U-Fly-It by Schaper

A mini-documentary on the U-Fly-It toy, and its inventor, Joe Becker.

[@Nacho66]

I got the 'Barnstormer' set Christmas 1972('73?). It was a great toy! My Dad loved it so much that he spent most of that Christmas morning playing with it. His boss at his ad agency was an amateur pilot who got hooked on it as well. I remember hanging out at my Dad's office during that Christmas break playing with it with my Dad and his boss. Great memories. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@robert7984]

My dad surprised me with this for Christmas. The CV. He gave it to me after we had come home from celebrating with my two families. My parents were divorced so I always had two of everything. But anyway, I was blown away and it TOTALLY surprised me! My dad was the greatest dad in the universe.

[@ToyKingWonder]

My mom and dad had an unbelievably canny sense of getting me gifts that I would love. As a very young kid, I got the 2nd year GIJoe, I got the first Hot Wheels set to hit the shelves in 1968, I got a Jimmy Jet....all three of those things I was not even aware existed at the time, but my parents got them for me. Amazing.

[@Jreb1865]

​@@ToyKingWonderI got one of the early GI Joe's as well. I still have him. He's a little worse for wear, but I love him just the same...lol

[@TheMonkeyNeuron]

Funny how we judge our parents by the toys we got

[@TaberBucknell]

I had U-Fly-It before the catapult came out. I got exercise resetting the plane to the start position each time. 😉 The best modification was adding many feet of fishing line and stretching out a loooooong approach in the back yard. To get sufficient slope the top of the line was attached a significant way up the TV antenna tower. 🙂 U-Fly-It was an excellent toy! Thank you for the video.

[@cyberpleb2472]

I had one without the catapult as well. I extended the line and ran it off our deck and down the length of our backyard. I don't think I ever ran it off our TV antenna though - that's impressive!

[@leokimvideo]

I loved this toy when I was a kid in Oz in the 70's. It was for me one of the most memorable toys I had and a ton of fun.

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

I guess even in Oz you need something to do other than dance around with munchkins. Did you get to meet the wizard?

[@landsurfer66]

Thanks for making and uploading this excellent video. It's great to finally see the man who created one of my favorite toys. I had the catapult & joystick model; great Christmas memories.

[@hawkeye0927]

Holy cow, I never heard of this toy before. I would have gone out if my flipping mi d had I gotten one when I was a kid back then!!! Fast forward almost 50 years and I’m a retired Naval Aviator who first cruise in the Navy was on the USS Enterprise and is still flying professionally. Very cool toy!

[@jameszanker5384]

I had the original set and I LOVED it. I played it with for many years and kept the little single engine plane from the first set for years after the rest of the set went by the wayside. It was great. Eventually it was replaced by Mattel's HAIRY CANARY, my favorite childhood toy by far. Thanks for sharing! James

[@deathstrike]

As a fellow collector and restorer of toys, I really love your collection! I have the Schaper U Fly Barnstorming set. Unlike the other sets, the Carrier and Barnstorming sets have "a bit more to them". My set has the little barn that you can fly low enough in the biplane to catch the mailbag. You can make a game of it. The quality is also amazing with heavy plastic and wood. I'm trying to add more airplanes to the set by experimenting with small models. I have the Piper monoplane and the Biplane for now. I would love to find the twin engine plane. But thank you for the videos!!! It's collectors like yourself that keep the past alive and help relive memories.

[@ToyKingWonder]

Thank you, that is exactly why I do it.

[@davidk4145]

Great video! Thanks for bringing all the information together. A lot of fun to see Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon repeatedly playing with a kids toy. Speaks to what a great toy this is.

[@dimitristripakis7364]

I saw the thumbnail and did not click until I figured out how it was going to work. I failed. I could never imagine those mechanics. It is ingenius. The children must have enjoyed this so much. And the folks building those toys must have had an even better time !

[@slanis6718]

Why isn't one of these in every pilot bar ever? These toys need to make a comeback!

[@docjames6902]

My first flight simulator!

[@philo426]

I had the single-engine Cessna set and loved it!It did not have a catapult as I recall.I attached it to a high chair and it worked quite well.BTW I really dig that '71 Vette!(Note the cheesegrater fender inserts!)

[@MikeBarnett1776]

One of the best toys I ever had!

[@K9-Crazy]

Half hour ago this game popped in my head. I had it when I was 8 in 1970. I looked it up on Google. I can't believe I remembered the name of it. Memories of a great time. Thanks for putting this up and sharing.

[@ToyKingWonder]

Thanks for watching!

[@GnrMilligan]

I'm from The UK, and in the 70's I had "Flight Deck". Which used the some mechanics. You had to land a Harrier on an aircraft carrier. They did a follow up called "Super Flight Deck" where you could take off, turn round and land. Toys sparked so much more imagination back then.

