Flashback (Six Flags Magic Mountain)

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Flashback

Flashback in 2007 with Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in the background

Six Flags Magic Mountain
Location	Valencia, California, USA
Coordinates	34°25′29″N 118°35′44″W / 34.424786°N 118.595458°W / 34.424786; -118.595458
Section	Six Flags Plaza
Status	Defunct
Operated	April 25, 1992 to 2003
Rider height	48 inch minimum

Six Flags Over Georgia
Name	Z-Force
Location	Austell, Georgia, USA
Operated	April 1988 to 1991
Replaced by	Blue Hawk

Six Flags Great America
Name	Z-Force
Location	Gurnee, Illinois, USA
Operated	July 10, 1985 to 1987
Replaced by	Iron Wolf

Statistics

Manufacturer

Intamin

Product

Space Diver

Designer / calculations

Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH

Type

Steel

Hourly capacity

1,100

Propulsion

Chain lift hill

Height

86 feet

Top speed

35 mph

Length

1900 feet

Inversions

0

Duration

1:30

Rolling stock

Manufacturer

Giovanola

Riders per train

20

Flashback was a unique steel roller coaster which operated at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, USA. Before it came to Magic Mountain, it operated at two other Six Flags parks under the name of Z-Force. It was designed and built by Intamin and Giovanola.

History

In 1984, Six Flags Great America announced that they would be adding Z-Force. It would be a prototype Space Diver purchased from the Intamin testing facility.^[1] The ride opened on July 10, 1985.^[2] It operated for three seasons before closing in 1987. Later that year, it was announced that Z-Force would be moved to Six Flags Over Georgia.^[3]

Z-Force would open in April 1988 at Six Flags Over Georgia.^[4] After the 1991 season, it was removed from the park. That year, it was announced that the coaster would be relocated to Six Flags Magic Mountain under its new name, Flashback for the 1992 season.^[5] Flashback opened on April 25, 1992.^[6]

Flashback last operated in 2003.

On January 23, 2007, a spokeswoman for the park confirmed that both Flashback and Psyclone would be removed.^[7] However, while Psyclone was demolished the following month, Flashback remained standing until December. Originally, the park stated that Flashback may be rebuilt from scratch within the park for the 2008 season, but the coaster was scrapped instead.

In circa 2013, after Flashback's former spot had stood empty for many years, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor expanded into itt. However, the entrance to Flashback still stands and is used for a maze during Fright Fest.

Design

Elements
Chain lift hill Pre-Drop Block brake Hairpin dive Hairpin dive Block brake Hairpin dive Hill Block brake Hairpin dive Hairpin dive Helix

The ride starts with the chain lift hill and subsequently features five hairpin dives and an upward helix. The hairpin dives are supposed to mock a Fighter Jet. Flashback was the only Space Diver to ever be produced.

Color scheme

Blue track and white supports.

Trains

3 trains with 4 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 5 across in a single row, for a total of 20 riders per train.

The trains were built by Giovanola and were the first to have four-abreast seating, now used on many Bolliger & Mabillard coasters.^{[citation needed]}

Incidents

On July 17, 1989 an 11-year-old boy died while riding Z-Force at Six Flags Over Georgia. An investigation found that the boy had an undiagnosed underlying condition which was aggravated by the ride, and that he died of a "seizure-like disorder".^[8] The roller coaster reopened on July 22.^[9]