Bandai SD BB Gundam 045 Shin Gouka Shoretsutei Ryusou Ryubi Gundam

Shin Gouka... dragon Gundam (SD), Bandai, China,
2011

Sometimes building up your own robots is a lot of fun. I got hooked to "Gunplay" - that is, building Gundam robots. Most of them are from Bandai toy company, and they have all one thing in common that ordinary toys don't have: extreme movement. They have joints and articulations made out of "Polycaps" that allows for different poses throughout. They don't need glue or paint and go in different grades (Standard, ... Master, ...) with some of them containing hundreds and hundreds of pieces. It's just a whole new way to kit building !

 I liked this one very much because it is a "Shogun Warrior" to the extreme...

Robocon bootlegs !

They are all 3 made in China... only one has kind of the right color. It is like toys doing Cosplay !

R2, where are you ?

Well, it seems he's in Duque de Loulé street, in Lisbon, Portugal ! Very ecofriendly robot

R2-D2 glass recycling bin,
Duque de Loulé, Lisbon, 2011

R2D2 necklace, ?, USA,
1980's

Do, or do not. There is no Try...

Yoda hand puppet, Kenner, Hong Kong

1981

Yoda anwering game, 

China, 2010's

Yoda action figurine, Kenner, Hong Kong
1980's

He's little but wise... and a master Jedi on top of all that. Listen to him. Do, or do not. There is no try...

Futurism in 1922 ! The Leyat Helica

Helica, Rio (model nº62), Italy,
1970's

Futuristic cars and extreme design is not a thing of the present. This toy represents a real vehicle, that was built in 1922 by Frenchman Marcel Leyat - in an era where new ideas were still being tested. (at a time of Zeppelins and skyscrapers and other crazy inventions.) Basically, it has positive aspects: no transmission, no clutch and, well... no brakes ! Since traction is not obtained through the wheels, no worry about  getting stuck in snow or mud. It is extremely lightweight (body made out of plywood) - about 250kg... and very fast ! (even though acceleration speed was another issue...). Some sportier models were even built with open top - just what you need for drying your hair quickly after a shower in the morning. Note that only the back set of wheels could turn, which made for some very "interesting" curves at high speed.

Yes, definitely not the most pedestrian-friendly car (it's like a meat grinder on wheels) but one man's dream. 

Helica 1922 (Leyat, France)
(owner: Jean François Bouzanquet)

Flying Godzilla !

Kaiju, Bullmark, Japan (reissue),

2010

This is the one item that defined my first trip to Asia. This Godzilla - type figurine (or is it another monster ?) travelled between my feet from Hong Kong to Lisbon.  Just a situation that made a friend smile... Happy B-Day GNB !

I will ZAP you to Canada !

Ray Gun, Reliable, Canada,
1950's

For galactic mayhem, Canada was slightly behind the USA. But they did produce some very nice toys - and this raygun is from the same maker as the red bicycle ornament (see further down): the Reliable Toy company.

This one has an integrated compass, so you will never loose yourself... even when you are on Jupiter! (?)
I guess going North has always been a Canadian thing - no offense (: !

Beam me up Scotty !

Star Trek gift pack, Dinky Toys, England,
1978

Two classic ships from the original Star Trek serie. Yes, that's the one with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner !

Robocon lookalike ?

In the world of cute little red robots this one continues to be my favorite. What is he saying with the finger ?
Hey you, behave !

Robocon (?) bank, China
2010's

Robocon (?) bank, China
2010's

Ramp Walkers

They are clumsy they are flimsy but they dancy down the stairsy. Following the laws of the gravity, these little dudes walk along any slope. most have a little rope and a weight to drag'em down. Funny and Funky...

Ramp walkers (Aliens),
China, 1990's

Ramp walkers (Aliens), China,

1990

Ramp walkers (Astronauts) small w/ball, China

1990's

Ramp walkers (Astronauts) large w/disk, China

1990's

God save the Queen ! beep...

In a last effort of colonialism, the Union Jack on the chest... But Brittish colony Hong Kong will soon be given back, and all robots bear the "made in China" tag.

Robot, ?, Hong Kong,
1970's

Mark, Magneto, W.Germany,
1979

7Zark7 + 1Nonos1, Magneto (French box), W.Germany,
1979

Thierry, Magneto (French box), W.Germany,
1979

Magnetic action meant you could make your figurines move with a magnet hidden under a napkin, or that your robot would dance when the magentized hands were attracted or pushed away by other magnets. German toy company MAGNETO made a number of these figurines under license for popular cartoon characters of that time. Here are the heroes of the first Gatchaman OAV (= la Bataille des Planètes)