Recreating the SKUA (Part 1)

Recently, my friend Dave Nelson passed along photos of a project he's been working on - a model recreation of the Pirate Ship SKUA ride at Hunt's Pier (photo at right courtesy of the Wildwood Historical Society).

The SKUA was one of several classic custom attractions that helped define the Wildwood experience for many between the early-60s and late-80s.

Along with the Flyer roller coaster, Golden Nugget Mine Ride, Jungleland cruise, and Log Flume, it marked the "Oceanic Wonderland" as perhaps the world's most unique seaside amusement park over that span.

The impact the experience of these rides had on generations of kids (and kids at heart) really can't be understated. It's something to be celebrated, in fact, which is just one reason I was thrilled to see the early results of Dave's model-building process...

A vintage photo of the menacing skull-shaped entrance from the SKUA's original set-up is the template for the first design point...

The model's outline takes shape. While originally designing the ride, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company created a rock-like exterior upon which the ship structure could sit. It rocked back and forth gently in the early years, with this design element providing support for (and essentially hiding) the hydraulics...

Dave managed to find a model ship kit by Revell that was very close in design to the actual SKUA structure. A few custom modifications were made, but according to Dave it was "noting a little balsa wood and an electric grinder couldn't handle" ...

The design is completed and the model now awaits painting. Dave is basing the look of this recreation on the appearance of the SKUA when it debuted in 1962...

Check back for more updates, as we will continue to follow the recreation of one of the Wildwoods' most fondly remembered icons...

(Click for Part 2 and Part 3)

Thanks again to Dave Nelson for providing these photos, and for helping us relive our Hunt's Pier memories in the process!