P-38 Lightning RM-66
This model was originally designed in Japan by Bandai for inclusion in their Machine Robo Series toy line but it did not see distribution in that country. Many of the Series 3 Gobots were unused Machine Robo Series prototypes never intended for production and released purely to keep up with demand from the West for more Gobots, Robo Machine and Machine Men figures. As this model did not have an original Machine Robo Series name the Tonka Gobots character name Bolt was adopted for all Western releases. Multilingual Robo Machine blister cards show both P-38 Lightning and Bolt in the name section.
* Lockheed P-38 Lightning is the real world aircraft the design for Bolt was based on.
Further details are below, on the Series 1 Index and for more in-depth reading see the Toy Line History page.
Region Codes Used: US United States / CA Canada / AU Australia / EU Europe
NOTE: Region codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely incomplete.
Gobots 68 Series 3 US/CA Tonka with 3-D Sticker 1985*
Robo Machine RM-66 EU Bandai 1986
Machine Men AU Bandai 1986
* unconfirmed whether distributed without 3-D Sticker offer.
Prototype All olive green prototype was sent to Tonka by Bandai for model / colour consideration and approval. This prototype includes two hornet like insect stickers and a red nosecone. The production Gobots Bolt cardback front of card art includes the red nosecone and is all olive green indicating it's likely the artist was working from the prototype. The insect stickers are not present in the card art. This prototype also featured in the Tonka 1986, 'World of Entertainment' retailer catalogue.
CREDIT Prototype example kindly provided by Chris Ingledue.
