In the mid-1980s Village Toys produced a line of transformable toys called the 'Convert-a-bots". Inside of the Convert-a-bots offering, Village Toys released a licensed figure based on the Astro Magnum lineage. This licensed figure went by the name 'N-4-SR'.
Fast forward some 25 years later, an unknown Chinese manufacture would release what appears to be a small batch of really cool purple & gray 'N-4-SR' knockoffs. Further down, we go into depth as to why this is a knockoff and not an actual Convert-a-bot.
 |
| Purple & gray Chinese knockoff. |
Some of these figures sport clear plastics while others have pink alternative plastics.
 |
| 1. Photo Credit: JCShockwave instagram 2 & 3 Photo Credit: Jim Wichert |
 |
Shockwave = gray barrel cover. KO = Purple barrel cover.
(click to enlarge)
 |
| Sound switch: 5 small ridges. |
They call it N-4-SR, but is it even really related to a licensed Convert-a-bot? Long story short...NO, it is not related.
 |
| Knockoff simply placed in the licensed figure's box. |
The only known packaged image of this knockoff was released in 2009 by Plasticcrack.net.
 |
| Photo credit: Plasticcrack.net |
What can we learn from the packaging and the figures themselves?
1. "Made in China" box
2. Released in 2009(ish)
3. Only handwritten "Convert-a-bots"
4. Package not store display ready, generic white box with ties on cardboard.
5. Figure has no leg stamp
6. Figure uses plastic hose (similar to Chinese Handarm Passes Gun God Biography KO)
7. Figure has silver screws (similar to Chinese G1 Shockwave KOs from the 2000's)
8. Hidden chest transistors
9. Etc., etc. etc.
 |
| (back) Licensed N-4-SR box |
In contrast, the licensed Convert-a-bot N-4-SR was:
1. Made in Korea
2. Released in 1984
3. Store ready packaging
4. Figure has ToyCo leg stamp
5. Figure has rubber hose
6. Figure has black screws
7. Visible transistors
8. Etc. etc. etc.
In large measure, the handwritten "Convert-a-bots" wording on the Plasticcrack image has caused many to believe this was an actual Convert-a-bot figure, but as mentioned above... it is not.
A few images of these KO figures in Convert-a-bot boxes have appeared over the years. Upon further investigation* each KO figure was placed in a legitimate 1983 Convert-a-bot box but was never originally purchased that way.
*Having read Facebook and forum posts, each original owner freely shares that they placed the KO figure either in an empty box they purchased separately or removed the licensed figure to swap it out for the KO figure. Some of these box/KO combos have since been sold to individuals who may have never known the origin story of how they came to be.
 |
| Photo Credit: Bradforj KO placed in (V1) foam tray Convert-a-bot box |
 |
| Photo Credit: Bret Lovell KO placed in (V2) paper tray Convert-a-bot box |
So...after all that, I'M REALLY (GALACTIC MAN)? Wow!
Despite the Chinese manufacture calling this KO 'N-4-SR', it instead most resembles Radio Shack's Galactic Man mold vs. the Convert-a-bot mold.
Foot pattern comparison
 |
2. Radio Shack Galactic Man: also raised circle
3. Actual Convert-a-bot N-4-SR: not raised, small flat circle outline only
Battery Cover Comparison
 |
| 1. Licensed N-4-SR Convert-a-bot (deep slot battery cover) 2. Licensed (Galactic Man) (shallow slot battery cover) 3. Purple & gray KO N-4-SR (shallow slot battery cover) Black plastic hose over clear plastic hose. Photo 3 Credit: JCShockwave instagram |
"Battery compartment very clean and free of corrosion (did not have a fresh 9V to check if it works). Excellent battery cover (marked Made in China)."
 |
| "Made in China" ad photo |
 |
| Photo Credit: Transformersland.com |
Despite any of the confusion behind it's history, this KO is still one of our favorites!!
To learn about the real licensed N-4-SR (click here)
No comments:
Post a Comment