VertiBird

Line of toy helicopter products made by Mattel

For the real life aircraft known as a Vertibird, see Tiltrotor

VertiBird was the name of a line of toy helicopter products made by Mattel between 1971 and the early 1980s.

The Mattel VertiBird helicopter flies around a central base containing an electric motor, spring lift assist, pitch control, batteries, and a throttle. A 21 inch arm with pitch control rod and the spindle that transfers the power to helicopter via drive springs and drive rod, is connected from the central base to the helicopter. The original VertiBird playset has a space theme appropriate for the Space Age attitude of the 1970s. The first set was reminiscent of the Project Mercury program. Later versions of the VertiBird would continue to revisit the space theme as well as other popular television and movie themes of the 1970s and early 1980s time frames.

Power was provided by 4 'D' sized alkaline batteries in the base. They also doubled as the weight to hold down the base.

The helicopter is controlled using a two lever control unit. The controls operate similarly to a real helicopter. The throttle control provides proportional control of the blade speed. The pitch control provides for tilting the Vertibird forward or backward. During the flight, the VertiBird is subject to the same physical flight characteristics as a real helicopter. This included ground effects for low level hovering, plus altitude gains and losses when changing direction. Overall the VertiBird is easy to learn how to pilot for basic flight, but precision flying will require some patience and time on the controls as in a real helicopter. As noted there is a spring assist to lift the VertiBird. However, in actual operation, the assist is not enough to lift the VertiBird off the ground. Most of the lift comes from the spinning rotor itself. Subsequently, dropping heavy items during a flight will result in a very rapid ascension of the VertiBird unless the pilot has good flight skills. Mattel designed the set with the young flyer in mind. The VertiBird can take quite a beating during crashes and toybox storage. This design has resulted in a toy that has survived over 38 years and remains as fun today as it was when VertiBird first came on the market back in 1971. The one exception to the required VertiBird flight skills was the introduction of the Space: 1999 themed playset, which did not feature the "VertiBird" branding on its packaging elements. The Space: 1999 version was the one playset that (more or less) abandoned the VertiBird concept in favor of a look and feels to match television series. The set had controls that were radically different from the standard VertiBird controls. The Eagle (helicopter) was fully supported by controls. The set used only two C cell sized batteries. The throttle provided nothing more than a switch to spin the rotor. Effectively there was no lift provided by the rotor and instead, all lifting is performed with the controls using hand strength. This set would not be a good version for the first time VertiBird pilot wanting to have a true VertiBird experience. Considered notable only for its Space: 1999 theme tie in and high collector value. But otherwise a poorly performing VertiBird set. The later Battlestar Galactica playset successfully blended the VertiBird concept with a science fiction space theme and uses the actual power of the thrust from the rotor to lift other playset objects.

The average retail price for most VertiBirds back during the 1970s was between $8.00 and $20.00(USD). Today, with more and more people collecting and restoring them, collectors are willing to pay over $400 for a working Vertibird. On July 31, 2006, a "mint in box" Vertibird sold for $500 on eBay, with 4 individual bidders bidding at least $400. Earlier eBay sales were also noted for final sale prices in excess of $1200.00 for the extremely rare Space: 1999 themed playset in unplayed, brand new, (C 10) condition. In 2005, a complete, near mint condition set of the German "Libelle 12 Polizeihubschrauber" (considered by some collectors to be the second rarest worldwide VertiBird variant after the "Space: 1999" model, although other internationally issued sets in particular the Canadian "Okanagan Logging 'Copter" appear to be much less common than the "Libelle") changed hands for $850 in a private sale.

Distribution was not limited to the United States. Mattel produced international versions of the VertiBird playset for various markets including Canada, Brazil, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Just when it seems the final international VertiBird version has been found, another is reported. Most recently, a rarely seen 1973 Japanese version of the U. S. "Air Police" set (whose existence most collectors had been previously unaware of) surfaced on eBay in early 2024. To date, it is unknown just how many markets and languages Mattel distributed the VertiBird into. Mattel also licensed the VertiBird for production by other companies. At least three are known (see the list below).

