MR. HARD HAT
Transistor Robots
Four Star International
Made in Taiwan
Released 1985
Renowned budget toy company, Four Star, released a line of transforming robots called 'Transistor Robots' between late 1984 to 1987. Four Star International Trading Company filed the trademark for 'Transistor Robots' in April of 1985. Four Star produced a series of bootleg figures one of which was the construction combiner set called: Mr. Hard Hat
Mr. Hard Hat was sold in a complete box set as well as six individual blister cards.
Construction team combiner set
Bootleg Transformers Constructicon Devastator set.
Mr. Hard Hat comes in at least four known variants: Blue, red, yellow & purple heads.
This figure set often has fanfare with Macross / Robotech collectors because of the copied Valkyrie head style.
Transistor Robots: Four Star International
Hard Hat Series
20100598
Mr. Hard Hat boxed example complete set
Note: Box photography features the red head and blue chest version.
Back of the box shows alternative three transformation modes for each figure.
Hard Hat Series
20100598
Mr. Hard Hat boxed example complete set
Note: Box photography features the red head and blue chest version.
2. Truck-Man
3. Cement-Man
4. The Main Crane
5. Bull-Dozer
6. Steam Shovel
Note: End of the crane hook is broken off on 'The Main Crane' figure.
BLUE
Blue head foam insert
Includes the six figures, combiner parts, individual weapons, sticker sheet, instructions and a couple of items that don't actually go to anything.
Blue head version - loose parts
Unused parts: #3 (Transformers Seeker jet launcher), #9&10 (Transformers Soundwave)
Why did they even include these parts?
RED
Red head version - foam insert
Includes the six figures, combiner parts, individual weapons, sticker sheet, instructions and a couple of items that don't actually go to anything.
Unused parts: #3 (Transformers Seeker jet launcher), #9&10 (Transformers Soundwave)
Why did they even include these parts?
RED
Red head, red hands with blue chest piece.
YELLOW
YELLOW
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| Photo Credit: Fred's Workshop |
Hard to find - Yellow head version.
PURPLE
Red, Purple & Blue variants with a Yellow chest piece.
Instructions
Individual transformation instructions.
Mr. Hard Hat instructions.
The instructions are lacking and require some creative interpretations to successfully understand how to form Mr. Hard Hat.
1985
(v1) Individual package blister cards
Hard Hat Series figures
Red to blue gradient grid pattern
K-mart sale price of $1.97
Eckerd regular price $3.99
1985
Blister card backside
"Four Star" 20100597
Whoever
actually manufactured Mr. Hard Hat for Four Star appears to have
outsourced their services to produce at least two other combiner sets.
A. Mr. Hard Hat (distributed by Four Star 1985)
B. Racetron (distributed by Upright Manufacturers Inc.1985)
C. Sagitta (distributed by Lon Far 1985)
Sagitta picture credit: Spark TFW2005 
1986 - 1987
(v2) Individual package blister cards
Hard Hat Series figures
Blue background with pink highlight
Price stickers for Payless at $3.99 each
1986 -1987
Blister card backside
"Four Star International Trading Company"
20100597
Chuck Norris's Karate Kommandos ninjas enjoy play day with Mr.Hard Hat.
Mr. Hard Hat, a little different but a lot of 80's awesomeness!
Want to learn about Four Star Transistor Robots bootleg Dinobot figures?
Four Star Sludge
CLICK HERE
Four Star Slag
CLICK HERE
PURPLE
 |
| Photo Credit: Shane Sallee |
 |
| Photo Credit: Shane Sallee |
Instructions
The instructions are lacking and require some creative interpretations to successfully understand how to form Mr. Hard Hat.
(v1) Individual package blister cards
Hard Hat Series figures
Red to blue gradient grid pattern
K-mart sale price of $1.97
Eckerd regular price $3.99
Blister card backside
"Four Star" 20100597
A. Mr. Hard Hat (distributed by Four Star 1985)
B. Racetron (distributed by Upright Manufacturers Inc.1985)
C. Sagitta (distributed by Lon Far 1985)
Sagitta picture credit: Spark TFW2005
(v2) Individual package blister cards
Hard Hat Series figures
Blue background with pink highlight
Price stickers for Payless at $3.99 each
Blister card backside
"Four Star International Trading Company"
20100597
Mr. Hard Hat, a little different but a lot of 80's awesomeness!
Want to learn about Four Star Transistor Robots bootleg Dinobot figures?
Four Star Sludge
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
Was wondering if they ever came out with the grid pattern packaging with just ROBOTS on it. I know some of the cars and insects used it, but I can't recall if Hard Hat ever did.
ReplyDeleteWe are not aware of the Mr. Hard Hat figures on grid pattern packaging with only 'ROBOTS' on them. If they exist, we would love to see them. You are correct, 'ROBOTS' was used on some cars, insects & 3-in-1 Transfer Robot. Hope that helps!
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