Just cock it by pushing the nose....
It's true that the durability of the product is based upon showing your kids how to push the plane back from the nose, rather than pulling it by the tail. If you pull on the tail, it will rip. But it has to be soft so you can shoot them around in the house. It would be nice if there were replacement planes available, though (we had some neighbors do some damage). I can definitely see the gun outlasting the plane. But our kids have had loads of fun with it. I'm ordering a few more so they can shoot them back and forth. 5 stars for me based upon how much fun the kids have had with it for $15.

Plane not durable
We bought one of these planes for my son when he was 3 and had a second one given as a gift when he was 4. Both planes lasted only one day before the foam ripped at the plastic piece that goes into the loader. We taped it together and got another week out of it but it really is just a poor design. There is so much foam hangin over the plastic that when a kid pushes the plane into the launcher it just causes it to rip the foam at the plastic. We had no problems with the launchers. For the review which Fisher price claims to have sold thousands without complaints I didn't complain either (both times), but that still doesn't mean there is not a problem with their design. Its just not to many people complain about items under $[...] (especially toys). I don't think they want to, but they could fix this by making the plastic part of the plane that goes into the launcher into a solid piece that extends the length of the plane. If it is kept concealed inside the foam part and rounded like a popsicle stick it is still not a safety issue as Fisher Price had eluded to. Great toy that was alot of fun, but the fun will last only a few days (if you have tape handy).

Great idea, tragically flawed
This was a great toy for about 2 days. Totally shredded and worthless since you can't buy new planes for the launcher. The plastic piece ripped right of the foam after using it a few times. Total piece of junk. Great concept but needs to be WAY more durable for child play.

Great toy but parents have to show how it is done
I bought this toy for my son 6 weeks ago and it is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. I see bad reviews and nearly all stem from people misusing the toy. If you hand cock the toy pulling the plane by the tail it will tear easily. Apparently, people cannot read or understand the toy cocks itself! Show your child to grasp the plane by the nose and push it into the channel and it will begin to cock itself. You have to shake the holder 4 times for it to fully wind up. My two year old has launched this thing over and over with no problems. He wouldn't otherwise is unable to cock toy like the foam dart guns. I logged on to this site to buy 3 more so the kids can launch the planes back and forth. By the way, the planes are fragile because are built of soft foam to keep them completely harmless-we shoot it around the house all the time.

Shake 'n Go Flyer not easy to use but lots of fun
This is an excellent toy for under 5 yrs old kids and dads to share together. While the launcher isn't easy for younger boys to operate by themselves, dads will find it easy to prep for their sons to launch-a 'together' kind of toy for youngsters and fathers.