The video shows Jack Larimore and Chris Clark during 10-minute cycles on the scooter after a rain storm cleared out the small park of patrons just before close.

It also visually shows 2 of the scooter modifications previously described in our first article about the Butterfly. View that article here.

View on this video and others on in HD and full screen on Youtube: Flyer Addicts Invade Burns Park Funland (2010)

Entrance to Funland at Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas

We first posted some pictures and a simple video of our visit on the Flyer Addicts Anonymous Facebook page. (Hint, click here to like us…really really like us.) Now, the full story…

History

Funland is actually a small municipally-owned amusement park inside the much larger Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. When it opened in 1958 as Joyland, the park was a private venture by two local businessmen – Jess Woods and Robert Starkey. It opened on July 21 of that year with 5 kiddie rides. From the 1970s through 2001, the park was owned by Lloyd “Mokey” Choate Sr. and his Star Amusements. Since then the park and its 12 rides including a Train, Tilt-a-Whirl and Scrambler, have been owned and operated under the direction of North Little Rock Parks & Recreation. Of course, the gem of the park is their Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

An operating Butterfly is the focal point of the park.

Flyer Addicts first learned of this scooter in 2004, when NAPHA (National Amusement Park Historical Association) visited the park as part of their “Tale of Two Cities” event. But it wasn’t until 2010 that we were able to talk with Park Manager Travis Young and schedule a tour of the park with Facility Leader Scott Pennington. It was a very steamy 102 degrees when we pulled up. We took a quick look at the scooter and met with Scott who brought us into the park office to look over some historical documents. It was then that a powerful thunderstorm hit the area. We waited for almost an hour, in hopes the storm would clear and the Butterfly could be opened for rides. Luckily, it did.

An Unusual Scooter

Although we could not find any documentation, locals say the Flying Scooter has been at the park since the 70s, possibly longer. But this is not your ordinary 8-tub portable Flying Scooter. Some aftermarket adjustments have been made – some old, some new.

A chain-driven Flying Scooter? Yes.

Start with the drive mechanism. We know that some very early models were tire driven around a metal rim at the top of the structure (like Lake Compounce’s park model until 2007) or at the base of the structure (like Seabreeze’s portable model). But most models are powered by a motor connected to a self-contained gearbox in the center of the scooter structure. This one however, has an aftermarket chain mechanism that bypasses the standard gearbox and is rotated by the drive axle of an old truck. The new mechanism also uses the truck’s drum braking system to quickly slow the ride at the end of the cycle. We weren’t entirely surprised by this, as we had seen something similar in the schematics for building your own knock-off Flying Scooter that were sold by A.K. Brill during the 1950s.

Factory or Aftermarket? The ability to spin your tub without moving.

Next, check out how the tub connects to the cables. With most scooters both cables are attached directly to the top of the tub structure at separate connection points, one in front of the other. One reason, presumably, is as a backup should one cable connection fail. That design also makes it more difficult for the tub to twist sideways. With the Butterfly’s connection, both cables are not only connected to the same double eye hook, but the connection to the tub is on a swivel – allowing one to completely rotate the tub without twisting the cables. When we asked Alvin G. Bisch if he believed it was his father’s design, he highly doubted it.

Custom cut and sewn truck tarps cover the wings

Finally, the material coving each tub’s wing is an object of pride by the park’s staff. Via phone, Funland Manager Travis Young explained to us that the park recently reupholstered all the wings using a heavy-duty tarp material strung across the original internal metal structure. The tarps were cut, sewn and affixed using Velco straps  - all at a cost of about $50 per tub. The result is a lightweight wing that we can only assume will hold up for many years to come.

Addict Antics

The big question we had, after seeing all the differences in this Flying Scooter, was….how does she fly? Well, we were pleasantly surprised when Facility Leader Scott Pennington powered up the Butterfly for some extended ride cycles. First, Jack Larimore tried the only tub missing its restrictor chain. After his cycle, he reported that it was a little harder to control because of its free-twisting ability. He soon realized that large wing movements were adding to the problem, and the restrictor chain actually helped us keep the tub from twisting and disturbing the rhythm used to create the cable slack needed to make some noise. The result – some of the best aerial acrobatics and snapping seen this side of the Elysburg or Conneaut Lake.

