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{{Short description|Type of steel roller coaster}}
[[Image:Thebatkingsisland.gif|200px|thumb|[[The Bat (Kings Island)|The Bat's]] (the first suspended roller coaster) logo]]
{{distinguish|text=the Vekoma inverted roller coaster designs, [[Suspended Looping Coaster]] and [[Suspended Family Coaster]]}}
{{ Infobox attraction model
| name = Suspended roller coaster
| logo = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[Image:]] link-->
| logo_width = <!--Default is 250px-->
| image = Iron Dragon Cedar Point.JPG
| imagedimensions = 250px
| caption = Trains swinging on an [[Arrow Development]] manufactured suspended roller coaster [[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]] at [[Cedar Point]]
| status = In Production
| first_produced = 1902
| installations = About 37
| manufacturer = <!--Must not be linked.-->
| manufacturer2 = [[Arrow Development]], Aerial Tramway Construction Co., Big Country Motioneering, Caripro, R&C Entertainment, Setpoint, and [[Vekoma]]
| designer = <!--Should be linked.-->
| height_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| gforce =
| capacity = <!--If number is known, include this parameter.-->
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type =
| vehicles =
| riders_per_vehicle = <!--Only use if vehicles has been specified.-->
| rows =
| riders_per_row = <!--Only use if rows has been specified.-->
| participants_per_group= <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.-->
| audience_capacity = <!--For shows-->
| duration =
| restraint =
| custom_label_1 =
| custom_value_1 =
| custom_label_2 =
| custom_value_2 =
| custom_label_3 =
| custom_value_3 =
| custom_label_4 =
| custom_value_4 =
| custom_label_5 =
| custom_value_5 =
| custom_label_6 =
| custom_value_6 =
| custom_label_7 =
| custom_value_7 =
| custom_label_8 =
| custom_value_8 =
| rcdb_number = <!--The number in the URL of the coaster's RCDB page. This parameter should only be used for roller coaster models.-->
}}


A '''suspended [[roller coaster]]''' is one in which the car hangs from the bottom of the wheel assembly 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. Four manufacturers primarily designed and constructed suspended roller coasters over the years, [[Arrow Dynamics]], [[Vekoma]], [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro], and [http://www.setpointusa.com Setpoint].
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 (mechanics)|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 ==
== History ==
One of the earliest suspended roller coasters was known as ''Bisby's Spiral Airship'', built in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]], [[California]] in the early 1900s.<ref name="BSA">{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdb.com/2427.htm|title=Bisby's Spiral Airship|work=Roller Coaster DataBase|access-date=2010-05-17}}</ref> 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.<ref name="BSA"/>


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 suspended roller coaster was [[The Bat (Kings Island)|The Bat]] (Although some suspended coasters have been recorded earlier than this, The Bat was the first major suspended coaster and is widely known as the world's first suspended coaster) Built by industry leader (at the time), [[Arrow Dynamics]], [[The Bat (Kings Island)|The Bat]] was a failure. Opened [[April 21]], [[1981]], The Bat was a revolutionary new roller coaster, 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. With these problems, [[Kings Island|Kings Island's]] $3.8 million dollar (USD) ride closed in 1984 and an announcement for demolition was soon followed.


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.
[[Arrow Dynamics]] perfected the suspended roller coaster design from 1981-1984 when the first two successful suspended coasters opened. The [[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|Big Bad Wolf]] at [[Busch Gardens Europe]] and [[XLR-8]] at [[Six Flags Astroworld]] began the successful line of suspended roller coasters. Since 1984, [[Arrow Dynamics]] manufactured ten successful suspended roller coasters, [[Vekoma]] manufactured four, [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] manufactured twelve, and [http://www.setpointusa.com Setpoint] manufactured 2 (possibly 3, there are speculations about whether Caripro or Setpoint designed [http://rcdb.com/id559.htm Pteranodon Flyers])


[[File:Vampire Chessington.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|[[Vampire (roller coaster)|The Vampire]] at [[Chessington World of Adventures#Theme park|Chessington World of Adventures]]]]
== Suspended Roller Coasters ==
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]].


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.<ref name="Schwarzkopf">[http://schwarzkopf.coaster.net/ESflugbahnGF.htm ''Flying Coaster'' at Schwarzkopf Coaster Net]</ref> 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 roller coaster|inverted coasters]] but the cars are able to swing. In 2001, [[Vampire (roller coaster)|Vampire]] at [[Chessington World of Adventures]] was modified to use Vekoma's floorless trains. [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro], another designer based in The Netherlands, manufactured twelve suspended roller coasters and American designer [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] manufactured four.
[[Image:Bigbadw.JPG|150px|thumb|An [[Arrow Dynamics]] suspended roller coaster, [[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|Big Bad Wolf]] at [[Busch Gardens Europe]]]]
[[Image:HP-Roller Soaker.jpg|150px|thumb|A [http://www.setpointusa.com Setpoint] suspended roller coaster, [[Roller Soaker]] at [[Hershey Park]]]]
[[Image:Xlr8.jpg|150px|thumb|A promotional poster for the [[Arrow Dynamics]] manufactured [[XLR-8]] at [[Six Flags Astroworld]]]]
[[Image:PKI-Top Gun.jpg|150px|thumb|Trains swinging on an [[Arrow Dynamics]] manufactured suspended roller coaster [[Top Gun (Kings Island)|Top Gun]] at [[Kings Island]]]]
[[Image:Iron Dragon Cedar Point.JPG|150px|thumb|Trains swinging on an [[Arrow Dynamics]] manufactured suspended roller coaster [[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]] at [[Cedar Point]]]]