Several Mattel VertiBird commercials were made in the 1970s and early 1980s. One of the advertising agencies used for production was Ogilvy & Mather. In a Christmas themed episode of That '70s Show, Eric Forman can be seen playing with the VertiBird in a basement scene. Tiltwing aircraft called "Vertibirds" (although different in appearance, it resembles a cross between a Dragonfly and a V 22 Osprey), appear in the games Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and Fallout 4.

In addition to the VertiBird itself, there are several other pre VertiBird and post VertiBird units covering various eras, global regions and business lines. Some units like the Dan Dare (see list below) were home usage toy sets. Others such as the WhirlyBird were skill games meant for arcade distribution or another location based business usage. All units share VertiBird's basic premise of fun by allowing the user to actively control the helicopter, while still providing a safe and easily controllable experience.

There are 13 known different US versions of the VertiBird playsets. The original VertiBird had an early manufacturing change that modified the drive spring to drive rod coupling. The first version had the end of the drive rod screwed into the drive spring on the helicopter. The production modification resulted in the drive rod being permanently soldered to the drive spring and packaged the base, controls, rods, and helicopter (except the rotor) into one complete unit. In addition to the different US versions, other international versions were produced. These international VertiBird versions were localized as needed for language, playset graphics, pictures, and local service depot information as required. There were also some contracted production runs of the Mattel VertiBird for other companies. Grouped all together, there are currently 25 different known variations. Every year or so it seems a new variation is discovered somewhere around the globe. In February 2015, an American eBay seller with immaculate feedback offered several pieces of supposedly original conceptual art by former Mattel designer Tom Hodges, which featured graphic layouts for a number of unproduced VertiBird variants from the mid to late 1970s. These included a "Spacehawk X7" intergalactic probe model (undated), a "Medivac" military themed set (1975), a "Disaster Air Rescue" version (1975), a "Space War" sci fi model (1978), and a 1979 M*A*S*H themed set that was obviously meant to tie in with the successful TV series.

1971 Set No. 5972 VertiBird. (Version 1, screw connected drive spring)
1971 Set No. 5972 VertiBird. (Version 2, drive spring soldered in place. All subsequent USA and International versions)
1973 Set No. 7604 VertiBird Air Police. (themed to tie into police TV shows of the 1970s)
197? Set No. 7646 VertiBird Polar Adventure. 1973 Set No. 8243 VertiBird Rescue Ship. (Another space themed set tying into the Apollo program)
1975 Set No. 9040 79 58256C VertiBird Paramedic Rescue. (Themed to tie into the Emergency! TV series)
197? Set No. 9780 VertiBird Airborne Rescue. 1976 Set No. 8997 VertiBird Okanagan Logging 'Copter. (Also released in Canada)
1976 Set No. 9637 Space: 1999 Flying Eagle. (Not branded as "VertiBird" on its packaging elements; tie in to Space: 1999 TV series.) 1978 Set No. 2898 VertiBird S. W. A. T. Patrol. (Themed to tie into the S. W. A. T. TV series.) 1979 Set No. 1675 1675 0970 VertiBird Night Patrol (included phosphorescent plastic parts and stickers)
1979 Set No. 2983 2983 0970 VertiBird Battlestar Galactica. (Battlestar Galactica TV series tie in)
1981 Set No. 5306 VertiBird Megaforce. (Megaforce Movie tie in)

Localized for language and/or graphics.

