originally posted on 10/22/2021
All photos courtesy of Vekoma. View full-sized image.
It is easy to say that Vekoma is on a roll. With installations at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park (Brooklyn, New York) and Energylandia (Zator, Poland), there has been some notice, but those are only two of 17 that have opened this year from the Netherlands-based coaster manufacturer. Astonishingly, seven more are still under construction. While several of this large count are family boomerang coasters — which are fun, popular rides — there are still notable projects within the mix.
Two new parks, both called Fanta Park Glorious Orient, opened in late May (Ghanzou) and early July (Ningbo). Both parks offer a launched coaster as the high-profile attraction within the park. With a name translated to Fighter Jet, each coaster is a twin of the other. They are of a style that ACEers have yet to see.
Fighter Jet.
View full-sized image.
The most noticeable difference is the fact that trains are only two cars long for a total of eight passengers. The intention is to simulate an aerial battle with interaction between two trains. For those elements to align, dispatches have to be precise. It is unclear if operations ensure that riders experience a “dog fight”, but the ingenious engineering is impressive.
As the ride theme goes, guests tour a majestic aircraft carrier. A “code red” radio call straps eight pilots into two-car fighter jets. Once dispatched, a curve leads to the launch strip. Green flags go up, and riders are off on their aerial adventure. In just three seconds, riders are soaring 105 feet into the tallest element. Depending on how one categorizes this aerobatic maneuver, it could be considered either one or two inversions (making for three or four for the total ride). Vekoma dubs this as the world’s first rollover camelback. Following that, the tangle of track is very compact, featuring tight curves, airtime hills and two corkscrews. Because the track is snarled within itself, if the timing is precise, the next launched train can interact within the crossovers.
The theme of the setting is an aircraft carrier.
View full-sized image.
Seating looks comfortable with only vests to restrain riders instead of typical over-the-shoulder harnesses.
The Ghanzou park opened with two other coasters: a Vekoma family boomerang called Frontline Charge and a Wacky Worm called Sky Track. The Ningbo park also offers Frontline Charge, but it is the only other coaster. While ACE News cannot confirm, it would appear the two family boomerang coasters are twins as well.
Elsewhere in China (Nanjing), another launched coaster has opened. Called Dragon in the Jungle, the Shockwave model from Vekoma finds a home at Dragon Valley Theme Park. Upon examination, the layout is extremely similar to the second act of Abyssus, the Vekoma installation at Energylandia. However, the two are not identical, as Abyssus features four inversions, but Dragon sports an additional corkscrew for a total of five inversions.
Dragon in the Jungle.
View full-sized image.
Dragon in the Jungle has a nicely themed station and — more important to riders — exhilarating dives and dips into trenches.
The coaster operates with two trains, each of which seats 16.
Dragon Valley Theme Park opened its gates in 2021. Asia continues to be a hot market for ride suppliers.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
Much of this coaster’s layout is similar to Abyssus at Energylandia.
View full-sized image.
@#$%&!
#ACENews