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D. Baker
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2025
I bought one of these years ago and it has provided lots of amusement, particularly in a nice breeze. It has weathered the seasons well, although it does spend the winter in the hangar (garage). That said, it has been a process getting it to function well. Here's what I've learned along the way. First, the short fuselage is not very effective at turning the plane into the wind, so I fashioned an aluminum tail extension and made it look like a flag. I know, I get no points for artistic ability. This allows the lightest breeze to weathervane the plane into the wind, and the prop starts spinning. Second, a little waterproof grease on the shaft's contact points helps a lot. On the downside, the construction on this whirligig is what you would expect - meaning it's pretty rough and constructed with thin metal. Because of my older model's improvements it really goes, even in a light breeze. But as a result, and even with lube, I've had to do a hip replacement on the dog because the motion had enlarged the holes where the pivot goes through his body. So, I decided to purchase a replacement.Sadly, the new model I ordered is not an improvement over, or even as good as, the older model. It has a very poorly designed propellor shaft, which degrades the movement of our dog-pilot. I've pictured the older shaft (the greasy one) and the newer, showing the greater offset in the older shaft and hence better movement of the dog. I'm convinced that even with my flag mod and some grease, the newer will need quite a strong wind to function and the dog's range of motion will be less, so it will be returned.The bottom line is this is a potential hit for the pilot/dog lover out there, (me), but expect to do some work to reach its full utility.
Jeepgal
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024
It looks as expected, but some parts of it are quite thin and were bent. I carefully straightened them though and hope it won’t interfere with it working properly. Fun and cute though. I’m creating a memorial garden in my front yard for my parents, my father and mother in law and my husband. I miss them all so much. I’ve chosen items that represent things they loved for their separate sections. This is for my dad who was a pilot and had a silly, whimsical side.
DD
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
This is such a fun piece for my garden. It’s made well and works great so far.
Irishkate
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2024
Check out this cute dog with the airplane props that move with the wind. Bought for a gift and they loved it.
Amanda
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024
Great addition to the garden a little stiff the basic wind not strong enough to grt it moving but definitely cute!
K. Shattles
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024
I am loving this little guy riding his airplane. It cracks me up when the wind is blowing because as the propeller spins, he bounces up and down!
RJB
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2023
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Mr. J
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2016
OK I bought this last year after reading most of the reviews even those warning that it takes gale force wind to make it work. I can tell you it does. It worked one time for me and that is because it was pouring down rain which I think turned the propeller. If you haven't bought this yet don't. It does not work very well. I am writing this review for those who did buy it I want to share how I changed it to make it function. Rather than throw it away or just look at it sit there I disconnected the crank mechanism, took out the propeller, glued a large plastic nut from a toilet seat that I drilled a hole in the top, inserted a shortened pinwheel and it works great.. The propeller turns, the airplane moves when the wind shifts but the dog does not go up and down. I had to take that mechanism out. But I will say with the pinwheel I am very pleased. Beats throwing it away.
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