== Installations ==
{| class= "wikitable"

[[Image:Bigbadw.JPG|150px|thumb|A former [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Huss]] suspended roller coaster, [[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|Big Bad Wolf]] at [[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]]]]
[[Image:HP-Roller Soaker.jpg|150px|thumb|A Setpoint suspended roller coaster, [[Roller Soaker]] at [[Hershey Park]]]]
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Xlr8.jpg|150px|thumb|A promotional poster for the [[Arrow Dynamics]] manufactured [[XLR-8]] at [[Six Flags Astroworld]]]] -->
[[Image:PKI-Top Gun.jpg|150px|thumb|Trains swinging on an [[Arrow Dynamics]] manufactured suspended roller coaster [[Flight Deck (Kings Island)|The Bat]] at [[Kings Island]]]]

{| class= "wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
|+ Incomplete list of suspended roller coaster installations
! Name !! Park !! Manufacturer !! Status !! Opened
! Name !! Park !! Manufacturer !! <small>Open</small> !! Status
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id2427.htm Bisby's Spiral Airship] || [http://rcdb.com/pd738.htm Queens Park] || ?? || Demolished || [[1902]]
| [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 || {{No|Removed}}
| [[The Bat (Kings Island)|The Bat]] || [[Kings Island]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Demolished || [[April 21]], [[1981]]
|-
|-
| [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}}
| [[XLR-8]] || [[Six Flags Astroworld]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Demolished || [[1984]]
|-
|-
| [[Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)|Big Bad Wolf]] || [[Busch Gardens Europe]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Operating || [[1984]]
| Alpenflug || [[Oktoberfest]] ([[Munich]]) || [[Messerschmitt]] || 1975 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]] || [[Cedar Point]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Operating || [[1987]]
| [[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 || {{No|Removed}}
| [http://rcdb.com/id915.htm Dream Catcher] || [http://www.bobbejaanland.be Bobbejaanland] || [[Vekoma]] || Operating || [[1987]]
|-
|-
| [[Ninja (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Ninja]] || [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Operating || [[May 21]], [[1988]]
| [[XLR-8]] || [[Six Flags AstroWorld]] || [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow Huss]] || 1984 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[Iron Dragon (roller coaster)|Iron Dragon]] || [[Cedar Point]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1987 || {{Yes|Operating}}
| [http://rcdb.com/id1585.htm Centrifuge] || [http://rcdb.com/pd591.htm World Expo Park] || [[Vekoma]] || Relocated || [[1988]]
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id784.htm Vampire]* || [[Chessington World of Adventures]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Operating || [[1990]]
| [http://www.rcdb.com/915.htm Dream Catcher] || [http://www.bobbejaanland.be Bobbejaanland] || [[Vekoma]] || 1987 ||{{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [[Vortex (Canada's Wonderland)|Vortex]] || [[Canada's Wonderland]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Operating ||[[1991]]
| [[Ninja (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Ninja]] || [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1988 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id1337.htm Eagle Fortress] || [http://www.everland.com Everland] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Operating || [[September 8]], [[1992]]
| [[Vampire (roller coaster)|Vampire]]* || [[Chessington World of Adventures]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1990 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id1203.htm Hayabusa] || [http://www.summerland.co.jp Tokyo SummerLand] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Demolished || [[July]], [[1992]]
| [[Vortex (Canada's Wonderland)|Vortex]] || [[Canada's Wonderland]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1991 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id3148.htm Telepherique] || [http://www.parcsaintpaul.fr Parc Saint Paul] || [http://rcdb.com/cd877.htm Parc Saint Paul] || Operating || [[1992]]
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1337.htm Eagle Fortress] || [http://www.everland.com Everland] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1992 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[Top Gun (Kings Island)|Top Gun]] || [[Kings Island]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || Operating || [[April 9]], [[1993]]
| [http://www.rcdb.com/1203.htm Hayabusa] || [http://www.summerland.co.jp Tokyo SummerLand] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1992 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1993)|The Bat]]|| [[Kings Island]] || [[Arrow Dynamics]] || 1993 || {{Yes|Operating}}
| [http://rcdb.com/id1435.htm Hanging Coaster] || [[Dream World (Bangkok)|Dream World]] || [[Vekoma]] || Relocated/Operating || [[1994]]
|-
| [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}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id780.htm Batflyer] || [[Lightwater Valley]] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Relocated || [[1996]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id945.htm Batflyer]** || [[Duinrell]] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Demolished || [[1997]]
| [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}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id505.htm Scooby's Ghoster Coaster] || [[Kings Island]] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Demolished || [[1997]]
