Tomcat Robo MR-51
This model was originally designed in Japan by Bandai and released for their Machine Robo Series line as Tomcat Robo. By this time Tonka's successful rebranding to 'Gobots' and US distribution saw the now more established name 'Sky-Jack' 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 F14 Tomcat (without the hyphen) and Sky-Jack in the name section.
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 70 Series 3 US/CA Tonka with 3-D Sticker [Black and Yellow Striped Sticker] 1986*
Robo Machine RM-59 EU Bandai [Black and Yellow Striped Sticker] 1986
Machine Men AU Bandai [Dark Grey Plastic, Black and Yellow Striped Sticker] 1986
Machine Robo Series MR-52 JP Bandai [Lighter Grey Plastic, Red, White and Blue Striped Sticker, USAF Wing Stickers] 1985
* Unsure whether distributed without 3-D Sticker offer.
Canopy Colour: (Credit to Pil Grim for his research)
While it's been traditionally thought that blue, clear or yellow canopy colours were indicative of distribution region, with time and targeted observation it appears that many canopies across all releases started blue and over time becomes clear, turns yellow then finally in extreme cases deep amber. Observation was made of a Tomcat Robo, sealed on a Bandai Cronos blister card and stored away from UV light and in favourable conditions. It was removed from the blister in 2018 with a blue canopy and by 2023 the canopy was yellow.
With more research it may be possible to identify which distributions canopy discolouration was more prevalent. Some canopies do stay blue and it's likely only examples from a particular factory or production run are impacted. However due to the mix and match nature of Sky-Jack's components due to it being a late run figure, any loose figure may experience this discolouration. First release Machine Robo and Gobots Sky-Jacks canopy's appear to stay blue while second release Machine Robo and late release Gobots versions, possibly made with Macau canopies seem to have this issue.
Main Body Colour:
Machine Robo Series: Very Light Grey
Machine Men: Dark Grey
Gobots & Robo Machine: Predominantly light grey. Some darker grey examples have been sighted and this is likely due to Sky-Jack being one of the last figures released and with sales winding down there was a mixture issued towards the end to clear supply.
MACAU stamped light grey Sky-Jacks are most likely to be a Robo Machine release.
MACAU stamped dark grey are most likely Machine Men.
Stickers:
Machine Robo Series - Red, White and Blue Striped Stickers, USAF Wing Stickers and Silver Tail Stickers.
All other lines - Black and Yellow Striped Sticker.
Prototype The white, light blue canopy prototype shown below was sent to Tonka by Bandai for consideration. As this is such an early stage prototype it's possible it is an Tomcat Robo prototype and not one specifically created for Tonka as many others were. This prototype does not have lower arms or a head.
CREDIT Prototype and carded Machine Men images kindly provided by Chris Ingledue and Chris Janda Ralph respectively.
