Helicopter

The Coin Slot, May 1977

A very popular ride of the time, this helicopter was released in the late 1970s.  It was designed and originally manufactured by the Italian company Rondina Gino.  The earliest of these machines in the UK were apparently site tested for the 1977 summer season at Hastings, Portrush, Dover, Tankerton and Sheppey.  Having proved a massive hit in the UK, arrangements were made by Model Coin to produce the ride in this country under license from January 1978.

Model Coin Advert - The Coin Slot, October 1977

To confuse things further, the ride was also sold by Whittaker Brothers, making an appearance on their 1978 Amusement Trades Exhibition stand. In the case of the original Whittaker Brothers' helicopters, the shell was imported from Rondina while the working parts were manufactured at the Whittaker factory in Oldham.

Model Coin Advert - The Coin Slot, October 1977

The ride originally operated on 10p and came in a variety of different metallic colours, the earliest and most popular being red and blue (both with a solid yellow interior), or gold (with solid blue interior).  When in motion, the ride played a soundtrack of realistic helicopter sounds.  A machine gun sound effect was produced when a foot pedal was pressed.

Cromer Pier - Film courtesy of Thomas Canavan.

With the height fully controlled by the rider, by way of two push button joysticks within the helicopter, the ride apparently rose to a height of between five and seven feet.  A foot pedal was also included which would halt the motion.  At its highest point, it would rotate approximately 30 degrees back and forth.  A safety feature in the form of a sensitive plate at the base of the machine, right under the helicopter, saw that the ride was rendered inoperative should a child walk underneath it.

1980s Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

When resting, the Whittaker version of the helicopter measured 78" x 32" x 62" and weighed 341lbs.

Model Coin also sold a static version of the helicopter which rocked back and forth instead of leaving the ground.