Vertibird
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Vertibird was the name of a line of toy helicopter products made by Mattel between 1971 and the early 1980s.
Description
The helicopter flies around a central base containing the motor, spring lift assist, pitch control, batteries, and a throttle. A 21-inch arm with pitch control and the shaft that transfers the power to helicopter, is connected from the central base to the helicopter.The helicopter is controlled using a two level control unit.
Power was provided by 4 'D' sized Alkaline batteries in the base. They also doubled as weight to hold down the base.
Popularity
This product is one of the most famous and cherished toys ever. The average price for most Vertibird's back during the 1970s was between $12 and $20.Today, with more and more people collecting and restoring them, collectors are willing to pay over $400 for a working Vertibird.[[Citing sources citation needed]]
Almost 18 different versions of the original Vertibird were made:
US Versions
- VertiBird
- VertiBird Air Police
- VertiBird Airborne Rescue
- VertiBird Battlestar Galactica
- VertiBird Megaforce
- VertiBird Night Patrol
- VertiBird Paramedic Rescue
- VertiBird Polar Adventure
- VertiBird Rescue Ship
- VertiBird Space:1999 Flying Eagle
- VertiBird S.W.A.T. Patrol
International Versions
- VertiBird
- Air Police/Police De L'Air
- VertiBird Airborne Rescue
- VertiBird Elicottero Carabinieri
- VertiBird Libelle 12
- VertiBird Mazinga 'Z'
- VertiBird Okanagan Logging 'Copter
Links
- [VertiSim] -Free Virtibird Simulator for Windows
- [Whirly Bird Central] -Definitive site for the Vertibird
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