This blazing-fast, four-wheel drive marine car runs on the ground and on grass, sand, ice and even water. It’s a remote-controlled all-terrain 4x4 and a speedboat in one. The waterproof wireless radio handset can be used up to 70' from the vehicle, which can do 360-degree spins. The product features twin turbo props and precision grip wheels, and comes with a 9V battery and pack. Launch date: October 1, 2006.
— “Our neat stuff is geared to the younger crowd — 15 and under — but I’ve got to tell you, in a lot of cases, dad and son wind up fighting about who's going to use that particular stunt car. There's a child in all of us,” President Sal Irigoyen of Odyssey Marketing told TDmonthly.

Kids who've dreamed of turning their robots into helicopters can now do it with the touch of a button. The Robo Copter can be driven on the ground or flown in the big blue yonder with the aid of a remote-control. Launch date: Fall 2007.

This product has cool all-terrain styling, oversized wheels, detailed hub caps and a sporty front bumper, as well as two forward and one reverse gear, and auto-lock brakes for safety. It is the first ride-on with a remote control that allows parents to stop the vehicle. The Dominator stops automatically at the push of a button, and when it is out of RC range. The remote control is a nice feature for parents who are used to “following behind [their children] in sort of a zig-zag fashion” when their kids are learning to ride, VP of Sales Peter Lowe of AMAV Enterprises told TDmonthly. He added that parents, especially while shopping in specialty stores, “can stop and focus on the safety feature” and really understand how it works. Launch date: March 1, 2007.

This is the Swiss Army Knife of metal detectors ... or is it the Transformer of radio-controlled vehicles? It’s two products in one. The ATV RTR Metal Detector Vehicle is a cool dune buggy kinda thing that races off all-terrain, guided by the whims of the kid controlling it. It also has a metal detector built in (good down to 10”) for finding coins, cans and buried treasure. Kids can take it to the beach and zoom around, and when it beeps, dig. A couple of plastic digging tools complete the set.

This Hummer is remote controlled and fast, but also features hydraulic shocks that bounce into action when certain buttons on the remote are pressed. The product is great for on- and off-road action, and can turn into a low rider with dropped suspension. It measures about 15” long, has front headlights that light up, and comes with a fully functional remote that allows it to move forward, in reverse and to the left and right.

This radio-controlled vehicle is equipped with LED lights for ultimate realism and to match the accurate body decals and molding.
— “Accurate reproduction of the real-life counterpart and our [commitment to making] the finest products in the world contribute to the most ultimate realism of our products,” Larry Chen, marketing coordinator for Tamiya, told TDmonthly. “The vehicle is pre-built and pre-painted out of the box, and the radio system is included. The only required items are a 7.2V battery and AA batteries for the transmitter.” Launch date: September 2006.

Skate Ranger is America’s latest super-hero. This unique remote-controlled action-figure toy follows in the exciting and enormously successful tradition of Superman, Batman, Spider Man, and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This roller-blading, body-gyrating, dare-devil action figure is great for kids aged from 4 to 12. According to  Jonatan Domatov of Skate Ranger Action Figures, “Kids love it.” Launch date: 2006.

Capable of reaching speeds of up to 18 mph, the radio-controlled flying insect features an ultra-light, dual-wing design and crash-resistant structure. It flaps its wings like a real insect and can take off from any smooth surface and soar, dive-bomb, hover and glide. The motion of the flapping wings can keep the bug aloft for up to 15 minutes.The futuristic bug also features multifaceted LED eyes, two pairs of fluttering wings, a powerful tail rotor and an elongated body that fits in the palm of one’s hand.

