Flip Top - Gobots

Kaman Robo MR-40

This model was originally designed in Japan by Bandai and released for their Machine Robo Series line as Kaman Robo*. By this time Tonka's successful rebranding to 'Gobots' and US distribution saw the now more established name 'Flip Top' applied and adopted for Robo Machine in Europe and the Australian Machine Men release; predominantly to benefit from the Challenge of the Gobots cartoon. Multilingual Robo Machine cardbacks display both Kaman Helicopter and Flip Top in the name section.

* Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is the real world helicopter the model's design is 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: JP Japan / US United States / CA Canada / AU Australia / EU Europe / TWN Taiwan
NOTE: Region codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely incomplete.

 

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FLIP TOP - 7.7 cm minus back mounted rotor

Gobots 33 Series 2 US/CA Tonka Reduced Stickers ('NAVY USA' tail stickers) 1985
Gobots Guardian Gift Pack #1 US Tonka ('NAVY USA' tail sticker) 1985
Robo Machine RM-40 EU Bandai ('NAVY MR-40' tail stickers) 1985*
Machine Men AU Bandai ('NAVY USA' tail stickers) 1985

HELICOPTER II

Robo Machines Series 3 EU Bandai ('ROBO MACHINES' decals & more vibrant stickers than MR-40 overall) 1993*

KAMAN ROBO

Machine Robo Series MR-40 Bandai ('NAVY MR-40' tail stickers) 1984*

C-15 - Bootleg

'Machine Robo Series' [Light Blue] TWN (modified MR-40 stickers) Sold on cardback and in official MR shaped boxes with basic photo images

UNNAMED - Bootleg

Machine Robot - Bootleg TWN [MR-40 Colour] Sold in window front, rainbow coloured boxes with a punched card hanger

* Machine Robo Series or modified for Robo Machines extra sticker sheet issued with this release.

CREDIT: Thank you to Lionel Tosan for supplying tail sticker information for the Robo Machine release.

 

FLIP TOP
Gobots

Gobots Flip Top in Robot Mode Flip Top in SH-2 Seasprite Helicopter Mode
Gobots Flip Top Shown in Both Modes

 

KAMAN ROBO / FLIP TOP
Machine Robo Series / Robo Machine / Machine Men

Machine Robo Series Kamen Robo MR-40 in Robot Mode Machine Robo Series Kamen Robo MR-40 in SH-2 Seasprite Helicopter Mode
Box for Machine Robo Series Kamen Robo MR-40 Stickers Sheet for Kamen Robo MR-40 Instructions Sheet for Kamen Robo MR-40
Cardbaclk for Flip Top Machine Men

 

HELICOPTER II
Robo Machines

Robo Machines Helicopter II in Robot Mode Robo Machines Helicopter II in SH-2 Seasprite Helicopter Mode
Robo Machines Helicopter II on Card Cardback / Backing Card for Robo Machines Helicopter II Sticker Sheet for Robo Machines Helicopter II Instructions Sheet for Robo Machines Helicopter II

 

C-15 - Bootleg
'Machine Robo Series'

C-15 Light Blue Flip Top Gobots Bootleg in Robot Mode C-15 Flip Top Bootleg in Light Blue Kaman SH-2 Seasprite Helicopter Mode flip top c-15 bootleg ko machine robo series light blue comparison
C-15 Light Blue Flip Top Bootleg on Card Cardback / Backing Card for Light Blue C-15 Flip Top Bootleg

 


Prototype showing variant colour scheme, stickers and silver rotor.

 

 
Variant release examples.

 

 

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