First released in Japan by Bandai as part of the Machine Robo Series range, these larger scale, mostly highly detailed models were quickly added to the US Gobots, EU Robo Machine and AU Machine Men lines.
The Machine Robo Scale Robo, Machine Robo DX and Big Machine Robo lines, loosely became Super Gobots Series 1 and 2 while Series 3 also having been designed in Japan were not released for the Japanese market. Series 3 Super Gobots see the most US / EU variants and as more than half of the series were produced in limited numbers, some very limited they have become very collector desirable.
Additional Details on the Super Gobots Index Page
Region Codes Used: JP Japan / US United States / CA Canada / AU Australia / EU Europe
NOTE: Location codes only shown where items were known to be released. This list is accurate yet likely to be incomplete.
Super Gobots Series 2 031 US/CA Tonka (army camo) 1985
Machine Robo Scale Robo MRDX-06 JP Bandai (army camo with blue eyes) 1983
Machine Robo Scale Robo MRDX-06 JP Bandai (black with red eyes) 1983
Line Unknown EWL-132
Stamping:
Machine Robo Scale Robo (long barrel with box covers) stamped 'Japan 1983 Bandai Scalerobo (Japanese text 'Saladin') MKII 1/60 Scale (c) GK'
Super Gobots (short barrel side open boxes) stamped 'Japan 1983 Bandai Scalerobo (Japanese text 'Saladin') MKII 1/60 Scale (c) GK'
Unknown release (short barrel side open boxes) stamped '(c) Bandai 1983 G Japan [rectangular mark where 'Bandai' is on other versions]'
Saladin is the only Machine Robo Scale Robo DX model to be released in the Super Gobots Series 2 assortment.
It is unconfirmed whether Saladin or Defendor saw a release in Europe for or Australia.
Variations The Machine Robo Scale Robo versions both come with a long barrel, opening turret hatches and ammunition boxes with removable lids. Tonka initially released the long barrel turret version and the body cast with the removable lid ammunition boxes minus the lids. This was soon replaced with a short, non-removable barrel version with the turret hatches cast as part of the turret and unable to be opened. Changes were made to address choking hazard concerns.
In addition the Machine Robo Scale Robo release included a rocket firing hand weapon with six rockets (same mould as the Western release) and a smaller, non-firing handgun. This version also included three antenna, a turret mounted machine gun and three mounted lights. These extra parts were issued on sprues in the same way model kit parts are sold and the Western releases still include the holes where these parts attach. The parts were also not included with the Tonka releases due to choking hazard concerns.
