Air Hogs Switchblade 27 MH Black/Yellow

by Air Hogs

Product Features

• Comes with an RF controller, plug-in charger, extra propellers, and a built in LIPO battery for extreme power and performance.
• 2 amazing flyers in 1!
• Wing span of 17" (43cm)
• Hover like a UFO, fly like a plane!
• Great for the backyard or park

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 14.5 x 18 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001SOD5QS
• Item model number: 20021789
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,363 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Junior aviators will enjoy flying the Air Hogs Switchblade, a unique remote-control plane that hovers like a UFO and flies like a jet. Designed for ages ten and older, this marvel-of-the-skies transforms in midair with the push of a "morph" button that propels it forward from a hovering position with incredible velocity. Ideal for play in a neighborhood park or spacious backyard, kids can put on a show with this remote control plane.

Switchblade Ages:10+ Requires: 8 "AA" batteries (not included) Screwdriver for battery installation

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Plane's dual action enables it to hover like a UFO, and fly like a jet. The Challenging: As with any remote control plane, a high-velocity flight often ends quickly. In a Nutshell: Junior aviators will be impressed by this remote-control plane's midair transformation.

The Switchblade can hover in mid-air and then transform to fly like a jet. View larger.

Plug the charge nozzle into the plane's charge port and the plane will be ready to fly in 30 minutes. View larger.

Prepare for Take-Off
With a 17-inch wingspan, durable polyfoam construction, and black-and-yellow designs, this remote-control plane can hover in mid-air and then transform to fly like a jet. The remote control features a throttle, direction toggle, trim knob, and "morph" button, making it easy for junior aviators to pilot the Switchblade from up to 300 feet (91 meters) away.

Before take-off, adults should install the controller/charger's eight "AA" batteries (not included), then plug the charge nozzle into the plane's charge port. In approximately 30 minutes, a flashing green light on the controller, indicates the plane is ready. First-time pilots then adjust the controller's trim knob to make the plane hover, rather than spin.

Take to the Skies like a UFO
The Switchblade is ideal for use in a neighborhood park or spacious backyard. Pilots can position the plane on the included launch base for take-off, or simply release it by hand. Arrows on the plane's body show what direction to rotate the plane's wings so that the propellers are facing opposite directions. When the trim is properly adjusted, the plane will ascend with ease.

Fly with the Stealth of a Jet Plane
The plane's steady ascension is a marvel to watch, but it hardly compares to the sudden midair transformation that takes place at the touch of the "morph" button. Instantly, the plane shoots forward with remarkable speed. From there, it's up to you to steer it safely.

The Switchblade should be piloted over grassy areas in temperatures of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or above for safe flying and optimal performance. In the event of an accidental air collision or landing mishap, a piece of tape is usually sufficient for repair.

The plane also comes with four replacement propellers which should be installed with adult supervision.

What's in the Box
Switchblade remote-control plane (Black & Yellow), controller/charger, controller antenna, launch base, wind speed/direction ribbon, four spare propellers, and instruction manual.

Product Description

This Air Hogs R/C Switchblade Transforming Stunt Flier rises, transforms and flies! It is sure to provide hours of flying fun!

• Air Hogs Remote Control Switchblade Flier
• Transformer stunt flier
• It rises, transforms and flies!
• Vertical take-off
• Transforms in mid air
• Flies like a jet
• Yellow and black coloring
• Durable polyfoam construction
• Range 300 feet
• Requires 8 AA batteries
• Frequency 27.045 MHz
• Lithium battery is included
• Recomended for ages 10 and up

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Best so far...., October 12, 2009

By 

Morley Dotes "morleydotes" (Flushing, New York USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Air Hogs Switchblade 27 MH Black/Yellow (Toy)

So, I have gotten my son almost every air hog there is and all the flying ones stink. This is the first one that actually flies somewhat decently, however, we had to go play with it on a football field. You need a lot of room.....I mean A LOT of room. First let me say that I found this to be very durable. This dropped easily 50 feet into the hard dirt many times and it still works (they do give you extra parts). If you are unfortunate enough to break the styrofoam, you are done. I was unable to get a launch with the launch holder but was very successful with a manual launch. A word of caution here: although it is styrofoam, beware, this is a dangerous toy. The props are quite strong and caught the inside of my palm that almost gave me a two inch cut. Though it did not break the skin, my hands are fairly tough, and I believe it would have easily cut through softer skin, especially a childs. I would keep children close and behind you in case you need to deflect it. Some words of advice for an easier launch, send it up in a twist (it's actually fun to let it climb and try to make it hover) then press the mode button when it is at least 30 feet up and then practice steering. Try to find a big field, because it will hit the hardest when it is in flying mode (versus the twisting helicopter type mode). I don't know how easy it would be for a 10 year old, as I had to take a lot of time to get even basic controls working. The worst part is that once you get fairly comfortable the battery dies out and you need to recharge it. That's frustrating. Those are all worth a total deduction of 2 stars. Still, it is fun, and your kids will love it (if they can get it out of your hands). Do not use this in windy conditions as the wind will just take it away or send it crashing down. Use it in a field to help avoid a catastrophic crash. Send it up spinning and practice with that first so that you are comfortable with the controls. I think this one will actually work well with enough practice and adjusting the trim. I was not impressed with the "carrying case," which turns out to be the box it came in with a cardoard handle. Most of these are completely useless. This one actually does what it says, and with some patience, you should be able to have some fun (but you will also spend some time going after it to pick it up).

111 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes you DON'T get what you DO pay for, October 3, 2009

By 

ND Drew (Northern Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Air Hogs Switchblade 27 MH Black/Yellow (Toy)

We've had all the "styrofoam" RC flying helicopters, dragonflies, and more the last few years. Every year we vow never to buy them again because they're so fragile they break within the first or second use. Well, every year we end up trying again, in hopes the newest model will be an improvement over the previous year. We also figured that paying $[...] for the new Switchblade would ensure durability. Wrong again! Today was the first use and within 10 minutes the styrofoam wing tip broke off. The Switchblade needs to climb high into the air to have enough clearance to morph between flying and hovering. Well, it doesn't fly high enough, so when you change modes the thing crashes before it can recover. We read the instructions and we followed everything to a "t" because we know the history with these products. I told my son to "pack it up because it's going back" and when he was putting it in the box it rolled out of his hands onto the carpet and another foam piece broke off! Sorry to say the $[...] price is not even close to worth it. Hope this review helps prevent others from going through our frustration.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works fairly well for us- pretty darn durable, December 26, 2009

By 

Sweatbeads "Test pilot geek" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Air Hogs Switchblade 27 MH Black/Yellow (Toy)

My 9 yr old son really wanted this- so despite some less than positive reviews, I purchased the Switchblade. Some of the other comments are valid (battery life could be better- but we flew two different days with temps in the low forties). The vertical flight works fine- we even were able to fly indoors in a two story foyer in the hover mode. The transition to horizontal flight ("morph") was tricky- the Switchblade had to be 25 ft or so up to have enough height to pull out. One thing that made a HUGE difference in the flight performance- be sure to use the trim knob to balance the two propellors before free flight. Hand launching the aircraft was the best way to get the most flight time. Wind really does play havoc with the Switchblade since it is a flying wing- which makes it less stable than conventional aircraft. Compared to other Airhogs we've owned, this one is virtually indestructable. Though it comes with replacement propellor blades, they weren't needed, despite many, many crashes- some pretty hard. This is decent R/C, with a cool trick of transitioning mid-flight from hover to horizontal mode.