_2014_01.jpg)
| |
| Michael Phillips' Airwolf in 2014 | |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Introduced | 1995 |
| Discontinued | 2004 |
| First built | 1996 |
| Last built | 2004 |
| Statistics | |
| Manufacturer |  |
| Capacity | 32 per cycle |
The Superstar was a ride manufactured by Nottingham-based manufacturer Northern Amusements later known as NA Superides International. The ride consisted of a large 8 arm star with a single 4 person gondola on the end of each arm and a single main arm which was mounted on a small square gearbox at the back of the ride.
The gondolas could independently tilt forward at a slight angle achieved by a small hydraulic cylinder the back of each Gondola which would pull the gondolas into place and hold them there. The ride had a large hydraulic cylinder at the back on the gearbox which would push the whole ride up to the top before a safety break would engage to stop the ride from being able to lower in the event of an emergency. The whole arm would then rotate the star several times round in both directions before lowering back down. The Superstar owned by Albers was able to lower down while the gondola was upside down and spinning causing an intense experience, however, this was banned due to a Superstar getting stuck in this position and the stress-causing cracks in the main arm.
The prototype machine was owned by UK showman Patrick Burton and was built with a circular baseplate but later changed to a square base. The prototype can be identified by the star being 20 inches smaller in diameter compared to the later built Superstars. It was also built with help from another UK manufacturer, Protech.