RC ART's first patented Radio-Controlled Art product is this ladybug-shaped toy that draws on art surfaces using markers, crayons or chalk that are snapped into it. Using the controller, kids create colorful art by steering the turns and spins of the motorized Color Bug — a fun, action-packed toy. Accessories include interchangeable shells and an inexpensive play pad with integrated walls. This product “introduces a new toy category to the market — Radio-Controlled Art. [It] fills the gap for girls in the radio-controlled toy genre,” President Gwen Austin Yuffa of RC ART told TDmonthly. Children can customize it with the pink bug or racing bug shells, she added. Launch date: Fall 2007.
—  As of 05/13/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com.

This radio controlled vehicle masters all terrain types, from land to sea to air. Storm Launcher comes ready to fly; no assembly required. 

The first remote-controlled video camera toy directs the Spy Video Car with infrared night vision and headset display and films in real-time video. It works up to 75' away.

This control pad is a center for cooperative play. Using the control pad, up to four drivers can engage in play in the Rokenbok remote control play/fun system. It teaches cooperative play skills, and offers the same fun as other model vehicular play systems. Treehouse Toys in Portsmouth, N.H. is proud to carry this product, according to owner Kathleen Tutone.

Marklin has been the leader in train models for the last 15 years. Their American Prototype line brings America’s age of railroads back to life with true-to-life details and exciting innovations. The Starter Set is based on actual New York Central System (NYC) train and comes complete with a diesel locomotive, freight train, transformer, mobile control, track layout, hardware, and detailed book of instructions and tips. With headlights and realistic sound effects, this train is sure to bring any fan back to the time of rail travel. The high-efficiency propulsion and digital control give plenty of control over the train’s movements.

Now kids can get real bang-up demolition derby action anytime, anywhere. They just power up the Mad Dogs cars and crash 'em together or smash 'em into objects, and instantly the car will crack up. When the car crashes head on, the roof, hood and a door will be dislodged. If it smashes and hits the rear bumper, the trunk and a door pop open. Kids can drive them "busted up" or push on the ejected parts to restore. This product is a 2007 Creative Child Seal of Excellence Award winner.
— "Remote control cars by Kid Galaxy: we sell them all the time.  There are lots of different kinds for all age groups.  Boys love them because they work well and they're fun," said Katie Culotta, owner of Victoria’s Toy Station in Baton Rouge, La., about last-minute gifts for boys.
— When asked about trends in her store, Jill Jernigan, owner of J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark., replied, "Remote control toys. We do a whole lot of Kid Galaxy....Kids like it because they’re clever and unique remote control cars."
— Four of 48 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly named Kid Galaxy remote-control cars as among the favorites in their stores.

In the world of electric radio-controlled helicopters, the Eflite Blade CX 2 radio-controlled heli stands out not just because of its looks, but because it also offers the latest technology available, such as a 2.4 GHz radio, which lets you fly anywhere without channel interference. This helicopter also features an improved gyro and servo control motors. The Blade CX 2 can be flown by almost anyone with some practice and can easily be flown indoors.  It comes with a training gear set and qualifies for free shipping. The Blade CX 2 also comes with an instructional DVD and manual and is backed by solid phone tech support. Parts are widely available. Launch date: 2006.

Electric radio-controlled helis are the rage right now. With the new Blade CX you get a completely assembled and ready-to-fly, micro-radio control heli with a design that is so stable almost any first-time flyer can be hovering like a pro in no time. This is the most popular micro heli on the market today and can be flown indoors.

Included are a free training gear set and a crash kit comprised of the four most commonly used parts (regularly $33.95). This item also qualifies for free shipping.

The Blade CX comes with an instructional video CD and manual and is backed by solid phone tech support. Unlike toys, parts are widely available. Everything that's needed for flight is included with your purchase.

Being big and stable with a 4' wing and a motor that drives the plane over 30 mph, the Super Cub is beyond a toy, yet easy to learn to fly. Flight times are over 20 minutes, and for a limited time Hobby Zone is offering a free second battery and free shipping. The Super Cub is ready-to-fly out of the box and comes with an instructional DVD and manual. It is backed by solid phone tech support, and parts are widely available.
— “I had a lot of people asking for remote-control [(RC)] airplanes,” Manager Char Mcaulay of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly.
— David Campbell, owner for 19 years of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., also received a lot of requests for RC airplanes for the 2006 holidays.
— Toy-store owners say that easy flyers, such as this model, are among their best-selling RC aircraft, because they appeal to a wide range of hobbyists.

