Flying Turns Update

Seth, it may not look like they're getting much done looking at the webcams. But you have to realize that the trough has several layers of boards. Lately, the crews have been inside the trough nail guns a-blazing.

They've also been working at the turns furthest from the cameras, out near the old entrance road (campground entrance).

Howdy everyone. This is my first post here, although I have enjoyed the comments and checked in from time to time. I’ve avoided posting in coaster discussion groups to this point, but this subject matter is near and dear to my heart. I’m ACE number #53 and some of the older ACE members might remember my exploits with toothpick and backyard roller coasters (The Terror, Lily Street Lightning and The Termite). I moved on to spend most of my time with a monorail interest in the 1990s (monorails.org), yet coasters are still a great love of mine. I’m 54 now, and I had the great pleasure of experiencing the Flying Turns in Odense, Denmark in the 1960s. Oh…my…Gawd, it was wonderful. For those of you that think you’ve ridden one if you’ve been on a Mack or Intamin bobsled…WRONG! If Knoebel’s Flying Turns reproduces the ride experience of the originals, we are all in for a big treat. Back in the Spring 2002 issue of RollerCoaster! Magazine, I wrote an article entitled “Bring Back the Bartlett Flying Turns.” All the time that I was writing it, I had in my mind that Knoebel’s would be the perfect venue for such a recreation. When I heard rumors, I tried to keep from getting too excited. Then when I heard the project was a go, I was elated. I’m still elated! I’ve been following webcam and photo progress on a daily basis, and I really like what I see. Incidentally, I just discovered another source for photos; forgive me if this has been mentioned before:

Mr. Fetterman and his team are doing a fabulous job, from the eyes of this individual FT fan. It’s truly a work of art, and I like the “beefing up” they’ve done with additional layers of tube wood and structure that surrounds the tube all the way from the top of the “figure 12.” That open tunnel of wood structure will no doubt enhance the ride as we traverse our way down, as well as making it a more durable coaster. If you think the track is short, it’s actually longer than the one I rode in Europe. I remember feeling quite satisfied after a wild cruise on that coaster! So, we have a fantastic track going up, but naturally there are still questions. Mr. Fetterman, if you have a moment and are so inclined, can you tell us anything about the train design and the progress made so far? I was wondering if they would be more true to Euclid cars, which seemed to be a bit taller. Or are they more akin to what I rode in Denmark, a later design that were duplicates of the bigger Flying Turns at Coney Island. The later ones had the appearance of being lower center of gravity. I remember sitting on the floor of the car with no restraints, and yes, I know that won’t be possible this time around!

Looks like I messed up on the URL for photos, here's another try:

http://www.airphoenix.com/airphoenix/features/Flying_Turns/

/\ Check a few posts above yours is the owner of the site you jus linked too;)
Thanks for posting your experience though and welcome to the site, it's great to hear from someone who has been on one of the origionals so we can compare how this new one stands up to them. I agree it is truly a work of art. We are too anxiously awaiting to get a glance at the trains (I've never been so into checking out a coaster's trains before lol)

Also great to see Mythmaker join, Ive been a huge fan of your site for a while now as it kept getting better. (I was puzzled by the lack of a Knoebels fan site/unofficial site and it was great stumbling onto yours!) Keep up the great work! *** Edited 8/9/2006 10:29:46 PM UTC by P18***

Thanks for the welcome P18 and yes indeed, kudos to Mythmaker for Flying Turns photo updates!

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MythMaker9 said:
Will have new pictures posted shortly on my website: http://www.airphoenix.com

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Dig that Phoenix shot on the main page. ;)

I have a question,hope it isnt stupid...

When the final boards are in place in the trough which the trains will run,this looking down at the trough,will they be facing like.. ___ or IIII

The "I" are facing in the direction that the train is traveling,the "___" is the opposite.

I hope you understand what I'm asking about.thanks *** Edited 8/10/2006 1:05:44 AM UTC by Ex_Westview and KW_worker***

Not a dumb question at all. Check the pics from the airphoenix link above and you'll see some great pics of the layering of the wood.

ok i fig it out... hope this works

- this is the train--> ]this]is]the]track]going]downward... so its like this --train--> ///// or how u said it ___ (looking downward)

so its would be __

hope that helped if not here is a link to a pic of the tough.

http://www.airphoenix.com/airphoenix/view_image.asp?return_url=%2Fairphoenix%2Ffeatures%2FFlying%5FTurns%2FDefault%2Easp%3F&src=%2Fairphoenix%2Fupload%2Falbum%5F160%2Ejpg&full_src=%2Fairphoenix%2Fupload%2Falbum%5F160%5Ffull%2Ejpg&width=1016&height=677&caption=6%2F24%2F06+Update+%2D++Photo+by+Joel+Styer *** Edited 8/10/2006 1:52:29 AM UTC by Seth***

Looks like a bunch of wacky html tags to me. ;) *** Edited 8/10/2006 4:50:46 AM UTC by Acoustic Viscosity***

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Seth said:
ok i fig it out... hope this works

- this is the train--> ]this]is]the]track]going]downward... so its like this --train--> ///// or how u said it ___ (looking downward)

so its would be __

hope that helped if not here is a link to a pic of the tough.

http://www.airphoenix.com/airphoenix/view_image.asp?return_url=%2Fairphoenix%2Ffeatures%2FFlying%5FTurns%2FDefault%2Easp%3F&src=%2Fairphoenix%2Fupload%2Falbum%5F160%2Ejpg&full_src=%2Fairphoenix%2Fupload%2Falbum%5F160%5Ffull%2Ejpg&width=1016&height=677&caption=6%2F24%2F06+Update+%2D++Photo+by+Joel+Styer *** Edited 8/10/2006 1:52:29 AM UTC by Seth***

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^^^^

Is that the final layer that the trains are running on?You would think it would give a bumpy ride with the wood facing that way.If they faced the wood the other way (90 degrees)you would think it would be a smoother ride.

as far as i know thats how its suspost to be.. I am going down to knoebels on august 15-17 and i am sure they will have alot of the thoughs complete.. i will look and tell u all about it (too bad i can't get pic i don't have a dig cam and whatknot :( )

Thanks Seth.

yep no problem anytime

Thanks also to Rathergoodbear :)

I wonder if they are going to put some kind of clear coat finish on the trough to smooth out the surface.

^ And to protect it from the rain and sun...so I'm betting "very much so"... ;)

hmmm very good question ... idk but maybe that should be asked to the knoebels crew and we can find out

Are they going to have some kind of water drain at the end of the ride?

During a heavy downpour,I can see that thing turning into one giant water slide.

hmmm another good question to ask knoebels