Space Vanguard Bulldozer - Astro Changers
Exact distribution details are unclear for this model. While most Convertors models came via Japanese company MARK, a Japanese distributed version hasn't been sighted.
The most common version is the Jumbo Defender, 'Bull' distributed by Select as part of the Convertors toy line. Less common is a version released in Italy under the title, 'Space Vanguard Bulldozer', the only toy sold under the title, 'Astro Changers'.
The Space Vanguard Bulldozer's box is printed with 'Suda mfg PRODUCT OF JAPAN' and that information is often covered by a white sticker showing the Italian regional distributor Ceppi Ratti's details. The Astro Changers toy itself was initially manufactured in Japan then Taiwan. The box text is also printed with either Made in Japan or Made in Taiwan. The Taiwan version has darker tracks, the arm 'BUFFALO' stickers have smaller text and are translucent; see example below. Both versions are otherwise identical. It's unknown whether Japan stamped models were sold in Taiwan stamped boxes and visa versa.
Astro Changers was a failed toy line that ended with one figure. That said, the similarity to MARK's Robot Changers also distributed in Europe and that this model was distributed by them via Select for Convertors draws too many coincidences to not be considered. It's very likely MARK purchased the model from Suda mfg in much the same way other models for Convertors and Robot Changers were acquired from other Japanese companies; often companies going bankrupt. The similarity between the Astro Changers and Robot Changers names also can't be overlooked along with the similarities in logo and character art on the packaging compared to the Convertors cardback art.
While complete speculation, as MARK were renowned for buying up failing company properties, the Space Vanguard Bulldozer may well be the ancestor of the other two lines. If Suda mfg sold not only the toy but possibly their toy department to MARK, at the very least their card art artist, it would explain the single figure for Astro Changers, the matching card art style and the model being reused for Convertors. Astro Changers wasn't successful for Suda, they sold everything to do with the toy and MARK picked it up and ran with it creating two full toy lines largely from similarly scraped together models. Reiterating that this is speculation from limited available information.
Jumbo Defender Bull is a large scale, part plastic part diecast metal toy with a spring loaded, push button, quick change gimmick. Once the legs are rotated into place, a black button on the figure's back is depressed seeing the head pop up and the arms swing out into position. While articulation is limited, it's solid, well made and a stand out item in the Convertors line.
See main Convertors and Robot Changers index page for more details
Region Codes Used: JP Japan / US United States / Canada / AU Australia / IT Italy
NOTE: Location codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete.
Convertors Jumbo Defender US/CA/AU Select 1984
Astro Changers IT Ceppi Ratti 1984
