I just stumbled across this and had to post it!
Vertibird was one of my all time favorite toys when I was a kid. It’s a helicopter with real blades that flies in circles around a central hub. The helicopter is attached by a thin metal support rod and a rotating drive cable. From the control panel, the operator can adjust the rotor speed and the flight direction using two levers. It had a hook to pick up various objects.
You don’t see them today, probably because they were likely taking kids eyes out. Although you can still get them on eBay.
I played with this toy for hours until one day my brother decided to stop on it. I was devastated.
Anyway, I stumbled across this 3D Vertibird Simulator this evening. I installed it and have been playing it for a while. Although I have to say I was a lot better at the real thing.
