Sidders

Well, Raptor itself is a reasonably short ride, as are most wing-riders (Furius Baco jumps to mind but for different reasons) but there are moments where the riders experience very intense G-Force about helices and Zero-G rolls on Raptor, regardless of it's length (or lack thereof). The Swarm has these elements and more - that first drop looks to be hugely intense and all subsequent elements after that blend smoothly and looks to be equally as intense.

Thing is - and I was saying this in Mania Hub Chat earlier tonight - that now that the riots have spread over nearly the entire East London area and are spreading as far adrift as Birmingham as we speak, these people have forgotten what they're protesting for. It was the death of one man; a tragic accident (debatable, I know). And now it seems like some anti-Establishment uprising. But it's not like it can have that term even loosely thrown at it. Sure, it was the intention of many of the silent protesters that the policeman's shooting should not have been handled so (others would argue that their current situational control is too forceful), but these protests are now at the point that anyone fond of a little violence or anti-social conduct can join in for the fun of it.They appear to have forgotten what they're protesting about and how to go about it (not that this was ever in a rational state of consideration). They seem to be fighting for the thrill of battling the Establishment instead of the justice of the man shot by the policeman. Stereotyping the police force and the state politicians as people who "don't do their jobs" rather than regarding them as real human beings (probably justified to a line, but these riots pass over that line till said line is a mere dot in the distance), who can make mistakes as easily as the protesters themselves. But were the police to use equally as violent forms of keeping the protesters in check, the media would feast on them like a school of piranhas. They'd exploit them and claim they were being "too forceful" and again resisting their duties and contributing to the violence, creating this hideous monopoly of responsibility in which the protesters are wreaking havoc wherever possible and the police are completely powerless against the flames and the rioting crowds.But you must also understand that we can't really know what is truly happening if we're not in the heat of the action. The media will only show what the viewers want to hear; what's going to get them viewing/listening to their channels and generally creating a buzz. The media barely mentioned this uproar was in the silent protesting stages because, seriously, when isn't there a few people gathered will some signs, chanting a feeble protest? Now that's it's something nationwide and extremely dangerous, the media are having a field day relaying the most important and terrifying information and generally feeding the country-wide hysteria.

This was discussed on this previous page, but ultimately I think there will be water jets near the helix after the inclined loop; it seems more practical than Manta-esque (even though they could easily be placed as an extension to the sides of the seats, themed as wings). I'm uncertain quite where other effects may take precedence but, as Neil said, judging by the concept art Thorpe do intend to use other effects such as pyrotechnics - possibly near the church or the plane/helicopter? Personally I'd love Thorpe to time fire jets around the helix when the train passes (creating near missed for the riders), but H&S would have a field day.However the effects are installed, if not instantly amazing, this ride will be visually stunning as well as intense to ride if Thorpe play smart with it, but it'll take some serious maintenance to keep up the potential brilliance. Anyone who's worth their TPM membership knows just how bad Inferno's tunnel can be without the smoke effects.

Well if they can find one in the UK then that'll save shipping costs as well as re-assembly. Obviously the abandoned/crashed effect of the plane would only add to the theme, so no extra tarting up would be needed (except possible structural re-enforcement to ensure the thing doesn't fall apart). But my main issue is how they're going to erect it and keep it standing at the angle proposed. I'm sure they'll go ahead with it - like you say pluk, it's not something that can be thrown at the last moment so I'd imagine they've been preparing for it - they may have already purchased the plane. Gatwick's not far away. So it'll certainly be an interesting construction.

I think it'd be a crying shame if Thorpe just "forget" to put the plane in in much the same manner that they just "forgot" the windmill to Saw. Mind you, the concept of the windmill being an integral part of the themeing went when the theme turned from Southern US abandoned sawmill/once-thriving-now-barren arable district to the rusty metal and blood of Saw's IP contract.There are "aircraft boneyards" all over America, usually situated in uninhabited places like deserts (which also, I assume, would prolong possible corrosion/oxidation of metal parts than a more humid area), where planes are retired from service where the planes then become used for spare parts or end up as scrap metal. Some of them are privately owned or leased to other private owners by the owner of the land they occupy, though some (the majority in fact) are owned by the US government. Either way, I'd imagine the purchase of one of the planes - given that Thorpe have no intention of flying it with restocked munitions etc., wouldn't be so pricey.But these boneyards would be ideal for picking up the body of a retired plane (only the body is stored - most electronics, avionics and munitions and engines are removed), though there are exceptions for aircraft that may be brought out of retirement) and using just the body of a plane would make it much lighter than a normal plane, helping it stand at the angle shown in the plans. All this considered, surely Thorpe need to start digging to accommodate to section of the plane that will be stuck in the ground? I can't think of any other way that it will remain at the angle proposed if it's not wedged deep underground with the other wing (with concrete enforcements obviously).And for those who've never seen an aircraft boneyard, they really are quite extensive things:So there's no shortage. I'd imagine Thorpe could easily grab a helicopter from one of these places too.

Well of course, they'll want to hide it once it's on site; they're doing that now. But once construction begins and the crane is lifting supports and pieces of track into place and such, as well as the station/themeing build, it'll be nigh-on impossible to simply "hide", and anything we've missed up to now will be revealed, possibly creating further excitement.

