Air Swimmer Remote Control Inflatable Flying Shark

by William Mark

• Up to 40 Range Infra-red Control
• Shark Measures 57 x 36 Inches
• Requires helium (not included) to float - can be reinflated over and over
• Stays inflated for up to two weeks.
• Requires 4 AAA Batteries (one in the body, three in the controller)

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 12.5 x 2.5 inches ; 1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Origin: Imported (China)
• ASIN: B005FYEAJ8
• Item model number: AS001
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 - 10 years
• Batteries 4 AAA batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #1 in Sports & Outdoors > Boating & Water Sports > Boating > Steering Equipment > Steering Wheels
  • #12 in Toys & Games > Electronics for Kids
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (547 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Air Swimmers swim through the air with incredibly smooth and life-like swimming motion. These amazing fish provide hours of remote control indoor fun in even the smallest of rooms (not for outdoor use). They require only four AAA batteries (one in the body, three in the controller) and have complete up, down and 360 degree turning control. The Shark is remote infra-red controlled and will respond to your inputs moving up and down most importantly left to right with fish like tail movement. Remote control has never come to life so magically! The helium filled fish body is made from durable nylon and with appropriate use will stay inflated for weeks depending on altitude. The William Mark Corporation has been dedicated to developing unique, high-quality products for extraordinary flight performance. The company was formed when Mark Forti, then a junior at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, invented the X-zylo™ for a marketing project. The product's performance amazed everyone who saw it. After stumping his physics professor as to why the object flew, Mark took it to his father, William, who worked in the aerospace industry. When William's aerodynamicist friends could not explain how it flew so far, William and Mark filed for patents and formed the William Mark Corporation.

Product Description

Air Swimmers swim through the air with incredibly smooth and life-like swimming motion. These amazing fish provide hours of remote control indoor fun in even the smallest of rooms (not for outdoor use). They require only four AAA batteries (one in the body, three in the controller) and have complete up, down and 360 degree turning control. The Shark is remote infra-red controlled and will respond to your inputs moving up and down most importantly left to right with fish like tail movement. Remote control has never come to life so magically! The helium filled fish body is made from durable nylon and with appropriate use will stay inflated for weeks depending on altitude. The William Mark Corporation has been dedicated to developing unique, high-quality products for extraordinary flight performance. The company was formed when Mark Forti, then a junior at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, invented the X-zylo??? for a marketing project. The product's performance amazed everyone who saw it. After stumping his physics professor as to why the object flew, Mark took it to his father, William, who worked in the aerospace industry. When William's aerodynamicist friends could not explain how it flew so far, William and Mark filed for patents and formed the William Mark Corporation.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

764 of 773 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Review by a Real User: Read This First (UPDATED JULY 2012) September 4, 2011

By Dave Millman TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

We have the shark, and first of all, let me say that virtually everybody's first reaction upon seeing it is to yell out a four-letter word! If you want to get a good idea of what it looks like and how it flies, look up Airswimmers on the web and watch the videos. They are also on YouTube. It looks and flies just like the videos.

WARNINGS:
This toy does not work outside, because there are too many air currents, and the slightest breeze will send this large balloon flying out of control. It does not work in small apartments or small rooms, because it is too darn big. You need a decent sized house, or an auditorium, church or basketball court to use this. Our house has normal 8-foot ceilings, and a big family room-kitchen area, which works great. Make sure there are no fans running. And it's a bit too delicate for little kids!

FLYING:
Wow, it really flies! You move forward by flapping the tail back and forth. You steer by flapping more left or more right. You climb and dive with a separate button that tips the shark up or down. With a bit of practice, you can steer wherever you want. Unlike many flying toys, this one really works.

ASSEMBLY:
You need to be somewhat adept at assembling delicate things to build this from the kit. There is a detailed video available that shows every step that is a bit easier to follow than the instructions-the video is highly recommended. The link is given in the instructions, or just search for airswimmers on the web. In any case, take your time, and make sure you have a second person to help.

