Red Arrows | Nico Monterosso

SkyForce
Red Arrows Ride

Brief: To produce 1 x moving and 3 x static 1:2 scale Red Arrows drawing pack, graphic/permanent vinyl pack and CNC files, for the theme park ride 'SkyForce'.

I developed the method of manufacturer and designed the internal structural steel frame and mounting platform, so that the moving Red Arrow could be bolted onto the ride arm, at a height of 22 metres. Sky Fly is made by Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH and is located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Role: Development Design, construction
Produced with: Meticulous Ltd
Client: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Disciplines: Design engineering/structural design, draughtsperson

Development design, manufacturing drawing pack, draughtsperson,

Sample crop of General Assembly drawing and cutting list for wing structure.

3D CAD mock-up of the internal structural frame and shell mounted to the ride arm

Skyforce, Blackpool Pleasure beach, design

Marketing photo courtesy of Blackpool Pleasure Beach

As the ride was already installed, the 6m long Red Arrow structures were craned into position.

Cross section of the shell, internal frame and ride arm

Red Arrows, sky force, design engineering

Research visit to RAF Scampton

A quick dimensioned mock-up to show if the wing tip could be touched by the public at this height - doesn't look like it!

The client wanted a few options of how the aircraft would look at different angles. As the mounting plate was set at an angle, the same plate can be used for each option.

Aircraft body sliced up to create CNC files. These would filled with foam and then fibre glassed to create the mould.

I designed a custom steel frame, just to transport the mould skeleton around the workshop.

A general assembly ISO view of what the frame would look like.

The CAD model of the frame was sent to an external structural engineering company to determine if its current form would be strong enough at certain wind and rotational speeds but also salt levels in the air, as it was next to sea water. This was then sent off for galvanising.

Fly over from the Red Arrows themselves. Marketing photo courtesy of Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Airfix used for designing the 1:2 scale ride model.

A specific model of Airfix kit was also used to see how many details could be removed from the full size jet but still look like the iconic aircraft.

A team of scenic painters at Meticulous Ltd.
Whilst at RAF Scampton, I took photos of the graphics on the actual Red Arrows and re-created them in Adobe Illustrator, ready for printing.

NICO MONTEROSSO

SkyForce
Red Arrows Ride

nicomonterosso.com

NICO MONTEROSSO

SkyForce Red Arrows Ride

nicomonterosso.com

SkyForce
Red Arrows Ride