Let’s take a close look at the front cover of the 2 color brochure. (Click on the images for a much higher resolution image).

From a circa 1939 flyer - "Flying Scooters always in the top money!"

Start with the Flying Scooters font. We’ve previously seen this same font on the “Instructions for Erecting Eight Car Flying Scooter Ride” that we posted in 2009, as well as company letterhead in the 70s and even stenciled on tubs from various park.

Next, the car pictured in the front cover appears to be from Riverview Park in Chicago and is what we’ve referred to as the “1st Generation Box Tub” type. While this is the most common tub type seen in remaining Flying Scooters (and the inspiration for the Larson version), it was replaced in 1939 by a more rounded tub referred to in advertising as the “streamlined” tub (as on Holiday World’s Eagle’s Flight). After WWII, surplus fuel tanks were used to create elongated tubs (as on Canobie Lake’s Rowdy Roosters). Sometime in the 1950s or 1960s, these original design tubs returned to new and refurbished Flying Scooters.

Take a look at the selling points of the ride as well:

• Every Car has Individual Flying Control
• You can complete 24 rides an hour
• ALWAYS IN TOP MONEY!
• 100 % SAFETY RECORD!

Finally, a bit of trivia from Alvin G. Bisch himself – sitting on the right side of the scooter is his sister June.

Flying Scooters mean CROWDS! Look at all those addicts!

The inside of the brochure is a treasure trove of Flying Scooter pictures and facts. Who would have thought the Flying Scooter would be popular with a 91 year-old? Today insurance companies would have scoffed at the comment “Mothers ride with babies in their arms.”

Let’s examine “One man spent $18 on it in one day.” While that may be easy today at $2-3 per ride, back then he probably had to ride it 180 times (paying a dime each ride). The brochure also claims that “Millions have ridden and not a single accident.” Our research backs that up, until 1946 when a car at Palisades Park separated from the structure and killed 2 spectators. The fact that several early-model Flying Scooters are still operating still backs up the claim that “Flying Scooters are constructed with the best known materials available.”

The many pictures in this center spread come from several different locations. The only verified location is Riverview in Chicago. Others could have been taken at the 1938 Great Lakes Expo (in Cleveland). The location of the large lake-front Scooter is unknown.

George A. Schmidt of Riverview raves about the ride!

The last page is dedicated to specifications and testimonials. Riverview Park received the Flying Scooter prototype in 1935, and was always a big supporter of Bisch-Rocco. The park was also one of the first to purchase the company’s other adult ride – the Flying Disk – in 1948.President George A. Schmidt raves:

“The machine is very novel and when in operation is a very fine attraction in itself, as it provides entertainment not only for the riders, but also for the general public on the walks…the patrons leave the ride well satisfied and the same receives a great deal of work of mouth advertising.”

Next, the specs. The brochure only lists information for the 10-car “Park Model”, as it appears the portable version of the ride did not debut until 1940. A description reads “You can vary the altitude from a few inches off the ground to the very tops of the booms with absolute safety.” While we recently learned that Alvin himself was not a thrill seeker, “snapping” the cables on a Flying Scooter has always been a goal of the experienced rides, including Bisch family members.

In the coming weeks, we have some even more interesting brochures from the Bisch archives, including the never built “Bisch” Amusement Trainer.

]]> http://flyeraddicts.com/research/2011/01/1939-early-flying-scooter-brochure/feed/ 0 http://flyeraddicts.com/research/2009/02/for-sale-flying-scooter-must-pick-up-in-1950/ http://flyeraddicts.com/research/2009/02/for-sale-flying-scooter-must-pick-up-in-1950/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:53:45 +0000 Flyer Addict Jack http://flyeraddicts.com/research/?p=72 This ad from “The Billboard” caught our attention during a recent research session.  This Flying Scooter was most likely a portable model as it was gas driven.  This also shows why it is so difficult to track the Flying Scooter.  They seemed to move around from park to park before they gained their “classic” status.  This one only lasted 3 years before it was put up for sale.

Found in the April 8, 1950 issue of "The Billboard"

Rocky Glen Park opened in 1886 and closed in 1987.  Rocky Glenn, Rocky Glen Park, Sterling’s Rocky Glen, Ghost Town in the Glen and New Rocky Glen are just a few names the park went by in its 101 year history.

This article from the The Pittston Dispatch states that Ben Sterling operated the park for 47 years.  He started at the park as a concessionaire in 1924.  He purchased a section of the park in 1936 and acquired the entire park in 1950.   A Pennsylvania State Historical Marker stands at the site of the park today.

RCDB states that Rocky Glen operated for a time as two parks separated by a concrete wall after a falling out between partners.  A fire in 1950 destroyed several attractions.

Our research has produced many postcards and photos of the park, but little to nothing about this set of Flying Scooters.  Please leave a comment if you have any additional information or photos you would like to donate to our archive.

Posted by Flyer Addict Jack