|
History:
The wheel was designed by Henri Corbiére, a French
engineer, and built around 1956 by ARM (UK) LTD. The
design was state of the art at the time. The design
was probably the first to have 'spherical motion'
i.e. the whole wheel revolves around its base such
that the gondolas travel in a gentle spiral path
describing a sphere through space. This concept
required new thinking in respect to the design and
construction of the wheel.
It operated originally
at Coney Beach Amusement Park at Porthcawl in South
Wales, but spent most of its life at Clarence Pier (Southsea).
Acquired in 2001 by Blackpool Illuminations Manager
Richard Ryan, he restored it between 2001 and 2004,
after which it operated at Pleasureland (Southport)
for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The ride was removed
from Pleasureland when the park closed and put into
storage by Ryan in Blackpool.
Dimensions:
Wheel Diameter 15.25
M; Height 18.28 M; Base Diameter 9.038 M; Seating
Capacity 56 persons (14no, 4 seat gondolas).
Importance:
A very rare and unique amusement park ride. Similar
rides once operated at Skegness, Great Yarmouth,
Southport Pleasureland (1970s) and Battersea Fun
Fair.
Latest: Now
in storage in Maidenhead where it is being
refurbished for possible preview operation in 2011.
If you have any further
information on the history of this ride, please
email
nick@savedreamland.co.uk. |