Kids can go slow or fast in this scale-model Ferrari with a built-in speaker that accommodates an MP3 player. The control lets kids turn the car forward, backward, right or left, stop and open or close the door. It has authentic engine and horn sounds. Head lights turn on when moving forward; tail lights turn on when the car goes backward. And when the car stops, its brake lights illuminate. It comes in blue and red. Launch date: March 2006.

Based on the tried-and-true Blade CP platform, the Blade CP Pro adds the lightweight power of a three-cell 800mAh Li-Po battery pack, the lightning-quick cyclic response of Bell-Hiller mixing, and the upright or inverted agility of symmetrical main rotor blades. Plus, it can easily be outfitted with brushless power and a heading-lock gyro, without the need for a new radio system or difficult modifications. For red-hot micro heli aerobatics in about the time it takes to charge a battery pack, nothing can touch the cutting-edge Blade CP Pro.
— In a Summer 2012 survey about electronic and battery operated toys, Mark Rosenblum from Hobbytown in Fairfield, Conn., told TDmonthly that he sells 20-30 RC helicopters from E-Flite and Ares each month.

Dubbed the “Butcher Bird,” the Focke-Wulf 190 was the Luftwaffe’s most potent piston-engine fighter of WWII. Experience the thrill of flying this warbird legend on a smaller scale with ParkZone's aerobatic RTF reproduction. It’s ready to fly, straight out of the box.

The remote-controlled Lourdes model car features a four-wheel hopping action. The 1:25 scale car dances and hops to beats, locks in poses and flashes headlights and breaklights. The car is controlled by a four-button computer game style controller attached by a chord in the back.

Little girls can place Tu Ta Bella in her Tu Cute Car with Remote and she’s off on a shopping trip with her friends. The Tu Ta Bella IR car features a flower-shaped key car remote that controls the direction the car goes — forward and backward with a turn. It even has a horn that beeps “toot toot ta bella.” 

Kids can drive on the ground like a car or fly in the air like a plane with Fly Wheels XPV. This virtually indestructible XPV has unbelievable performance and drives over concrete, grass and even off road at speeds approaching 20 miles per hour. The easily controlled XPV can fly over 20 stories high at speeds approaching 30 miles per hour taking radio control to new heights. Kids can put on a show for everyone to see by performing amazing air and ground stunts.

As with all the toys associated with Thomas & Friends, this tractor character from the popular Thomas storyline allows children to combine imagination with learning skills while immersed in a fictional world they've come to love. The line was launched in 1995.
— "They are a traditional toy, well made, and we have a good display set up," said Ed Evans, co-owner of All Things Fun in Berlin, N.J.
— "High detail and price points" are what Donna Tippin, owner of Action Toys in Billings, Mont., believe makes RC2 a successful manufacturer.
— "With its wide range of characters, many places to visit, and real wood construction, nothing helps a child bring Thomas & Friends stories to life quite like Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway," Joal Kjarsgaard, brand manager of Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway, told TDmonthly.

Kids now have something hands-on to extend the experience of the popular movie by Disney and Pixar. It's not surprising that one of the most popular characters from the film sells well to kids who want to recreate the speed that made Lightning McQueen a racing force in the movie.
— "Anytime there is a popular movie, the products branded to them always sell well,” noted Neil Ramyad, assistant manager of Zittles/Zitomer in New York, NY.
— Dina Hanson, manager of Fun Stuff Inc. in Seaford, NY, added, "Right now, anything from the Cars movie is hot."
— RC lets kids mimic one of their favorite characters, Lightning McQueen. This is more a description than a unique selling point feature. In essence, this is the definition of a pretend play product.