A real curve ball this one! Did it exist? Yes. Did Matchbox mass produce it? Well, kind of...
The Helicopter Chase set was a Speedtrack surprise for 1979. It was certainly promised to the dealers at the time, as witnessed by the extensive marketing drive in that year. These images are from the 1979 Speedtrack catalogue and the set was reasonaby progressed to production.
However, it does not seem to have seen the light of day. If these sets ever existed, it is surely in very small quantities? No matter, Matchbox certainly did produce the Helicopter vehicle and it is a common 'Skybusters' model, the SB-25 Rescue Helicopter (below).
Quite how the helicopter performed we will probably never know. It's important to remember that because three vehicles are supplied, Matchbox obviously felt the Helicopter was fine for a few minutes, then the novelty wore off. Never mind, further evidence of how compelled someone at Matchbox was to be creative all the time...
