The Medusa Fairground Ride
Built by Santiago Plicio in December 2024
This model is a dome-shaped structure with just four arms. Using several curved strips in yellow and red, they are connected to the four freely-connected cars that swing with the increase in speed.
The ride’s tower is firmly attached to a base built from four large flanged modern plates in yellow and red also extended with plates for the landing area and entrance way. It sits about a metre in height from where it holds a fixed heavy-duty axle, and from which the rotating unit is placed, consisting of a solid elaborated system powered by a motor connected to the framework which drives a rubber band pulley.
Due to the curved shape of the four arms, the motor positioning had to be fitted with an extreme amount of precision to avoid making contact with the rotating arms which are within millimetres of it.
Due to the potential extreme G-Forces at play the ride experience would consist of a series of short bursts of extreme speeds followed by more moderate catch-your-breath slower rotations that would leave you on edge anticipating when the next burst might come!
The speeds attainable by this ride would not be a sustainable healthy experience for thrill-seekers without moderating by applying the rapid speeds in short bursts.
I am rather pleased with the rather unusual finished shape of this model, though even the thought of being spun at such speeds makes my blood run cold, and even if I felt like I had the courage to ride it, I’m sure as I tried to move towards it I would freeze on the spot and my legs would feel like stone.
Perhaps looking at others chancing it would be as far as I might get, but then maybe even they would feel intimidated by its menacing presence.
The Medusa — Some rides look like they will thrill; this one ‘looks’ like it can kill!