Editorial Review

Kids can transport up to six Hot Wheels cars in this 21-inch-longmilitary-style camouflage cargo plane. Made of sturdy plastic, the plane hasrear cargo doors that snap open, allowing kids to plunk in a few of their littlemetal cars. Then they can zoom the plane down the runway on its little plasticwheels and head for imaginary destinations. To unload cars, simply pop open thefront hatch, pull out the ramp, and let the cars slide out. The ramp tends tostick and the front cargo doors are difficult to shut, which could be apotential source of frustration for younger kids whose fine motor skills arestill developing. The plane has detachable engines, tail fin, and wings. Thewings, in fact, tend to pop off spontaneously during vigorous play, but they areeasy to reattach. Requires no batteries--just a good imagination. Hot Wheelscars are sold separately. --Elisabeth Fredrickson ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Not for boys under 5
We found this toy to break very easy. The doors, the ramp, the simulated engines, the tail - - all of it. In addition, the cars get stuck in the back of the plane when the ramp is open. Though categorized for ages 3 and above, I would not reccomend this toy to anyone who's child is under 5. It's enjoyment would be short lived as it was with my son.

A Zero for Durability!!
This toy looks fun, and for the one minute it was in one piece, my son really enjoyed it. As many other reviewers commented, it falls apart almost instantly. My dear 3 year old son really wants to play with it, so he incessantly brings it to me to put it back together. The front doors fall off, the wings come off, and even the engines on the wings come off easily.

I have finally stored it away. I will bring it back out when my son is old enough to put it back together by himself. Maybe at that time we will feel like we got our money's worth, since he really does enjoy the concept of the toy.

Also, only the flatter Hotwheels and Matchbox cars fit into it. All the fire trucks and similar size vehichles, if you can get them into it will get stuck. This toy requires a lot of parental repair, and/or extraction, i.e., about every 20 seconds. Plenty of frustration for us!

I do have to say, that so far, none of the pieces have actually broken off, they just pop off easily, so it is technically reparable, so far....

great toy for 5 and older
bought this toy for my son last year for x-mas. over the course of the year his mom misplaced it and its all he talks about that he wants from santa. Yes the wings come off with vigorous play (glue them on like i did) and the doors are a small problem (tape them with scotch tape so wouldnt open) he took the cars out the back and he loves this toy. Worth every dime i spent on it last year.

Do Not Buy This Toy!
I would gladly have paid a lot more for this plane if it were better made. My son loved the idea of the plane carrying his little cars, but the wings won't stay on, the nose won't stay shut and its doors fell off. It isn't even worth ten bucks and it's a shame.

This Toy is Junk!
The doors wont stay closed, the wing pops off easily. I spend more time fixing it than my son does playing with it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This motorized rescue helicopter from Tonka is sure to be a hitwith helicopter-loving toddlers. The motorized winch can raise andlower the provided stretchers (which then fit cleverly into slots onthe sides), the rotor turns at the press of a button, and additionalbuttons trigger the siren or helicopter sound. The button to turn therotor is in a perfect spot for holding the helicopter while flying andalso turns on the adjustable spotlight for night rescues. The cockpitand cabin open to insert a pilot or other characters if desired (notincluded). The helicopter contains small parts that could pose achoking hazard to children under the age of 3. It requires four AAbatteries (included). --Jay Weinland ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Fun for 4's and 5's
Our neighbors generously gave this toy to our son on his 3rd birthday. We couldn't wrestle it out of the box fast enough! (Too hard to unwire!) We were embarrassed when he had to be coaxed into opening his other gifts and played only with his helicopter!!! Within a week we thought he had broken the lifting rope mechanism, but my husband got it going again. The sound effects are fantastic!

Our son continues to play with this toy regularly for short stints. He knows that he might break the lift. I may put it away until he is 4-- which is the recommended age. By then he will be able to operate lifting the baskets without assistance or fear of damage.

Great toy for my 4 year old!
My son rec'd this for his 4th birthday and can't put it down. He's having a blast with it and I recommend it to all !

