fins were located at the bottom of the train's gondolas instead of near the track itself.<ref name="Alpen"/>


The first permanent modern suspended roller coaster was ''[[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1981)|The Bat]]'' at [[Kings Island]]. Built by [[Arrow Development]], ''The Bat'' opened April 21, 1981, but it was soon plagued with problems. The problems included: excessive stress on the support springs due to the unbanked curved track sections and stress on the wheels because the brakes were mounted at bottom of the swinging cars. Kings Island's US$3.8 million ride closed in 1983 and was later scheduled for demolition. ''The Bat's'' former site is now occupied by the Arrow designed looping coaster ''[[Vortex (Kings Island)|Vortex]]''. The suspended coaster would return to Kings Island in 1993 with the addition of ''[[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1993)|Top Gun]]'' which after a period of being called ''Flight Deck'' was renamed ''The Bat'' in 2014, a reference to the original 1981 coaster.
The first permanent modern suspended roller coaster was ''[[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1981)|The Bat]]'' at [[Kings Island]]. Built by [[Arrow Development]], ''The Bat'' opened April 21, 1981, but it was soon plagued with problems. The problems included: excessive stress on the support springs due to the unbanked curved track sections and stress on the wheels because the brakes were mounted at bottom of the swinging cars. Kings Island's US$3.8 million ride closed in 1983 and was later scheduled for demolition. ''The Bat's'' former site was occupied by the Arrow designed looping coaster ''[[Vortex (Kings Island)|Vortex]]'' until its demolition in 2019. The suspended coaster would return to Kings Island in 1993 with the addition of ''[[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1993)|Top Gun]]'', which. after a period of being called ''Flight Deck'', was renamed ''The Bat'' in 2014, a reference to the original 1981 coaster.


[[File:Vampire Chessington.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|[[Vampire (roller coaster)|The Vampire]] at [[Chessington World of Adventures#Chessington Theme Park|Chessington World of Adventures]]]]
[[File:Vampire Chessington.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|[[Vampire (roller coaster)|The Vampire]] at [[Chessington World of Adventures#Theme park|Chessington World of Adventures]]]]
Arrow-Huss refined its suspended roller coaster designs, culminating in the debut of ''[[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|The Big Bad Wolf]]'' at [[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]] and ''[[XLR-8]]'' at [[Six Flags Astroworld]] in 1984. After 1984, as Arrow Dynamics, they manufactured ten suspended roller coasters, including ''[[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]]'' at [[Cedar Point]], ''[[Ninja (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Ninja]]'' at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]], ''[[Vampire (roller coaster)|Vampire]]'' at [[Chessington World of Adventures]], and [[Vortex (Canada's Wonderland)|Vortex]] at [[Canada's Wonderland]].
Arrow-Huss refined its suspended roller coaster designs, culminating in the debut of ''[[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|The Big Bad Wolf]]'' at [[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]] and ''[[XLR-8]]'' at [[Six Flags Astroworld]] in 1984. After 1984, as Arrow Dynamics, they manufactured ten suspended roller coasters, including ''[[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]]'' at [[Cedar Point]], ''[[Ninja (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Ninja]]'' at [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]], ''[[Vampire (roller coaster)|Vampire]]'' at [[Chessington World of Adventures]], and [[Vortex (Canada's Wonderland)|Vortex]] at [[Canada's Wonderland]].


