Flying Turns Update

The lateral thrust members are permanent. These are the wooden beams which extend horizontally outward from the steel center pole to each bent.

RGB makes an apt observation that the original rides did not have this additional feature. I have wondered when the question might come up: kudos for what is certainly NOT a silly question!

Jason makes the proper observation that the beams are present to provide longevity for the ride. We have learned that at least some earlier wooden Turns rides squirmed as the train passed through the trough. We pretty much expected to learn this, since there is no external bracing present for most earlier Turns turns. External bracing is always a pleasant assistant for the wooden coaster designer, but not always available. External bracing around the structure of a Turns ride would expand the footprint of what is otherwise a delicately small object (relatively speaking), so we rejected external bracing as a choice for the updated Turns.

On the other hand, internal bracing is always a consideration. The far turn of both Phoenix and Twister exhibit this type of construction. Perhaps even more apt is the station turn of the Crystal Beach Comet, an example of a center pole with radiating arms construction which I chose to emulate with the updated Turns design. I reasoned that adding wooden structure to the claustrophobic tight turns area would likely enhance the feelings generated through these areas, while providing resistence to a structural squirm which one might imagine as a force for backed-out nails, loosened screws, and premature wear on the barrel.

From an aesthetic point of view, I will allow others to arrive at their own version of which looks better. My interpretation is that an overhead view of the original rides, with no overhead beams confusing the picture, are purer and more pleasing to behold than our version. But that is, of course, from the limited, rarely observable perspective of above. From the reference frame of the passenger in a Turns vehicle, I hope - expect - that the additional structure will enhance the sensation, and that will provide more than enough reason to tip the calculus of evaluation toward our version. Especially if after we get this version open, we can keep it running for more than three decades, the heretofore practical limit on a Turns ride's age.

John

KG

Thanks for the great explination John. I'm sure everyone here also hopes this long outlasts the previous incarnations of the turns. For the webcams, it looks like you guys are making good progress. Is all the work still structural, or have you started any electrical or mechanical yet? i.e. the lift hills or the motor room.

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rollergator said:If only we knew someone who could tell us for certain...

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Voila, ask and receive. Thanks SO much for your patience with all our questions, John. While we don't have a "need to know", we obviously have a burning desire to know. Your forthcoming nature with all of the answers to our varied and detailed questions is greatly appreciated... :)

P.S. I hope to be riding Knoebels' Turns for WAY more than three decades... ;)

*** Edited 6/19/2007 3:16:25 PM UTC by rollergator***

I'd like to say thanks as well, its a great pleasure and honor to be able to have our questions about the ride answered by the designer of the ride himself :). That question has always been in my mind, thanks for the explanation. extreme head-choppers, especially for when the train makes its way up the side of the trough

P18, I was thinking the same thing about the answered questions. I wouldn't think you'd find too many other people doing something like that anywhere else. I would think it has to do with the fact also that there are quite a few intelligent coaster fans here and he probably enjoys talking shop with all of you. I just like reading what you all have to say and ask.

I'm curious to see what the trains will look like. Will they look like the ones on the page that RGB posted?

Not sure how new these pics are, but they give a great overview of the ride:

http://www.knoebels.com/images/turns-images/June1.jpg

http://www.knoebels.com/images/turns-images/June2.jpg

Looks like they still need to completely do the station (only footers as of this pic). However, you can see all three lifts in this picture, and you can also see the queue path going under the ride. Pretty nifty.

^I posted links to those pics on just the last page;), but they are great pics...

The trains are a mystery, other then the fact Larson is building them. I've never been so interested in coaster trains before this lol. Of course I've been interested, but I'm DYING to see these ones, and I'm sure I'm not not alone considering the fact this ride hasn't been built in many years and we're all curious what they will be like updated.

*** Edited 6/19/2007 6:59:23 PM UTC by P18***

Quite a bit of work has been done since those shots were taken. *** Edited 6/19/2007 9:50:02 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

http://thelado.photosite.com/Album1/?page=3

Nothing too amazing. I noticed that the bumpers are done on the final turn, they started to put up steel for the side friction on lift 2, and conduit has also gone on lift 2.

Dalado *** Edited 6/20/2007 3:48:49 AM UTC by The Lado***

Nice pics, there has even been some work since then, such as tracking started on the first lift. I guess the height difference between it and the helix is because of the switch for the transfer track that will go outside of the helix. I'm curious about that, and the bottom of the second lift as well.

Well, Swampfoxer is out of control as usual. He has managed to procure video footage from opening day 1929 at Euclid Beach. There is about a minute and a half of footage of the EBP Flying Turns for any who are interested in seeing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CBXJEMydQU&mode=user&search=

Tom

Check out his profile, he has footage from a lot of other rides as well, Thriller, Rye Aeroplane, Idora Wildcat, good stuff!

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John Fetterman said:

My interpretation is that an overhead view of the original rides, with no overhead beams confusing the picture, are purer and more pleasing to behold than our version.

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Good thing I have more interest in how the coaster behaves rather than how it looks from a plane ;)

^^ swampfoxer is the KING! The Rye Aeroplane footage had me *drooling*...and the Euclid Beach Turns...just wow! :)

That is an AWESOME video, man that looks like fun! More work on the station as usual today.

I took an MHD (Mental health day) from work today and ended up @ KG late afternoon and evening. A crew was working on the track for the first lift hill and in the station area until around 7 PM.

Even from week to week, the visible progress is amazing. The ride may not be open, but the park has a lot of FT merchandise available. So I broke down and bought a Flying Turns T. There's also a cool shirt labeled "Triple Challenge," depicting a Phoenix (the mythical creature), a Twister (the weather kind) and some diving biplanes.

Swampfoxer's videos are great! The CB Cyclone looks absolutely sick!

I saw those shirts when I was there, they were very tempting, I'm hoping to get there a few more times these season! I don't mind the drive alone anymore, and if anyone else will be there I wouldn't mind meeting someone there.

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RatherGoodBear said:I took an MHD (Mental health day) from work today and ended up @ KG late afternoon and evening.

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My mental health days take *me* to Orlando or Tampa....wanna trade? ;)

My mental health days are only capable of taking me to the finest examples of commercial excess, so I'll trade with either one of you any day of the week!

i noticed that they added new videos but windows media player will not play them... so i don't know what is up with that also got some new pictures ok the knoebles site under june pic. the one is really small though and you can't really see it. any other new updates??? let us roller coaster peeps know

I had no problems with the videos. But, I did notice the cams, have been down for a couple days.