Jack impresses the locals on the Butterfly

After analyzing the first cycles, Addicts Chris and Jack took additional rides on the scooter to perfect the process that even impressed ride operators who were allowed to take their breaks on the ride with us. We were even joined by a local, unofficial Flyer Addict, who brought his family out for a Sunday afternoon snapping session himself. He said he’d been enjoying this scooter since his youth in the 1970s. Our conclusion: For a portable model, this scooter was easier to snap than most – comparable to the portables at Stricker’s Grove or Conneaut Lake. And, because seeing is believing…we’re also editing a video to illustrate some of the action that afternoon. Look for it later in the week right here on flyeraddicts.com.

Plan Your Visit

If you’re planning a visit this summer, remember to check their website at http://www.nlrpr.org/parks/funland.php or give them a call at 501-753-7307. For 2011, hours appear to be Saturdays from 10a.m.-7p.m and Sundays 1p.m.-6p.m. The Butterfly (and other adult rides) require 2 tickets, or $2.00 per ride. Click over to Google Maps for directions on your roadtrip. Tell them you’re a Flyer Addict!

Picture Gallery

Panorama of Butterfly ride area (Click to enlarge).

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/ 2 http://flyeraddicts.com/research/2011/01/flying-scooters-of-1987/ http://flyeraddicts.com/research/2011/01/flying-scooters-of-1987/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2011 05:31:29 +0000 Flyer Addict Chris http://flyeraddicts.com/research/?p=292 Though our Flyer Addicts research lately has been concentrating on the hey-day of the Flying Scooter in the 1940s and early 1950s, we recently stumbled across a great low-budget book by James W. Reed that details over 150 amusement parks as they were in 1987. It was strange to see how different the amusement park landscape was just 24 years ago.

You see, while many park and ride enthusiasts get mixed up in this crazy hobby during their teenage years, I (Chris) waited until the late nineties and my late-twenties to catch the bug. While I was able to enjoy the boom in coasters during the beginning of the millennium, there were dozens of classic amusement parks that were missed by just a few years. Listed in the book were parks of my youth as well, including Sauzer’s Kiddieland in Schererville, Indiana

But, even more interesting was the “ride census” which aimed to count not only roller coasters, but Scramblers, Trabants, Twisters and – yes – Flying Scooters.

James W. Reed's Amusement Park Guidebook-1987 Edition

According to the book, called Amusement Park Guidebook, there were 22 Flying Scooters were running that year. We beg to differ slightly, but understand the complications of compiling such a list in the time before the Internet. Our notes after the list:

NAME OF PARK – LOCATION
1. ADVENTURELAND – DES MOINES, IA
2. AMERICANA AMUSEMENT PARK – MIDDLETOWN, OH
3. BLAND’S PARK (Now Del Grasso) – TIPTON, PA
4. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK – DETROIT, MI
5. CANOBIE LAKE PARK – SALEM, NH
6. CLEMENTON LAKE PARK – CLEMENTON, NJ
7. ELDRIDGE PARK – ELMIRA, N
8. ERIEVIEW PARK “RIDES & SLIDES” – GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE, OH
9. FANTASY FARM PARK – MIDDLETOWN, OH
10. FUN JUNCTION – GRAND JUNCTION, CO
11. FUN SPOT – ANGOLA, IN
12. GEAUGA LAKE – AURORA, OH
13. HOLIDAY WORLD – SANTA CLAUS, IN
14. KINGS DOMINION – DOSWELL, VA
15. KINGS ISLAND – KINGS ISLAND, OH
16. KNOEBELS AMUSEMENT RESORT – ELYSBURG, PA
17. LAGOON AND PIONEER VILLAGE – FARMINGTON, UT
18. LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK – DENVER, CO
19. LINCOLN PARK – NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA
20. MOUNTAIN PARK – HOLYOKE, MA
21. OLD INDIANA FUN PARK – THORNTOWN, IN
22. SEABREEZE PARK – ROCHESTER, NY

Note that all of these are Bisch-Rocco models, as the first Larson manufactured model did not debut until 2002. Scooters not mentioned in the book, but thought to be in operation in 1987 include Burns Park Funland (North Little Rock, AR), Rye Playland (Rye, NY) and Gulf Shores Amusement Park (Gulf Shores, AL). Also, knock Fantasy Farm off the above list as our research shows that scooter was sold to Fun Spot prior to the closing of Fantasy Farm. Timelines match as this book shows the Fun Spot scooter “New for 1987.”