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! Name !! Park !! Manufacturer !! <small>Open</small> !! Status
! Name !! Park !! Manufacturer !! <small>Open</small> !! Status
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2925.htm Aerial Glide] || [http://rcdb.com/5670.htm Shipley Glen Pleasure Grounds] || || 1900s || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2925.htm Aerial Glide] || [http://rcdb.com/5670.htm Shipley Glen Pleasure Grounds] || || 1900s || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2427.htm Bisby's Spiral Airship] || [http://www.rcdb.com/5266.htm Queens Park] || || 1902 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2427.htm Bisby's Spiral Airship] || [http://www.rcdb.com/5266.htm Queens Park] || || 1902 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2350.htm Aerial Coaster] || [[Riverview Park (Chicago)|Riverview Park]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/cd455.htm Aerial Tramway Construction Co.] || 1908 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2350.htm Aerial Coaster] || [[Riverview Park (Chicago)|Riverview Park]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/cd455.htm Aerial Tramway Construction Co.] || 1908 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| Alpenflug || [[Oktoberfest]] ([[Munich]]) || [[Messerschmitt]] || 1975 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| Alpenflug || [[Oktoberfest]] ([[Munich]]) || [[Messerschmitt]] || 1975 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1981)|The Bat]] || [[Kings Island]] || [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Development]] || 1981 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1981)|The Bat]] || [[Kings Island]] || [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Development]] || 1981 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|Big Bad Wolf]] || [[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]] || [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Huss]] || 1984 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|Big Bad Wolf]] || [[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]] || [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Huss]] || 1984 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[XLR-8]] || [[Six Flags AstroWorld]] || [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Huss]] || 1984 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [[XLR-8]] || [[Six Flags AstroWorld]] || [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Huss]] || 1984 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]] || [[Cedar Point]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1987 || {{Won|Operating}}
| [[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]] || [[Cedar Point]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1987 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/915.htm Dream Catcher] || [http://www.bobbejaanland.be Bobbejaanland] || [[Vekoma]] || 1987 ||{{Won|Operating}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/915.htm Dream Catcher] || [http://www.bobbejaanland.be Bobbejaanland] || [[Vekoma]] || 1987 ||{{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [[Ninja (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Ninja]] || [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1988 || {{Won|Operating}}
| [[Ninja (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Ninja]] || [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1988 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1585.htm Centrifuge] || [http://www.rcdb.com/pd591.htm World Expo Park] || [[Vekoma]] || 1988 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [[Vampire (roller coaster)|Vampire]]* || [[Chessington World of Adventures]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1990 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [[Vampire (roller coaster)|Vampire]]* || [[Chessington World of Adventures]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1990 || {{Won|Operating}}
| [[Vortex (Canada's Wonderland)|Vortex]] || [[Canada's Wonderland]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1991 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [[Vortex (Canada's Wonderland)|Vortex]] || [[Canada's Wonderland]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1991 || {{Won|Operating}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1337.htm Eagle Fortress] || [http://www.everland.com Everland] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1992 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1337.htm Eagle Fortress] || [http://www.everland.com Everland] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1992 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1203.htm Hayabusa] || [http://www.summerland.co.jp Tokyo SummerLand] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1992 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1203.htm Hayabusa] || [http://www.summerland.co.jp Tokyo SummerLand] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1992 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1993)|The Bat]]|| [[Kings Island]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1993 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
⚫
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1435.htm Sky Coaster]<br /><small>Formerly Centrifuge</small> || [[Dream World (Bangkok)|Dream World]]<br /><small>[[World Expo 88|World Expo Park]]</small> || [[Vekoma]] || 1994<br /><small>1988</small> || {{Yes|Operating}}
| [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1993)]]|| [[Kings Island]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1993 || {{Won|Operating}}
⚫
|-
⚫
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1435.htm Sky Coaster] || [[Dream World (Bangkok)|Dream World]] || [[Vekoma]] || 1994 || {{Won|Relocated/Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/780.htm Batflyer] || [[Lightwater Valley]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1996 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/780.htm Batflyer] || [[Lightwater Valley]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1996 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/945.htm Batflyer]** || [[Duinrell]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1997 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/945.htm Batflyer]** || [[Duinrell]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1997 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[Scooby's Ghoster Coaster]] || [[Kings Island]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1998 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [[Scooby's Ghoster Coaster]] || [[Kings Island]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1998 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/857.htm Clone Zone] || [http://www.themilkyway.co.uk Milky Way] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1997 || {{Won|Operating}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/857.htm Clone Zone] || [http://www.themilkyway.co.uk Milky Way] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 1997 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/559.htm Pteranodon Flyers] || [[Islands of Adventure]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro]/[http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 1999 ||{{Won|Operating}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/559.htm Pteranodon Flyers] || [[Islands of Adventure]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro]/[http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 