RADAR ROBOT - TOPOLINO

Maker: NOMURA

Several robots share the name 'Radar Robot' so it is usually taken to refer to the primitive TN Radar Robot. There's another Radar Robot that is a little known jewel, the so-called Topolino robot, also by Nomura. For many years this robot was not fully identified because no box was known. An Italian collector decided to refer to it as Topolino (the Italian name for Mickey Mouse) because of the its distinctive ears, prominent nose and beaming smile. The name has stuck.

 

Rare Radar Robot Box
 
The structure of the robot is very similar to Space Robot X-70, (Tulip Head). The body, arms and legs are from the same molds and the box art is clearly the work of one artist. This is a fairly late robot, its styling suggesting a late 60s vintage. Three gears spin inside a plastic case at waist level, the head can be positioned through 360 degrees by means of a distinctive and unusual plastic disk in a tin seating. The ears are free moving dish antennas in soft yellow plastic. When he moves he emits a clicking noise and his chest panels illuminate to reveal a vague monochrome space scene.

 

On the down side, this robot has one of those awful plastic gears which readily split. In addition the battery cover relies on the flexing of fixed plastic hinges; this is a clear weak point.

Despite its relative youth this is a very rare robot. This picture of the box is the first that has been widely distributed.