B&M launchers

I think B&M needs to develop a launch system, like a catapault, lims,hydraulics,air, or some sort. The only launch coaster I can think of is the hulk, and its just a bunch of tires. Thinking of a launched B&M makes me want to drool. Maybe on a excelerator level.

What do you think?

I think launching coasters gives Intamin the edge over B&M

Mamoosh's avatar

FYI, B&M did not design Hulk's launch system.

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"There's nothing sweeter than a bowling ball with a liquid center" - Homer Simpson

I dream of the day B&M develops their own Launch design. I believe The launch for Hulk was actually developed by Universal. I love the ride but, was very disappointed that Nitro Didn't have a launched lift. After all the advertising seemed to hint at a "blast".

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The countdown has begun to Gaydays 2003 at Disney and Universal.

I think blast referred to the name "NITRO"...
coasterrod is right. universal did the launch

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1.Fire Dragon 2.Ice Dragon 3.Raptor 4.Batman Knight Flight 5.Kraken

B&M isn't into launches. In fact, they were against the launch on Hulk, but Universal pursuaded them. It was talked about in some mag, or maybe in the extras on the Coaster DVD from a year or so ago.

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- Peabody

Peabody is right, and I hear that B&M said that the Hulk has many flaws, and was their worst design, but I don't know if it is true. They just won't admit that they were wrong, and that the launch is awesome.

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I'm sitting shiva for CCI.

Wow. I didn't know you could be in denial about something GOOD you created. The ride is actually very intense and the launch felt very powerful to me. It was really quick too, and I didn't really expect it to be. As for another B&M launcher, I think it would be fun to see one, but would it be like the Hulk or would it have a different designs like a spaghetti bowl thing or an Xcelerator type thing? Also, how would Nitro have a launched lift hill?
I wish they would build some more. Does anyone know if B&M has made a 2 across ride?

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Sean

They have not.

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- Peabody

while B&M is fine the way they are, i would like to see some launched ones. i personally think hulk is the best B&M creation so far, even if the launch wasnt their idea.

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#1-MF #2-S:RoS #3-WT

B&M doesn't need launched rides. Their rides are fine as they are and looking at sales they don't need an edge over Intamin or any other company.

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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com

hulk is their worst design, the transitions are not at all great and it gave me a good head banging, the launch is the best part and after the loop the ride eis just bla, if you want to ride the best bee and em sit down style coaster you have got to ride the amazing and worshipable floorless over at marine world, medusa.
Launch rides are a must for any coaster company today. B&M is making a mistake by not choosing to participate.

B&M have also said on more than one occasion that they will never build a coaster over 300ft.

IMO, if B&M keep going the way they are, once every park had 2 or 3 B&Ms, they are not gonna want anymore as they will want an intense launch coaster and/or a giga which B&M wont deliever

Not all companies need to go over 300ft. B&M builds quality rides. They build what the park wants. If the park wants a small coaster, B&M will make it. If they want a large coaster, B&M will make it. As for the 300ft mark, im not sure B&M need to venture that far. They seem to be doin well in everything they build so far, "If it ain't broke, dont fix it." Im sure B&M have other ideas in mind. Remember, its the quality of the entire ride, not how fast or high it is, but the actual ride experience is what is important. The only difference a giga is is that it has the intial 300ft drop, after that, it is just like any other hyper coaster. So why spend more money going higher and possibly not making an entire thrilling ride instead of building a hyper coaster of good height with a good ride throughout.

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Take a Virtual Ride:
http://badnitrus.coasterbuzz.com
Mike "Viper" Semtak

I would also guess that B&M trains would be very hard to launch at high speeds economically (they are huge). Moreover, most launch coasters are low capacity and are more prone to mechanical problems than lift hill coasters, two things that B&M do not stand for.
On the 300 ft subject, B&M's best creations are all somewhat twisted. Thats what their trains are designed for, thats what they're track is designed for. Most "twister" coasters don't need to be that high - even Apollo's Chariot is rather twisted on the hills. I don't know about Nitro I never rode it or looked into it very much, but I would bet its rather twisted too. The physical properties of their track cross sections probably prohibit going very high (they're heavy and designed more for lateral forces than vertical i.e. -twisting)

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Steel - #1 Mantis, #2 Millie, #3 Wicked Twister ||| Wood - #1 Thunderbolt, #2 Villain, #3 Beast
"The key to a happy life is moderation" -- Jon Stewart

Actually I'm not 100% sure about this but didn't B&M at one point offer launches on their inverts? Did anyone else hear this?
i think the reason that B&M doesn't want to make a 300 footer is because of the tracks and supports they use...since their tracks and supports are so big and bulky they would probably need to do some redesigning if they were gonna build something that big...IMHO

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