Arachnophobia

Achnophobia is my latest model evolving from my earlier models the Star Gazer and later the Star Gazer II.

Successfully transporting the huge rotating structure to the last meeting in the SELMEC in September without damaging it, posed problems of its own, so I decided to reduced the diameter of the unit by shortening the arms and all its fittings attached to them, a total of over 100 pieces were removed making the structure much lighter.Ar

The new top emerged looking very attractive, however the suspended carriages came to rest out of position, near the arch, benches, barriers and other fittings, and so a lot of extra work and modifications were needed to re-align the carriages to the passenger loading position.

This involved extending each arms with new curved shaped extensions to hold the cars with a telescopic spring loaded action, which works well and added to the models dynamism.

The 8 inch extensions pointing downwards resembling a huge spider and is where the inspiration for the model's new name came from. Due to the hanging carriages now touching the loading bridge, the tilting platform will not be able to reach the full 45 degrees angle as in its predecessor, so the only way was to remove the tower and heavy tilting unit and then increasing the height in excess of another 6 inches to enable the achievement of the full original movement.

The redesigned tower was fitted to a new stronger reinforced base, supporting much longer legs well anchored to the base and bridge for extra stability securing it fast and free of vibrations.

The driving pulley was replaced with a larger one to increase the overall speed.

New lighting was introduced right underneath the main tower and kiosk to illuminate the inside motor and gearing system and additional lights added inside the ceiling of the tilting bridge as well.

I started the reconstruction of the model just this September before the HTMC meeting the 24th of October where it was first presented.

Additional changes, modifications and improvements since October

Main level deck changed to one level, removing main tower and fixed to a higher and new 2 inches base, main supporting legs attached to tower with new fittings for extra strength, due to extra height, cars fixed to main arms have been extended with added  fittings to rest at the right position in loading area and new fittings for free movement all round.

One side panel replaced with a hinged door for access to the inside for general maintenance, new railings, re-designed of the back of the main deck with new and stronger leg to tower, new anchoring support of main legs to deck and added railings and others.

The result of so many new fittings, changes, and attachments have made this the largest, tallest and heaviest of all my models.