HELIUM:
Any store that sells helium balloons can fill this for you. It stays inflated for a long time, then the store can top it off. I bought a tank of helium for this, and my guess is I have a lot of refills remaining. It hasn't deflated appreciably since we got it. The good news is, you use putty (included) to adjust for the amount of helium remaining (neutral buoyancy), so you won't have to refill often.

OVERALL:
Like many of you, when we saw this, we had to have it. I assembled it carefully, and it works. We're planning a trip to the community center with a two-story lobby to amaze some of my daughter's friends. It's fun, albeit a bit expensive with the currently inflated prices. Once some more of them make it into the country and the price comes down, expect to see more of them.

It's fun, a bit delicate, it works as advertised. Enjoy!

UPDATE: We've had the shark for a year now. We surprise guests with it every time new folks come over. It still works great, but we've learned a lot over the year. Here's what you need to know:

1. You really want to purchase a helium tank. It gets expensive topping off every 1-2 weeks at the party store, and it is hard to haul around unless you have a large vehicle. Do not top off with air as the manufacturer suggests, as this affects buoyancy. We are still on our first tank, since we are just topping off every few weeks.

2. Be careful not to lose the four rubber bands that hold the tail in place. These are the only small, loose parts and are critical for operation.

3. The shark will fly without needing to attach other helium balloons (as other reviewers have suggested). All you need to do is fill the shark completely, and adjust the trim (forward-back position on the remote control) for level, up or down flight. I have heard that some helium is not pure, but mixed with air, but haven't seen it myself.

286 of 289 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Some hints... November 5, 2011

By Gone-fishn

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I own a toy store at elevation 4500 feet, but my house is at 5500 feet. We can fly the Air Swimmers just fine at our house. We sell and help our customers with the Air Swimmers which is why we've learned a few things about them. We would like to pass along the following information:
1) At high altitudes, you have to overfill the balloon a bit to get the best results. However, DO NOT overfill. Leave creases every two to three inches at least two inches long.
2) We use high grade helium which we purchase from a helium and a welding supplier. The helium sold in portable "party" containers is a mixture of air and helium and should not be used at altitudes above 4,000 feet.
3) We don't use the supplied tapes to assemble the swimmer. Instead, we use Crazy Glue (a.k.a. CA glue or Super Glue) to attach the fins and gondola and then a couple inches of scotch tape per fin to hold it while the glue dries. It is pretty durable and easy to fix when a feisty kid jumps up, grabs the shark by a fin, and rips it off. Anything can be reattached in just a couple minutes. This method also reduces the overall weight of the Air Swimmer.
4) The Air Swimmer is a Mylar balloon. Helium expands with a rise in temperature and contracts with cooler temperature. Do not put a full air swimmer in a hot car. It will EXPLODE!!!! Putty adjustments are required frequently to keep the Air Swimmer buoyant.
5) The radio controlled Air Swimmers (available only at Toys R Us) weigh more than the infrared version and will not work above 4000 feet in elevation.
6) Watch the Air Swimmer Assembly video on Youtube, however make the following change when you assemble at home: Test the remote control and track prior to assembly. Apply the remote control track to the Air Swimmer prior to application of the fins. If you apply the fins first assembly of the track is more difficult.

158 of 163 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars a good start August 26, 2011

By Haley

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I have the shark and first off, it looks way cool. People who see it flying are intrigued and delighted. The only thing that could be improved would be the radio reception. Line of sight is critical and even then, it doesnt seem to have the claimed 40ft range. This would be an excellent revision/upgrade. Also it would be nice if repacement parts were provided or at least available by the manufacturer, so you dont have to scrap a whole shark if a fin breaks. Overall it is way fun though! hours of entertainment and soooo many great applications (i enjoy flying mine at the high ceilinged local bar). Until there is a model with better remote reception, this thing really cant be beat for the money. Youl love it.