We’re now looking for the 1982 and 1977 editions of the book to further our research.

For Flyer Addicts, it’s a difficult credit to nab. In addition to being located deep in the Kansas plains, somewhere between Denver and Kansas City, it also operates just a few days a year during the fair. Flyer Addicts Chris and Jack even tried to plan a trip around the fair this year, but found it difficult to fit into any travel plans. There is always next year.

A Bisch-Rocco Portable Flying Scooter peeks out of the frame in this 2010 picture from the Wichita County Fair

The story on this scooter goes as follows…when the carnival operator contracted to provide rides bailed just days before their arrival in 1981, the fair was left without amusement rides. To ensure that never happened again, the locals began purchasing, refurbishing and running their own rides each year. Today, they operate boasts 12 large rides, and several kiddie rides. Like 1982, all rides today still cost just 25 cents each!

The fair has already posted several pictures from the 2010 fair in a photo gallery on their website. Rides seen include a Ferris Wheel, Paratrooper, Miniature Train, Tilt-a-Whirl and Merry-Go-Round. And of course, there is the portable model Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

So, if you’re not busy this weekend, hop into the car and take a drive. Just remember that Wichita County does NOT contain the city of Wichita – but it is a short 250 mile drive to the west.
View Larger Map

You can get more information on the fair, including the 2011 dates (July 27-30) at their website www.wichitacountyfair.com. Hopefully, you’ll see some Flyer Addicts next year too!

Snoopy and Woodstock Greets Some Addicts!

With the ride now being 474 miles away from its former Cincinnati home, addict visits may be less frequent – but definitely still worth it. Last week, Flyer Addicts Chris, Jack and Derek were happy to see the vintage Bisch-Rocco ride not only running great — but snapping great too.

Cables are flopping the way we like 'em!

Like in previous visits, snapping was not discouraged on this ride – despite it now being located in the kid’s “Planet Snoopy” section of the park. In fact, this visit saw multiple operators encourage the practice in theory by awarding a free re-ride to the pilot who put on the best show. Sometimes it went to an acrobatic adult, but usually to a high-flying kid who giggled with excitement the entire ride.

This potential addict flys high above the ride's queue.

Over the course of the afternoon, good shows were put on by admitted Addicts, potential Addicts and even tubs filled with random children and parents. Of course, when the Addicts were front of queue, things were stepped up a notch. And just like the old days, at least one parent complained, scolding Jack after a successful cycle that “this is a kids ride!”

A determined Jack eyes his prey.

We were happy to see, on such a warm Sunday afternoon, that the Carowind’s crowd appreciated their scooter and rewarded it with one of the longer waits of the day. Who needs to be ‘intimidated’ when your can soar on a former eagle – now beagle-ized.

Enough with the safety spiel, hit the button!

Part of the archiving process at FlyerAddicts.Com is to collect the serial number of each Flying Scooter. Unfortunately, here we found the serial number (PC-0205) on this plate was generated by Carowinds when the scooter was moved in 2005. Also, the manufacture date appears to be wrong. We’ve found multiple sources that document this scooter’s first installation being Coney Island in Cincinnati in 1940 – not 1935 as indicated on the serial plate.

The ride's serial plate was generated when the ride move to Carowinds in 2005 and contains inaccuracies.

Finally, we leave you with a compilation video of the Addict Invasion, shot in 720p HD with a Canon PowerShot camera. Hit 720p and go full screen for the best experience!

Have YOU had a great visit with a Flying Scooter this year? Email us and we may post your pictures and story!

