Space Copter

Originally known as plain old "Helicopter", the earliest reference I've found of this machine is a picture in a 1990 Amutec leaflet.  The ride was later updated with new stickers and renamed Space Copter, which is the name I've used in order to help us all to retain some sanity!  There are already far too many "helicopter" rides floating around out there as it is!


1990 Amutec Flyer

The Helicopter/Space Copter is a two seater ride and was part of Amutec's Compact Kiddie Rides range.  It had "a most attractive interior of Flashing Panels and Lights" and a "4 Way Joystick for additional sound effects" according to the 1990 flyer.


Burnley Market, October 2023

The helicopter measures 46" x 33" x 60" and weighs 165lbs.  It cost £1,648.00 to buy in 1990, which had risen to £2,095.00 by 2001.

Fire Engine

 This fire engine ride was manufactured by World of Rides in the 1980s.


Burnley Market, October 2023

Silver Ghost

Silver Ghost is a lovely old veteran car released by Whittaker Brothers in 1977.  It was, as the name suggests, a silver car with a red seat.


1980s Whittaker Brothers Flyer

Two separate flyers from different years show slightly different colouring.  All of the units I ever saw looked more like the picture above with detail in the panelling, so I'm unsure if the more basic one below was just a prototype or a rarer released version of the ride.


1980s Whittaker Brothers Flyer

There was a push button inside for a honking horn sound effect, and a  pedal to increase the engine sound.  The tune played throughout the ride was "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".


Burnley Market, October 2023

I have fond memories of one of these cars outside a local children's clothing shop when I was little.  Being quite compact, these were popular with small shops as well as the regular amusement arcade locations.

The car measured 53" x 30" x 41".

Sandy

Sandy the Donkey was part of RG Mitchell's original wooden animal range, released around 1960.  As with all of Mitchell's early rides, she had a Muffin the Mule-style "string puppet" appearance, with her legs and head being made of separate flat wooden pieces which were then assembled to complete the animal.


RG Mitchell Stand, Amusement Trade Exhibition - The Coin Slot, February 1975

Sandy was one of the last Mitchell animal rides to be recreated in fibreglass, with this updated version being released in the early 1970s.  She was the only fibreglass Mitchell animal to retain some of the original string puppet shape from her earlier wooden counterpart.  The same mould was also used for the less commonly seen Candy the Zebra.


The Countryman, Ingoldmells, August 2023

Sandy II came in a variety of colours over the years. The earliest appear to have been brown but, by the 1990s, she was far more commonly seen in grey with white spots.

Splasher

RG Mitchell advert - The Coin Slot, May 1975

Splasher was one of the final additions to RG Mitchell's range of small animal rides.  He appears to have made his first appearance at the Amusement Trade Exhibition in January 1972.  I believe Splasher was the first of RG Mitchell's animal range not to have an earlier wooden counterpart.

 
Burnley Market, October 2023.  This particular Splasher has been at Burnham Market for many years and still runs on 2p per ride.  A plaque on the base says that he was refurbished by some NASEC apprentices in 2005.  While the dolphin has obviously been refurbished, they've tried to keep him in the original style, including the signwriting on the base.

Galloper

Watermouth Castle, September 2023

I came across this horse during my one and only visit to Watermouth Castle.  I had no idea she was there and so have no idea how long she may have been there prior to my visit.  In fact, I know nothing about this ride at all.  The horse itself is one commonly produced for fairground galloper sets.  I've never seen the base before and wonder if it was a one of a kind DIY project put together by somebody at Watermouth Castle.  Alas, this also means I have no idea of the age of the ride.

I have seen horses like this one used as coin operated rides before.  There were a couple on a double base in Skegness when I was a child which I believe were assembled by Robinson Partners, and I've also seen photos of three of them side by side in Cleveleys in the 1960s.

Of course, with my own "Carousel" horse ride also being an original Heyn fairground galloper, I was thrilled to see another galloper horse on a coin operated base, whatever her origins.  I just wish I could find out more about her history.

Sky Ranger

The second ride manufactured by Robinson Partners, the Sky Ranger Spaceship was released in 1954.  It was made for many years and, while the design itself didn't change much over time, the name and colours did vary.  Other names included "Trip To The Moon" and "Space Traveller".


Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe, September 2023.  I was thrilled when I found this ride as I had no idea it was even at Watermouth Castle prior to out visit, and it's the only time I've ever seen one of these in the flesh.  Alas, the lighting in the arcade was AWFUL.  Still very pleased to have the film and to have been able to document the ride for the website, but wish it has been located somewhere that I could have got a clearer video.