From the 80's: The half an aluminum can toy you could throw like a football

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - From the 80's: The half an aluminum can toy you could throw like a football

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:14:13 PM EDT

Can anyone remember the name of this toy:

It was pretty much like an aluminum can, except the top was missing and it was cut to only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the oridinal length.

You would throw it almost like a football. On a good day it would go about 20 to 30 feet.

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:15:06 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
Can anyone remember the name of this toy:

It was pretty much like an aluminum can, except the top was missing and it was cut to only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the oridinal length.

You would throw it almost like a football. On a good day it would go about 20 to 30 feet.

"TooBee" is what it was called

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:16:51 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
"TooBee" is what it was called

Yep.

Good item.

I'd like to get one.

P.S. And maybe a Pet Rock too.

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:17:05 PM EDT

[#3]

holy smokes that's it! Thank you!

I knew it had 'bee' somewhere in the name.

And they still make it!

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:27:14 PM EDT

[#4]

www.toobee.com/movie3.html

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:29:10 PM EDT

[#5]

I had one, it was made from a Fresca can. very fun but also very delicate for a kids toy.
ETA: I bought it directly from the manufacturer when it was featured in "whats new" in Popular Science Magazine. I think I got in in 1978 way before anyone knew what it was.
I got a lot of amazed gawkers the first time I played with it outside.

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:29:14 PM EDT

[#6]

Do not make go back in time.

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:30:10 PM EDT

[#7]

I could've sworn they made those out of plastic (too).

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:46:23 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
I could've sworn they made those out of plastic (too).

The Turbo Tube!

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:48:11 PM EDT

[#9]

On their website: World distance record is 283 feet.

holy crap! i didnt know they could fly that far!

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:49:45 PM EDT

[#10]

You can do the same thing by cutting out the bottom of a plastic 35mm film canister.

We used to chuck those around all the time.

LB

Posted: 3/5/2006 3:54:14 PM EDT

[#11]

on their website, they have some special for a "free" toobee, just pay S&H

for $6.96, I'll see what I get.

Posted: 3/5/2006 4:04:05 PM EDT

[#12]

Once again I am amazed at the knowledge base of this site.
For years I thought it was only my brother and a few childhood friends that knew what a Toobee was.
Everytime a discussion at work came to childhood toys everyone I knew would be clueless about the Toobee.
Thanks for giving me a nice childhood flashback. I love this site!!!!

Posted: 3/5/2006 4:05:58 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
on their website, they have some special for a "free" toobee, just pay S&H

for $6.96, I'll see what I get.

At first you say shit, it's just a fuckin soda can.
It goes away after the first successful toss.

Posted: 3/5/2006 4:20:17 PM EDT

[#14]

tag for more input. but one free sounds ok..

Posted: 3/5/2006 4:48:18 PM EDT

[#15]

And for the military trivia, what was the name of the grenade launcher round that made use of this projectile shape?

Posted: 3/5/2006 4:55:14 PM EDT

[#16]

M79?

/cringe

Posted: 3/5/2006 6:02:31 PM EDT

[#17]

simple enough to make a toobee with a decent can opener and a pair of sciccors.

i've done it with just a SAK.

Posted: 3/5/2006 6:06:23 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
simple enough to make a toobee with a decent can opener and a pair of sciccors.

i've done it with just a SAK.

Trick is finding the right shaped can. All the homemade copies I've seen have been abortions

Posted: 3/5/2006 6:19:41 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
And for the military trivia, what was the name of the grenade launcher round that made use of this projectile shape?

Ring Airfoil Grenade... but I never heard of a toobee

ETA. The concept is still used for less than lethal projectiles

Posted: 3/5/2006 6:24:04 PM EDT

[#20]

I made one from a Coke can at Ft. Gordon back in '85 and used to wing it around with some buddies. Some NCO took it during a health and welfare inspection because they didn't know what it was (although I demonstrated it). You should've seen the nasty look I got when I said I'd make another one later.

As I recall about the projectile, the Army rejected it because they couldn't figure out why it flew. They thought the upper and lower portions of the "wing" should cancel each other out.

Posted: 3/5/2006 6:37:33 PM EDT

[#21]

I didn't know they made a commercial version of what we made out of coke cans. Cool!

Posted: 3/5/2006 6:41:25 PM EDT

[#22]

tag

Posted: 3/5/2006 6:42:29 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Quoted:
And for the military trivia, what was the name of the grenade launcher round that made use of this projectile shape?

Ring Airfoil Grenade... but I never heard of a toobee

ETA. The concept is still used for less than lethal projectiles

Sting Ring riot control device. Fired by a special blank from the M16

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - From the 80's: The half an aluminum can toy you could throw like a football

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