- Ronald Bussink
-
Wheel of Sheffield, a Bussink R60
Belfast Wheel, a Bussink R60
Wheel of Brisbane, a Bussink R60
Eye on Malaysia, a Bussink R60Ronald Bussink Professional Rides is a leading designer of giant Ferris wheels and similar structures.[1] Previously known as Nauta Bussink, the company was renamed when it moved its offices from the Netherlands to Switzerland.[2]
Based in Appenzell Innerrhoden,[3] Switzerland, Ronald Bussink entered the amusement industry market in 1985[4] and has designed, manufactured, and delivered more than 60 giant Ferris wheels in the last 15 years,[5] including the world's tallest transportable wheel, the 66-metre (217 ft) tall series R66 wheel operated by World Carnival.[6]
Contents
Ferris wheels
Contemporary models include:
- R40
Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 30 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.
- R50
Available as either a fixed or transportable model. 36 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.
- R60
The 60-metre (200 ft) tall Bussink R60 transportable wheel uses 40,000 litres (8,800 imperial gallons) of water ballast to provide a stable base. It weighs 365 tonnes (402 short tons), and can be erected in 72 hours and dismantled in 60 hours by a specialist team. Transport requires seven 20-foot container lorries, ten open trailer lorries, and one closed trailer lorry. Its 42 passenger cars be loaded either 3 or 6 at a time, and each car can carry 8 people.[7]
Bussink R60 wheels have operated in Australia (Brisbane), Canada (Niagara Falls), France (Paris), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur & Malacca), UK (Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield), USA (Myrtle Beach), and elsewhere.
One of the most famous and well-travelled Bussink R60 wheels is the Roue de Paris, originally installed on the Place de la Concorde in Paris for the 2000 millennium celebrations. Roue de Paris left France in 2002 and in 2003-2004 operated in Birmingham and Manchester, England. In 2005 it visited first Geleen then Amsterdam, Netherlands, before returning to England to operate at Gateshead. In 2006 it was erected at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok, Thailand, and by 2008 had made its way to Antwerp, Belgium.[8]
- R66
The 66-metre (217 ft) R66 has 42 cars. Operated by World Carnival, it is the world's tallest transportable Ferris wheel.[6]
- R80
Fixed wheel with either 6 or 8 support legs, and optional self-rotating capsules. 56 passenger cars, each able to carry 8 people.
Evolution
Main article: Evolution (ride)See also
- Gold Reef City
- Top of the World (amusement ride)
- List of Ferris wheels
References
External links
Categories:- Amusement ride manufacturers
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
