TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Aircraft Product Category

HobbyZone Super Cub Ready-to-Fly by HOBBY ZONE

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. 10/30/2006 (Price: $159.99)

SkyBlades™ Launchpad with Handheld Winder by FASCINATIONS

This new 11.5” L x 12.0” W x 11.0” D SkyBlades Launchpad (including SkyBlades Rocket placed in "launch mode") is easy to operate for a perfect launch every time. Cool sound effects include an official NASA “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” countdown and rocket thruster blast-off. There’s an automatic release of the SkyBlades for an extra boost at launch and durable construction in a space-age design. It’s battery-operated for outdoor use and requires 2 “AA” batteries (not included). Launch date: 2006. ( Watch Video) 10/4/2006 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

E-flite Blade CP Pro RTF Electric Micro Heli by HORIZON HOBBY

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. 10/3/2006 (Price: $249.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

PARKZONE Focke Wulf 190 RTF Electric by HORIZON HOBBY

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. 10/3/2006 (Price: $229.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Firebird Freedom Electric RTF by HOBBY ZONE

This ready-to-fly radio-controlled plane features a 3-channel radio system in a Zone 1 airplane, anti-crash Technology in a 3-channel airplane, a 2-piece, mid-set, swept, plug-in wing, and rigid, steel-wire pushrods to more precisely manipulate the control surfaces. “The Firebird Freedom by Hobby Zone is a good starter plane at a good price, and it has new technology,” agreed Sheena Demko, manager of Nittany Line Hobbies & Toys in State College, Pa. 10/3/2006 (Price: $139.99)

FURUTA (Japan) 3" Prepainted Airplane Model Kit by BC INDUSTRIES

BC exclusively distributes a full range of FURUTA (Japan) 3” prepainted airplane model kits. There’s no messy painting and no glue: Kids just snap in the absolutely perfect precision parts. It’s instant gratification for the video-game and fast-food generation. By eliminating 80 percent of the time it takes to assemble and paint a model, these prepainted snap-together models have attracted millions of new modelers, created a new category and new industry. These airplanes are priced super low and the quality’s super high. BC gets many calls from consumers complaining their local stores are not getting airplanes in fast enough, and retailers report shoppers coming back daily to check if new stock is in. ( Watch Video) 9/26/2006 (Price: $2.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SkyRocket by MONKEY BUSINESS SPORTS

3... 2... 1... Blastoff. Zoom into “space” with this awesome Sky Rocket that can fly over 300' high. Simply pull back the sling shot launcher and watch it go. Made of lightweight foam, these sport rockets are the highest performance hand-launched rockets available today. A set of three sports rockets includes two long-range rockets, one mid-range rocket and the hand launcher. 8/21/2006 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Educators Kit for Groups by AG INDUSTRIES

The Classroom/Competition kit is the perfect group learning tool. Thirty identical balsa & paper planes, plus 30 student booklets/instructions and two teachers guides complete the package. Can be completed in one classroom session. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Milestones Vol.1 — Early Flight by AG INDUSTRIES

The first in the Smithsonian Milestone Series, this six-model kit contains the early pioneers of flight. The plane each model is based on resides in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Giant Wright Flyer by AG INDUSTRIES

The Giant Wright Flyer is one of the few flying replicas. Sturdy and powered with an electric winder, even the Wright Brothers would be impressed. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aerobatic Jets by AG INDUSTRIES

Six of the world’s most famous aerobatic teams are represented in this super large gift box. Easy to fly both indoors and out. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Power Props — Seaplanes by AG INDUSTRIES

Two powerful seaplanes with an electric winder. These beauties land on water just like the real thing. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Power Props by AG INDUSTRIES

Three colorful rubber band powered gliders coupled with an electric winder. Flights nearly 100 yards are possible. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

20th Century U.S. Airplanes by AG INDUSTRIES

20th Century U.S. airplanes in vivid colors. These are the planes that made aviation history. Paper and balsa gliders with outstanding performance. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Whitewings High Performance Gliders by AG INDUSTRIES

Six jet planes that look terrific and fly like no other gliders.
— “Whitewings from A G Industries is a classic flyer for ages 7 and up. I think it’s because it’s more realistic looking than other products and kids get to build it themselves,” Jordan Walden, manager of Finnegan's Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly.
— Syd Clarke, owner of Ali-Cat in Carrboro, N.C., told TDmonthly in a November 2011 survey that they sell about a dozen of these each month, as long as the weather's nice. 8/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beech Baron by AIRCRAFT MODELS CORP.

length: 14 1/2 wingspan: 19 Includes desk stand. 8/1/2006 (Price: $138) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Command Force Micro Chopper Patrol by JASMAN TOYS

Children of all ages are mesmerized by the aerial acrobatics of planes, helicopters and aerial rescue crews. With the Command Force Micro Chopper Patrol, they can engage in rescue missions of their own. The tethered chopper rests on its helipad along a 12” base. Separate flight control levers for throttle and pitch allow precision flight movements up, down, forward and backward 360°. The Command Force Micro Chopper Patrol comes with two supply crates that a skilled pilot can pick up with the helicopter’s retractable grappling hook and return to the helipad to complete the rescue. “We’ve taken a classic toy concept and updated it with realistic details and features for a new generation of kids,” said Jasman Toys Vice President Brian Bonnett. “Our licensed Chopper Patrols use actual sounds from real helicopters — the Super Cobra makes a thumping rotor sound, and the Apache makes the more whiny engine sound of  the real-life version. 7/24/2006 (Price: $12.99)

B-26 Marauder 8" by MODEL POWER

This die-cast plane is an 8" replica of the B-26 Marauder. This product is under the Postage Stamp Aircraft-J Series. 7/20/2006 (Price: $15.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Air Hogs - ECharger by SPIN MASTER TOYS

These little planes can fly for more than 100 yards. They’re fully charged in only 10 seconds and powered by a micromotor. The charger is included.
— “We’ve done consistently well with the ECharger Planes by Spin Master,” said Tricia Cooper, buyer for Le Jouet Inc. in Metairie, La. “It’s a great price point for presents.”
— “Spin Master makes Air Hogs for boys that are very popular,” agreed Markie Carlson, owner of Children’s Gift Shop in Northfield, Ill.
— “The ECharger planes are an evergreen product that is a great intro to the category,” Harold Chizick, vice president of promotional marketing for Spin Master told TDmonthly. “It’s not radio-control, so kids can experience a powered toy flight without having to worry about controls.” 6/27/2006 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

HobbyZone Commander 2 RTF by HOBBY ZONE

Every young boy wants to learn to fly; the Firebird Commander 2 shows them the way. The radio-controlled plane’s Anti-Crash Technology monitors the plane’s flight and sends corrections to the receiver so kids can avoid taking a dangerous dive. When they've mastered the Commander, the Anti-Crash Technology can be turned off so kids can expand their skills. It's a perfect family-together time gift.
— Karey Koehn, editor of HobbyTown USA's Hobby Outlook Magazine, believes, “This is really a parent/child gift — but one that will be the hit of the holiday season.”
— “The Commander 2 has been selling very well for us; in fact, it has been our top seller since it was released. I believe with the quality of the product and the low price, this plane is going to do excellent this Christmas,” pointed out Mitchell Kern, store manager of Boondoggles in Victoria, Texas.
— The Commander 2 sells well even as far away as Mr. Gadget in Australia (where it is sold out). 11/16/2005 (Price: $84.99)