PRONTOSAURUS 3 - Sludge Dinobot KO

PRONTOSAURUS 3
PLASAURUS - Dinosaur Robot
Sludge Dinobot
Bootleg Transformer

Prontosaurus 3 - Plasaurus line 1985

Another famous English translation/misspelling issue: Brontosaurus became Prontosaurus, thanks Taiwan! Prontosaurus 3 originally came to us from the Takara Diaclone line of Dinosaur Robo 3. Dinosaur Robo gave us several dinosaur robot transforming figures, a Brontosaurus was one of them, third (3) in the line. That same Brontosaurus would later be released as Hasbro's G1 Dinobot Transformer - Sludge.

G1 Sludge Dinobot with Plasaurus Prontosaurus 3 (Robot Mode) comparison.


Darker red chest than a Sludge Dinobot

 Plasaurus Prontosaurus 3 - (Dinosaur Mode with wings)

Plasaurus Box front - blue/purple grid pattern.

 

Top of the box gives the transformation instructions.

Gorgeous back of the box with original artwork.
Here we are introduced to all four figures:
1 Tyuannosarus
2 Triceratops
3 Prontosaurus
4 Stegosaurus

"Tyuan"... really? Made in "Taiwan". Hah!

Photo Credit: Richard van Kampen

Great photo of 4 Stegosaurus from the Plasaurus line.
Grateful to Richard for capturing this piece of rare collecting history!

Tyuannosarus and Triceratops mold sculpts appear to be exclusively unique to the Plasaurus line. Both figures come with wings as well... super wow!

Grimlock and Slag Dinobot type figures with wings - sweet!
Grimlock aka Tyuannosarus comes with front wings and rear wings which almost look like single big wings but they are not.

Photo Credit: Greg Campbell

Only known photographs of the winged Tyuannosarus Grimlock figure.
In this sample we see the lower wings but the top wings are missing.
Figure is more of a gold/brown color vs. the grey box photography.

UPDATE:

Triceratops 2: Currently the only known pictures of this figure. It is the same mold as Prehistory Animal, however, there are adapters mounted to the side of the figure. The adapters have sockets for ball joint wings to be inserted. Regrettably this figure does not have it's wings but we can still see a broken chrome piece of one wing and how it used to work. 


Close up of the adapters and a broken off chrome wing ball joint.

Box end with 'Dinosaur Robot'
Box also says "Item No. 40880"

 

 (Above) Plasaurus Prontosaurus 3 - (Dinosaur Mode)
Prontosaurus 3 figures were released in both winged and non-winged versions.
Plasaurus Prontosaurus 3 is obviously of the winged variety. Plasaurus Prontosaurus 3 is comprised of a primarily brown/bronze colored body with gold wings.

(Below) Other versions/lines of winged Prontosaurus 3 figures may come with alternative chest, body and/or wing colors.

Silver body version but still gold wings.

Brown/bronze body color but with a yellow color chest variant.

Plasaurus Prontosaurus 3 is not a unique figure, it can be found in other lines like Prehistory Animal, Les Robots Dinosaures, etc. What is unique and uber rare is the 'Plasaurus' box!
Happy hunting and collecting to all!

December 1986 toy catalog featuring Prehistory Animal as well

 as an ULTRA RARE Japanese Prehistory Animal Gimlock box.

Looking to learn more about other Sludge bootleg figures?
CLICK HERE

Also, see a variety of Slag bootleg figures by:
CLICKING HERE

Colorful Grimlock Dinobot bootleg
Visit the Big Beast Guardlanship review
CLICK HERE

 

ASTRO MAGNUM : TT-3085

ASTRO MAGNUM : TT-3085
Extrachangeable Electron Robot
4 Changeable
Shockwave - KO
Made in Taiwan
1984-1987

This post is Part 2 on TT-3085. (Click here) for Part 1.

TT-3085 is a must have Astro Magnum knockoff! Despite many photos, the figure actually sports the unique (red orange) translucent plastic on the hand, chest window and cannon. When photographed alone, the colors may look bold 'red', however, when side by side with true deep reds, it is clear the colors are (red orange).
(click here for color chart comparisons)

TT-3085 is the only known figure that has IC8 sound (8 different sound effects).
Most Astro Magnum knockoffs & licensed version figures only have IC2.