| [[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://rcdb.com/id559.htm Pteranodon Flyers] || [[Islands of Adventure]] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro]/[http://www.setpointusa.com Setpoint] || Operating || [[May 28]], [[1999]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id598.htm Flying Super Saturator] || [[Carowinds]] || [http://www.setpointusa.com Setpoint] || Operating || [[April 1]], [[2000]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id688.htm Spellbreaker] || [[Legoland California]] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Demolished || [[October 13]], [[2000]]
| [http://www.rcdb.com/598.htm Flying Super Saturator] || [[Carowinds]] || [http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint] || 2000 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id932.htm Vleermuis] || [http://www.plopsaland.be Plopsaland] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Operating || [[2000]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id1450.htm Hydra Fighter II] || [[Wet N' Wild Emerald Pointe]] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Relocated || [[June 29]], [[2001]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id2671.htm Boramae Coaser] || [http://www.wonderzone.co.kr Wonder Zone] || [http://www.parkworld.co.kr R&C Entertainment] || SBNO || 2001
| [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://rcdb.com/id1454.htm Sky Rider] || [http://www.skylinepark.de Skyline Park] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Operating || [[2001]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id1287.htm Batflyer] || [http://www.entetsu.co.jp/kaihatu/palpal Hamanako Pal Pal] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Operating || [[2001]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id1427.htm Batflyer] || [http://nasuhai.co.jp Nasu Highland Park] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Operating || [[2001]]
|-
|-
| [[Roller Soaker]] || [[Hershey Park]] || [http://www.setpointusa.com Setpoint] || Operating || [[2002]]
| [http://www.rcdb.com/2378.htm Aeroplanes] || [http://www.rcdb.com/pd909.htm Aerocity Parc] || Big Country Motioneering || 2003 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id2318.htm Batflyer] || [http://www.miniaturapark.co.uk World In Miniature] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Relocated/Operating || [[2003]]
| [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://rcdb.com/id3457.htm Vertigo] || [[Walibi Belgium]] || [http://www.input-projekt.com Input] || Under Construction || [[2007]]
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3508.htm Unknown] || Dreamland Park|| || 2006 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id3809.htm Slippery When Wet] || [[Hard Rock Park]] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Relocated/Under Construction || [[2008]]
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3457.htm Vertigo] || [[Walibi Belgium]] || [http://www.input-projekt.com Input] || 2007 || {{No|Removed}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id857.htm Clone Zone] || [http://www.themilkyway.co.uk Milky Way] || [http://rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&contact=115 Caripro] || Operating || ????
| [http://www.rcdb.com/3922.htm Padrinos Voladores] || [[Parque de Atracciones de Madrid]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2007 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id2378.htm Aeroplanes] || [http://rcdb.com/pd909.htm Aerocity Parc] || ?? || Demolished || ????
| [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://rcdb.com/id2925.htm Aerial Glide] || [http://rcdb.com/pd1142.htm Shipley Glenn Pleasure Grounds] || ?? || Demolished || ????
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id2350.htm Aerial Coaster] || [http://rcdb.com/pd899.htm Riverview Park] || [http://rcdb.com/cd455.htm Aerial Tramway Construction Co.] || Demolished || ????
| [http://www.rcdb.com/9662.htm Zooom!] || [[Flamingo Land Resort]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2011 || {{Yes|Operating}}
|-
|-
| [http://rcdb.com/id3508.htm Unknown] || [http://www.xiaoyaogu.com Zhongshan's Paradise] || ?? || Operating || ????
| [http://www.rcdb.com/17339.htm Çelik Kartal]** || [[Wonderland Eurasia]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2019 || {{No|SBNO}}
|-
| [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/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/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/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/19138.htm Fly With Flap] || [[Doha Oasis Mall|Doha Quest]] || [https://extremeengineering.com Extreme Engineering] || 2021 || {{Yes|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">{{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>

== See also ==
* [[Suspension railway]], a similar design used in public transport applications


==References==
* * Currently operates with [[Vekoma]] trains [http://rcdb.com/id945.htm]
{{reflist}}
* ** Never operated [http://rcdb.com/id945.htm]


== External Links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Suspended roller coasters}}
*[http://www.setpointusa.com Setpoint's Official Website]
*[http://www.vekoma.com/ Vekoma's Official Website]
*[http://www.setpointinc.com Setpoint's Official Website]
*[http://www.vekoma.com/ Vekoma's Official Website]


{{Rollercoaster tracks}}
{{Rollercoaster tracks}}
{{Intamin}}
[[Category:Types of roller coasters]]


[[Category:Suspended roller coasters| ]]
[[es:montaña rusa suspendida]]
[[Category:Types of roller coaster]]

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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