Another Tonka Wonder
Tonka never ceases to amaze me with the quality of their toys. I bought this for my son last year (he was 3) and it's consistently been one of his favorites. It doesn't even go in the toy box. It has a special place on his bookshelf next to his Matchbox helicopter. The features are cool. He loves the fact that he can make the blades spin with just the push of a button. He doesn't play with it constantly (anymore) but anyone who has a child in this age range knows that kids go in cycles. Unlike some other toys that have been long forgotten over the ages, this toy still gets regular abuse. And toughs it out, just like most of Tonka's toys. Nothing has ever broken. Even the winch rope is durable. I love Tonka toys.

Tough enough for younger kids.
I bought one of these 2 years ago when my son turned 2, and it has consistently been one of his favorites. He has never used the winch very much; he just flies it around the house, especially with the lights out so he could use the search light to see. My parents bought him another one last year, not knowing that he already had one. This one differed only it that it is now festooned with American flags (post 9/11 version, apparently). Now these helicopters are my 1 year old son's favorite toys; he likes to push the buttons as well as push it around the house after his brother. The toy is really tough, and I assume the 4-7 age range is out of concern about strangulation on the winch cord more than durability or age suitability. Bearing this in mind, the toy can probably handle kids at any age.

what a great toy!
My 3 year old loves this helicopter! While it says it's for 4-7, I think most 3 year olds can handle it. It's durable. He carries it around by the props. It has buttons for sounds (good volume, last about 5 seconds) and for the props and lights. He loves using the wench hook, and that's good for finger dexterity. The only thing I could say they need is a pilot and passenger. He puts his other toy men in as passengers and pilot, but a "real" EMT pilot would be a nice addition. Great toy though!!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Broken Astronauts
After 45 minutes of play the Apollo astronaut's helmet was broken in half and two hoses broke off his chest. He is very fragile. I thought I was purchasing an action figure like a Power Ranger or Star Wars figure but thes are much more fragile.

The International Space Station Figure is more durable but his backpack will not stay on. The pegs that hold it on are not well made and loose their grip into the figre after only a few removals. His helmet is hard to "snap" onto the figure but stays on better and is better made.

The paint job on each figre is a specke of white on a greyish background and this doesn't show on the internet images. The joints on both figures are getting very loose and are now hard to stand up.

They are cool looking but now on day three the Apollo figre has so much epoxy glue all over him to hold him together. The toy could be much better made by resembling hoses on the chest in a more molded way and by attaching the helmet onto a taller cuff around the neck.

Lasted only 45 minutes
The Apollo astronaut is incredibly fragile. His helmet would not stay on and requires that you press hard to get it to click onto the body of the astronaut. Because of this his helmet broke in half after just 45 minutes. The hoses to the backpak all broke off. This toy is really more for looking at - not handling.

The International Space Station astronaut is a little more durable and the helmet does not pop off as easily and seems better designed.

The small image of the astronauts on this site does not show the speckle paint job on both of them. It is a white specke on a grey background color. It looks wierd.

My son likes them but they are frustrating for him to play with. He loves astronauts and I wish there was a more durable yet realistic toy available.

Disappointment!
This toy is not durable! My 6 year old son (who is not rough on toys) was very frustrated when, on the first day, one of the helmets broke. The helmets also do not snap on the figures, so they fall off during play. The hoses that attach the backpack to the astronaut also broke off easily. Many of the accessories broke on the 1st day as well. He's had fun with them, but not what we expected and not worth the money. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This motorized rescue helicopter from Tonka is sure to be a hitwith helicopter-loving toddlers. The motorized winch can raise andlower the provided stretchers (which then fit cleverly into slots onthe sides), the rotor turns at the press of a button, and additionalbuttons trigger the siren or helicopter sound. The button to turn therotor is in a perfect spot for holding the helicopter while flying andalso turns on the adjustable spotlight for night rescues. The cockpitand cabin open to insert a pilot or other characters if desired (notincluded). The helicopter contains small parts that could pose achoking hazard to children under the age of 3. It requires four AAbatteries (included). --Jay Weinland ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bad Choice
My son got this as 4th bday present and within three minutes he had the crane broken. When you want to push the buttons to make niose or the propeller move the propeller hits you. he doesn't care to play with it.

this is lots of fun
my three year old is a rescue fanatic. he loves fire trucks and ambulances and when he got this for christmas he was THRILLED. it makes great sounds, it's easy to fly around and it has a moving hook that easily picks up the two stretchers it comes with as well as most cars and trucks lying around the house. the front flips open for batman or robin or whomever might be in the mood to fly to fit right in. it's july and it's in constant use and i dont recall changing the batteries more than once or twice, and it's still in one piece so that means it's durable by our standards. i heartily recommend this.