1999 ||{{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/598.htm Flying Super Saturator] || [[Carowinds]] || [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2000 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/598.htm Flying Super Saturator] || [[Carowinds]] || [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2000 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/688.htm Spellbreaker] || [[Legoland California]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2000 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/688.htm Spellbreaker] || [[Legoland California]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2000 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/932.htm Vleermuis] || [[Plopsaland]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2000 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1450.htm Hydra Fighter II] || [[Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2001 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1450.htm Hydra Fighter II] || [[Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2001 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2671.htm Boramae Coaser] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20061205044827/http://wonderzone.co.kr/ Wonder Zone] || [http://www.parkworld.co.kr R&C Entertainment] || 2001 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2671.htm Boramae Coaser] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20061205044827/http://wonderzone.co.kr/ Wonder Zone] || [http://www.parkworld.co.kr R&C Entertainment] || 2001 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1454.htm Sky Rider] || [[Skyline Park]] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2001 || {{Yes|Operating}}
⚫
|-
⚫
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1454.htm Sky Rider] || [http://www.skylinepark.de Skyline Park] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2001 || {{Won|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1287.htm Batflyer] || [http://www.entetsu.co.jp/kaihatu/palpal Hamanako Pal Pal] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2001 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1427.htm Batflyer] || [http://nasuhai.co.jp Nasu Highland Park] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2001 || {{No|Closed}}
⚫
|-
| [[Roller Soaker]] || [[Hersheypark]] || [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2002 || {{No|Removed}}
⚫
|-
⚫
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2378.htm Aeroplanes] || [http://www.rcdb.com/pd909.htm Aerocity Parc] || Big Country Motioneering || 2003 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2318.htm Batflyer] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20070227022924/http://www.miniaturapark.co.uk/ World In Miniature] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2003 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3508.htm Unknown] || Dreamland Park|| || 2006 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3457.htm Vertigo] || [[Walibi Belgium]] || [http://www.input-projekt.com Input] || 2007 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3922.htm Padrinos Voladores] || [[Parque de Atracciones de Madrid]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2007 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
⚫
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3809.htm Slippery When Wet] || [[Freestyle Music Park|Hard Rock Park]] ||[http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2008 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
| [[Canopy Flyer]] || [[Universal Studios Singapore]] || [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2010 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/9662.htm Zooom!] || [[Flamingo Land Resort]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2011 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1427.htm Batflyer] || [http://nasuhai.co.jp Nasu Highland Park] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2001 || {{Nominated|Closed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/17339.htm Çelik Kartal]** || [[Wonderland Eurasia]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2019 || {{No|SBNO}}
|-
|-
| [[Roller Soaker]] || [[Hersheypark]] || [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2002 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/16802.htm Télégraphe] || [[Galeries de la Capitale|Méga Parc]] || [https://extremeengineering.com Extreme Engineering] || 2019 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/17151.htm Bat Glider]<br /><small>Formerly Batflyer</small> || [[Trans Studio Cibubur]]<br /><small>[http://www.entetsu.co.jp/kaihatu/palpal Hamanako Pal Pal]</small> || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2019<br /><small>2001-2015</small> || {{Yes|Operating}}
⚫
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2378.htm Aeroplanes] || [http://www.rcdb.com/pd909.htm Aerocity Parc] || Big Country Motioneering || 2003 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2318.htm Batflyer] || [https://web.archive.org/web/20070227022924/http://www.miniaturapark.co.uk/ World In Miniature] || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2003 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/17106.htm Bat Glider]<br /><small>Formerly Vleermuis</small> || [https://bali.transstudiomall.com/page/profile/129/trans-studio-bali Trans Studio Bali]<br /><small>[[Plopsaland De Panne]]</small> || [http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2019<br /><small>2000-2018</small> || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3508.htm Unknown] || Dreamland Park|| || 2006 || {{Won|Operating}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/18228.htm Eagle Wingspan] || [https://vinpearl.com/en/vinwonders-phu-quoc VinWonders Phú Quốc] || [https://extremeengineering.com Extreme Engineering] || 2020 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3457.htm Vertigo] || [[Walibi Belgium]] || [http://www.input-projekt.com Input] || 2007 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/18031.htm Hummel Brummel] || [https://www.schwabenpark.de Schwaben Park] || [https://www.wiegandslide.com/home-en.html Wiegand] || 2020 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3809.htm Slippery When Wet] || [[Freestyle Music Park|Hard Rock Park]] ||[http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || 2008 || {{Nominated|Removed}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/19138.htm Fly With Flap] || [[Doha Oasis Mall|Doha Quest]] || [https://extremeengineering.com Extreme Engineering] || 2021 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
|[[Canopy Flyer]] || [[Universal Studios Singapore]] || [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2010 || {{Won|Operating}}
| [http://www.rcdb.com/16001.htm Samba Gliders] || [[Genting SkyWorlds]] ||[http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2022 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
|}
|}
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki> Operates with [[Vekoma]] trains<ref name="rcdb.com">[http://www.rcdb.com/945.htm]</ref><br/>
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki> Operates with [[Vekoma]] trains<ref name="rcdb.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.rcdb.com/945.htm | title=Batflyer - Duinrell (Wassenaar, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands) }}</ref><br />
<nowiki>**</nowiki> Never operated<ref name="rcdb.com"/></small>
<nowiki>**</nowiki> Never operated<ref name="rcdb.com"/></small>


