Thursday, September 14, 2006

Astro Jets, October 1959


Tomorrowland was still largely unfinished when the park opened in 1955, and the Astro Jets did not debut until March of 1956. With its bold red and white checked pattern, it looked like a giant toy. The cyclops headlights are a nice touch, I'm sure it was quite a sight after dark! The Monorail and Submarine Voyage are just visible, they both opened only a few months before this photo was taken.

The jets were removed in 1966, I wonder if they were relocated to another amusement park, or if they went to the scrap heap. I'd love to have one of the rockets!

3 comments:

Matterhorn1959 said...

I like this image for the activity and motion. Each of the rockets was named after a star.

Major Pepperidge said...

You mean like Milton Berle and Bela Lugosi?

DisneyDutchman said...

The 12 jets were named Canopus, Vega, Sirus, Castor, Regulus, Capella, Arcturus, Rigel, Spica, Procyon, Altair, Antares.

They were also individually numbered 1-12 (duh). Can anyone corelate the number to the name?

The jets made a 50 foot circle and could climb to 36 feet.

The jets were made by Klaus Co. of Bavaria, Germany.


Great pic Major!! DD