Top Spin (ride)

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Kieputin at the Linnanmaki in Helsinki, (An original Huss Top Spin) Linnanmaen Kieputin.jpg
Kieputin at the Linnanmäki in Helsinki, (An original Huss Top Spin)
Soriani & Moser Super Loop On Top (A Top Spin ride Variation) 600022E.jpg
Soriani & Moser Super Loop On Top (A Top Spin ride Variation)

The Top Spin is a thrill ride developed by HUSS Park Attractions, and is the generic name for a series of rides from other manufacturers that follow the same principle. The ride consists of a passenger platform suspended between two counterweighted arms. The arms are turned by motors, while the platform typically only has brakes that are engaged and disengaged at various points of the ride cycle. A typical top spin program runs the main arm motors while engaging and disengaging the platform brakes so that it will rotate in exciting ways. The minimum rider height requirement is 54 inches; maximum is 80 inches due to the seat and restraint design. The ride was introduced to the public in 1990 and proved an instant success with European fairgoers.

Contents

Ride experience

Huss has designed the ride so that park and carnival operators may choose one of eight preset ride "programs." Most last no more than two minutes and consist of several moderate-speed loops, flips, and face-down gondola "hangtime" before unlocking the gondola hydraulics and swinging the riders back and forth. Some Top Spin rides have the added feature of water fountains which are mainly used at the end of the ride sequence soaking the riders as they are slowly lowered face first into the un-escapable water jets. Cycles can be customized to include more intense repetitive flips and also be under manual operator control. A world record was set with over 100 gondola flips during a cycle with a theme park model in Germany. [1]

Variations

There are also numerous other Top Spin rides that were later developed by other companies as rivals to the Huss versions.

In addition to this, various manufacturers such as Mondial, Moser, Vekoma, and Zamperla make an improved version of the Top Spin where each individual arm is controlled separately; this results in diagonal gondola inversions. Examples include "Wind Shear", "Super Loop on Top", "Waikiki Wave Super Flip","Super Nova" and "Discovery".

Installations


The Top Spin was once a common ride at travelling funfairs, particularly in Germany. Over time, many of the travelling versions of the ride have been sold to amusement parks. Huss also makes several models of Top Spin specifically for static locations.

Transportable

NameOwnerCountryManufacturerModelPremiereStatus
Top Spin No.1 [Prototype] Peter Bausch Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1990Operating
Colorado Rafting Bruch Schneider Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1990Sold
Revolution Ronny Weber Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1990Stored
Top Spin FRESH E.Fleur Flag of France.svg France Huss Top Spin1991Operating
Top Spin Ludewigt Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1991Stored
Revolution Naisse Flag of France.svg France Huss Top Spin1992Stored
Revolution/Top Spin Dir.Paillet Flag of France.svg France Huss Top Spin1992Stored
Top Spin 2 Plaenert Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin 21993Sold
Top Spin Buser Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland Huss Top Spin 21993Sold
Top Spin Strates Shows Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1993Stored
Top Spin FRESH Decker-Schaak Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1993Operating
Bat Spin
Formerly: Top Spin
Picci Flag of Italy.svg Italy Huss Top Spin1994Stored
Top Spin Straub Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin 21994Stored
Top Spin 2 Meyer-Hadlok Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin 21994Sold
Top Spin Nº1 Karl-Heinz Scheele Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin 21996Sold
Top Spin Ludewigt Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1997Sold
Top Spin Plaenert Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1997Sold
Top Spin Nº2 Lucka Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin 22001Operating

Theme parks

NameParkCountryManufacturerModelPremiereStatus
Miner's Revenge
Formerly: Colorado Rafting
Funfair (1990)

Gold Reef City (1999)

Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa Huss Top Spin1990Operating
Aqua Spin Heide Park Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1992Removed
Top Spin Yokohama Dreamland Flag of Japan.svg Japan Huss Top Spin1992Removed
Hurakan Tibidabo Flag of Spain.svg Spain Huss Top Spin1992Removed
Top Spin
Formerly: Texas Twister
California's Great America
Geauga Lake
Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1993Removed
Yukan Raft
Formerly: Top Spin 2
Funfair (1993)

Fort Fun Abenteurland (2013)

Flag of Germany.svg Huss Top Spin 21993Removed
Moon Chaser
Formerly: Top Spin
Funfair (1993)

Adventureland Amusement Park (2024)

