Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter
The Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter is a popular roller coaster design built by Gerstlauer. It was launched in 2003 and now has many installations around the world, including a number yet to be completed. The trademark feature of the roller coaster is its 'beyond vertical' drop, which reaches an angle greater than 90 degrees. Although the majority of Euro-Figters are custom designed for each installation, every design so far has included the trademark drop. A number of different track elements are possible, including vertical loops, diving loops, barrel rolls etc. In addition, every Euro-Fighter has a vertical chain lift hill, often (but not always) preceding the 'beyond vertical' drop.
Riders are transported in individual cars around the track, which feature two rows of four seats. An exception is the as-yet unnamed roller coaster to be constructed in the new F1 Theme Park in Dubai, which is to feature cars similar to those used on Gerstlauer's launched coasters (ie. three rows of two seats).[1] The cars have over-the-shoulder restraints and may be themed (to an extent) according to the customer's requirements.
Fluch von Novgorod, opening in 2009 in Hansa Park in Germany will be the first Euro-Fighter to incorporate both a vertical lift and an LSM launch in the same circuit.[2]
Installations
| Name | Model | Park | Opened | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vild-Svinet | Euro-Fighter Model 500/8 | BonBon-Land | 2003 | Operating |
| Typhoon | Euro-Fighter Model 670/8 | Bobbejaanland | 2004 | Operating |
| Speed: No Limits | Euro-Fighter (Custom) | Oakwood Theme Park | 2006 | Operating |
| Rage | Euro-Fighter Model 320+ | Adventure Island | 2007 | Operating |
| Mystery Mine | Euro-Fighter (Custom) | Dollywood | 2007 | Operating |
| SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge | Euro-Fighter (Custom) | Nickelodeon Universe | 2008 | Operating |
| SAW: The Ride | Euro-Fighter (Custom) | Thorpe Park | 2009 | Under construction |
| Rick's Delight | Euro-Fighter Model 320+ | Duinrell | 2009 | Under construction |
| Fluch von Novgorod | Euro-Fighter (Custom) | Hansa Park | 2009 | Under construction |
| (Name unknown) | Euro-Fighter (Custom) | Zoosafari Fasanolandia | 2009 | Under construction |
| (Name unknown) | Euro-Fighter (Custom) | F1-X | 2009 | Under construction |
References
- ^ "Rollercoaster Database entry for F1 Theme Park Euro-Fighter". Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Gerstlauer's page for Fluch von Novgorod under 'New Projects'". Retrieved 2009-03-08.