Odd Dairugger/Vehicle Voltron Toy

[MinmayMusicManiac]

I was shopping around for dairugger/vehicle voltron toys & discovered this odd one that came with a toy pistol & was wondering if  anyone have any info on it? I've tried searching around & found nothing but the same listing i took the photos from.

[Bobby]

This is vintage licensed Chogokin Dairugger XV set by TOEI (stated on the box). The mid-80's Popy logo is also on the front (the red circle with a "P" in it). The toy mini gun just shoots some included discs and also comes with a small badge. It is 16cm tall made of diecast & plastic and is almost identical to the nicer GB-73 ST that looks like this...

Both Voltrons have the same torso and stampings in the back...

However, there are some noticeable differences between the ST standalone version and the giftset version with the gun.

• The spring loaded mechanisms in the helicopters have been removed so they no longer can shoot the fists (aka Rotating Personnel Carrier #12 & Armored Equipment Carrier #13) which are now permanently glued on (note: if you look closely the yellow buttons to launch the fists that are on the ST version are missing on the giftset version).

• The other difference is on the legs (aka Multi-wheeled Explorers #9 & #10) the red projectile missile gimmick has been removed as well (note: if you look closely you can see they recast the red and yellow pieces without holes).

• The last difference is the plastic, the ST version's blue plastic has a slight metallic sheen to it but is also notorious for disintegrating and breaking over time. The giftset version is a darker shade of blue plastic with no sheen and has been proven itself more durable over the decades.

I've seen this giftset available online anywhere from $180USD to $400USD only because finding a complete intact giftset is rare. BUT the slimmed down version of GB-73 Voltron itself that it comes with is very easy to come by because that's the version the USA got when MATCHBOX released this Voltron in the 80's for $15ish. They can easily be spotted used in online auctions by looking for these missing elements (i.e. no fist launcher buttons and no holes in the legs). Hope that helps.