Flag of the United States.svg Huss Top Spin 21993Operating
GiraVolta
Formerly: Top Spin
Miragica
Gardaland
Flag of Italy.svg Italy Huss Top Spin1993Closed
Top Spin Liseberg Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Huss Top Spin1993Removed
Top Spin Parque de Atracciones de Madrid Flag of Spain.svg Spain Huss Top Spin1993Operating
Kieputin Linnanmäki Flag of Finland.svg Finland Huss Top Spin1994Removed
Top Spin Nagashima Spa Land Flag of Japan.svg Japan Huss Top Spin1994Removed
Top Spin
Formerly: Rameses Revenge
Chessington World of Adventures (1995)

Sindibad Parc (2024)

Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco Huss Top Spin1995Operating
Shake, Rattle & Roll Elitch Gardens Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1995Removed
Top Spin La Feria de Chapultepec Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico Huss Top Spin1995Removed
Top Spin BenyLand Flag of Japan.svg Japan Huss Top Spin 21995Removed
Gantu Top Spin Serengeti Park Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin 21995Removed
Waterspin Duinrell Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Huss Top Spin1996Operating
La Tornade La Ronde Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Huss Top Spin1997Removed
Ripsaw Alton Towers Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Huss Top Spin1997Removed
Top Spin Seoul Land Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Huss Top Spin1997Operating
Twister Six Flags New England Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1997Removed
La Tornade La Ronde Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Huss Top Spin1997Removed
Ripsaw Alton Towers Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom Huss Top Spin1997Removed
Top SpinToshimaen (1997)

Prater (2007) EsselWorld (2013)

Flag of India.svg India Huss Top Spin1997Unknown
Top SpinFunfair (1997)

Fantasilandia (2004)

Flag of Chile.svg Chile Huss Top Spin1997Operating
Top Spin Seoul Land Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Huss Top Spin1997Operating
VooDoo Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1998Removed
Der Twister Six Flags Fiesta Texas Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1998Removed
Galactic Spin Lihpao Land Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan Huss Top Spin1998Operating
Top Spin Happy Valley Shenzhen Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Top Spin1998Operating
Hang Time Dorney Park Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1998Removed
Montezuma's RevengeAvonturenpark Hellendoorn Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Huss Top Spin 21998Removed
NYC Transformer Movie Park Germany Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Top Spin1999Operating
Top Spin E-World Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Huss Top Spin1999Removed
The Candy Luna Park Tel Aviv Flag of Israel.svg Israel Huss Top Spin1999Closed
Ekatomb Hopi Hari Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil Huss Top Spin1999Operating
Top Spin Dream Park Flag of Egypt.svg Egypt Huss Top Spin1999Unknown
Top Spin Dreamland Nara Flag of Japan.svg Japan Huss Top Spin1999Removed
Twister Six Flags Great Adventure Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin1999Operating
Hell's Gate Playland Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Huss Top Spin2000Operating
Hurricane Dream World Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Huss Top Spin2000Operating
Twister Six Flags Darien Lake Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin2000Removed
Blast
Formerly Excalibur
Walibi Holland Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands Huss Top Spin2000Operating
Buzzsaw
Formerly Screamer
Walibi Belgium Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium Huss Top Spin2001Operating
Estrugensen Xetulul Theme Park Flag of Guatemala.svg Guatemala Huss Top Spin2002Operating
Lex Luthor's Invertatron Parque Warner Madrid Flag of Spain.svg Spain Huss Top Spin2002Operating
Perfect Storm Happy Valley Shenzhen Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Top Spin2002Operating
The Crypt
Formerly Tomb Raider: The Ride
Kings Island Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Giant Top Spin2002Removed
Thunderhawk Worlds of Fun Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin2002Removed
King Kahuna Kennywood Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin 2003Removed
Double Rock Spin Everland Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Huss Suspended Top Spin2003Operating
RipTide Knott's Berry Farm Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Suspended Top Spin2004Removed
Top Spin Astroland Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin 22004Removed
Top Spin Vidámpark Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary Huss Top Spin2004Removed
King Chaos Indiana Beach
Six Flags Great America
Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top SpinTBD
2004 - 2017
In Storage
RipTide Valleyfair Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Suspended Top Spin2005Removed
The Crypt
Formerly Tomb Raider: Firefall
Kings Dominion Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Suspended Top Spin2005Removed
Trojan Horse Happy Valley Beijing Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Top Spin2006Operating
Top Spin Harborland Ningbo Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Top Spin2006Removed
Talocan Phantasialand Flag of Germany.svg Germany Huss Suspended Top Spin2007Closed for maintenance
Tornado Parque Diversiones Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rica Huss Top Spin2010Operating
Top Spin Siam Park City Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Huss Top Spin2010Unknown
Perfect Storm Happy Valley Wuhan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Top Spin2012Operating
Top Spin Funtown Flag of the United States.svg United States Huss Top Spin 22012Unknown
Splash Spin Romon U-Park Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Suspended Top Spin2014Operating
Digging in the Mountain Hefei Wanda Theme Park Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Suspended Top Spin2016Operating
Thor Thunder Spin Ride IMG Worlds Of Adventure Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates Huss Suspended Top Spin2016Operating
Monster Spin Dragon Park Ha Long Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam Huss Suspended Top Spin2017Operating
Top Spin Magic Mountain Flag of India.svg India Huss Suspended Top Spin2019Operating
Temple of Fire (Храм огня) Dream Island Flag of Russia.svg Russia Huss Suspended Top Spin2020Operating
Vortex Sea World Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Huss Suspended Top Spin2020Operating
Unknown Chongqing Locajoy Theme Park Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Huss Suspended Top Spin2020Operating
Ultimate Fun (勁爆樂翻天) Janfusun Fancyworld Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan Huss Top SpinNo dataRemoved
Top Spin Expoland Flag of Japan.svg Japan Huss Top SpinNo dataRemoved

