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Dear Mr. Coney Island...
I saw them moving the old rocket ride in Astroland a few weeks ago. Can you tell me about the history of it? Was it a working ride at one time? What did it do?
- Saskia

Hello Saskia,

The Astroland Rocket Ship was one of the first amusement park "simulators." It debuted in 1962 at Astroland Park as one of the first of the "imaginary" space voyage simulators constructed during the Space Race. The Rocket showed simulator films of "rocket rides" while the chassis "rocked" its viewers to outer space. The Ride, which has 26 seats, lasted about three minutes, the length of the film. Originally built as the "Star Flyer," the Astroland Rocket operated until the early 70's. It sat atop the boardwalk hamburger/hotdog stand, Gregory and Paul's until just a few week ago when it became of of the early victims of Coney Island's redevelopment.

While the City and Thor Equities continue to negotiate over ownership of Coney Island, Astroland Park moved off the its property at the end of January. Owners Carol and Jerry Albert then donated the rocket to the City, which is storing it in a temporary location. It will eventually return to Coney Island as a centerpiece of a newly developed park.

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Submitted by phil melfi (not verified) on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 14:09

Would you know who bought the signs, i.e., the" Enjoy the Rides"sign which was mounted on the waall of the building behind the rocket. Thank you for your time.

Submitted by Tom (not verified) on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 14:54

Mr. Coney Island. I build model and high power rockets as hobby. Would it be possible to gain the diameter and any other dimensions (fin length, width, nose cone, tail cone length, etc) you may have for the Star Flyer? I would love to build a down scaled flying version of this.

Thank you for your time and attaention.

Submitted by Jonita Taggart (not verified) on Sat, 04/20/2024 - 14:23

I am the daughter of John Taggart. He and Sam Doughty built the Starflyer Rocket in Oakland California. It was originally put up in Peralta Park in Oakland California. It was great. I remember it quite well and if you need clarification on anything to do with it feel free to contact me.

Submitted by Curtis Cleveland (not verified) on Sat, 06/27/2026 - 23:23

I am interested in old amusement rides and I would love to hear anything you remember about the old Star Flyer.

I've tracked what info I could from the internet. Here's what I found:

1958
The original Star Flyer was at Peralta Playland in Oakland.

1959
There is mention of a Star Flyer somewhere in New Orleans.
After the legal battle with Todd Shipyards two new Star Flyers were turned over.
One went to the Texas State Fair.
The other was supposed to go to Belmont Park in San Diego but I've found no confirmation that it did.
John Taggart personally took a Star Flyer (and a Paratrooper) to the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver.

1960
According to the May 16 issue of Billboard that year there were only three Star Flyers built.
One went to Palisades Park. One travelled with the Royal American carnival.
The last one supposedly went to Riverside Park in Agawam, Massachusetts but I've found no confirmation that it did.

1962
One came to Astroland at Coney Island.

Post 1962
The Star Flyer from Palisades Park and Astroland are accounted for.
The former went to Canobie Lake Park and eventually became a static prop. The latter became a prop at Coney Island.

And that's all I could find. Some more information would be appreciated. How many Star Flyers were built in total? Do you know which models went to which places? Was the Coney Island rocket a brand new machine or was it operated elsewhere first? Really any clarification you could give would be great. And anything you would like to share would be awesome. Thanks.

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