TT-3085 was released in two different box types.
A. TT-3085 'Robot Fighting Gun' - blue grid GIG Italian box.
B. TT-3085 'Astro Magnum' front window with green frame box.

This post will focus on the 'Astro Magnum' front window release, "Diecast Deluxe Model".
The GIG Italian box release is discussed in Part 1 (Click here).

(Above) ENGLISH box
Top of the box:  (bottom left corner =TT-3085) "Made in Taiwan"
Reads: "Extrachangeable Electron Robot"
8 Electron Sound

(Above) FRENCH box!
Top of the box: "Robot Transformable"
Note: the pictures no longer have labels to describe the change.

How to identify TT-3085?

 
In the photos above it is easier to see the red orange plastics.
TT-3085 does not come with a sticker sheet, rather all of the decals come applied from the factory. Hip stickers read: "A.M.4.C." (Astro Magnum 4 Changeable)

The red orange chest window is easily removable. Unlike most other Astro Magnum figures, there are no visible transistors inside the chest cavity. Chest is stamped with a "25". Since the chest window is easily removable, often it is lost and figures are sold in incomplete condition.
 

Top: Symmetrical, recessed battery cover.
Reads, "BATTERY ENERGY - GUNBORG"
Bottom: standard extra large grey sound switch, slides left & right through 8 different sound slots.

 

ASTRO MAGNUM TT-3085
Sold at Murphys for $10.99
(Same figure below)

Above: there are some rare examples of this front window Astro Magnum TT-3085 being released with an alternative sound switch. The sound switch is black with 5 small ridges, as used in other Astro Magnum KOs. The sound switch is connected to an IC3 board. So while the slot could have allowed movement between 8 sounds left to right, the switch will only move between the middle 3 sounds. This mixing of 'parts' helps us determine the lineage of certain figures.

Barrel covers are red orange as well.

Complete set: Figure, box, foam insert, gun barrel and instructions.
Note: Again, this figure did not come with a sticker sheet since the stickers were factory applied.

 

This particular English language boxed example was distributed by BRABO in France.
BRABO has placed French language stickers on the English box.
BRABO appears to have been the primary distributor to Europe, not just France, for this version.

Exterior box is 5 sided only and slides over the top of the foam insert. The barrel cover is recessed in the foam and stored behind the figure.

TT-3085 Astro Magnum - Instructions Front.
Electron Robot
Extrachangeable Gunbourg <--- spelled wrong (Gunborg)
Vulcan Sound
Laser Ray
8 Magnum Sound

 TT-3085 Astro Magnum - Instructions Back.
Laser Vulcan - Vulcan Base
Note: paper for the instructions is fairly thin, to the point you can see images from the opposite side of the paper.

French Instructions for TT-3085 Astro Magnum
Ref. 32241
Robot Electronique Astro Magnum en Mitraillette

1987 French Toy Catalog featuring TT-3085 Astro Magnum
Lists it as "Robot Astro Magnum"

Rare find!
Only known vintage advertisement to show Astro Magnum Deluxe TT-3085 in it's actual window box.

1986 French Toy Catalog featuring Astro Magnum TT-3085.


Wow! Actual FRENCH language printed box!
"Robot Metal Luxe" & "Robot Transformable 4 Transformations".

Astro Magnum example that was sold at HECK'S department stores in northeastern USA.

RICH'S department store price tag for Astro Magnum Deluxe. Sold in the south of the USA

Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocalypse

Astro Magnum Deluxe
Rich's store newspaper advertisement
7 December 1984


Text reads:
"$14.99
Astro Magnum deluxe transforming robot
SPECIAL PURCHASE Diecast robot transforms into
gun and again into Vulcan base. Equipped with laser
gun. Vulcan sound, separate battery case.
Toys - at Rich’s except Cumberland, ?,
Shannon, Belvedere and ?.  Batteries not
 included. All quantities limited."

Both the original Toyco Astro Magnum and the Deluxe TT-3085 KO came with factory applied stickers. In a black in white image it makes it harder to distinguish what figure it is. The main factor for identification is the sticker below the knees. Deluxe TT-3085 has a 1/4" gap between the knee and the top of the sticker. The stickers on a licensed Toyco Astro Magnum are immediately under the knee without a gap.

