Opened: 19__

Location: Kiddie Land

Manufactured By: Allan Herschell

Number Of Rockets: 8

Ride Capacity: 16

Height Requirement: 54" maximum

history & info

Two kids sit in each rocket seated back to back, going in a circle as the entire ride moves up and down. There are guns mounted on both sides of each rocket to fight off any oncoming threats.

For a long time, Sky Fighter was located at the northern edge of Kiddie Land where Ladybug Bop is now. In 2006, it was moved to its current spot where Bulgy The Whale was for two years.

Allan Herschell started out working in a engine and machine shop. Later, he formed the Herschell-Spillman Company with his brother-in-law. This company built the hand-carved wooden Carousel at Lagoon. After retiring in 1911 due to poor health, Herschell returned to the carousel business to form the Allan Herschell Company in 1915 in New York and specialized in carousels and other rides. After his death in 1927, the company continued to make carousels as well as children's rides. Many of these rides still operate in parks across the country. In the 1930's, John Wendler and his family acquired ownership of the company which was sold to rival Chance Manufacturing in the 1970s. After World War II, the company acquired excess belly tanks from the government to make the many Sky Fighter rides that exist today. Other Allan Herschell rides at Lagoon have included Baby Boats, Helicopters, and Kiddie Coaster.

photos

Photo: Mike Pitcher

Sky Fighter in its current location near Carousel Theatre.

Photo: Mike Pitcher

SOURCES

Lagoon

Website Visitors

Herschell Carousel Factory Museum

Title Photo: Mike Pitcher

Updated 22 Jan 2008