TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Aircraft Product Category

AH-64 Apache Helicopter 1/32 by THE TESTOR CORP

Pre-painted with snap and screw assembly, this kit is perfect for young modelers.  The helicopter is made of tough plastic to ensure maximum durability during play.  All necessary assembly tools, including a screwdriver, are included in the kit. 6/13/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pull-Back Turbo Jet by TOYSMITH

Toysmith's Turbo Jet is a 7” die-cast plane with a powerful pull-back-and-go motor. The doors open and close for added fun. There are four passenger jets to choose from in this line.
— “[We] sell about 100 of Toysmith’s [die-cast] planes each month,” Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, told TDmonthly in May 2008.
— Five of 55 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in May 2008 cited Toysmith products as their best-selling die-cast.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith's die-cast planes were best sellers. 5/22/2007 (Price: $4.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Air Kite by HUAIXING PLASTIC TOYS FACTORY

This radio-controlled airplane/kite that runs 10 to 15 minutes on a rechargeable battery with a four-function controller has 14 LED lights for night soaring and receives the birthday-boy seal of approval. HuaiXing is known for its lightweight, cutting-edge RC aircraft, and the Air Kite is no exception. Salesperson Darlene Serville at the Memphis, Tenn., Toys “R” Us thinks this would be a big seller: “We have a lot of guys who like the radio-controlled airplanes, but sometimes they’re too complicated for the kids.” 3/29/2007 (Price: $74.99)

Airglider 40 by HQ KITES & DESIGNS USA

With wings made of extra strong ripstop fabric and a fiberglass and carbon frame, our Original Airglider is robust and more durable than conventional gliders. With its graceful lines and delicate aerobatic maneuvers, the glider offers a feast for the eyes while it soars through the sky. To experiment with the flight, users can add or subtract ballast or tweak the wings for different flight characteristics. 60 and 90 versions are also available. Launch date: 2004.  ( Watch Video) 3/6/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

TigerShark: 2gRC Plane by IWA TOY CO.

This tiger-striped plane features SharkSkin durable foam construction to withstand hard-impact landings, a battery pack that provides up to 15 minutes of flying time, and Shark Jaw Wings that create high-velocity propulsion. It comes with an advanced radio-control remote and is for experienced flyers. 2/28/2007

F4c Phantom by AMERICAN INGENUITY

This 1:18 scale model plane is trendy, fun and complicated, according to Jason Foringer, president of manufacturing for Admiral Toys. 2/28/2007

My First Airplane Kit by SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER

How do airplanes fly in the sky? With My First Airplane Kit, children can learn all about flight. They can build and paint easy-to-make airplanes with pens, and then watch their custom aircraft soar through the sky. Next, using their planes and other components, they can conduct experiments to learn about gravity, lift, drag and thrust, the forces involved in flight. This kit “tailors the fascinating world of flight to the young child. Not only can you build, paint and decorate planes — but you can also use these planes to conduct experiments,” Susan Rives at Scientific Explorer told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2007.
— Idanna Smith, owner of Juggles in Wakefield, R.I., cited My First Airplane as one of the best toys at Toy Fair 2007.
— Scientific Explorer experiments do well, Owner Fred Rosenberg of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, told TDmonthly in spring 2007.
— Scientific Explorer is one of “the most accommodating companies that I have dealt with,” Joshua Grindstaff of Education Station in Coldwater, Mich., told TDmonthly in spring 2007. “They … allow for a very small minimum order, and the quantities that you have to buy of each item are reasonable.”
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE 2/28/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Xtreme Micro Copter by THUNDER ELECTRONICS

The palm-size Xtreme Micro Copter is the smallest and lightest RC helicopter in the world. It charges directly from the controller for up to 12 minutes of flight on a single charge. It’s made of lightweight but durable polypropylene foam and features an auto-stability system for indoor flying. It comes ready to operate. The Xtreme Micro Copter has been a best seller for Michelle Deutschmann since she brought it into Kaleidoscope Toys in Falmouth, Mass., in November 2006.
― Thunder Electronics is “special and different, and price points are really good,” Owner Susan Pruett of Kilmarnock Toy Store in Kilmarnock, Va., told TDmonthly in spring 2007. 2/26/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BlackGhost Micro Indoor Helicopter by INTERACTIVE TOY CONCEPTS LTD.

The BlackGhost provides cutting-edge technology in the palm of the hand. It has excellent control capability with left, right, up and down directions and a constant slow forward speed. Users charge the BlackGhost using the built-in charge port on the transmitter. The BlackGhost does not require assembly and comes ready to fly with the following: IR transmitter, flight battery, charging station and instructions. Two frequencies are available. The product offers the “most stable flight on the market [and the] most control available in this class,” Gene Khasminsky of Interactive Toy Concepts told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2007. 2/23/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Road Rage Polaris Sportsman 800 by INTERACTIVE TOY CONCEPTS LTD.

The Polaris Sportsman 800 runs on grass, dirt, gravel, sand, pavement and carpet! It’ll even run through shallow water. It’s a durable go anywhere ATV just like the real thing! Check out its cool switchable drive train, you can go for low gear torque or blazing high-speed performance. 2/21/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BladeRunner Series Firefly by INTERACTIVE TOY CONCEPTS LTD.