Greatest gift this Christmas!
a fully hands on toy that lets the child use his imagination. My three year old loves it and and won't let anyone touch it! Very durable and a great gift for any child who loves helicopters. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Jay Jay 5 piece set
My 19 month old grandson has become obsessed with JJ. He loved the TV, airport set, so I got him this 5 piece set. They are cute and look just like the cartoon figures.
We only just got the airport and the 5 piece set, so there has been no damage as yet. However, I have cautioned my daughter-in-law and son about the possibility of some of the pieces falling off, particulary Herky's blades.
My grandson just loves to play with them and that is good enough for me, with the caution mentioned.

My Sons Love These Guys
My two and four year olds have played with these characters every day, they're so practical, they go in the car, everywhere in the house and don't seem to ever break. I had to get two sets - they love them that much! They provide so much entertainment, but they also spark their imagination, creativity, memory (they act out Jay Jay episodes as well as make up ones of their own) that I would recommend them for the sheer effect on their cognitive development. Great Great toys at a price that you can handle (at $10, if they break, you don't have to kick yourself).

Fun but BREAKABLE
My son loved it when we bought him the Jay Jay Jet Plane set for a Christmas grab bag. He played with it for a couple of weeks they Herky's wheels fell off then Tracy's. Eventually all of them started to break and it became unsafe since my son was putting the pieces in his mouth so we threw them out. I reccommend the wooden kind even if they are more expensive but worth it in the long run.

Just the right size for little hands!
I bought these for my 16 month old for Christmas. He loves them! They fit right into his hands and he carries them everywhere. Herky is a bit delicate, but you can't go wrong for the price. I also bought the wooden figure carrying case which fits these nicely.

the best toy to take to a restaurant!!!
I bought this for my 2 yr old son and he LOVES them!!!! He is now learnng to share with others and his colors because of these cute and colorful planes!!! They keep him extra busy at restaurants and in the car. My hubby and I can actually have a conversation while he plays. This was the best toy I bought for him in a looonnggg time. I am thinking about getting another set to keep one in the house and one in the car. I am even buying a 'Savananah' and 'Old Oscar' to complete the set. Great value for the $$$!!! Enjoy!!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Such an Absolute Disappointment!
My brother bought a whole set of Spiderman toys for my son including this piece. It is sitting in our garage and is completely undone. It looked big and promising but it just did not work. He was looking forward to this toy very much and was extremely excited but then each piece started falling apart and in the end, it just turned out to be another Spiderman junk. I am writing this review because we have an enormous amount of Spiderman toys which are really a waste of money and all of them, a total disappointment. My son is a serious spiderman enthusiast so he always forces us to get him these spiderman toys and then we have to handle the disappointment that spills off the next few minutes. At least, my son has still the movie to look for. All we know is we are not buying ANYMORE spiderman toys going forward.

Fun Toy
My son got this for Christmas and has loved it!! He plays with it for hours and also takes it in the bath with him. He really seems to get enjoyment out of it. The only downfall I've encountered is that the plastic cockpit peice has fallen off a million times, so we just took it off permenantly. Other than that we've had great fun with this.

OK toy
Overall, my son likes this toy. Yes, it is true that the blades fall off occasionally, but they pop right back on. The plastic cockpit can be put back on as well if it falls off. Not the most durable toy, but not the worst either.

The Box Keeps This Toy Together
My son was so excited to get this toy for his sixth Birthday, but this toy was falling apart as soon as it was taken out of the box.
The cockpit plastic fell out and wouldn't re-assemble. The missles in the front don't work properly (we were only able to get it to work once.) One of the side pieces fell off. The villian grabbing claws of justice do not work. As soon as you pull the trigger to spin the rotors the blades pop out.
My son had to talk me out of trying to fix this toy after half an hour.
Poor Spider-Man! This helicopter must have been designed by one of his super-villians! ... Read more