Tonka: Light and Sound Rescue Helicopter – Red
- Features an easy to operate hands-on control, along with buttons for sound – like the real thing!
- Built Tonka Tough!
- Adjustable searchlight and working winch.
- Rotating propellers, removable stretchers, opening cockpit-hatch.
- For ages 3+.
This Tonka Light and Sound Rescue Helicopter is ready to go. Features working winch for daring rescues with lights and sounds. Requires 2 “AA” batteries, not included. Measures approximately 15″.
Rating: 
(out of 4 reviews)
Price: $ 33.75
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Review by JMB for Tonka: Light and Sound Rescue Helicopter – Red
Rating:
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.
PS: 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.
Review by B. Pearson for Tonka: Light and Sound Rescue Helicopter – Red
Rating:
Well I guess the other people who wrote reviews didnt factor in that the little man action figure was the person you are supposed to rescue because it is a RESCUE helicopter and the person flying the helicopter is the child playing with the toy. I guess I would maybe complain a little if I paid full price for the toy but we bought it from a thrift store for 3 dollars, at first only the sound effects worked and I was ok with that. I put brand new batteries in and the blades, wench and front light all started working, but when the batteries start running low the wench and helicopter blades stop working.( just keep fresh batteries in) I think this toy is so cool and my son loved it too. We just put another little action guy in the cock pit.
Review by A. Geyer for Tonka: Light and Sound Rescue Helicopter – Red
Rating:
My son received this for his 5th birthday. After removing all the packaging and untying all the wires holding the copter, basket and figure in place, we discovered that there is no footwell in the cockpit for the included figure. The figure’s shoulders are too wide for the canopy to close, even if he were otherwise sitting properly. He’s even too big (and too wide) for the rescue basket!
I’ve also had to re-tie the hook on several times in the less than 24 hours since he received it. And, just to make things excrutiatingly clear, it does not fly.
On the plus side, when you push the buttons, it has 3 lights that flash, including the searchlight on the bottom of the cabin. Frankly, I think that’s pretty nifty.
Review by K. Rivel for Tonka: Light and Sound Rescue Helicopter – Red
Rating:
My son wanted this thing so much so we decided to get it for him only to discover that the man doesn’t fit in the cockpit!!?? I’m tired of toy companies and any manufacturer creating such dumb mistakes! Whoever designed this or decided to include a man should be fired if they already haven’t. Does anyone actually care what kind of product they are putting out anymore? Luckily my son doesn’t care too much and usually doesn’t want the man in there anyway or else this thing would end up right back at the store. WAKE UP TONKA!!!!!