[@dphotos007]

That was a cool toy. Kids today want the RC flying toys. To bad we will not see toy companies make toys like this anymore. I might have asked before I would like to see a Mattel Vacuform video.

[@hellochely687]

Here from the last Conan needs a fan episode! It’s no wonder Conan loved this toy as a kid! wish I could buy it for my son today ❤

[@ToyKingWonder]

Joe Becker, the inventor profiled here, was making much better, hand crafted aircraft carriers that were reasonably priced. Sadly, we lost him a few years ago. However, the original ones are constantly coming up on eBay and many are in great condition. Let me know if you need help finding one.

[@hellochely687]

@@ToyKingWonder Yes, when I saw the year this video was created, I was afraid he was no longer alive. Thank you for the information, I will definitely look around. Thanks again!

[@tlgpad886]

Had the aircraft carrier version as a kid, loads of fun!

[@HCC788]

Thank you for sharing this. It made me really want one. I have a channel dedicated to 1980s/90s G.I. Joe, but I love looking at toys from earlier decades. This toy is ingenious and looks like a lot of fun. If I run across the aircraft carrier I may have to snatch it up and put it next to my USS Flagg.

[@ToyKingWonder]

Very cool. I have a small collection of 12" GI Joes from the Adventure Team period. All my originals, a 1964 Army, and two later Adventure Team figures, Mobile Support Vehicle and others, were all given away decades ago!

[@fiddle603]

The best Christmas toy my folks got me in the early 70s! My dad set the line across the living room and up the bedroom staircase. I played it for weeks till it was past repair!

[@Stllno]

We had such a simple life back then where imagination was the key to joy!

[@lurkerrekrul]

I had the barn stormer set, but I also had the Piper plane. Either I had two sets or I was able to get the plane separately. Unfortunately I didn't get use out of the Piper as one of the wheel broke fairly early on and I was never able to fix it properly.

[@ToyKingWonder]

The Vacuform is one toy I have not yet added to The Collection;; definitely something for the future!

[@garytanger6469]

and Mold Master ? I played with that for hours.

[@johnairlines8]

Woah. For an old toy I really want it!

[@StargateFan2389]

I would love to have one of these! Also nice Corvette in the background :)

[@angeltransportpjects]

The only thing we had in the UK that even gets close to these wonders was called 'Super Flight Deck' by Airfix. Exactly like the aircraft carrier idea and operating on the same principles to achieve the same. But we never had anything like the U Fly It marvels: It's Microsoft Flight Simulator ... But the more fun version!

[@ToyKingWonder]

'con't ....as you can get it, and changed out the plugs. Aside from that, and replacing the master cylinder and one caliper, I have not done one thing to it. That car has not been tuned or adjusted in over 10 years and runs amazingly well.

[@nerys71]

OK this thing is cool. how does the turn around work? IE what makes it turn about for the return leg?

[@ToyKingWonder]

Great question. It's a gravity thing. The way the plane is balanced, it just naturally wants to point in the direction of the control board. When you launch it, you are basically just overriding that tendency, and when the plane runs out of forward inertia, it slows down, stops and turns back towards the control board. It was very innovative. In one of my many conversations with Joe, he really gave great tips on how long the line should be and how tall it should be mounted to get the maximum climb, turn around and return.

[@TheZeke1974]

That aircraft carrier is epic! :-)

[@thefurrybastard1964]

It looks very similar to Airfix's Flight Deck. had hours of fun during the summer hollidays at my friends house with the Airfix version.

[@ToyKingWonder]

@Nacho66 That is a cool story! I remember all my uncles coming over and playing with our Eldon Bowl a Matic and Selectronic race set at Christmas in 1963...it was so cool sharing that with them.

[@septik101]

I had the aircraft carrier. Version it takes me back i suppose you could say it was the beginning of my love of flying as i still fly rc i was about 9 or 10 years old an now at 50 i hope to keep with it for meny moor years to come.

[@ToyKingWonder]

Thanks for the comment Gary. It's funny, I got into RC too, but WAY delayed. I started about 2000 with my son--no training, just went out into a field, tried my best, made a ton of mistakes, crashed a lot of planes. I always loved RC, but when I was a kid it was very expensive and all the planes were hand built--make one mistake and all your labor on that plane was for nothing! Today is very appealing. You can guy an RC plane for under $50, and throw on a replacement wing if you break it, OR, you can build a custom/more complex model just like the old days. Right now is a great time for the RC hobby. Definitely keep with it. My uncle was working on a giant, futuristic gas seaplane before he died at 93.

