Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series of books have been a great source of information in our Flyer Addicts research. Through their dozen of Amusement Park books, we’ve discovered new scooter installations and confirmed others.
But recently, the book on Six Flags Over Georgia (link goes to Amazon with book preview) not only gave us a date of installation for a set of scooters, it prompted the exclamation “What the heck is that!” from several flyer fans.
From the Arcadia book Six Flags Over Georgia
The Phlying Phlurpus was apparently installed in 1974, as part of the newly added Cotton States Exposition area of the park. While no concrete date of removal is known, it was probably in the early 80s.
As you can see from the picture, 10 standard Bisch-Rocco box-style are suspended from a non-Bisch-Rocco frame. In addition, the tubs appear to have rubber feet attached to their bottoms, leading us to believe the center structure lowers and the tubs touch the ground for loading and unloading.
So, this brings up many questions….
Was this built in-house from spare parts? What is that center stucture from? Where did the tubs come from? Is that snappable?
During a recent ACE event, several amusement fans and experts lent their best ideas:
- a Huss Flying Dutchmann (think the Wooden Shoes at Kentucky Kingdom)
- a modified Zierer Waveswinger (can’t tell from the picture if the structure tilts)
- an over-adorned Chance Yo-Yo (can’t find any pictures that show a base like that pictured)
So, all you Six Flags Over Georgia experts…help us out. Help us discover what a Phlying Phlurpus really is! We await your email at faa@flyeraddicts.com
July 21st, 2011 - 11:29 am
the phlying phlurpus was their a short while it did it’s last spin in 1977, don’t know why they took it down, u gonna have to ask six flags over georgia why. Ask someone who worked their during that time it’s possible they could be workin their all theses years. I rode it once when i was 5 years old, but everytime we went their i never got the chance to ride it again and it was always in operation when i was there.
July 21st, 2011 - 11:34 am
also the ride did rise up a bit for u to b high up but when the ride was over the tubs never touched the ground i remember. And at night u would need shades because that ride had bright yellow lights.
July 21st, 2011 - 11:40 am
Since we posted this, we’ve discovered a little more info. First, this hybrid was “manufactured” by Tread Corp of Roanoke, VA who called it “The Flying Mouse.” A 1974 trade ad said the company could “manufacture new car and fin sets for your old Flying Scooter.” Tread Corp was founded in 1957 and manufactures over-sized mining equipment for the quarry industry. It’s foray into the amusement industry appears short-lived, as Six Flags over Georgia seems to be the only park who purchased a Flying Mouse.
July 21st, 2011 - 11:41 am
what is a phlying Phlurpus? I have know idea, to me the tubs look pringle potato chips with cable wires hanging..Six flags always came up with odd names for rides.Back in 1986 six flags had a carnival ride called the round up. The spinning round cage that pins u against the wall and then the spinning round cage rises up and tilts, six flags decided to change the name to the Great American Force.