Airforce – Kurt Meisel
KMG pendulum ride with lighting, fire and smoke effects
Operator: Kurt Meisel Junior (Schaustellerbetrieb Kurt Meisel) · since 2020
0 fansAirforce – The Ride by Kurt Meisel is a travelling pendulum ride made by the Dutch manufacturer KMG. The ride is a Freak Out model, combining a wide swinging motion with rotating gondolas. Before it took its current name, it travelled around the Netherlands as “Ultimate”. Since changing hands to Kurt Meisel, the ride has been part of the line-up at German fairs. The combination of changing forces and elaborate effects makes it a striking attraction.
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What to expect
- Fog & special effects
- Sound system / music
- High ride with a view
Highlights & records
Fire, laser, smoke and lighting effects, plus sound equipment; 4 gondolas with a total of 16 seats; the operator states that set-up takes around 4 hours and dismantling takes 2 hours.
The former Ultimate swing combines the pendulum motion of a Freak Out with rotating gondolas and elaborate show effects.
The design of Airforce by Kurt Meisel
According to the showman's business, the ride's presentation includes striking spotlights, lasers, and fire and smoke effects. A sound system accompanies the swinging motion. This equipment makes Airforce an eye-catching attraction, particularly in the evening. The lighting and effects then combine with the ride's movement high above the fairground.
The showman's business presents Airforce as a large pendulum ride. The operator states that set-up takes about four hours, while dismantling takes around two hours. This makes the ride suitable for regular moves between fairgrounds.
What riding Airforce – The Ride by Kurt Meisel is like
On Airforce, four gondolas move together on a mighty pendulum arm. Each gondola has four seats, and their orientation changes as they swing. As the arm swings higher, the gondola carrier also rotates. This continually changes the direction you are facing. You experience both the swing of the ride and the motion of the gondolas. Unlike a traditional pirate ship ride, this creates a ride experience combining several movements.
The Freak Out type is smaller than some giant over-the-top swings, but has a character of its own. The changing views and the sensation as the direction changes define the ride. Riders are secured by shoulder restraints. If you want to get a sense of the movements beforehand, you can watch the ride from outside.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- KMG (Netherlands)
- Model
- Freak Out (KMG, No. 43)
- Year built
- 2013
- Premiere
- 2013
- Original name
- Ultimate
- Also known as
- Air Force; Airforce The Ride; Ultimate
Ride
- Height
- 25 m
Vehicles & capacity
- Gondolas
- 4
- Riders per gondola
- 4
- Restraint
- Shoulder harness
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 14.5 × 14 m
- Power rating
- 50 kW
The history of Airforce – The Ride and its former name
The ride was built in 2013 and initially travelled under the name “Ultimate” with De Weijer from the Netherlands. That operator period ended in October 2019. The ride then changed hands to showman Kurt Meisel. As part of its redesign, the ride was named “Airforce – The Ride” in 2022. The former name is therefore useful when you are looking for historical videos or older footage of this particular KMG swing.
Ultimate and Airforce are not two separate rides, but the same ride. Other KMG Freak Out rides at fairs should not be confused with Meisel's Airforce just because they have a similar ride principle.
Timeline
Built in 2013 and operated as Ultimate by De Weijer; taken over by Kurt Meisel in autumn 2019, then presented under the name Airforce – The Ride in 2022 after a redesign.
- Operator
- Kurt Meisel Junior (Schaustellerbetrieb Kurt Meisel)
- With operator since
- 2020
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
De Weijer (Netherlands), 2013–October 2019
Who is Airforce – The Ride by Kurt Meisel for?
Airforce is for visitors looking for an intense pendulum ride with additional gondola rotation. You should expect changing acceleration and a high swinging motion. If you are sensitive to this kind of movement, the ride experience may be less suitable than a gentle circular ride. You can find out the current height and safety requirements at the entrance.
You can find more pendulum rides, circular rides and funfair classics in our attraction overview.
Good to know
- Restraint
- Shoulder harness
