Flashback (Six Flags Magic Mountain)

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Flashback
Flashback in 2007.
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
Park section Six Flags Plaza
Status Defunct
Operated April 25, 1992 to 2003
Rider height 48 inch minimum
Six Flags Over Georgia
Location Austell, Georgia, USA
Operated April 1988 to 1991
Replaced by Blue Hawk
Six Flags Great America
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
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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. Originally intended to be mass-produced, the ride would actually be the only one of its kind to ever operate.

History

Z-Force at Six Flags Over Georgia

Six Flags Great America (1985-1987)

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]

Six Flags Over Georgia (1988-1991)

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] The coaster was going to be enclosed, but the plans were cancelled. Flashback would open on April 25, 1992.[6]

Six Flags Magic Mountain (1992-2003)

After moving to Six Flags Magic Mountain, the ride was suffering from neglect. The track was said to be rusted and in poor condition and riders complained that the ride had got much rougher. Riders also disliked the hard over the shoulder restraints combined with a lap bar. The ride was making so much noise that the lifeguards at the nearby Hurricane Harbor were being distracted, so, in late 1995, Six Flags announced that Flashback would be closed during the summer because of this.[citation needed] Due Flashback not being able to operate during the busiest season, and decreased guest satisfaction, the ride's closure was forced in 2003. The entrance was boarded up and power to the site was cut in 2005.

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, the neighboring water park expanded into the plot where Flashback once stood. However, the entrance to Flashback still stands to this day at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and is used for a maze during Fright Fest.

Design

Elements
Flashback after its closure.

The ride starts with the chain lift hill and subsequently features six 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]

References

  1. "Z-Force, Manufacturer stock footage from Intamin (About 1984)". YouTube. Loopy Guy.
  2. "State inspections of thrill rides rolling". Chicago Tribune.
  3. "Richardson stays ahead of Cobb tourism race".
  4. Six Flags Over Georgia 1988 pamplet b - Flickr
  5. "Magic Mountain Plans to Add $4-Million Ride". Los Angeles Times.
  6. "Flashback roller coaster will take you for a spin".
  7. "Thrill is gone for old coasters". Daily News.
  8. "Coroner: Boy died of seizure on roller-coaster". UPI.
  9. "Six Flags reopens Z-Force after death". UPI.

External links


Articles on Six Flags Magic Mountain
Articles on Six Flags Over Georgia
Articles on Six Flags Great America