The explorer was first manufactured by Reverchon Industries of France in 1980. Reverchon, a pioneer in the electric bumper car, was founded in 1927. Several units were made under license in USA and Australia in the early 1980’s.
The ride consists of a fast undulating rotational movement with 3 ups and downs per revolution ranging from 0.5 to 5 metres (1.6 to 16 ft), with a swinging sensation, both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. Unlike more primitive rides in its class, the Explorer does not use a tram guide to lift and lower the sweeps, but has an ingenious reverse eccentric centre hub.
The large 40-person ride is mounted on one 46ft trailer and can be set up in 6 hours with 3 people.
There are currently 3 Explorers in Australia - one at Melbourne’s Luna Park, one immaculate road model renamed Flashdance owned by Chant’s, and an ex-park model under refurbishment. These 3 were built in Australia under license from Reverchon.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- 20 two seats cars
- Two axis
- Maximum speed : 16 rpm
- Power supply : 80 kW
- Hourly capacity : 900 to 1,000 people
- Set-up time : 6 hours for 3 people
- Hydraulic unit with 4 functions
- Control rack for all functions
- Mounted on a 14 m (46 ft) trailer
- 24 tons
Nice website. I have marked it in my favorites..Thanks
Doug Rathbun - May 22nd, 2009 at 4:29 am
Such an underrated ride. Awesome experience, especially in reverse.
Skippy - May 31st, 2009 at 10:40 pm
They used to have this ride at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in CA when I was growing up. If I recall correctly, it was called Wave Jammer.
JJ - June 22nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Oh hell yeah! I would soooo go on that ride! Looks hella sick,damn It sounds like a suspended version of the himalaya,only ALOT damn rougher,Damn!
ba-boss-bomb - July 2nd, 2009 at 7:43 am
A great ride with excellent atmosphere and a great feeling when travelling in reverse especially. I am not a fan of the safety bar which comes down too far IMO, severely restricting body movement but apart from that it’s awesome and one of my favourite intermediate rides.
Ben - July 9th, 2009 at 10:50 am
looks cool.
Nun-ya-buz - August 14th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
This is on my list of rides that deserve to be re-manufactured. The A.R.M. Quasar is very similar to this.
Michael - February 24th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
That reminds me of a ride that was at Old Chicago in the ’70s, called the Chicago Bobs. I don’t remember if the Bobs platform lifted that high though or at that much of an angle
Moon - August 23rd, 2010 at 2:53 pm