This is the first Radar Robot by Nomura. Take a grey bodied Zoomer robot, put some litho detailing on the legs and face plate, fix a large web- like antenna plus light into that back pack and wire it up to a slight variation of the square remote control battery unit. There you have it: the Radar Robot. (Not to be confused with the version of Zoomer that comes in a box calling it a Radar Robot!)

The spider web antenna with its flashing light, of course, gives it that special appeal, that and the square remote control battery box with the robot face and two buttons for eyes - See Kitahara "Robots" #8 - this is the same unit as on the Drumming Robot. The robot has also been pictured with a different remote control unit, the bright blue, rounded-edged battery box with a robot face embossed on the lid. See Kitahara "Yesterday's Toys" Vol 3. #23 (I'm always conscious that battery boxes can be swapped around, and that the second battery box mentioned is basically the same as on Masudaya robots like R35.) The leg detailing is a vague assembly of screw rods and pulleys, and there's more detail in the face than usual. This was clearly a more expensive toy than his relatives.

There are at least two box variations. One shows a head and shoulder picture of the robot (looking distinctly machine like and moody) lighting up a black void.

The other is perhaps not so striking, but much more interesting: a robot is marching through an angular, distorted cityscape painted in clashing colours. This robot is a much friendlier looking fellow. He's got work to do, and he's busily communicating with others. At least he's not destroying the place!

When you buy this you get a piece of robot history, something that represents an optimistic vision of robots as builders, not B-Movie terrors.