Spin Master has been experiencing tremendous growth, with sales increasing from $3 million in 1994 to $35 million in 1999. In order to ensure continued success for both itself and its international partners, Spin Master is constantly developing new and exciting toy lines for the future, as well as expanding their existing lines. Recent years have seen the Flick Trix line grow from just skateboards, to include snowboards, bicycles and motorcross. The extreme sports lines have even crossed over into the action figure category with the inclusion of figures scaled to the various extreme sports accessories.

Air Hogs actually first debuted in 1998 with the Sky Shark™, which proved to be a big hit for Spin Master, selling in the neighborhood of a million units. While kids loved the plane, and parents were happy with the safety features inherent in a product that doesn't utilize batteries or fuel, Spin Master wasn't content to stop there. The company continued to look for ways to improve the Air Hogs line, which has led to the two latest entries into the Air Hogs line: Liberator and Aftershock.

The Liberator™, styled after great planes of the past, has the same great flight performance as previous Air Hogs airplanes, yet is evidence of the major advancements in the plane's design and durability. When dealing with such a intricate science as flight, one must recognize that every milligram of weight affects a toy plane's performance. However, the Air Hogs design team has come up with a highly durable plastic body design. This new body insures the long life of the plane, while maintaining performance.

Another new innovation is the quick release wing system. This system was designed for those times when the plane comes into direct contact with either the ground, a tree or other otherwise immovable objects. Upon impact, the wings are easily detached from the fuselage of the plane, preventing breakage.

Having conquered the skies, Spin Master looked to the ground with it's Air Hogs™ Aftershock™ monster truck. Once again, the need for gas or batteries is eliminated. Just pump it up...but this time the pump is onboard. The Aftershock comes ready to go with its pump built into the vehicle so that refueling is made easier. Aftershock also features the re-engineered R.A.I.D. 2 (Revolutionary Air Intake Design) Air Pressure Engine, that has a real metal flywheel for super torque.

Aftershock also introduces the first ever Smash Down suspension system. There are 4 different suspension modes, depending on which kind of terrain you choose to challenge your Aftershock with. Set the suspension on Killer Crush to climb over obstacles, Monster Dash for a full steam ahead assault, Power Climb when attacking uphill terrain, and Creepy Steps for going downhill. Our new Smash Down suspension system lets kids take their Air Hogs™ Aftershock™ everywhere their imagination will take them.

In the category of cool, innovative and fun toys, Spin Master is certainly a company to watch.

[Posted 11/06/2000]