VINTAGE 1977 POPY CHOGOKIN DAITETSUJIN 17 DX GA-81

Daitetsujin Wan-Sebun is a 1977 Tokusatsu (live action TV drama) series created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei. I've seen this Popy Chogokin Daitetsujin 17 toy locally that comes with a box. Unfortunately, it's missing all the mini vehicles and missiles. I skipped that and had been hunting for it for a long time. In the secondary market, this toy is very expensive for its size and a mint complete specimen is hard to come by. Early this month, I saw one that is complete with box going for a reasonable price plus it has a best offer option and comes with free shipping. I made an offer (20% discount from their price) and they agreed!

The toy arrived today and I am really glad I got it. For the price, it has it's flaws. Firstly the box is missing the top flap. However the pictures are still in vivid colors.

The styrofoam box is still in decent shape. The accessories are in a plastic baggie.

What I like about this purchase is that the toy is almost complete. He comes with

a) 4 fists

b) 5 Grabidon Missile (This description is from the US Godaikin version)

c) 1 Grabidon Missile Launcher

d) 6 Mini vehicles - 2 x plane, 2 x submachines, 1 x tank (missing 1), 1 x drill vehicle and 1 x vehicle (unsure of the name)

Based on the reference page below, my specimen is only missing 1 tank. The other two vehicles above (center blue tank and right) are also from Daitetsujin 17 series. But I guess that is from another Popy Daitetsujin toy. If you know about this, do leave a comment.

Let's take a look at the robot. This is a small size robot despite being in DX class. However it is super duper heavy, with tons of diecast (90% I guess is diecast). It looks great on display.

Play Features:

1 - Shooting Fist

2 - Shooting Grabidon Missile (this is like the final attack mode in the series)

Daitetsujin 17 chest piece flips up and the missile launcher can be placed inside.

Below is the close up of the Grabidon Missile Launcher.

The firing fists and missile launcher still works great!

Play Feature 3 - His feet flips up to reveal storage space for the mini vehicles

Play Feature 4 - Rolling wheels on Feet

Play Feature 5 - Transformation to Flying Fortress 17.

First push down his head mask to cover the eyes.

Remove the missile launcher. Fold his arms and place his hands in the area where the missile launcher was.

Now his body will fold like accordion to transform to the Flying Fortress 17.

Finally flip the back wings, flip up the antenna and back fins and the transformation is complete!

Play Feature 6 - In the Flying Fortress mode, both the back wings have launcher to shoot the mini vehicles. And my specimen is still working perfectly.

There you go. My review of the vintage Popy DX Chogokin Daitetsujin 17. One thing that is noticably missing in this toy is the lack of swords and guns. Can't blame that because it the series Daitetsujin fights without them. He's sort of like a unarmed martial artist.

Even without swords and guns, this toy is really cool. It is packed with accessories, full of play features, lots of diecast, able to transform and looks good on the shelf.