50ft? The Swarm will stand at 127ft, but either way no, I don't see how they are going to hide it either. Not that they'd want to - the plans aren't very ambiguous (á la Oblivion, Th13teen) so there isn't really anything to hide except for the storyline/further concept elements. Plus, as well as the promotion thus far, they'll want the public to see their creation during the process, so those who, by chance, haven't seen any promotion will look at the ride and want to come back when it's opened. This would be an interesting feat. Seriously though, for the same reasons aforementioned, Thorpe will not be hiding the track once construction is under way.

The sand is intentionally used to dampen noise and reverberation. It has previously been done on Stealth and Nemesis Inferno because of their close proximity to villages/other settlements. The Swarm will be very close to Thorpe Village (the closest of any Thorpe coaster) and so sand-infilling is necessary.

TOILETS. NO WAY!? :blink:Seriously though, if that's true and there is a crane, that's a sure sign support's/track's not far from arriving? Did the blue container say anything on it? It might be the first parts of the station or even the track/supports...Given that The Swarm's is sand-filled and therefore immensely heavy (much more so than Saw's track, and that arrived late September 2008 because I'm imagining it was easier to put into place), the track may well be arriving sooner than we think, especially seeing as the lift will not be vertical and will be harder to erect; I can't see it's erection (har-dee-har-dee-har) being as swift as Saw's, which... took about five days? Anyone remember how long Inferno took? Yeah, The Swarm's will probably be longer than that; it's taller and the walkways are wider after all.Any news on the footer completion?

No, that'd be one of the chav guests. But either way you must beware them.

Water skimmers are as good as guaranteed surely; there's a considerable section of the ride that is built above the water (nearer the end of the ride). The photo below, a diagram of The Swarms' layout, shows that the helix (directly after the inclined loop) will not only be primed for some incredible G-Force and a decent speed boost, but as it's built over a lake in which the crashed helicopter will be situated in, water skimmers could easily be installed to create interaction for the riders during this part of the ride: Also interesting to note the "Rickety Jetty" which will jut out into the small lake from underneath the entry to the inclined loop. Whilst it's doubtful that'll be open to the public, it's example of more attention to detail that'll bring the theme to greater life once completed, if completed according to plan.EDIT: Just noticed the "Tower" as well, which the train will fly through as it turns out from the corkscrew and into the inline twist. YAY THEMEING.

It's easy for the two topics to be confused with each other and obviously there'll be cross-over posts where part would/could fit into either/both sub-forums. But as you say it'll all completely bottleneck if in the coming weeks we gets a lot more information or possibly even members who might not follow the rules as other members do. So I'll do my best from now on, Sheepie.

On a more serious note, the amount of fire advertised in concept images and the two videos we've received should seriously make Thorpe consider pyrotechnics. It'll be nice to have that level of rider-scenery interaction which has been missing from UK coasters in recent years. Too often we have disappointing/half-finished projects and lack of consistent themes. Let The Swarm change that Thorpe. ;)EDIT: Sorry Sheepie I be good now.

BASE BASE BASE BUTTERY BISCUIT BASE.

LOL Dan! Classic...IT'S THE SWARM!Keep yo head twistin' and yo arms rexin'! The Flying Fish!

Ah, thanks for the Adam - I did a little searching moments ago and found this at Total Thorpe Park: http://www.totalthorpepark.co.uk/features/future.shtmlWhich explains it all nicely. The 2015 coaster will indeed be the one to "not exceed 50m".

Nah, that's alright, I'm well-adjusted anyway! But I thought Inferno was 95ft? Ah well, I guess only the people with the blueprints really know the exact height.But on the subject of ride heights, wasn't The Swarm meant to be taller than 38.6? I'm sure the MTDP specified "no taller than 50m" or something like that? That leaves quite a considerable gap that could've been used up if it were allowed.

It'd be great for thrill-on-the-side if Thorpe built a relief walkway under that section of Stealth's track to The Swarm's island. But of course, I'd imagine that wouldn't be entirely practical because of the engine/hydraulics room being so near? Plus, noise and potential damage to hearing may be an issue Ahh, thanks Ian. I knew I read it somewhere but I just couldn't remember - it is uncanny how they state Inferno's height as Detonator's, as often the ride's heights are spot on or rounded up (I thought The Swarm was 126.1/2/3/4ft or something and so would be rounded down) . It may just be a a misprint as you say. I'll email them and see what they have to say about it.

Presumably we cannot vote for ourselves?

That's another vote for the fake account suggestion. And at least then all the Mods and Admin can vote as one of them won't need to collate all the votes themselves.

But naturally, if someone votes for a member who hasn't ever posted or been in chat or signed in since 2007, then we can safely say the Moderators will do the right thing and ignore that vote?

We'll have to make this poll public, so all members are aware that their opinions are going to be heard. And we'll need to designate who to PM and we'll also need a way of upholding this "Mods Have The Final Word" style selection, otherwise more breakouts could ensue.EDIT: Agreed with Benin. There needs to be justification behind votes to prevent favouritism/reasons like "They're cool and really really nice". We don't need "nice" Moderators.

Mark's suggestion seems like a fair one, so at the discretion of whoever's in charge (Admin?) I think a Moderator trial would be a worthwhile investment of time.

*resurrects*So, who's got an opinion on the Moderation issue that arose in the Chat room a few moments ago?And let's listen to each other from now, please.

Use Photo Bucket because Facebook links don't work; members who don't have Facebook couldn't retrieve them anyway.