The World's Fair, February 8th 1954
Released in January 1954, this spaceship was Edwin Hall & Co.'s fourth ride. It would be one of Hall's most popular rides, manufactured for well over a decade. The original version, "Dan Dare's Spaceship" or "Spaceship Mk III" was released on a high base, which was decorated with an ornate fairground-style space scene with the words "Fly The Spaceship" painted written across it. "To start the booster motors, put 6d in slot and pull control rod slowly back...", read a sign beneath the spaceship. It was painted in red and white stripes with yellow and black wings and tail fins by default, but could be customised to the buyer's requirements.
Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay, 1965
This was the first British ride to incorporate lights in the form of two flashing red bulbs on rockets either side of the central tail fin, as well as smaller red and white bulbs around the tail fin which flashed throughout the duration of the ride. It was also (according to reports of the time) the first British ride to have a push-button activated sound effect. The button, located on top of the joystick (which activated the ride after the coin was inserted), produced a firing sound as well as making lights flash on the front gun. I am still not sure how this sound effect might have worked, considering the soundtracks on Hall's rides were provided by a standard record player inside the base.
Wookey Hole Caves, May 2023. Nicely refurbished unit with Stamar timer, lights and sound effects.
Having said that, the reports of the general soundtrack itself are a little confusing. Once the coin was inserted (but while the ride was still stationary), the machine apparently "gave off a sound like the soft purring of a motor boat engine". Once the joystick was pulled and the ride set in action, "the sound effect gets louder and more exciting". I would love to know more about the technology behind this if anybody has any idea how it might have worked!
The coin slot meter was conveniently located on the side of the ship within easy reach of the rider.
As is typical with Edwin Hall rides, the spaceship was updated many times over the years so there were several different versions. Some versions had the name "S.S. Saturn" written on the side, others seem to have had no specific name other than a generic "Spaceship".
Edwin Hall Catalogue, 1963 (?)
This was the first British ride to incorporate lights in the form of two flashing red bulbs on rockets either side of the central tail fin, as well as smaller red and white bulbs around the tail fin which flashed throughout the duration of the ride. It was also (according to reports of the time) the first British ride to have a push-button activated sound effect. The button, located on top of the joystick (which activated the ride after the coin was inserted), produced a firing sound as well as making lights flash on the front gun. I am still not sure how this sound effect might have worked, considering the soundtracks on Hall's rides were provided by a standard record player inside the base.
Wookey Hole Caves, May 2023. Nicely refurbished unit with Stamar timer, lights and sound effects.
Having said that, the reports of the general soundtrack itself are a little confusing. Once the coin was inserted (but while the ride was still stationary), the machine apparently "gave off a sound like the soft purring of a motor boat engine". Once the joystick was pulled and the ride set in action, "the sound effect gets louder and more exciting". I would love to know more about the technology behind this if anybody has any idea how it might have worked!
The coin slot meter was conveniently located on the side of the ship within easy reach of the rider.
As is typical with Edwin Hall rides, the spaceship was updated many times over the years so there were several different versions. Some versions had the name "S.S. Saturn" written on the side, others seem to have had no specific name other than a generic "Spaceship".
Edwin Hall Catalogue, 1963 (?)
No comments:
Post a Comment