Just because it's still registered I wouldn't have thought that means there are any plans for it to fly again. I would think it'll have no bearing on the extent to which it is themed.

Yeah registered aircraft has no bearing on its airworthiness. It is a bit like your car being registered with the DVLA, but it may not have a valid MOT, which means it is useless. This helicopter will not be airworthy, but will still probably be registered.......hope that makes more sense!! Anyway, besides all that, it is great to see that the plans the Thorpe submitted have been, thus far, adhered to! Excited to see it develop over the coming weeks before opening day!!

Looks like I've got a bit of catching up to do...Right, the trains look smexi, the advertisment was awful, the new video was ok, the test run was AMAZING, the PR stunt was ridicolous and-LET US ON THE RIDE ALREADY!

Me, the last few months when I see The Swarm advertising:

Did any-one else see in The Sun today that they are having to make "emergency alterations" as when tested with dummies with their arms up, the front rows it the scenery and lost their arms...Now, THAT'S that awkward moment when your new £multi-million rollercoaster is nothing more than an animated bit of scenery because they tried to cut it a little TOO fine...Oops moment.

Already been discussed in this topic

Sorry, thought I would comment here in case it's true and they need to re-construct some bits..

Nah, it's OK. Neil's just pointing me to the fact that it's already been discussed else-where. Tis fine.

Yeah, it was in the 'The Swarm in the media' topic. The whole thing was a Publicity Stunt so there's no need to worry about any remodeling. Your new though and you wasn't to know that this has already been discussed in another topic, you'll get used to the forums and how it works in time.

Thanks Jack!! I did think it was a little suspicious when I read it.. Typical Sun reporting it like it's real!Although, I have been a member for quite a while, just tend to read rather than interact..

There was a little bit of truth in that story though; they had to remove a small area of wall near the church to allow sufficient room. No test dummies were hurt in the process though

So there's a new picture of the swarm with tidal waves fireball Thing in scaffolding. Could this mean the return of the effect???

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=370875182938392&set=a.161831030509476.44049.142430569116189&type=1&theaterFingers crossed!

Already been posted here continue discussion in the relevant topic, Thank you

So blunt Liam... JEEZ ;)Seems though that effects could well be appearing on Swarm as well... Good to know...

Kudos to the park if the effect is really coming back. I'm very happy to see this!

Surface work has commeneced....there are 100,000 block paviers to install!!!

This is the first section of the Fastrack queue line fencing to go up. A variety of fencing types are being used to allow you an amazing view of the ride around (and above) you!

http://www.facebook....115673268536083

Behold! a 9ft satellite dish that has been dumped by THE SWARM...take cover Lez Cougans of the world!!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-SWARM-Lez-Cougan/214001328660864

They really show how small the ride area is. There's going to be a LOT of people moving backwards and forwards along there.I still think that it's a huge shame that they didn't link the pathway to the Sunken Garden, would help people flow hugely!Also, looking forward to seeing the small viewing area around the splash pool.

Random comment but I like the tone of the paving bricks. They look nice Just so you guys know, I won't be leaving the island at all on opening weekend; the camera is gonna be very busy! Also, nerdgasm for being able to get that close to the brake run

I do hope they theme the paving blocks... make it look like something rather weighty has hit them or have minor explosion marks/craters like the Calypso Quay buildings have. Otherwise it'll just be like Saw's Island... which feels like the hospital waiting room of Thorpe.

that is the problem with paving. its easier to maintain, and individual bricks can be removed, but it just doesn't fit a theme, its too good.

Anyone else getting the feeling that that satellite dish could be part of the theming to do with the ORP kiosk?Pretty sure the plans show it being themed to a reporter van; a bit like ones seen in films that have the rotating satellite dish?As a side note, the more and more I think about this, the more and more it seems like Thorpe are trying to create something you could see 'in a film'. The theming is of an extremely high and detailed scale, and a lot of the features could well have what one could relate to 'a typical film scene'; people were saying about the blades on the helicopter spinning, even if they were broken, a bit like you see in films. If that makes sense to anyone...

Ugh I hate those silver fences, they are so boring and clean looking.Not to judge it before it's even finished but the area in the top picture looks like it has just been re-built after an alien attack, not struck by one :unsure:When it's finished the theming might make it look slightly more realistic though. Still excited

Does the pavement style REALLY matter when there's a 100+ft B&M soaring over us?I think I know which will grab the attention more...

I agree with Jamal! I want to see some burn marks and damage to the fencing, otherwise, as he said, it'll just look like it's far too carefully placed to be spontaneous destruction.

Not to start over-speculating in the construction thread (), but I think it could work being all nice and new depending on what sort of story they're going for.If the story is exploring devastation immediately after an attack, then of course there needs to be extra work done to 'theme' the bricks and such. However, if they're going for a more 'there was an alien attack here, but we've now secured the area to be explored by the public..then, OH NO, the aliens were hiding in church' sort of story, then new fences and bricks would work..Of course, I'd prefer the former of those two scenarios, especially as that makes more sense, and a little bit of theming (like damaged fences and burn marks on the ground, for example) actually goes a longg way.