Look in the coming weeks for new articles, including updates from Wild Adventures, a visit to Carowinds and their Woodstock Gliders, and some rare information from a really cool source. Thanks for the support fellow addicts!

Flyer Addict Chris

And what better place to meet up with some fellow addicts than Stricker’s Grove just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. Stricker’s is open to the public just a few days a year and is home to an original Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

Serial #4332-23

From the scooter’s serial plate, we believe this 8-car portable scooter was built in 1943. While it has resided at Stricker’s Grove since 1994, we’ve back-tracked this flying scooter to Columbian Park in Lafayette, Indiana and the Rocco Family’s own Playland Park, which operated in suburban Chicago from 1953 to 1979.

Now, for those who were unable to join us this past Sunday, here’s a quick video showing some of the aerial manouvers and good times had by dozens of fans of the Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

Got that Flying Scooter itch now? You can still visit Stricker’s Grove on their two remaining 2009 Public Days – Labor Day Monday (September 7th) and Customer Appreciation Day (Sunday, October 11th). More info at www.strickersgrove.com

While a definitive arrival date has not been found, the 8-car portable scooter was present in the park as early as 1943. Sometime in the early 1960′s the ride was severely modified to capitalize on the race-to-the-moon frenzy. The new ride, seen below in an 1970s brochure picture, was called the “Gemini 9″.

Bisch-Rocco Scooter Hacked

Yes, those are supposed to be Gemini space capsules where our beloved tubs should be hung. We still wondered how the ride would run, and thanks to the magic of YouTube – we have our answer in the form of video taken of the park and ride in July of 1988. The Gemini 9 footage runs from about 1:10 to 3:45.

As you can see, “spins” replaced “snaps” in this new ride modification that operated like a cross between a Heart Flip and the modern Wisdom Tornado.

Bushkill, sadly, has been closed the last few years after the nearby creek flooded the park on several occasions. During an FAA trip in 2005, Flyer Addicts Chris and Jack were given permission to stroll through the park ground and take some pictures of the damage and the process of rebuilding. The Gemini 9 had been removed sometime before the 2004 floods.

[Thanks to Ken Philips for the Bushkill brochure.]

Part Bisch-Rocco Catalog, Part Manual Cover Page

The latest discovery was dropped in our lap during a visit with a self-proclaimed addict in Chicago. Among other information and brochures gathered during his long history in the amusement industry – he donated a 7-page assembly manual for a portable (8-car) Flying Scooter that includes a part list and maintenance recommendations. Thanks to Ken for this insight into the inner-workings of our obsession.

Many of the pages reference the “Rocco Amusement Company”, so we can assume this document was produced after the 1955 – when Alvin Bisch retired from the company and the related Playland Amusement Park. Click the jump for the full manual, and our commentary.

As an addict, we’ve been staring at the portable versions of the Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter – trying to dissect the structure and figure out how this machine was setup and disassembled dozen of times a year by 2 or 3 workers without the benefit of cranes. Some time ago, we realized each angled arm of the portable scooter was on a pivot, and noticed many scooter had a large metal ring towering high about the center post. It was then easy to see how a pully-and-rope system could be used by one worker to raise the arm while the other attached the support bars to the erected structure. Page 2 of our new manual confirmed this. It appears many of the now-permanently installed portable models removed their “hoisting ring”, as it is a separately installed piece of metal.

It's as easy as 1-2-3 (Click for full size image)

The next page of the manual details parts and hardware used to secure the scooter tub to the revolving structure.

You Flying Scooter Parts List

Then two pages provide a textual instruction manual of the installation process. According to these instructions, even the individual tubs were disassembled for transport. Also noted is the warning, “DO NOT operate the ride over 12 RPM.”

Instructions Page 1

Instructions Page 2

Now that your scooter is installed, how do you maintian it? According to the manual: Inspect the ride daily, Oil cable connectors weekly and add oil to the gearbox bi-weekly. It’s that simple!

Scooter Maintenance Page 1

Maintenance List Page 2

So, if you have a portable model scooter sitting in your garage, now you have no excuse not to get it up and running in your backyard….and don’t forget to invite some Flyer Addicts over…