Toys made from old wire can be found in many parts of Africa. It is part of the long tradition of the ‘push along’ toy or galimoto made from scrap materials. These toys can be found in use in many rural areas and some of them are very old. They have also become popular with the tourist market and some are now mass produced for this purpose – usually by companies operating within a fairtrade framework trying to give appropriate and relevant employment to local people.

This helicopter has the long handle that is usually associated with the push along but with no wheels it cannot work in this way, and the handle is there for balance. The maker has to work out the details of the helicopter to include in the design and then has to make it into a stable sturdy and representational creation. This one has moving rotary blades on the top of the helicopter and carefully observed details of design.

In traditional toys old and reused or recycled wire were used, usually from coat hangers or fencing. As this helicopter is of a more commercial design it seems that new wire has been used.