Latest revision as of 21:37, 14 August 2024

Not to be confused with the Vekoma inverted roller coaster designs, Suspended Looping Coaster and Suspended Family Coaster.
Suspended roller coaster
Trains swinging on an Arrow Development manufactured suspended roller coaster Iron Dragon at Cedar Point
StatusIn production
First manufactured1902
No. of installationsAbout 37
ManufacturersArrow Development, Aerial Tramway Construction Co., Big Country Motioneering, Caripro, R&C Entertainment, Setpoint, and Vekoma

A suspended roller coaster is a type of steel roller coaster in which the car hangs from the bottom of the rolling stock by a pivoting fulcrum or hinge assembly. This allows the car and riders to swing side to side as the train races along the track. Due to the swing designs, these roller coasters cannot invert riders.

History

[edit]

One of the earliest suspended roller coasters was known as Bisby's Spiral Airship, built in Long Beach, California in the early 1900s.[1] Riders on Bisby's Spiral Airship rode in square gondolas suspended from the track above, which were then carried via lift hill to the top of a tower. The gondolas then rolled down the track, which spiraled down the tower back to the loading platform. The attraction operated at least until the mid 1910s.[1]

In 1975, German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt debuted Alpenflug at the annual Oktoberfest fair in Munich, Germany.[2] Featuring multi-car trains and a 2700-foot twisting, spiraling layout, Alpenflug was a hit during the 16-day fair.[2] However, the design was scrapped after analysis revealed significant stress in the track, whose curves were not banked, and in the wheel assemblies, as the train's brake fins were located at the bottom of the train's gondolas instead of near the track itself.[2]

The first permanent modern suspended roller coaster was The Bat at Kings Island. Built by Arrow Development, The Bat opened April 21, 1981, but it was soon plagued with problems. The problems included: excessive stress on the support springs due to the unbanked curved track sections and stress on the wheels because the brakes were mounted at bottom of the swinging cars. Kings Island's US$3.8 million ride closed in 1983 and was later scheduled for demolition. The Bat's former site was occupied by the Arrow designed looping coaster Vortex until its demolition in 2019. The suspended coaster would return to Kings Island in 1993 with the addition of Top Gun, which. after a period of being called Flight Deck, was renamed The Bat in 2014, a reference to the original 1981 coaster.

The Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures

Arrow-Huss refined its suspended roller coaster designs, culminating in the debut of The Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and XLR-8 at Six Flags Astroworld in 1984. After 1984, as Arrow Dynamics, they manufactured ten suspended roller coasters, including Iron Dragon at Cedar Point, Ninja at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures, and Vortex at Canada's Wonderland.

Other manufacturers have also constructed their variations on the suspended roller coaster. Before contacting Arrow-Huss for The Big Bad Wolf, Busch Gardens contacted Anton Schwarzkopf to design a suspended coaster, dubbed the "Flugbahn". However, Schwarzkopf went bankrupt, completing only a model and the footers of the actual coaster.[3] Dutch designer Vekoma manufactured a suspended model dubbed "Swinging Turns," of which three copies were constructed. Vekoma offers both Arrow-style traditional car designs as well as floorless cars where the riders' feet dangle, similar to Vekoma's inverted coasters but the cars are able to swing. In 2001, Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures was modified to use Vekoma's floorless trains. Caripro, another designer based in The Netherlands, manufactured twelve suspended roller coasters and American designer Setpoint manufactured four.

