Swing ride – Marco Spindler
The former Barockflieger with its unobstructed all-round view
Operator: Marco Spindler (Karlsruhe)
The swing ride by Marco Spindler is a classic chain swing carousel from the German showman tradition. Passengers sit in individual suspended swing seats that swing outwards as the ride turns. The appeal lies precisely in these open seats: you see the fairground without a gondola wall in the way and experience the ride with an unobstructed view of everything around you. The ride is also known by its former name, Barockflieger.
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What to expect
- High ride with a view
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Classic swing ride with 32 seats; maximum outward swing of the seats according to Ride-Index: 18,5 m.
The fun of Marco Spindler’s swing ride comes from the simple principle of swinging seats: an open view, circular motion and a piece of carousel history.
What it’s like to ride Marco Spindler’s swing ride
At the start, the seats hang almost vertically beneath the rotating canopy. As the carousel gets moving, their position changes: rotation pulls the chains outwards and the seats travel in a wider circle. The motion feels like a smooth, floating circuit. Unlike a wave swinger, a classic swing ride has no additional wave-like motion caused by a tilted roof. What matters is the circular ride, the unobstructed view and the seats’ gentle swinging.
The open design shapes the ride experience in particular. You feel the movement of the air and can look across the neighbouring rides as you go round. From the outside, the fan-shaped ring of angled chains is a familiar sight on the funfair ground. The ride represents a kind of fun that needs no complicated special effects.
General
- Manufacturer
- Sternickel (Germany)
- Model
- Swing ride
- Year built
- 1981
- Premiere
- 1981
- Original name
- Barockflieger
- Also known as
- Barockflieger; chain carousel
History: from Barockflieger to chain carousel
The ride documented by Ride-Index was built by German manufacturer Sternickel in 1981. It was formerly operated as Barockflieger by Christian Weber of Uchte. The operator’s history records the change to Marco Spindler of Karlsruhe after the 2022 season. This explains why older photos and descriptions still use the name Barockflieger, while current line-up lists simply describe it as a chain carousel.
This operator history is important for identifying the ride: a swing ride with a similar design is not necessarily the same ride. Spindler’s carousel combines the design of a classic swing ride with a travelling history built up over decades. The passing of such rides from one showman to another is an important part of Germany’s fairground culture.
Timeline
Built by Sternickel in 1981. Known as Barockflieger under Christian Weber; operated by Marco Spindler of Karlsruhe after 2022.
- Operator
- Marco Spindler (Karlsruhe)
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
Christian Weber (Uchte), until 2022
Who is Marco Spindler’s swing ride suitable for?
The swing ride is for visitors who prefer a classic high-up circular ride. The experience is less about sudden changes of direction and more about smooth floating. Even so, the open seating position can feel more intense than riding in an enclosed cabin. If you are uncomfortable with heights or spinning movements, bear this in mind.
When visiting with children, the operator’s current height and supervision rules apply. The ride can also be easily included in a stroll with other traditional carousels. You can find more rides of this kind in the ride overview.
Upcoming funfair dates
Swing ride – Marco Spindler live
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