Just like the aeroplane at the start of the last century, the helicopter inspired toy manufacturers to create toys that were all the rage from the 1950s to the late 1960s, all over the world.
In Germany
Blomer & Schüler
The helicopters are circling; their rotors are spinning
1950s, lithographed sheet metal, clockwork mechanism, h: 6.5, 28 x 28 cm
Habi
Remote Control Helicopter
1953–1964, lithographed sheet metal, two clockworks, multiple actions, h: 13.8 x 22 cm
1967–1969, lithographed sheet metal and plastic, two clock mechanisms, multiple actions, h: 12.5, 35 x 24 cm
Köhler Georg, GKN
Created for the 1958 Brussels World Fair
The helicopter circles the Atomium
1958, plastic, clockwork mechanism, h: 15 cm, 15 x 15 cm
In Great-Britain
Childs & Smith
“Nulli secundus”
After 1956, painted aluminium sheet, electric motor, 20 (h) x 180 cm
In Japan
AsahiToy
Sky Wanderer
The aircraft are chasing one another
1948–1955, lithographed sheet metal, clockwork mechanism, 21 (h) x 82 cm
Bandai
Air control tower
Distributed in the United States by Cragstan
Early 1960s, lithographed sheet metal, battery-powered motor and lighting, 28 x 95 cm
Suzuki & Edwards
Air control tower
Circa 1955–early 1960s, lithographed sheet metal, rack-and-pinion drive, 12 x 27 cm
In Russia
Leningrad Metal Works
The helicopter circles the tower; from the control console, we make it go up and down
1950s–1960s, lithographed sheet metal, clockwork mechanism, 18 x 57 x 57 cm
This is just a small example of the games that regularly appear on the market.