While still designed by Bandai, as part of Series 3, Vamp was not releasd in Japan for Machine Robo.
Vamp is the closest upscale of the 600 Series original version. The Super Leader-1 is a very close match to the smaller figure, however it incorporates ratchet shoulder joints and new locking mechanisms not seen on the 600 Series model vs. Vamp that is very much scaled up version in sculpt and build.
Additional Details on the Super Gobots Index Page
Region Codes Used: 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 3 033 US/CA Tonka 1986
Robo Machine Super Gobots EU Bandai 1986*
Super Machine Men AU Bandai 1986
Stamping:
Robo Machine Super Gobots '(c) Bandai Singapore'
*While the smaller 600 Series scale figure had retained the original Machine Robo Series name 'Casmodon', as the US Gobots character names had started replacing the original Robo Machine titles the Super scale figure was released as 'Vamp'. The European packaging also used the same art as the US Super Gobots version however for an unknown reason the finned tail section was recoloured bright pink/red. The figure was never released with this section cast in red. With both US and EU packaging sharing the same art both incorrectly display the model with the finned section upright in robot mode vs. the Machine Men photo packaging that displays the robot form correctly.
Unlike the Super scale Cy-Kill and Leader-1 models that closely follow their original, smaller 600 Series scale designs (the latter almost identically) Vamp is the only upscaled model to 1:1 replicate the 600 Series version.
Prototype A prototype for Vamp was pictured in a Tonka product trade catalogue with only four of the eight vertical sections across the chest painted blue, the eight rectangular sections on the upper back painted teal and the rectangular ribbed sections on the back of each shoulder painted the same light blue as used on the front of the model. The same prototype model appeared as part of an assortment photograph on the rear of some figure packaging boxes.
CREDIT Prototype image kindly supplied by Jörg Zimmermann.
