| Glider Launcher | |
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Cancelled |
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The Glider Launcher is a 1996 Nerf Aero blaster that holds 3 Aero Gliders. It is no longer available. It is the only blaster to include Aero Gliders. It was initially a direct molding copy of the NB-1 Missile Blaster, before being slightly modified. It underperformed in its day.
Description[]
The Glider Launcher is a recolored NB-1 Missile Blaster without the ammunition holders. It is the exact same with the exception of a new color scheme and ammo.
History[]
It was made in 1996 and started the Aero series. However, the launchers and the gliders performed poorly, and the entire product ultimately never had a full release onto shelves, as according to sources, the product could have only partially made it past a prototype stage. However, some number of the launchers and gliders were mass-produced, making the Glider Launcher technically a prototype blaster, which is evident in the molding differences between the different versions.
In an old Daily press article named "TOY STORY: NASA MEETS NERF", the entire article never calls the blaster or gliders anything more than a prototype, and makes several direct references to the blaster being cancelled in favor of the throwable Ultra Stunt Glider and Super Soaring Glider.
Variations[]
Four unique versions of the blaster exist.
Unpainted - the earliest version, uses the exact same mold as the NB-1, comes with yellow & black camo gliders.
Painted version 1 - has orange speckles of paint throughout it, has a modified barrel tip; and comes with two orange, black, & purple gliders; and a third glider that is only orange and black.
Painted version 2 - has orange speckles of paint throughout it in a different pattern, same modified barrel tip, but comes with red & black gliders. This version is seemingly the rarest.
Catalog-only blue: a version of the blaster that has a dark blue shell with a similar pattern of orange speckles of paint as the two painted yellow versions. Strangely, it has ammo holders and is most likely a modified NB-1. It comes with gliders that have large red tips, a yellow body, and plain black fins. The gliders themselves resemble modified Missiles. The blaster and its gliders were ultimately never released, and it was advertised next to the other Aero Product, hinting at it being a later iteration.
Trivia[]
- It is the last of a series of reskins, which began with a Blast Jets blaster in 1989.
- Strangely, it was never advertised in any of Nerf's catalogs.
- It is the most abundant prototype blaster to exist.