Stormforce 10

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A brilliant and masterfully themed water ride. Drayton Manor should be proud. It's all about the little details when it comes to attraction design. Atmosphere, context, and even a little bit of story here and there. Stormforce 10 pulls these off very well, much better so than many rides at other UK parks at least.
 
20 years ago today, Stormforce 10 was opened by pop group band Steps at Drayton Manor Park. Even to this day, Stormforce 10 remains one of the most innovative and well received flume type rides in the world, featuring an unusual backwards drop from inside a mock oil rig (which is a soaker of a drop if it's worth saying
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:p ). The station building, queueline and lighthouse was envisioned by what was then attraction design company Farmer Studios, who designed all of the theming in house to be as authentically old and weathered as possible. A life size animatronic of legendary lifeboat sailor Henry Freeman used to tell guests in the queue of both the successful and tragic missions he faced during his service, and the station itself was dotted with numerous nautical charts to show guests the knowledge required whilst at sea. Other cool and original aspects of the ride include an Archimedes screw tucked away under the station, a launchpad before the first drop (hydraulic ramp), and a large waterfall section at the beginning of the ride.
Picture was taken in 1999 by ride manufacturer BEAR rides.
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