Variations

NameOwnerCountryManufacturerModelPremiereStatus
Lex Luthor's Invertatron Six Flags New Orleans Flag of the United States.svg United States Soriani and Moser Super Loop On Top2003Closed
Splash Over Adventureland Flag of the United States.svg United States Moser's Rides Maverick2006Removed
La Cólera de AkilesTerra Mitica Flag of Spain.svg Spain Mondial Super Nova2006Operating
Tomb Raider MachineMovieland Park Flag of Italy.svg Italy Zamperla Windshear2007Removed
Tornado Dunia Fantasi Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia Zamperla Windshear2007Operating
Splash Over Happy Valley Chengdu Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Mondial Splash Over2009Operating
Demon La Ronde Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Mondial Roll Over2014Operating
VortigoEtnaland Flag of Italy.svg Italy Moser's Rides Super Loop on Top2013Operating
ApocalyptoEnergylandia Flag of Poland.svg Poland Fabbri Group Dragon Fly2014Operating
Twister Lake Winnepesaukah Flag of the United States.svg United States Moser's Rides Maverick2016Operating
Galeon Land of Legends Theme Park Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey Moser's Rides Loop On Top2018Operating
Luna Swing Space World Flag of Japan.svg Japan Vekoma Waikiki Wave Super FlipNo dataRemoved
Desorbitados Parque de la Costa Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina Preston & Barbieri Suspended Top SpinNo dataOperating
Storm Morey's Piers Flag of the United States.svg United States Moser's Rides Super Loop on TopNo dataRemoved
ApocalipsisSalitre Mágico Flag of Colombia.svg Colombia Moser's Rides Top LoopNo dataOperating
Flying TornadoJawa Timur Park 1 Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia Moser's Rides MaverickNo dataOperating
Salto Eram Park Flag of Iran.svg IranUnknownUnknownNo dataOperating
Waikiki Wave Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Vekoma Waikiki WaveNo dataOperating
Top Gun VGP Universal Kingdom Flag of India.svg India Moser's Rides Top GunNo dataOperating
Top Spin Funfair Flag of Spain.svg Spain Moser's Rides Top LoopNo dataOperating
Top Loop Funfair Flag of Spain.svg Spain THC Loop on topNo dataSold
Top Gun Funfair Flag of Spain.svg Spain Fabbri Group TsunamiNo dataOperating
Thor's Anger Hangzhou Paradise Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg ChinaUnknownUnknownNo dataOperating
Twisting in Waves Quancheng Euro Park Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg ChinaUnknownUnknownNo dataOperating
Revolution Parque de Atracciones de Zaragoza Flag of Spain.svg Spain Atracciones Lorente Top SpinNo dataOperating
Revolution Funfair Flag of Spain.svg Spain Atracciones Lorente Top SpinNo dataUnknown

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 "107 Flips on Top Spin (onride.de)". YouTube. 2007-09-30. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2018-06-17.