Maxim's Flying Machine (POV) Pleasure Beach Blackpool

You can see the original machinery on show and in this video (Maxim's own and still working!), at the emporium situated under the flying machine. Two 50 hp (37 kw) dc motors are linked by cotton rope drives to 12 foot (3.6m) diameter wheels. These wheels in turn drive the bevel gears which turn the crown wheel attached to the central column..on the column there are the slip rings which transfer an electric current to the ride and give it its decorative lighting. The two original electric motors which are still in use today were made by Lister brothers of Dursley. All the metal castings (which again are original), were made by Robinson and Cook at their Atlas foundry in St. Helens, Merseyside..(once Lancashire.) Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine: Opened in August 1904, this is the only surviving Flying Machine ride in the world, and the Pleasure Beach's oldest ride. A steel pole 62 feet high supports ten arms, from which hang carriages. As the ride revolves, the carriages spread outwards, hence creating the illusion of flying. This antique machine still operates successfully today amongst the high-tech thrill rides. Designed by Sir Hiram Maxim to raise money for his attempts to be the first man to fly the measured mile. Two others were built. One at Crystal Palace in London and one at Pleasureland, Southport. Both have been demolished.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• lister
• motors
• motor
• dc
• 50hp
• maxim
• flying
• machine
• blackpool
• pov
• dursley
• Sir
• Hiram
• Maxim's
• Captive
• POV

[TotalNonstopAction97]

never get bored of this ride, infusion is better :P joke, how often do you go to blackpool?

[mesmoland]

@TotalNonstopAction97 once a year for a week 

[Manurule2k10]

@mesmoland Im going to blackpool in the summer holidays can u plz tell me the top 5 best rides at pleasure beach plz ... nice vid m8 :)

[mesmoland]

@Manurule2k10 I have just come back from Blackpool.The new coaster carriage on the big one has made it smoother and faster.Also do Valhalla, infusion, wild mouse, grand national and revolution.

[LCPD9111]

@mesmoland

what do you mean smoother and faster. Is it any safer

[mesmoland]

@LCPD9111 if it wasn't safe it would be closed.

[LCPD9111]

@mesmoland

yh but I heard someone fell out of pepsi max once

[Manurule2k10]

@mesmoland Ok thanks i never been on the pepsi max well i never been to blackpool and i really wanna go on the pepsi max big one i dont wanna go on irn brew :/ looks scary , i wanna go on this valhalla and every other ride exept for ice blast !

[agentHOTTIEMAN1]

hahaha i went on this last year with my dad and sis. At first I was scared cas' there was no seat belts or any thing. but because of the speed of it and the depth of the seat keeps you down to the seat!

[BrokenCatalyst]

I went on this when I was like 4 and Loved it, still love it today, It actually swings out really far which i didnt realise when i was Younger :P

[mesmoland]

@makeupbyellie36744 nothing, it's a deep seat.

[ItzTheX]

It's a death trap.