Speaking of vehicles, do you remember the white spaceship with a detachable front section that would pitch up down its engine noise as you tilted it? Starbird? That was my air defense that complimented the Big-Trak's ground combat superiority.

Still have my grey one that I saved up to buy when i was a kid. Still works!

I have to assume that Rescue Raiders / Armor Alley (really the first RTS) was somehow inspired / connected to Choplifter. Such great games.