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| The first inversions | |||||||||
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| Statistics | |||||||||
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard | ||||||||
| Product | Custom Wing Coaster | ||||||||
| Type | Steel - Launched - Winged | ||||||||
| Riders per train | 20 | ||||||||
| Hourly capacity | 1,140 | ||||||||
| Propulsion | LSM launch | ||||||||
| Height | 140 feet | ||||||||
| Drop | 130 feet | ||||||||
| Top speed | 60 mph | ||||||||
| Length | 3035 feet | ||||||||
| Inversions | 4 | ||||||||
| Duration | 1:18 | ||||||||
| HELP | |||||||||
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Thunderbird is a steel launched roller coaster located at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, USA. Built by Bolliger & Mabillard, it has winged seats and an LSM launch.
The ride was announced on July 24, 2014. It is the first launched roller coaster in the United States to have winged seats and the first LSM-launched roller coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard.[1] Thunderbird opened on April 25, 2015.
History
After a long teaser called "66 Days at Sea", Thunderbird was announced on July 24, 2014.[1] The track and supports began arriving at the park the following week.[2]
The track layout was completed on December 2, 2014.[3] After a preview event the previous day, Thunderbird opened to the general public on April 25, 2015.[4]
Design
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Thunderbird uses linear synchronous motors to launch the train, requiring 2.5 megawatts of power. Energy is supplied using a flywheel powered by electricity. The surrounding theme has been developed by PGAV Destinations.[5]
Ride experience
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The train leaves the loading area and travels slowly forward before coming to a halt, remaining in the station building with the launch track visible ahead. Smoke is released and the train begins accelerating as riders hear thunder claps. After reaching a speed of 60 mph the train heads into the 140 foot tall immelmann. After inverting riders the train pulls out to the right and dives to the ground. A 125 foot tall vertical loop follows.
Riders are then sent through a pair of turns called an over-banked pretzel knot, referred to by the park as an "overbanked horseshoe" followed by an "overbanked elevated spiral". The train then travels through a zero-g roll and an "s-curve" — a 90-degree right turn followed by a small airtime hill and a 90-degree left-hand turn.
The next element is a "carousel" — a 270 degree left-hand turn, the entrance and exit of which pass through a derelict barn providing two near misses. Thunderbird finishes with an in-line twist, taking riders into the brake run. The train takes a 90 degree right-hand turn and travels past the transfer track and into the station.
Color scheme
Thunderbird has an orange track and copper supports.
Trains
2 trains with 5 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 4 across in a single row, for a total of 20 riders per train. The lead car from one of Thunderbird's trains was on show at B&M's IAAPA booth in 2014.
Images
Promotional
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Exterior
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The entrance and test seat
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Holiday World unveils park's first major steel roller coaster - WDRB
- ↑ "Orange is the New Track!..." - Holiday World Facebook post
- ↑ Holiday World Completes Thunderbird's Track - NewsPlusNotes
- ↑ "Holiday World unveils 'Thunderbird,' park's $22 million steel roller coaster".
- ↑ "Thunderbird: Out To Launch - Dubois County Herald".
External links
- Thunderbird on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
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