1980 - Laughing Robot (blue color) by Yonezawa, Cosmic Monster by Nikk

[Joe K.]

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Here's the dated catalog cover:

Beginning at the front of the catalog, page 22 specifically, shows a Galaxy Combat pinball game and Big Trak & Big Trak Transport by Milton Bradley. BT has already been Timeline dated to 1979. If I'm not mistaken, Big Trak was the very first keypad programmable toy of it's kind.

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[Joe K.]

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Page 30 shows Space Ship X-5 by Masudaya. Note the vinyl headed pilot:

Page 31 shows a NEW to the Timeline (and also NEW to the FAO catalog) photo of the blue color variation of the Laughing Robot by Yonezawa.

The blue-chrome color variation has also been Timeline dated in a 1980 Yonezawa Toy Catalog. See here:

Keep in mind that this blue-chrome version's Japanese language box has been translated to read New Patrol Robot. It does not laugh. It speaks in Japanese.

The black color variation can be found in a 1984 Alps Toys Catalog. See here:

Die cast collectors will recognize King Joe and Mechanical Gorilla. Who was their manufacturer? This duo is making a return appearance in this year's catalog. They were listed as "NEW" in FAO's earlier 1979 catalog, which can be found elsewhere in the Timeline listings.

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[Joe K.]

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Last, but not least, Cosmic Monster (with Cosmo Beam gun) by Nikko, made in Singapore:

CM has already been Timeline dated in the same FAO catalog. This photo shows better detail.

Here's the instruction sheet:

Anyone have a copy of the "distance chart"?

Thanks, Randy!

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