Phantom Robo MR-51 / MRJ-5
This model was originally designed in Japan by Bandai and released for their Machine Robo Series line as Phantom Robo. By this time Tonka's successful rebranding to 'Gobots' and US distribution saw the now more established name 'Mach-3' 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 displayed both F-4 Phantom Jet and Mach-3 in the name section.
* McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is the real world aircraft the design for Mach-3 was based on. Interestingly the F-4 Phantom II's top speed is around Mach 2.2, well below Mach 3. Research error or a sly nod to this jet being more than meets the ey... more than it seems?
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
NOTE: Region codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet possibly incomplete.
Gobots 65 Series 3 US/CA Tonka with 3-D Sticker [Grey] 1986 (United States Air Force Stickers)** ***
Robo Machine RM-67 EU Bandai [Grey] 1986 (Royal Air Force Stickers)**
Machine Men AU Bandai [Grey] 1986 (United States Air Force Stickers)**
Machine Robo Series MR-51 JP Bandai [White] 1985 (Japan Air Self-Defense Force Stickers) * ****
Machine Robo Revenge of Cronos MRJ-5 [White] JP Bandai (updated instructions art) 1986 (JASDF Stickers) * ****
* Machine Robo Series extra sticker sheet issued with this release.
** Regionally modified Machine Robo Series stickers issued pre-applied.
*** Unconfirmed whether distributed without 3-D Sticker offer.
**** The ghosted word 'PHANTOM' is missing from AP stickered box. This may relate to Ashi Productions (AP) taking ownership of the character for the production of the Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos anime.
Prototype A white Phantom Robo with USAF wing stickers was sent to Tonka as a prototype Mach-3 by Bandai for model / colour consideration and approval. It's unknown whether a dark grey version was also sent or if it was Tonka's desire to request the darker tone and Bandai used this version for the European Robo Machine and Australian Machine Men releases as well.
CREDIT Prototype example kindly provided by Chris Ingledue.
