BBeM: Toys & Games Item

Toys & Games

Balsa gliders
Balsa wood gliders and rubber band drive airplanes

Basic gliders were 10 cents for many years. Rubber band drive propeller planes were usually 49 cents. They rarely lasted more than a day, being quite fragile.

Contributed by Tommie

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There are 12 comments for this item.

Posted by freddo30 at 10:05 am (PDT) on Thu March 24, 2016
Oh heck. I still play with these, no shame ...
Posted by BARRYC at 9:04 pm (PST) on Sun January 4, 2015
I bought all kinds of them back in sixties,but the ones that I had the most fun with was the one that you have a picture of here.
Posted by spaced-out bob at 1:19 am (PST) on Sun December 28, 2014
I forgot which was the one without the rubber band and propeller, I remember the Skeeter, which had the rubber band an propeller, the Sleek Streak which also had wheels, and the Star Flyer which was the large version of the Sleek Streak with the large wings and the wheels. If I remember correctly, the Skeeter was 15 cents, the Sleek Streak was 25 cents and the Star Flyer was 49 cents. I'm talking back in the early to mid 60's. Bob
Posted by John Jensen at 7:22 pm (PDT) on Wed August 13, 2014
And you could slide the wing of the balsa gliders in their slots. If I rememember, towards the front they do loops, and if you slid it farther back, it was for straight flights. The ones with the rubber band also had a cheap set of wheels on them too.
Posted by Wingslinger at 8:27 pm (PST) on Wed February 26, 2014
I remember buying these in the late 60s. Loved 'em! The basic ones were a nickel at that time, and you could upgrade to the rubber band/plastic propeller for a quarter. Sometimes I see them for free at trade shows and always get some. I may be getting older but I refuse to grow up.
Posted by rtschem at 6:55 am (PST) on Wed February 12, 2014
I remember buying these when I was a kid in the 50's They were a blast.
Posted by unclekipsy at 12:54 pm (PST) on Fri February 7, 2014
Yep....wind that rubberband way tight with your finger rotating the propeller in reverse. They did break pretty easily !
Posted by Moofies at 5:37 am (PST) on Sat January 5, 2013
I loved these! I remember the ones with the rubber band driven propeller. I got them for my kids. Such inexpensive fun!
Posted by ozarkbob at 10:06 pm (PDT) on Mon September 24, 2012
I must have gone thru 100 of those of different sizes even ones that had rubber band driven propellers, hours of fun, I haven't seen any for a long time,,,I bought a syrofoam gilder for son when he young in the seventy's
Posted by Mikeaz1946 at 1:04 pm (PDT) on Mon September 24, 2012
forgot about the most fun. At the end of the day when you get tired of it, you get the lighter fluid and set the wings afire and really have a great time.............setting the field next door a blaze. COURSE, I never did this....
Posted by Mikeaz1946 at 1:01 pm (PDT) on Mon September 24, 2012
Not only was this toy so cheap everyone could afford it but......it got the kids out of the house and INTO the fresh air. OH, and Mom and Dad could ah, well, ah, they would.....ah, have an hour alone. WHOOPIE................yes, exactly!!!
Posted by obie--wan-kenobi at 1:27 am (PDT) on Mon September 24, 2012
This was an inexpensive but fairly entertaining toy.

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