VINTAGE 1985 G1 TRANSFORMERS JETFIRE AUTOBOT AIR GUARDIAN

18 June 2022

This toy had a unique and complicated history.

If you're a Transformers collector, you probably know the history of this figure.

If not, here's the history in short:

1) Originally this is a VF-1S Super Valkyrie from the Macross series made by Takatoku.

2) Hasbro bought the robot design for its Transformers line and renamed him Jetfire.

3) In 1984 Takatoku went bankrupt. Bandai bought their toy designs.

4) In Japan, Transformers toys were issued by Takara

who is Bandai's competitor.. Bandai refused to allow

this toy to be sold as a Transformers in Japan.

5) To make things more complicated, Macross

was bought by Harmony Gold who renamed the series 'Robotech'

6) Bandai acceded to Hasbro request and allow them to market this toy in US.

7) In the Transformers animation, they had to redesign Jetfire and renamed him Skyfire because this design now belongs to Harmony Gold who bought the Macross license.

Found this in the local market for a reasonable price. The parts are complete. Only missing the transparent red plastic strip decoder to read the bio. The decals are applied. The box art is beautiful.

Pic below - Notice the name Valkyrie on the box

The toy had yellowed which is a common issue.

It comes with the instruction sheet and a mini poster/catalogue.

As of today, this toy is 37 years old. Plastic do degrade over time. It was kinda scary (afraid it might snap) to flip up the tail fins as it was very tight. Luckily everything is alright.

This jet looks like Tomcat with folding wings.

It features 3 pop out diecast metal landing gears. Mine still works fine.

The red battle armor. The plastic is very thin. I will not attach them.

Pic above right - one small peg is broken by the previous owner.

Pic below - The gun and the gun clip. The gun clip is often missing. Do check it out if you're buying from the secondary market.

Transforming to Gerwalk mode. I had to do it very carefully and slowly as some of the joints are very tight.

Robot mode - This toy design is beautiful.

Whether you're a Transformers or a Macross/Robotech fan, would definitely recommend you hunt this down. It's a triple changer and a diecast metal model with a rich history. We probably would not get a reissue of this G1 Jetfire unless Bandai, Takara, Hasbro and Harmony Gold came to some agreement. If you can find find one complete for a good price, grab it.