Can you help identify these mystery toys?

[rch427]

I've been compiling a list of all of the toys I can remember having (or wanting) when I was a boy, back in the late-'60s through '70s. Many of them I had no trouble remembering (Whizzers, Tinkertoys, etc.), but some of them I'm having difficulty naming. If anyone can help me identify them, I'd appreciate it.

1. There was a helicopter toy very similar to Mattel's VertiBird, except that it was hand-held. There was a battery pack that looked similar to a flashlight, and a springy wire about 2 feet long extending from it to the helicopter. Pushing a button sent juice to the heli, which caused the rotor to spin and it to lift.

2. There was a plastic and foam glider about 15" in length and wingspan, with a foam rubber nose. It had a pistol-type launcher which had a shaft that stuck out about 15", and a spring around the shaft. The glider slid on over the shaft and locked in place, and when you pulled the trigger, it shot off and flew.

3. Not exactly a toy, but there was something that my father used to be sent by medical supply companies (and I think there was something similar that came with packs of oatmeal) -- sheets of plastic or paper that had textured areas on them. You'd rub over them with a pencil and a picture would appear.

Do any of these ring a bell?

-- Robert

[Tyme2tyme]

I've been racking my brain about the pistol launched glider. I had one and loved it. If it comes to me I'll let you know.

[rch427]

I've been racking my brain about the pistol launched glider. I had one and loved it. If it comes to me I'll let you know.

Thanks! Yeah, it was pretty amazing. I discovered that you could pull the spring out beyond the shaft, which left it permanently stretched out. This gave even more launching power.

From what I remember (over the span of 30 years!), the plane I had was mostly red, with a yellow foam nose and maybe some blue and white on the wings. Does that sound the same as yours?

[grayhank]

Could it be "Hot Birds"

http://www.hotbirdsplanes.com/

[rch427]

Could it be "Hot Birds"

http://www.hotbirdsplanes.com/

I had totally forgotten about HotBirds! Those were really cool. They're not the toy I was asking about, but it reminds me to add them to my list of toys to get. Thanks!

[Sweep Secondhand]

For #1, there were two variations of these. One was a "stunt" plane that did loops and stuff and the other was a "rescue" helicopter that picked up silver plastic people. Both vehicles were made of cheap hollow plastic and came in a solid color (usually red or blue) with a yellow propeller. They wer connected to a control rod by a metal wire. This rod was about the size of a flashlight and came with two D cell batteries. These were being manufactured at least into the late 80's because I bought my last helicopter from Pic N Save while I was in college. These also appeared in Christmas catalogs so I will see if I can find a pic and post it.

#2 was a foam nosed glider made from thin hollow plastic. You loaded it on a spring loaded launcher and shot it in the air or at the cat or whatever. I don't recall that either of these lines had a catchy name and I suspect they were issued under several different ones.

[Seeker]

I had totally forgotten about HotBirds! Those were really cool. They're not the toy I was asking about, but it reminds me to add them to my list of toys to get. Thanks!

Yeah Hot Birds were diecast metal. They rode on fishing line wire. There was a finish line thing that would pop up a checkered flag on the winning side.

It was a cool toy. Thanks for brining back that memory.

[Beatnik]

HotBirds are also the airplane line of redline Hot Wheels. They have the same spectraflame paint as the Hot Wheels of the same period. The fishing line was ribbed so they made a swoosh sound as they flew. These were some of my favorites as a kid !

[Sweep Secondhand]

I have pictures of both items if someone can tell me how to post them on here. Thanks.