1970s VINTAGE CLOVER GOKIN GATTAI GUNDAM COMBINATION SET

When you think of Gundam, you'd probably think of Bandai. But before Bandai, there was another toy company named Clover that produced Gundam toys in the 1970s. Clover sponsored an animation called Gunboy (which later changed to Gundam) and they began producing diecast toys based on the prototype Gundam designs. When the animation didn't fare too well in it's first season, Clover pulled the plug. That was when Bandai came in and took over.

I've always wanted a gokin (diecast) Gundam because this robot is so iconic. It took me a long time to find one in the secondary market which is complete and also for the right (affordable) price. I've just got this yesterday..I've got some mixed feelings.

Very nice box art that shows the toy as well as the illustration of Gundam. Mine is the Italian version, made in Singapore under license from Nippon Sunrise Tokyo. Obviously this is Rx-78-02 but the box didn't state that, this toy was based on a prototype remember?

The toy features three parts :- head & body, waist (the spaceship) and hips and legs. First let's look at the spaceship. The cockpit was supposed to be chromed, but due to age and play wear, almost 95% of the chrome is gone. Also the nose of the ship is very loose, I've to improvise to make it stay in shape.

Press the blue lever on the cockpit, and it fires the nose cone!

The set comes with three landing gears with wheels that can be attached to the bottom of the ship for rolling action.

Now for the combination! This is how the box illustration looks like, the ship with the nose cone and back wings attached and the side wings folded up.

But to truly combine the toy, the nose cone and back wing had to be removed. The cockpit is then swiveled down to form the waist.

The diescast contents is in the chest and legs.

Back view and side view.

This toy has a lot of weapons and firing features. First off - firing fist!

He comes with 2 shields!

He's got a shoulder bazooka with firing missile gimmick!

He also comes with his extremely short beam saber. The beam saber can be stored behind the robot.

Gundam with his rifle / gun.

And finally he comes with a huge battle axe!

Here's Gundam with ALL his weapons!

One final gimmick, the landing gears can be attached to the back of Gundam for some rolling action.

My specimen is made in Singapore. I couldn't find any indication of date on this toy, so probably this toy was in the market around late 70s. (Gundam premiered in 1979)

I've mixed feelings because the joints are very loose on my specimen and also there's huge amount of paint loss. The good news is it still display quite nicely, have all the parts and this is one rare toy to find. Clover produced another combination set which is bigger. Basically its the same robot but with added parts to make tank and a larger spaceship. eBay prices ranges from USD350-600 depending on condition.

www.patmuseum.wix.com/collectibles.