Galactica/Air Alton Towers Construction

Alton Towers conceived the concept of a flying roller coaster in 1990, twelve years before Air eventually opened. Following the opening of Nemesis in 1994, a flying coaster was planned by the park to open in 1998, but was delayed due to technological limitations. During its development, Alton Towers marketed the ride as Secret Weapon 5 (abbreviated to SW5), following the naming pattern established for previous major park developments. The ride was developed in part by ride designer John Wardley, the producer of many attractions at Alton Towers and other former Tussauds Group theme parks.
Construction of Air began in mid-2001. Later that year, Alton Towers initially advertised the new rollercoaster as a "next generation Aerial Inversion Ride"; subsequently revealing the name Air.
In early 2002, testing of Air began with special crash test dummies. At the time of opening, Air tied with Oblivion as the most expensive ride at Alton Towers, at a cost of £12 million. A £4.5 million marketing campaign for the ride included commercials based around the ride's slogan, "assume the position". Air officially opened to the public on 16 March 2002. On opening, Alton Towers entered into a five-year sponsorship agreement for the ride with Cadbury Heroes.
Credit to Tower Times for the pictures

[@MeltedToast84]

I think Galactica should be repainted dark blue to fit with the theme more and just to look better. This should be called air construction too.

[@Archman155]

Air needs a repaint, yes, air. It's air to me even though I never rode air as air. Airs track looks air but tired like air had been exposed to the air for too long. I hope air gets repainted to look like air in 2002
Air count:11x

[@Todd21212]

*i took a shot for every time you said air*

[@MeltedToast84]

I shat out a penny every time you said air.
I’m currently at the hospital from blood loss

[@IslaAlton]

*Galactica x11 😂

[@stejent]

21 years. Alton need to work with B&M again to develop another new coaster technology.

[@Zelos2k]

The ride imo needs more theming and put back to Air.
Maybe if Sw9 goes in the carpark next to it that could happen at the same time.
I actually really this coaster.
Also seeing that Ripsaw sign makes me kinda sad.

[@MeltedToast84]

But Galactica and Air are pretty much the exact same ride with different music and a portal

[@Tomneom]

I think re-paint Galactica To the same coulor as the lifthill track as that would look really nice

[@jonnyconelley6733]

Loving these construction videos😍

[@Harrythepot]

Galactica is not the best or most reliable at Alton towers. It should be removed and something else put in it place, a blitz coaster would be cool

[@Flame_001]

We already have too many intamin blitz. I prefer to see more single rail coasters in europe (RMC Raport, Intamin)