CHANCE SKYDIVER

1:87 scale working Skydiver for a collector. Modified RAH kit with Plastruct fluorescent rods which "glow" under blacklight. Sign features a custom 2 way flasher (model train crossing flasher) behind hand painted letters on red plastic. Rubber RC slot car tires actually drive the metal rim like the real thing. The tires are attached to a gear assembly that runs underneath the base to a motor. Weights attached to the tire axle (hidden inside platform) keep tension against the rim. Tubs are hand carved out of balsa with a hole drilled through the center to allow for hollow tubing that allows free spinning on the wire that runs around the outside of the wheel.

ROCK-O-PLANE

...1:87 scale working Rock O Plane for a collector. Modified RAH kit with Plastruct fluorescent rods that "glow" under blacklight.

FLYING SCOOTER

My scratchbuilt N scale Flying Scooter was started in 2000 but was then set aside while other models took priority. In Dec. of 2003 I finally finished it. This ride is a rare treat offering interaction and the ability to get a snapping action from the cable slack. Flyers have thrilled unsuspecting pilots since the 1930's. Now only about 30 of them exist around the world, with new designs by Larson that don't 'snap' as well popping up too such as examples at Cedar Point, Indiana Beach and Kentucky Kingdom. Even Kings Island now sports a Larson set although locals still prefer the originals they had for so many years (now at Carowinds). Anyone that has mastered them becomes addicted to the ricocheting, chaotic ensemble of steel and cable. Two of the better examples are at Carowinds (moved from Kings Island) and Knoebels Grove. This model reflects the one at Coney Island, Cincinnati (seen in the above postcard), before being moved to Kings Island in 1972. Each of the 10 tubs is 1 1/2" long (shown next to a nickel), and made from a solid balsa block sanded to shape, and matboard fins glued to each end. Small wire was bent to shape for the cable attachment and glued between the fins. The tubs were painted, and an xacto was used to carefully trim the printed graphics used on the fins (much easier than handpainting them).

Each of the 10 wire truss sweeps is made by bending .025 wire. One is a V-shape for the main frame, and the other is bent around a nail jig, made from the 1=1 sketch you see, to make the support webbing. In the last photo, tape is added as a filler for the washer used at the top (the sweeps will attach to this). The thick matboard washer recreates something Coney had on theirs (a flywheel?). Upon completion, wire was used to freeze the tubs "in flight".

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SKYWHEEL

Here is my version of the operating H.O. scale Skywheel offered by IHC. I added fluorescent tubing (available by Plastruct) and letters which make an impressive display with a blacklight. I put this model on a base and included a cotton candy stall and a lady digging for change (ride wristbands are outrageous these days lol). It also has thread simulating cables, and a control box complete with carney. All that's missing is the squeaking axles....

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TUMBLE BUG - SCRAMBLER - FERRIS WHEEL - CAROUSEL

Photos of my scratchbuilt N scale Bug and Scrambler, along with modified kits of the IHC carousel and ferris wheel. All of these operate. The Scrambler and Bug are about 6" in diameter. The Scrambler is all styrene pieces with brass rods for support, and blue Plastruct fluorescent tubing. The Bug cars are plastic tubes glued to a rubber gasket for a base. A nail is used in the center for a grab wheel, and the cars simply slide along the rail on a solid metal tube. The Bug's paint scheme is inspired by the ride that ran at the now defunct Whalom Park in Mass. The sketches show early ideas of Scrambler and Bug construction.

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LOG FLUME

N scale custom flume intended to work with water, and the ride will be themed to an old mill. The boats are carved out of balsa wood with a brass strip on the bottom to keep them weighted and upright. N scale people barely fit! The water is pumped by two small water pumps available from IHC (makers of H.O. carnival ride kits).

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All images copyright Brad Sherman unless noted otherwise. Logos copyright their respective sources.