17 May, 12
Info. Coaster Types Steel Coasters Diving Coaster
 Diving Coaster
a.k.a Vertical Drop Coaster, Dive Machine, beyond vertical drop coaster, Eurofighter, El Loco...

When this type of ride was first introduced with Oblivion and G5, everyone thought it would never be anything more than a gimmick.  However, in 2005, B&M proved that the Dive Machine, 7 years on from its first appearance as a one trick pony, could take on anything today. With a circuit comprising of one 90-degree drop and one near vertical drop, an inversion, and a water splash, SheiKra proved the true potential of this ride type.
Other manufacturers then took up the challenge with Gerstlauer and S&S Power battling to see who could produce the "steepest" drop.

 

 The Original

bandmB&M Dive Machine

Still a secret even during construction, Oblivion is one of the most speculated coasters of all time.  Billed as a "Dive Machine" and Containing an 88-degree drop, over which the train was held by a reverse-chain system for a few terrifying seconds, the ride opened in 1998 to huge success, but was slated for its lack of length.  Despite having a simple layout, Oblivion's excellent theme based around fear allows it to remain among the scariest rides today.  B&M opened SheiKra in 2005, which took Oblivion's concept to a whole new level.  Maintaining the spirit of Oblivion, SheiKra retained the short train length made of 8-across cars (although SheiKra added a third car), holding chain over the first dive, and large drop, SheiKra took this concept to a whole new level by making the first drop a full 90 degree drop, adding an Immelman inversion, and finishing with an excellent water splash.

 

 Variations
towerofterror Nauta-Bussink Mine Diver


A shockingly frightening dive coaster built by Nauta-Bussink that opened with lap bars and a twisting 90-degree drop through an old mine tower.  The ride has since been closed because it was deemed far too intense on riders.  Since it was built by an extremely small and little known company and installed mainly through in-house means by the park, there is little chance another of these rides will ever be built. 

gerstlauer Gerstlauer Eurofighter


The evolution of the vertical drop rollercoaster could only really go one way... more than vertical!  Gerstlauer's coaster treats riders to a 90-degree vertical lift hill followed by a 97-degree first drop - the ride experience is rounded out by extreme transitions, highly banked curves, helixes, and inversions, the usual format of which is a single vertical loop followed by one or more barrel rolls.  The coaster is designed to be small, compact, cheap, and transportable, although almost all current installations are of the permanent type.
sandsS&S Power El Loco


In 2008, S&S Power entered into the vertical drop coaster market, with the (then) world's steepest drop on Steel Hawg at Indiana Beach. These compact coasters seem to be designed to make the rider constantly feel as though they're about to be thrown from the car. A mix, if you like, of diving coaster and a new generation of wild mouse. 

 



Related Articles

Things you may like...