Sky Wheel, Oklahoma City 1995

[pastort1966]

is there plans to put it in service again, or is it for sale?

[lmfaoowns1]

who listen to country at an amusment park?

[fairfax1960]

I started riding these monsters in the mid 60s when I was 5 years old (poor Dad.) They're so hard to come upon now and that's a real shame. They were scary then and they still scare me more than any other carnival/portable ride I've ever been on. Bagelboi66 & Jev414's descriptions are very accurate. They will creak and sway (I rode one in Maryland at the beach and I was convinced it was going to collapse while I was on it!) but I've never heard of an accident. Guess it's the illusion.

[DecTM]

I didn't realize this was a real ride!

[vegunited06]

@Jev414 you found the skywheel more scary than a zipper!?!?!? the zipper is like 10 x faster and you go upside down

[bagelboi66]

This really takes me back. Whatever show came to PNE in the 1970's always had one of these. We called it a double Ferris wheel most of the time. I loved how exposed and vulnerable you felt when you came over the top of the wheel as it was descending. You felt like you were going to crash right into the ground. It looked spectacular at night too.

[breannanavarre2]

It's going to be in dearborn this week!

[streaky1992]

what happened to these?

[furevergal4]

CREEPY!! I would never ride that!! D:

[Randommstuff123]

omg thats so scary

[Fudgebegood]

thtat looks so scary

[6228863]

this ride always made the midways so cool the best midway ride second to none,set this ride up many times.

[wagonwheelerz]

its really quite simple get'em on and get'em off quick as you can cant make money when you have to load and unload some 20 tubs it's ok for the smaller shows but at a state fair ....

[skywheelrider]

There are actually 16 tubs, eight on each wheel. Three adults can fit in each seat. The carnival I work for moves one of these every week, ours is a 1965 Allan Herschell Sky Wheel. It was purchased in 2000 used and completely rebuilt. Look us up (can't post a link here for whatever reason), McDonaghs Amusements of Chesaning, Michigan.

[KWEKOSHKUKI12]

is this ride still in operation? and do u know anything about the rainbow ride if it still in operation

[skywheelrider]

The one in the video is not on the road, it is sitting in Wade Shows' WQ in Spring Hill, FL. Talk is getting it rebuilt, we'll see. Wade's Huss Rainbow has been off the road since the accident on the one in Sweden in July 2008.  Wade's Rainbow is currently for sale, and it is doubtful it will ever go up again here in the USA.

[KWEKOSHKUKI12]

:( ok i was a just a kid when i last rode the rainbow and a baby when i last saw the sky wheel.... thanks for the info

[Streaky1986]

the cars are so small! what does this thing hold up, dolls?

[skywheelrider]

Sixteen tubs, eight on each wheel, and three normal sized adults, or two large adults, or three to four children can fit in the seats.

[Streaky1986]

@skywheelrider really...do they still make these anymore or are there any traveling with any carnivals or fairs or have they all been decomissioned

[skywheelrider]

@Streaky1986....read through the comments, would save you some time in asking a question that's already been answered, as well as saving someone else the time of answering your message.

[Streaky1986]

@skywheelrider k.

[60erlukas]

Always seeing this in roller coaster tycoon

but couldnt belive it exists in RL cuz I have never seen such an ride

PS: Looks quite like a lot of fun

[skywheelrider]

This ride was actually invented back in the late 1930's. This version of it was offered starting in the early 1960's. This model in the video is a 1965 Allan Herschell Sky Wheel. Owned by Wade Shows of Spring Hill, Florida. Has not been on the road since 2002.

[Beachgirll1811]

They have this ride at my fair now, its purple. It is soo awesome Im going back 2 the fair Sunday, Im gonna ride it. :D

[IkRockOpMijnSok]

where was that?? :O

[IntoGear]

I worked on the SkyWheel back in '89 for Reithoffer's... she came close to killing me twice but I still miss that big yellow beauty.

Shame nobody runs them anymore.

[aibbincubus]

Really? Nobody runs them, that sucks..... I remember I used to be scared when I rode on them with my father. He'd just laugh and enjoy the scenery.

[skywheelrider]

The following shows still move a Sky Wheel:

McDonagh's Amusements

Belle City Amusements

Poor Jack Amusements

Dixieland Amusements

Midway of Fun in California sold their's to Davis Amusements who are refurbing it to bring it out again.

Another one can be found at Fun Spot in Kissimmie, Florida (probably spelled that wrong). That one (Fun Spot) is the prototype trailer mounted version built by Allan Herschell before the production run began around 1960.  It's called "the one before number one."

[Blendre]

Thnx for making this video.

[KWEKOSHKUKI12]

im member dat ride! loved to watch it wen i got some knex fo ma bday i wuld build it but i forgot how to biuld it now

[socra66]

Why don't they make these any more??

[skywheelrider]

And to add, Spooky Adams is one of the best Sky Wheel men anyone could ever know. Learned from the best, Red Wood himself.

[skywheelrider]

That Sky Wheel was on the road with Wade Shows through the 2000 season, I used to see it several times a year, especially at the Michigan State Fair. I miss seeing it. It is currently still sitting at Wade's winter quarters in Florida right now. Great video!

[greatamericaparks]

Thanks, skywheelrider! I have some video of the Sky Wheel at Oklahoma City again in 2000, too. I'll put that up as soon as I get a chance. Would love to see this wheel go back into service. Thanks again.

[vic19644]

Spooky had just left that year,but you can see he took care of that Skywheel!

[greatamericaparks]

Thanks. It was a beautiful Sky Wheel!