Content Co-Collected with Screwhead
"F-15 Fighter Converts to Mighty Motortized Robot"
Fight-R-Bot is one of the earlier examples of self converting, monopod robot toys that paved the way for the hundreds that followed.
Originally designed by Yonezawa Corporation in Japan, better known for previously creating tin toys, the model hints at its origins by including a firm, play gimmick theme.
Yonezawa first released this toy in Japan as Eagle Robo then later direct to the West as Fighter Robo. The latter as a one off toy not associated with a specific lines. A year later it was distributed again under license via Grandstand in Europe for their Convertors* line and in United States, New Zealand, Canada and Australia through Village Toys as part of Convert-A-Bots. In Japan the toy was offered in grey as well as a white version with extra paint detail.
* no connection to the USA based SELECT Convertors; see separate page this site.
Fight-R-Bot is connected by wire to a three function switch controller. Switched to the right, the robot rolls forward, middle is stop and right sees the robot convert to its F-15 Eagle mode and again roll forward. Although it's a simple transformation relying on both the motor and gravity, it makes a decent looking robot and jet.
See Convert-A-Bots main index for further details.
Region Codes Used: US United States / CA Canada / AU Australia / NZ New Zealand / EU Europe - Location codes only shown where items were known to be released.
This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete. If you are able to confirm release in other regions please get in contact.
Convert-A-Bots US/CA/AU/NZ Village Toys (grey) 1985
Remote Change Robo JP Yonezawa (white) 1984
Remote Change Robo JP Yonezawa (grey) 1984
Convertors EU Grandstand (grey) 1985
Playbots US Sounds & Design Imports (grey) 1985
No Line US (grey) 1985
No Line US/CA/EU Yonezawa (grey) 1985 (box shows 1984)
No Line EU Company Unknown (grey) 1985
No Line EU Company Unknown (grey with red arms, head and launcher) 1985
Stamped: Yonezawa Corporation (c) 1985 Made in Singapore. Most non Yonezawa branded releases are only stamped Made in Taiwan.
NOTE There are two socket holes to the rear of the canopy that the launcher can be plugged into. There are also two sockets under the wings presumably both for launchers. While some versions of this toy's instructions show the launcher can be plugged in on top of the plane, it's not a widely advertised feature. No official release was sold with two launchers. It was likely a last minute cost saving change that removed the second launcher and this feature.
PLAYBOTS This version while very similar has a very different sculpt to the robot's front and upper feet. Some of the factory applied stickers are the same with extras added. Further stickers are offered on a separate sheet along with a separate sticker guide. The guide shows slight differences to the supplied sticker sheet.
It shows 'USO' while the stickers have 'UFO' and the stripes on the feet are
both red, while the stickers are red and white. The Playbots release also includes the same behind canopy sockets, however the under wing holes are too small for the launcher. This error was likely realised as while the box's photo shows the launcher under the wing, the instructions indicate it can go in the body sockets with no mention of the wings.
Original Japanese Yonezawa Release
Also came in grey
One of Many Bootlegs