Enterprise (ride)

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Witches' Wheel, an Enterprise operaing at Cedar Point

The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1972. ^[1] The ride was an adaption and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwartzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity and a hydraulic lift arm (as opposed to electro-mechanical). ^[1] Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was issued the patent. ^[1]

Enterprises are manufuactured by HUSS, Schwartzkopf, and Heintz Fahtze; all sharing the name Enterprise. Both trailer and park versions have been created and in use.

1 Design and operation
- 1.1 Variants
2 Appearances
3 References

[edit] Design and operation

In the ride, up to two people sit in one of 20 gondolas arranged in a circle, one in front of the other. ^[1] The ride moves counter clockwise, dispelling a slight amount of centrifugal force. ^[1] A hydraulically-powered arm underneath the ride then raises and tilts the frame so that the ride is rotating at 87° from the horizontal, transforming the ride from a horizontal experience to a vertical one. ^[1]

There are no safety restrains, insead the force applied to the riders is sufficient to keep them pinned in their seats. ^[1]

The transportable version of the ride racks onto two trailers, the first carrying the wheel, arm, and drive systems while the second is loaded with the gondolas, platforms, and any additional equipment. ^[1] The first trailer also acts as the base of the ride while in operation. ^[1]

[edit] Variants

[edit] Schwartzkopf

The Schwartzkopf version of the Enterprise has sixteen gondolas, reducing the diameter of the wheel. ^[1] The gondolas are also smaller than the HUSS version. Originally, the gondolas were produced in-house; they were later replaced by gondolas manufactured seperately by Reverchon. ^[1]

[edit] Heintz Fahtze

A single 16-gondala Enterprise has been manufactured by Heintz Fahtze, installed in 2003. ^[2]

[edit] HUSS

An expanded version of the HUSS Enterprise is known as the Skylab. This variant consists of fifteen four-person gondolas. ^[1]
The Enterprise was the basis for the larger UFO amusement ride. ^[1]

[edit] Appearances

Note: Schwartzkopf versions of the ride are indicated with "(SDC)" following the park or operator name. The Heintz Fahtze Enterprise is marked "(HF)".

Australia - Four Enterprises; The Enterprise at Luna Park Melbourne, Reef Diver at Dreamworld (SDC), one travelling model. The fourth is under referbishment, location unknown. ^[1]
Canada - At least one Enterprise, at Playland, and several portable models. At least one Skylab, The Orbiter at Canada's Wonderland
England - At least three, Zodiac at Thorpe Park, Enterprise at Alton Towers, and a travelling Enterprise owned by Funfair Props. ^[3]
Finland - At least one; Enterprise at Tykkimaki Amusement Park (SDC). ^[4]
Scotland - One Enterprise, The Captain's Wheel at Loudoun Castle.
Spain - At least one; La Turbina at Parque de Atracciones, Madrid. ^[5]
United States of America ^[6] - At least fifteen; Enterprise at Casino Pier, Valleyfair!, Lake Compounce, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, the Strates Shows travelling railway carnival, and Murphy Bros. Exposition; Highland Fling at Six Flags St. Louis (SDC); Screamer at Lagoon Amusement Park; Scream Weaver at Carowinds; Silver Bullet at Darien Lake (HF); Volcano at Kennywood Park; Wheelie at Six Flags Over Georgia (SDC); Witches' Wheel at Cedar Point; and The Orbit at Six Flags Great America (SDC).

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ Burton, David. Amusement Ride Extravaganza - Enterprise. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
^ The Flat Joint - Heintz Fahtze Enterprise. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
^ [www.funfair-props.co.uk/rides.html Funfair Props Rides List]. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
^ TYKKIMAKI AMUSEMENT PARK (2001-07-08). Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
^ Ruchard Bannister (2003). [www.bannister.org/coasters/trips/2003/0912.htm Coaster Trips 2003 - Parque de Atracciones Madrid]. Retrieved on March 17, 2007.
^ According to Amusement Rides Extravaganza, there are 23 HUSS Enterprises in North America; this does not include other manufactureres and may or may not include Canada.