[@quadrant2005]

I had one of these when i was growing up it was great i really loved it. I had the aircraft carrier version. A very longtime ago now as im 40 :)

[@ToyKingWonder]

It sounds like you had one of the sets before the catapult came out. While I have used the catapult for my set, the one on the new Aircraft Carrier is much better. I think because it's wood and the carrier is so substantial. Thanks for the comment on the Corvette. That has been a great car. When I bought it, the distributor was wrong and it never ran right. I "super tuned" it (my definition of micro adjusting the timing, gap, carb over and over with driving tests until it is as perfect...

[@CaericArcLight]

Holy cow. I had one of those. The Cherokee, I believe, from looking at pictures. The barnstormer set looks like fun.

[@jgruppe27]

Was called Flight deck in the UK with the carrier and phantom. Great toy!

[@H.EL-Othemany]

I can watch those old ads for hours and hours

[@nxrp]

Greetings from El Salvador, pal. I have seen one of this in the national museum of aviation 15 years ago, it seems that they used it in the early basic training for pilots.

[@ToyKingWonder]

Yes indeed. I would imagine for some very early training just to start to get the idea of plane controls and doing quick thinking maneuvers out of the gate. I have a whole package of letters from Boy Scouts, Piper Aviation and many others requesting these toys from Schaper. Although not really any kind of flight simulator, my guess is it was to used to stimulate hand/eye coordination and the ability to think in multiple dimensions as a segue into the more complex training content.

[@moneyclaude2500]

Memories Right There!

[@craigsavarese8631]

I had the aircraft carrier set as a very young kid. Unfortunately too young. I was in a very destructive, hands on phase. Still played with it a lot, just not as it was intended.

[@ljliberto]

I had one in the 1970s. I'm not sure what ever happened to it. It may still be in the attic.

[@smacdiesel]

I had the cessna version, good memories.

[@billyalonzo406]

Never seen this till now Whish you still find it

[@DLJohnsonHonourofKings]

Never saw this toy before today. As much as I liked aircraft I would have bought one in a heartbeat.

[@IvorRedOne]

You guys were lucky to have this.

[@fholbert]

Where do we get one of these?

[@philo426]

Does it have a 350 or a 454?

[@FSAUDIOGUY]

NICE...those were good days folks!

[@philo426]

Reminds me of my Tom Daniel California Vette!

[@charlesrobichaud-parahawkm4088]

This was great! Thank you for sharing. How unfortunate for you to meet the developer and own the prototype. Are there any new ones being produced?

[@roderickwinslow8642]

Know that's ingenious!

[@stewartlapierre7760]

Any ideas on where to get a wooden version of the carrier set? Thanks

[@rpanic2346]

Just listed the Aircraft Carrier on Ebay.

[@aabbccdd320]

8:50 where can I purchase a toy or how to get in touch with Joe Becker to buy one?

[@David-ty1xz]

Thats pretty good, Ed being a Marine Fighter pilot and all.

[@JessHull]

Dang I wish I had one of these as a kid, now I kind of want to get one, even though I have tons of RC planes, loll.

[@rjds1800]

This is awesome!

[@hellhound1101]

If rather have the u-fly-it than the u-drive-it

[@omegaman7241]

thanks for the video, I had one, would like to find one again for my son

[@ickleshouse]

had super flightdeck, hours of fun

[@jagmotorsports]

As an aviation enthusiast and commercial pilot I can’t believe I never had or heard of this toy. Do you know if Mr. Becker is still living? Is there a way to communicate with you about this toy?

[@ToyKingWonder]

Yes, go to my website and you will see my email. Sadly, Mr. Becker died a few years ago. I had kept in contact with him, he said "you made an old man feel great" about this video. It really was sad learning of his passing. He was energetic and lively on the phone the last I talked with him. He was still making the aircraft carriers for folks but he had devised a way to make them two pieces that snapped together so that shipping was easier. I am so glad I purchased one from him, it is on display.

[@seba6452]

Nice Corvette!

[@SporeZoo]

I think kids would love this, they just don't know it -was- there....shame.

[@rithirongk]

genius design

[@ToyKingWonder]

300hp 350. Base engine actually. Factory air and auto.

[@itrstt66]

they should have done it in a space shuttle model!!!

[@samuraiman691]

any information on how to contact the toy maker so i can purchase one?

[@ToyKingWonder]

samuraiman691 It is with heavy heart that I convey to you and other readers/watchers that Mr. Joe Becker passed away over a year ago. I feel honored to have known him.

[@samuraiman691]

ToyKingWonder thank you im glad he shared his talents to the world he will be missed rest in peace,,,

[@itrstt66]

how does the plane turn around ? through aerodynamics?