The two-channel Firefly is the world's smallest, most stable and lightest indoor helicopter. The future of RC fits in the palm of your hand. The Firefly continues ITC's tradition of groundbreaking products and market-penetrating presentation. ( Watch Video) 2/21/2007 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BladeRunner Recon by INTERACTIVE TOY CONCEPTS LTD.

The world’s most stable surveillance helicopter, the Recon is equipped with high-res imaging technology that sends streaming live video directly to the 2.2” transmitter screen. The helicopter features a stable rotor system and flies quietly in all directions with three-channel digital control. And additional USB port allows for image upload and memory expansion capability. It requires 8 AA batteries. Launch date: Fall 2007. 2/19/2007 (Price: $199.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BladeRunner Series Micro Mosquito by INTERACTIVE TOY CONCEPTS LTD.

The Micro Mosquito is the world's smallest, most stable and lightest indoor helicopter. The future of R/C fits in the palm of your hand with this high-tech chopper. This miniature helicopter flies up, down, left, right, forward and reverse. It comes ready to fly and includes an R/C transmitter, a flight battery, a charger and instructions. Two frequencies are available. It requires a 9V battery for the transmitter and 6 C batteries for the charger. The Micro Mosquito was named a Computer Times Editor's Choice Toy in March 2007. Launch date: Spring 2006. 2/19/2007 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Air Hogs Robo Copter by SPIN MASTER TOYS

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. 2/9/2007 (Price: $110.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

F-104C Starfighter 1:72 Die-Cast Model by Hobby Master

Replicating “Pussy Cat,” a USAF F-104C flown out of Thailand by 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron commander Lt. Joe Nevers, this 1:72-scale die-cast model features finely engraved panel lines, a detailed cockpit with an optional-position canopy, fuselage-mounted missiles and wingtip fuel tanks, optional-position landing gear that perfectly replicates the F-104's unusual arrangement, an authentic jungle camouflage paint scheme, and more. It measures 9" long and includes a display stand. Launch date: February 2007. 1/8/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

TBM-1C Avenger 1:72 Die Cast Model by Hobby Master

Replicating the Avenger that President George H.W. Bush flew from the USS San Jacinto in World War II, this amazing 1:72 scale die cast model has it all — engraved panel lines, a detailed cockpit with an optional-position canopy, a dorsal machine gun turret and a rear ventral gun station, a bomb bay with four bombs and opening doors, wing-mounted missiles, optional-position landing gear, authentic VT-51 markings, and more. It has a 9” wingspan and includes a display stand.
— The model stands out from the competition because “in one package, you get a product that is fun, a collectible and teaches history,” Sarah Broadwater of Historic Sales told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2007. 1/8/2007 (Price: $36.45) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Air Hogs Storm Launcher by SPIN MASTER TOYS

This radio controlled vehicle masters all terrain types, from land to sea to air. Storm Launcher comes ready to fly; no assembly required.  12/7/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Smithsonian's Wright Flyer (Single-Model Kit) by AG INDUSTRIES

Man's first flight was in 1903. Today...it's kids' turns! This model is designed to fly. The easy -to-build kit Includes one balsa/fiber plane, assembly instructions, flight manual and an historical account. The pieces are pre-cut. 11/28/2006 (Price: $8.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SBD-2 Dauntless 1:72 Die Cast Model by Hobby Master

Replicating a Dauntless flown by VMSB-241 (Marine Scouting-Bombing Squadron 241) at the Battle of Midway, this model features top quality details: engraved panel lines, a detailed cockpit with a clear, optional position canopy, realistic armament including machines guns and bombs, simulated flight control surfaces including air brakes, and optional position landing gear. It has a 6¾" wingspan and comes with a display stand. Launch date: November 2006. 11/10/2006 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chicken Socks - Foam Gliders by KLUTZ

This book holds a fleet of gliders just waiting to take flight. Young aviators just have to punch them out, assemble them, and send them soaring. Each glider has its own shape, style and name. Stickers make customization simple, and table-top stands make the gliders look great. It was named one of the Top 100 Best Children’s Products of 2006 by Dr. Toy. “Foam Gliders includes five fabulous foam fliers, stickers and simple-to-play glider games, but, most of the time, kids will be happy just winging it,” publicist Melissa Goldner Bloomfield of Scholastic Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2006 11/2/2006 (Price: $9.95)

1/24 Spitfire HF Mk VI by TRUMPETER

This 1:24-scale airplane is just one of the many exciting models created by Trumpeter. This plastic model has all the true-to-life details, including a full-detail engine and workable flaps, that even the most demanding hobbyist would expect. With 231 carefully crafted pieces, this aircraft is sure to be the centerpiece of any collection. The model is carefully based on the HF Mk VI Spitfire, which had been crafted specifically for high-altitude combat. All the details are here, so that any fan can see exactly how these powerful aircraft would have looked. 11/2/2006 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Gee-Bee R.2 Sportster #7 by AIRCRAFT MODELS CORP.

This bright red/white aircraft is hand-painted in its original style. 11/2/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

M-130 China Clipper by AIRCRAFT MODELS CORP.

This popular aircraft is among the numerous offerings of the company’s handcrafted wooden aircraft. 11/2/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

E-flite Blade CX 2 Helicopter by HOBBY ZONE

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. 10/30/2006 (Price: $189.99)

E-flite Blade CX Helicopter by HOBBY ZONE

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. 10/30/2006 (Price: $189.99)