The ride was built by UK-based A.R.M. in 1982 for Butlin’s Ayr. It was the first of four Trabants A.R.M. would build for Butlin’s. Whilst at Butlin’s the ride would be referred to under various names such as “Satellite”, “Galaxy” and “Mexican Hat”.[1]
As part of the transfer of the Ayr camp (along with Starcoast World) from the Butlin’s brand to Haven, the amusement park was removed from the site at the end of the 1998 season. Jimmy Godden, operator of Dreamland Margate and Rotunda Amusement Park in Folkestone, purchased many rides from Butlin’s at this time, including the “Satellite” from Butlin’s Ayr. It opened at Dreamland Margate in March 1999, alongside former Ayr rides such as King Kong Horror Haus and the Looping Star Rollercoaster.
Following the removal of the remainder of Jimmy Godden’s rides from the Dreamland Margate site at the end of 2004 (although the site was rented out for other operators to use), the “Satellite” was sold to Fred Pooley, who operated a number of attractions at Rainbow Park in Hunstanton. It opened here for the 2006 season, and whilst at the park received a revamp into the casino themed “Roulette”.[2]
The ride was sold to Martin Holland in February 2012, and was possibly briefly operated at Bayside Fun Park in Bridlington. However the ride was quickly sold on again sometime during 2012, this time to Maxwell Sheeran, whose family operates Ocean Beach Pleasure Park in South Shields.[3] “Roulette” remained here until the end of the 2014 season, when it was sold to Paul Gale of Bayside Fun Park.
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