Print ad from R&E Toys'N'Things, Illinois 
October 1984 featuring 'Electron Robot Astro Magnum Gun' but with Shockwave line art. Clearly they knew the name Electron Robot Astro Magnum.

  TT-3085 Robot Fighting Gun is an awesome figure!! If you are looking for some color 'pop' in your figures, away from the clear plastics... TT-3085 has you covered.

Contact Us

If you have comments or questions please feel free to contact us.
If you have something that is not shown here and want to contribute pictures or information, please contact us. Credit and links to your work will happily be exchanged.

Lastly, if you are looking to sell a variant, also please contact us with some detailed pictures and an asking price. We are very much still collectors ourselves and are always looking for new additions - thank you!

astromagnumguide@gmail.com

ROBOT FIGHTING GUN : TT-3085 Astro Magnum

ROBOT FIGHTING GUN
Transformable TT-3085
Distributed by: GIG Italy
Astro Magnum - KO
Made in Taiwan

Transformable TT-3085 - Robot Fighting Gun is a must have Astro Magnum knockoff! Despite many photos, the figure actually sports the unique (red orange) translucent plastic on the hand, chest window and cannon. When photographed alone, the colors may look bold 'red', however, when side by side with true deep reds, it is clear the colors are (red orange).
(click here for color chart comparisons)

TT-3085 is the only known figure that has IC8 sound (8 different sound effects).
Most Astro Magnum knockoffs & licensed version figures only have IC2.

TT-3085 was released in two different box types.
A. TT-3085 'Robot Fighting Gun' - blue grid GIG Italian box.
B. TT-3085 'Astro Magnum' front window with green frame box.

This post will focus on the Italian GIG release.
TT-3085 'Astro Magnum' is covered in Part 2 (Click here)

TT-3085 'Robot Fighting Gun' is not to be confused with RG-908 'Robot Fighting Gun' who has a very similar looking blue grid box, similar name and was also sometimes distributed via GIG Italy.
For more information on the cousin figure RG-908 (click here)

How to identify TT-3085?

 
In the photos above it is easier to see the red orange plastics.
TT-3085 does not come with a sticker sheet, rather all of the decals come applied from the factory. Hip stickers read: "A.M.4.C." (Astro Magnum 4 Changeable)

The red orange chest window is easily removable. Unlike most other Astro Magnum figures, there are no visible transistors inside the chest cavity. Chest is stamped with a "25". Since the chest window is easily removable, often it is lost and figures are sold in incomplete condition.
 

Top: Symmetrical, recessed battery cover.
Reads, "BATTERY ENERGY - GUNBORG"
Bottom: Extra large grey sound switch, slides left & right through 8 different sound slots.

Barrel covers are red orange as well.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Scanned box sample
 

Unlike other KO boxes, the logo of the Italian distributor 'GIG' was printed directly on the box. However, the yellow & red "Transformabile' is a sticker that appears to have been hand applied. The sticker's location is slightly different on every boxed sample.

Though the figure was actually made in Taiwan, this was the GIG 
headquarters building in Italy back in the 1980s. 

Complete set: Figure, box, gun barrel and instructions.
Note: Again, this figure did not come with a sticker sheet since the stickers were factory applied.

TT-3085 Astro Magnum - Instructions Front.
Electron Robot
Extrachangeable Gunbourg <--- spelled wrong (Gunborg)
Vulcan Sound
Laser Ray
8 Magnum Sound

 TT-3085 Astro Magnum - Instructions Back.
Laser Vulcan - Vulcan Base
Note: paper for the instructions is fairly thin, to the point you can see images from the opposite side of the paper.

Photo Credit: COSA NERD, Italy

All known samples of TT-3085 in the blue grid box are from GIG.
In contrast, Robot Fighting Gun RG-908 came in a variety of other boxes besides only GIG.

 TT-3085 Robot Fighting Gun is an awesome figure!! If you are looking for some color 'pop' in your figures, away from the clear plastics... TT-3085 has you covered.

Contact Us

If you have comments or questions please feel free to contact us.
If you have something that is not shown here and want to contribute pictures or information, please contact us. Credit and links to your work will happily be exchanged.

Lastly, if you are looking to sell a variant, also please contact us with some detailed pictures and an asking price. We are very much still collectors ourselves and are always looking for new additions - thank you!

astromagnumguide@gmail.com