Raydeen Versions

[J]

Hello all. I've got a question about early Raydeen versions. I've got two, one with a "Made in Japan" sticker and one with the phrase molded in the plastic. Both have the Red Shoulder pauldrons, molded wheel holders on the feet, and pointy beaks/horns on the head.

However, the "Made in Japan" sticker version has the following:

• harder vinyl head
• 2 screw version of the shield fist

And the molded "Made in Japan" version has the following:

• Single Rivet shield fist
• ultra-soft head vinyl

Is there a good reference for the differences between these or are these variations normal? It's likely that the molded "Made in Japan" version has been scavenged together as it came with some repro parts but I'd love to know what the experts here have to say.

Thanks for any info on this!

Cheers

[truecrud]

I believe the one with the really soft head and single rivet is the earlier release. Also, stand them back to back. Is one taller than the other? (shorted one Should be the soft head) The early editions were shorter than the later versions. Look at the legs where the white meets the blue. The soft head should have a slanted angle while the taller one has a squared off edge.
Look here for a bit more information www.wildtoys.com/shogun/ShogJumbo/index.asp and here www.collectiondx.com/toy_review/1977/raydeen

[J]

Thanks for the reply truecrud! It's interesting because the legs are both the early versions (shorter) except for the screws. The one with the Mattel torso (molded "made in japan"), soft head, and rivet shield has the later type hex screwhead while the "Popy-torso" one (with firmer head and 2 screws fastening the shield) has Phillips screwheads. The legs are otherwise identical. Also, turns out neither of these have been scavenged or pieced together. 

It looks like certain parts were changed out faster than other parts in production facilities leading to these variations between the 1st US versions. 

[bowhntr66]

I have exacty the 2 that you mentioned, I know both are first editions and are both the same height. Other than that, I've been unable to get any info as to why they were made a little different. At first I thought the one may have been a popy that someone changed out the bowfist, but who would do that?

[bourno]

I always considered Mattel first versions as having the curved knees.
.... Like you mentioned, mine with the single rivet fist has Made in Japan, molded in the plastic.
.... My 2 screw shield one, has the sticker on it.
Both came with the axe cutter shooting fists. Those shooters seem to hold up better and not crack. Not sure if the more pointed, blow molded delta wing with with these, or only the blunt nose version.

For second version Mattels.
.... I considered with the flat knees and have the 3 screw shield. Snap-on wheel trucks. Plastic injected delta wings.

Then the poor third version.
.... No shoulder pieces, and the waist area was simplified for being mostly flat for the vertical lines.

[bowhntr66]

There's another 1st edition Wes, one that doesn't say "Made in Japan" on the back, it has a sticker that says it instead.