Boomerang (roller coaster)

Infobox roller coaster simplified
name = Boomerang


caption = A standard "Boomerang"
location = Numerous
type = Steel roller coaster
manufacturer = Vekoma (some trains built by Arrow)
designer =
model = Shuttle roller coaster
height = convert|116|ft|6|in|m
drop =
length = 935 feet
speed = 47 mph
duration = 1 min 48 s
inversions = 6
capacity = 760

:"For a roller coaster inversion called Boomerang, see Cobra roll"Boomerang is a model of roller coaster built by Vekoma, and named after the sporting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians. The first Boomerang began operation in 1984, and it has since become one of the most repeated roller coaster designs in the world, with 47 Boomerangs or its variants operating as of 2007, and another 3 "Standing But Not Operating" or in storage. An additional 9 amusement parks have operated this design, but the roller coaster has since been demolished or dismantled and sold to another park.

Design and operation

The Boomerang consists of a single train with seven cars, capable of carrying 28 passengers. The ride begins when the train is pulled backwards from the station and up a lift hill, before being released. After being released, the train passes through the station, enters a Cobra roll element (referred to as a boomerang by the designers), then travels through a vertical loop. Upon exiting the loop, the train runs up a second lift hill, which is angled so that the two lifts meet at the top in a "V"-like formation. Once out of momentum, the train is towed to the top of the lift hill, and is held for several seconds before being released; travelling through the roller coaster in reverse before returning to the station.

Boomerang coasters have occasionally become stalled, often in the Boomerang element. As a precaution, many Boomerang coasters, including the newer Giant Inverted Boomerang models, are built with an access platform just under the Cobra Roll/Boomerang element.

Variant designs

There are two main design variants based on the Boomerang layout, both also produced by Vekoma.

Invertigo

The first variant is the Invertigo, which while retaining the same layout as the Boomerang, was an inverted roller coaster. In addition, the two rows of seats in each car were back-to-back, so the riders in the back row of each car would be facing those in the front of the trailing car. First operating in 1997, there are four Invertigos in operation as of 2008, and Wonderland Sydney had operated this ride in the past, but later disassembled it and sold it on.

Giant Inverted Boomerang

The second design is known as both the Giant Inverted Boomerang and the Super Invertigo. While maintaining a similar layout to the Boomerang, the track is again inverted, and the size of the ride is increased. The track is convert|270|ft|m longer, the two lift hills are almost convert|80|ft|m taller, and both hills are vertical. The track also crosses over, with the station underneath the vertical loop. The train has 8 cars, with the four seats of each car arranged in a chevron. As of 2008 only three Giant Inverted Boomerangs are certainly operating. The three models are Déjà Vu at Six Flags Magic Mountain , Aftershock at Silverwood Theme Park , Stunt Fall at Parque Warner Madrid.

External links

* [http://www.rcdb.com/ir.htm?model=1 Listing] of Boomerang roller coasters at RCDB
* [http://www.rcdb.com/ir.htm?model=6 Listing] of Invertigo roller coasters at RCDB
* [http://www.rcdb.com/ir.htm?model=17 Listing] of Giant Inverted Boomerang roller coasters at RCDB