NOTE: Before buying this product, do a search of "Tonka Rescue Helicopter" on Amazon, as there are currently four listings of the exact same toy (choice of red or blue) from different sellers varying in price from $10 - $41. We paid $14.99 at Target. It infuriates me that sellers try to sell toys for $30 over the retail price assuming that buyers will not do their research.
My 4 year old chose this toy at Target with his allowance (and a little supplement from Dad). Included was the helicopter, a basket that hangs from a wind up rope and an action figure with movable arms and legs. When you press various buttons on the sides, lights flash and helicopter sounds emit. The sounds are not too loud (YEAH!). He was very excited to play with this new toy that he worked so hard to earn!!
As soon as we got home my son started playing with it and within minutes threw the action figure across the room in frustration. When I asked him why, he said because he couldn't get the "helicopter man" into the cockpit. After trying myself, turns out the figure is much too large to fit into the seat (or the rescue basket, for that matter), the figure is too wide and too long. When the figure is placed in the cockpit, it's arms and legs stick out and prevent the top from closing. When I explained to my son that the "helicopter man" would never fit into the seat, he threw a huge fit. "Why NOT Mama?! Then there is NO ONE to drive the helicopter! I don't like this toy!!" The helicopter and man ended up flung to the floor. Not sure how I was going to fix this, I dug through the toy box with my normally easy going son wailing in the background. We finally came up with a generic Playmobil type figure that DID fit and all was well again. Although it is a bit weird having a pirate driving a modern day helicopter, it works for my son and that is what counts.
My questions are: Why in the world would Tonka include an action figure that doesn't fit the vehicle? Did they never test the compatability? Or worse yet, did they realize it didn't fit and sold it with the figure anyway? I noticed the picture above does NOT show the action figure that was in the package when we purchased this exact same toy at Target. Hmmm... Makes me wonder... Is the figure not included with the Amazon sold packages, or do they just not show it?
Despite the frustrating beginning, my son really does love this toy complete with the "pirate pilot". Pehaps we should have bought the Playmobil Rescue Helicopter instead? Would we buy this toy again? Probably... but with a prepared explaination to my son that the "helicopter man" was a bonus toy that doesn't go with the helicopter.
Buy Tonka Light and Sound Rescue Helicopter: Blue!
