A Kamikaze (also known as a Double-Arm Ranger, or The Apollo) is a pendulum amusement ride, usually found as a travelling ride, with some examples found at amusement parks. The ride is manufactured by Far Fabbri & Sartori, and first made its debut in 1984. Since then, over 150 Kamikazes have been sold.
Contents |
Design and operation
The ride consists of a single stationary tower, supporting two 16-passenger gondalas on rotating arms. Passengers are arranged in rows of two, with the first four rows facing in one direction, and the other four facing opposite. During the ride, passengers are swung backwards and forwards to build up momentum, before the gondala performs several inversions. The two gondalas are connected to the motor so that they swing simultaneously; with one arm rotating clockwise while the other rotates anticlockwise Passengers are restrained by a shoulder harness, as well as a secondary locking bar across their laps. Compressed air is used to actuate the shoulder harness, with a fail-safe mechanism which engages the shoulder harness in the event of power failure. The loss of compressed air also causes the shoulder harnesses to engage. In addition, the gondala's sides and roof are made up of closely spaced metal bars, allowing riders to see the world outside, while preventing anyone from falling out while the ride is in motion. Like most ride safety measures, these are only effective if safety and height restrictions are enforced. To date, the only deaths or severe injuries caused on a kamikaze ride have been caused by a failure to follow the height restrictions, or complacency on the part of the operator or deck personnel. Most carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks require riders to be at least 48 inches or taller. The entire ride can be stowed on a single 40ft trailer which requires a special permit to travel in the Continental United States, and can be assembled or disassembled in less than five hours, by two trained workers. Older Kamikaze rides were powered by a 75 horsepower DC motor, coupled to a drive shaft which traveled up the tower to drive the rotating arms, but newer models are powered by the same DC motor mounted directly to a gearbox mounted at the top of the tower. This gearbox is manufactured by Brevini in Italy, with a coupling box made by PTG. The same planetary gear used can be found on a large quantity of earthmovers all over Europe.
Variants
Similar designs have been produced by A.R.M. (Skymaster), Topfun, Meisho, Mondial (Sky Flyer), and Vekoma (Sky Flyer).
Appearances
- Australia - At least three; Pharaoh's Curse at Luna Park Melbourne, two transportable Kamikazes (Shockwave, Ranger, Hangover).
- The Bahamas - The Holiday Carnival hosts this ride.
- Brazil - Multiple transportable Kamikazes
- Canada - At least one transportable model, often featured at the Calgary Stampede.
- Chile- At least one stationary operating at Fantasilandia.
- New Zealand - At least one transportable model.
- Scotland- At least two transportable models. One stationary operating at M&D's.
- United States - According to representatives at FarFabbri, Texas, there are over 50 of these rides currently operating in the United States.