1971 Set No. 5972 (Canadian Issue) VertiBird. (Canadian version set)
1973 Set No. 7604 (Canadian Issue) VertiBird Air Police/Police De L'Air. (Canadian version Air Police set)
1976 Set No. 8997 VertiBird Okanagan Logging 'Copter. (also released in the USA)

1978 Set No. 2677 0919 Libelle 12 Polizeihubschrauber (German version of "Air Police" set). This much sought after model did not feature any reference to the "VertiBird" series on its packaging elements despite being a genuine Mattel product. Collectors should take note that two different versions exist of the "Libelle 12" set; the more common one containing the getaway car, road barrier, and radar receiver made of red plastic, while the much scarcer second variant had these same accessory pieces molded from clear plastic instead. Also, a rare early packaging artwork variation featured Mattel's "Hot Wheels" logo added to the lid of the box and employed a smaller, less prominent "Libelle 12" imprint. Whereas the original German retail price for the "Libelle 12" was in the range of around DM 35, near mint/unplayed sets auctioned off on eBay. de between January 2009 and May 2012 realized final bids from €90 to €150. To this day, the toy rarely remains unsold when offered on online platforms regardless of condition or even function; attributing to its great popularity and "nostalgic value" in Germany.

1978 Set No. 2675 0920 VertiBird Elicottero Carabinieri (Italian version of "Airborne Rescue Mission" set). It is of note that the initial version of this set featured the original US "Airborne Rescue Mission" packaging (containing two different instruction manuals in both English and Italian), while the second version in a different red box was fully adjusted for the domestic market and came with the Italian language manual only. Also, early Mattel ads published in Italy promoted the toy as "Elicottero S. O. S. Mattel" and utilized a picture of the US model (yellow helicopter and white base/control unit), although the actual "Elicottero Carabinieri" set consisted of a black helicopter and red operating elements. 1980 Set No. 3017 0926 VertiBird Veicolo Spaziale Mazinga "Z" (Battlestar Galactica TV series theme). A variant of the 1979 US "Battlestar Galactica" set adapted for the Italian market, where it got renamed and connected to a completely different sci fi theme despite using the "Viper" spacecraft as well as box graphics that closely resembled the "Galactica" branded American version. "Mazinga 'Z'" (originally Mazinger Z) in fact was the title of a Japanese anime television series from the 1970’s that Mattel Italy at the time held a merchandising license for, but of course had no relation whatsoever to the actual toy.

1973 Set No. 7604 VertiBird Sky Patrol. This was a genuinely branded Mattel version of the U. S. "Air Police" set (looking and working exactly like its American counterpart) produced specifically for distribution in Japan that came with an exclusive, map like playmat featuring "manga" style illustrations of children in various places of the world (USA, France, India, Africa etc.). Box graphics, details and instructions also were fully adjusted for the Japanese market. Additional punch out cardboard elements included a building, landing pad, and a "mountain"; all to be placed on the mat. Manufactured under the Japanese Brand "Takara". 19?? Set No. ? ??? (Japanese Issue) VertiBird Helicopter Technic. Likely the Japanese market version of the Air Police version. The graphics and colors included in this set are very different. Also, the radar antenna has a different shape and is attached to the motor base in a completely different method. Also, the control handles functions are reversed as compared to the USA sets. Direction is on the left side and power is on the right side. Also, the control handle shape for the power control does not have the right angle extension as seen in the USA set controls. Otherwise, the Takara branded set flies the same.

1973 Set No. ? ??? VertiBird Estacion Polar (Mexican version of "Polar Adventure" set), manufactured and distributed by domestic toy company "CIPSA (Compania de Plasticos S. A.)" with original "VertiBird" branding.

1976 Set No. 9780 (UK Issue) VertiBird Airborne Rescue.

197? Set No. PT 681 Bluebird Air Police. Distribution in Canada and Europe. Produced during the same period as the Mattel branded set.

1973 Set No.7604 Burbank Toys Issue Air Police. Produced during the same period as the Mattel branded set.

197? Set No. ? ? Helicopter Technic. Vertibird design licensed from Mattel by Takara Co Ltd for production and sale in Japan. Produced in the late 1970s to the early 1980s era.