Aviator, mechanic and entrepreneur Lee Eyerly got into the ride manufacturing business after he saw how much more successful his pilot training devices were as carnival rides. The first ride he designed with the intention of selling as an amusement ride was the Loop-O-Plane in 1931 followed by the Roll-O-Plane in 1934.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though he no longer manufactured pilot training devices, many of the rides Eyerly produced were meant to re-create the sensations of flying an airplane. The Roll-O-Plane simulated a half-loop, half-roll maneuver popularized by German fighter ace Max Immelmann in World War I. On each end of a long arm were two passenger cabins facing opposite directions. The cabins rolled as the arm rotated, keeping the cabin from turning completely upside-down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LAGOON’S ROLL-O-PLANES<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
There was an Eyerly Roll-O-Plane at Lagoon for about 55 years, but they were not all the same ride. Three different Roll-O-Planes occupied a space at the park at different times. Below is the history of each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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ROLL-O-PLANE (#1)<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Opened: 30 Mar 1947 Closed: 1953 Manufactured By: Eyerly Aircraft – Salem, Oregon Ride Model: Roll-O-Plane Max Height: 41 ft Number Of Cabins: 4 Ride Capacity: 8 (2 per cabin) Hourly Capacity: 300<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Roll-O-Plane was one of the first new rides added to the park when the Freed Brothers started managing Lagoon after World War II. Their first season bringing Lagoon back to life was successful and the several improvements were made the next year. New, modern buildings were constructed and shiny new Rockets replaced the old carriers on the Captive Aeroplane ride which swung out over Lagoon Lake. This first Roll-O-Plane would’ve been destroyed in a large fire at the park in November 1953.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opened: 8 May 1954 Closed: 1971 Manufactured By: Eyerly Aircraft – Salem, Oregon Ride Model: Roll-O-Plane Max Height: 41 ft Number Of Cabins: 4 Ride Capacity: 8 (2 per cabin) Hourly Capacity: 300<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the fire ripped through the park, Lagoon was racing to rebuild and open on time for the next season. Multiple smaller rides were purchased to fill the park. Among the new rides, three were from Eyerly Aircraft \u2014 the Octopus, Rock-O-Plane and Roll-O-Plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Roll-O-Plane](\"http:\/\/lagoonhistory.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/rolloplane1971brochure.jpg\")
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