FlyTech Barry B. Benson
© 2007 WowWee USA, Inc.
If you've seen Wowwee's Flytech Dragonfly (CTR, April 07) you know exactly how this flying bee works. That's because the mechanics and controls are identical. The only difference is cosmetic—they've added the face of Barry B. Benson, the star of Dreamwork's Bee movie. The seagull-sized flying machine has innovative hinged, or ornithopter that permit control over speed, direction and height with a remote control. The effect can be startling—one brave cat attacked our test unit, mistaking it for a strange type of bird. The tail rotor makes it possible to flutter in a tight circle, providing there's not too much wind. There's a bit of a learning curve, but our testers (8-up) soon were off the ground. The large remote doubles as a charging base and holds six 6 AA batteries (not included), enough for about about 10 eight-minute flights. Each refresh of the tiny internal lithium polymer battery takes about 20 minutes, by way of a delicate wire, and there is a power-saving auto-off feature. There are two flight modes (beginner or expert), and the kit includes spare wings and a propeller along with a snap-on tail ribbon for more stable flight. The light carbon-fiber body, combined with the floppy wings, helps to cushion hard landings and minimize damage—although there is no guarantee for curious cats.
$50, Smart Toy
Teaches: flight, science
CTR Rating: 86%