[@ToyKingWonder]

That's a great question. The connector and its connection to the plane is constructed so that it naturally wants to rotate in the direction of pointing the nose of the plane towards you. The forward thrust keeps the plane pointed forward, when it runs out of motion, it rotates 180 degrees because that is its natural position. Imagine it like this. You are on a rowboat, and a giant spring has one end attached to the nose of your boat, and the other is staked into the ground behind you. I shove the boat out into the lake, the force of my push is greater than the tension on the spring. When that forward force diminishes and the spring's tension increases, the nose of the boat would rotate back to facing the shore. So in this scenario when we compare it to the plane, think of the spring as the gravitational force, and the shove of the boat onto the lake would be the equivalent of the force put onto the plane with the rubber band launcher.

[@itrstt66]

@@ToyKingWonder well great answer, grateful for thw work put into it. now does that mean the attachment by which the plane attache to string is spring loaded? cause i also thought of that, despite it seemed way to complex for a cheap home built toy

[@dannyporter76]

This needs to be re made!!!

[@dannyporter76]

In fact are these still for sale? Being made?

[@Sammydx1]

2023. How did I just see this

[@grahamjw75]

I have never seen these before, this is awesome....how were the planes able to turn around? does it swing around due to the nose being heavier on spinner pin or something similar?

[@ToyKingWonder]

Graham, it is simple and ingenious. The position of the hook and the angle of the line, the planes NATURALLY want to go in the down hill, nose-first direction. When you launch them, they are going against their natural orientation by the physical force of the launch. When they run out of steam, as it were, from their launch, simple gravity makes them turn around and then slide down. It is great fun, especially with the carrier. When it cools down, I am going to try for a REALLY long line, as I have a very long backyard. You are limited by the force of the rubber bands, and you have to work the angle so that your return flight has enough gravity to come all the way back. Joe had a lot of information about fine tuning this, and I think I have it written down somewhere...he had it down to a formula for distance and height. You will notice in my video I had it nailed pretty close but not perfect!

[@grahamjw75]

oh ok might have to experiment a little, I like this so much and that set he made out of wood inspired me thank you! great short documentary I bet those things flew off the shelves after Carson

[@ToyKingWonder]

Thanks for the compliment. Want to hear a funny story? After I did that mini-documentary, I continued to google for other information and tidbits. I came across two a-holes that were part of a historical aviation forum. What were they discussing? My documentary, claiming it wasn't "real", and commenting how the sound doesn't "match" and the bad video quality. (I will be first to admit, I don't sit there in editing and worry that I am a few db off from one voice over to the next. Never mind that for long discussions I record in a sound booth and for quickie sound ads I do it right next to the computer with a completely different mic, but never mind, these are youtube videos out out for enjoyment, not for appreciation of sound mix. As for the video quality, that is what I had to work with and the commercials that were sent to me). So these two idiots go on and on about how I "don't know what I am talking about". Geez, I spent a lot of time talking to the INVENTOR of the toy and worked hours with various models, I am probably one of the BEST in terms of knowledge of this item. It is beyond me what their problem was. So, I joined their lousy forum just so I could say in their "public" space what I thought of them, and to please challenge me as to what part of the documentary was false. Of course, no answer. The internet is full of people with big mouths, no brains.

[@ToyKingWonder]

Yes, Joe Becker sent me the commercials and the Johnny Carson episode on a CD. I still have a huge folder of documentation. Letters from the Boy Scouts, who had used the toy to help explain gravity, an entire into flying, etc. Piper Aircraft bought some for their aviation centers for display. Schools bought some to teach kids about coordination, and how one small change in a control can make a big difference in something else. I had no idea. Some other interesting bits--Joe was on the beach for the one commercial where they show the Carrier launching the plane when the filmed the commercial. Kind of neat that the actual inventor was right there, how often does that happen. Also, I may have mentioned, I have the original prototype for the control stick for the Barnstormer set. Joe cobbled it together both from things he made and an actual stick from another set. I miss Joe!

[@ToyKingWonder]

Oh, and here is something else. Joe designed other games. One of which is a very rare airplane board game, I should profile it. I bought a mint one off eBay!

[@deanhatton9317]

Where can I get one?

[@ToyKingWonder]

Dean, keep your eye on eBay. Let me know if you need more help finding one.

[@chriswright8464]

When toys were cool.

[@amakakeru26]

Conan brought me here

[@ToyKingWonder]

How did Conan bring you here?

[@drewphoric]

@@ToyKingWonder on his podcast he interviewed a toy designer and reminisced about this toy

[@megsie1424]

Same! Listening to it right now. Is this the plane he had?

[@ToyKingWonder]

@@drewphoric Really? Who was the toy designer?

[@drewphoric]

@@ToyKingWonder it was a fan interview so there wasn't a lot of identifying information other than his first name of Ben. It's the most recent episode though if you want to listen to it. Conan O'Brien needs a friend

[@bmckenzie313]

My godparents bought it for me when about 1974

[@scootertaylor113]

I wat one :(

[@numberstation]

In Britain we had something very similar called Flight Deck. It was fucking shit.

[@rjds1800]

This is awesome!