Installations

[edit]
A former Arrow Huss suspended roller coaster, Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
A Setpoint suspended roller coaster, Roller Soaker at Hershey Park
Trains swinging on an Arrow Dynamics manufactured suspended roller coaster The Bat at Kings Island
Incomplete list of suspended roller coaster installations
Name Park Manufacturer Open Status
Aerial Glide Shipley Glen Pleasure Grounds 1900s Removed
Bisby's Spiral Airship Queens Park 1902 Removed
Aerial Coaster Riverview Park Aerial Tramway Construction Co. 1908 Removed
Alpenflug Oktoberfest (Munich) Messerschmitt 1975 Removed
The Bat Kings Island Arrow Development 1981 Removed
Big Bad Wolf Busch Gardens Williamsburg Arrow Huss 1984 Removed
XLR-8 Six Flags AstroWorld Arrow Huss 1984 Removed
Iron Dragon Cedar Point Arrow Dynamics 1987 Operating
Dream Catcher Bobbejaanland Vekoma 1987 Operating
Ninja Six Flags Magic Mountain Arrow Dynamics 1988 Operating
Vampire* Chessington World of Adventures Arrow Dynamics 1990 Operating
Vortex Canada's Wonderland Arrow Dynamics 1991 Operating
Eagle Fortress Everland Arrow Dynamics 1992 Removed
Hayabusa Tokyo SummerLand Arrow Dynamics 1992 Removed
The Bat Kings Island Arrow Dynamics 1993 Operating
Sky Coaster
Formerly Centrifuge		 Dream World
World Expo Park		 Vekoma 1994
1988		 Operating
Batflyer Lightwater Valley Caripro 1996 Removed
Batflyer** Duinrell Caripro 1997 Removed
Scooby's Ghoster Coaster Kings Island Caripro 1998 Removed
Clone Zone Milky Way Caripro 1997 Operating
Pteranodon Flyers Islands of Adventure Caripro/Setpoint 1999 Operating
Flying Super Saturator Carowinds Setpoint 2000 Removed
Spellbreaker Legoland California Caripro 2000 Removed
Hydra Fighter II Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Caripro 2001 Removed
Boramae Coaser Wonder Zone R&C Entertainment 2001 Removed
Sky Rider Skyline Park Caripro 2001 Operating
Batflyer Nasu Highland Park Caripro 2001 Closed
Roller Soaker Hersheypark Setpoint 2002 Removed
Aeroplanes Aerocity Parc Big Country Motioneering 2003 Removed
Batflyer World In Miniature Caripro 2003 Removed
Unknown Dreamland Park 2006 Operating
Vertigo Walibi Belgium Input 2007 Removed
Padrinos Voladores Parque de Atracciones de Madrid Zamperla 2007 Operating
Slippery When Wet Hard Rock Park Caripro 2008 Removed
Canopy Flyer Universal Studios Singapore Setpoint 2010 Operating
Zooom! Flamingo Land Resort Zamperla 2011 Operating
Çelik Kartal** Wonderland Eurasia Zamperla 2019 SBNO
Télégraphe Méga Parc Extreme Engineering 2019 Operating
Bat Glider
Formerly Batflyer		 Trans Studio Cibubur
Hamanako Pal Pal		 Caripro 2019
2001-2015		 Operating
Bat Glider
Formerly Vleermuis		 Trans Studio Bali
Plopsaland De Panne		 Caripro 2019
2000-2018		 Operating
Eagle Wingspan VinWonders Phú Quốc Extreme Engineering 2020 Operating
Hummel Brummel Schwaben Park Wiegand 2020 Operating
Fly With Flap Doha Quest Extreme Engineering 2021 Operating
Samba Gliders Genting SkyWorlds Setpoint 2022 Operating

* Operates with Vekoma trains[4]
** Never operated[4]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Bisby's Spiral Airship". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
  2. ^ a b c James Kay. "Lost Legends: Alpenflug". Retrieved 2010-05-17.
  3. ^ Flying Coaster at Schwarzkopf Coaster Net
  4. ^ a b "Batflyer - Duinrell (Wassenaar, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands)".
[edit]
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