Nighthawk (roller coaster)
| Nighthawk | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Previously known as Stealth (2000-2003), Borg Assimilator (2004-2007) | |
| Carowinds | |
| Park section | Carowinds Plaza |
| Coordinates | 35°06′10″N 80°56′30″W / 35.10278°N 80.94167°WCoordinates: 35°06′10″N 80°56′30″W / 35.10278°N 80.94167°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | March 20, 2004 |
| Replaced | Carolina Sternwheeler Riverboat |
| California's Great America | |
| Coordinates | 37°23′46″N 121°58′14″W / 37.396166°N 121.970476°W |
| Status | Relocated to Carowinds |
| Opening date | April 1, 2000 |
| Closing date | September 2, 2003 |
| Cost | US$17,000,000 |
| Replaced | Yankee Clipper |
| Replaced by | Boomerang Bay |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Flying |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Model | Flying Dutchman |
| Lift/launch system | Chain |
| Height | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Drop | 103 ft (31 m) |
| Length | 2,766 ft (843 m) |
| Speed | 51 mph (82 km/h) |
| Inversions | 5 |
| Duration | 1:50 |
| Max vertical angle | 53° |
| Capacity | 1000 riders per hour |
| G-force | 4.3 |
| Height restriction | 54 in (137 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train. |
 Fast Lane Plus only available |
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Nighthawk at RCDB Pictures of Nighthawk at RCDB |
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Nighthawk is a steel flying roller coaster from Vekoma located at Carowinds amusement park. Originally opening as Stealth at California's Great America on April 1, 2000, the roller coaster was the first flying roller coaster model in the world. In 2003, Paramount decided to relocate the roller coaster to Carowinds. It reopened as Borg Assimilator – the first coaster in the world to be themed to Star Trek – on March 20, 2004. After Cedar Fair purchased Carowinds in 2006, Paramount themes were soon removed from the park, and the ride was renamed Nighthawk. It is one of only three Flying Dutchman models still in existence from Vekoma.
On June 22, 1999, Paramount's Great America announced Stealth as "the world's first true flying coaster." For Stealth to be installed, the lower flume of Logger's Run had to be altered and the Yankee Clipper had to be removed. The ride officially opened to the public on April 1, 2000. On August 21, 2003, it was announced Stealth would close on September 1 to make room for a new water park, Boomerang Bay. The station and several footers are still located in the water park today.
On August 21, 2003, Carowinds announced a new flying roller coaster that would be relocated from California's Great America. The ride's name was not announced at the time. On January 15, 2004, it was announced the new roller coaster would be named Borg Assimilator and would be the first Star Trek themed roller coaster. Regarding the design of the attraction, Dale Kaetzel, Vice President of marketing and Assistant General Manager, said:
Nighthawk subsequently replaced the Carolina Sternwheeler Riverboat, a paddle boat ride that took riders around the seven themed areas of the park. It officially opened to the public on March 20, 2004.
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company purchased Carowinds in 2006 and did not own the rights to several licenses used by the park. In 2008, the park renamed several attractions including Borg Assimilator. It was renamed to Nighthawk and the Star Trek theming was removed, including the black sphere that was in the pond underneath the ride. In 2009, Nighthawk was painted with dark blue supports and yellow track.
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