Rainbow (ride)

Rainbow is an Amusement park ride created by HUSS Maschinenfabrik of Bremen, Germany (now HUSS Park Attractions of Budapest, Hungary). The Rainbow was manufactured from 1982 to 2000 and is often confused with its cousins Ali Baba and 1001 Nachts plus other similar models. The HUSS Rainbow has developed a vast fan base due to its large stature, smooth ride, bright lights, iconic motor noise and amazing air-time ride experience.

There were 42 units produced which were seen towering atop midways all over the world. The more popular "traveling model" was created, plus several permanently installed "park models". Some units were converted to the opposite model later in their existence. It is believed that two units were converted from its older brother Ranger (ride), which uses the same trailer and main support structure as the Rainbow, except the Ranger flips riders upside-down, where the Rainbow leaves riders upright during the entire rotation.

There was a major accident in Liseberg, Sweden during the 2008 season that forced the shutdown and inspection of all HUSS Rainbows in service. The accident was caused by a potentially unmaintained driveshaft that holds the gondola upright. HUSS ordered the replacement of the driveshafts on all remaining rainbows at a cost of about US$40,000 per unit. Some rides were upgraded but many were scrapped completely or sold for parts. There are about a dozen HUSS Rainbows still operating today.

The popularity of the classic ride has led to its own Facebook page, and related Facebook groups, with several websites and forums dedicated to HUSS rides.

Design
The Rainbow was developed in the early 1980s using the mechanics of the Ranger also built by HUSS, and adding a pivot to the end of the arm so the 33 foot gondola always stays upright anywhere in its orbit. It holds 36 passengers in three rows, with 2 persons per seat, for an overall capacity of about 720 riders per hour. An electronically controlled hairpin shaped handle moves into place to keep riders in a seated position; however most of the time you were floating somewhere between the seat and the lap bar. Later owners were required to upgrade with seat-belts for added safety.

The gondola features two statues (typically Hawaiian girls) atop the front railing of the gondola. Underneath is an illuminated cloud that can be seen from the ground. The most popular design features cloud shapes on the side of the gondola that had eyes and a smiley face painted on them. The upper end of the main arm displays a stationary cloud sign with chasing lights that spell "Rainbow" in cursive writing. This hid the two counterweights and added a higher class look. The traditional version has a blue and gold double V-stripe on the main support, but some models had varying colours throughout their lifespan. The overall colours changed from ride to ride, and there were some custom units created with different themes and configurations. Many units were refurbished with modern looks and lighting.

The Rainbow came packaged on three (sometimes possibly four) over-sized trailers or installed as park models. It took a crew of four, about six hours to set up and four hours to tear down. A crane is used to erect the main shaft. When installed, the ride weighs 65 tons, and has a footprint of 20 m x 17 m. When standing still it is 20 m tall, but had a flight height of 26.5 m and was driven by four, 150 kW hydraulic motors.

Operation
The ride is run manually with a joystick, although some models were programmed and ran from push-buttons.

It can move in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction with the ability to stop or reverse at any point in its orbit. It was very customary to stop the ride in its up-most position and wait a while, then reverse directions without warning.

The Rainbow was equipped with hairpin shaped lap bars that raise and lower electronically from the main control booth. Most models have a foot pedal to ensure the operator is present.

In about 2000, HUSS required that all Rainbows were to be fitted with seat-belts, which caused many parks to sell their old Rainbows for Ali Baba type models which feature the more modern Over-The-Shoulder restraints, much faster set-up times, and a faster ride with a smaller footprint; but definitely not nearly as a thrilling ride overall. These models are thrilling in a different way and should not be confused with the original HUSS Rainbow.

Some owners equipped their rides with cameras so the operator could see what the riders were doing while in motion, as a deterrent for guests who would slide from under the bars or stand up while the ride was in motion.

Some models were later fitted with a flat aluminum panel instead of the clouds for easier inspection of the two driveshafts underneath the riders' seats.

Accidents
● On July 15, 2008, 30 people were injured when a Rainbow collapsed at Liseberg theme park in Sweden. The ride was dismantled on July 17, 2008. Investigators then confirmed on July 19, 2008, that they had discovered a faulty drive shaft during their inspection. They believed that one of the axles designed to hold the passenger carriage horizontal had failed, causing the gondola to jam on an angle as the arm continued to rotate. HUSS ordered the temporary closure of all Rainbows during their investigation period, afterwards HUSS ordered the replacement of the driveshafts on all remaining rainbows in service.

● On June 9, 2006, a 2-year-old boy broke his arms and legs after falling at least 25 ft from the "Over the Rainbow" ride at Dixie Landin’ in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was seated next to his 3½-year-old sister but about 8 ft from his mother at the time; his mother says she was told that the other adjacent seat was out of order.

● On May 26, 2002, a 28-year-old man fell to his death from the Rainbow at Elitch Gardens, when he was standing up on the ride after unlocking his safety restraint. According to the park, the man was part of a group of mentally-challenged individuals on an outing to the park.