Tai Fong: Radio Robots

Tai Fong: Radio Robots
1984-1987
Taiwan

This post features both transformable AM & FM robotic radios from the 1980s. We look primarily at: Robotic Radio - Tai Fong, Walk Bot, Robot Knight & more! KO and bootleg manufactures, in large measure were riding the success of Takara's Microman MC-21 and Hasbro Transformers Blaster radio figure. 

Vintage versions using the Tai Fong Robotic Radio mold:
1. TS-558 AM radio
2. HN-558 (HI-SOUND) AM radio
3. TB-003 Thinkbot AM radio
4.TS-558FH FM radio
5. Portable Robotic Radio AM radio
6. Robot Radio AM radio

Different molds
7. Walk Bot AM radio
8. Walk Bot FM radio
9. Robot-Knight AM radio
10. Robo Terminal AM radio
11. Robo Terminal FM radio
12. Radio Robot AM radio

In May of 1985 Tai Fong sent out promotional advertisements
to international toy distributors.
This is one of the included catalog advertisements for both
TS-558 Robotic Radio & TS-336 5 in 1 Convertible Fighter.

'Robotic Radio' - AM Radio (Front)

Tai Fong TS-558
U.S.A. Copyright 1984 R.S.
Made in Taiwan
"Robotic Radio" first use: 1 Mar 1984

'Robotic Radio' - AM Radio (Back)
Tai Fong TS-558
'Transformable Robot Warriot' vs. 'Warrior'


Transformed into boom box Radio mode. Actual functioning radio.

Stamp on the back of the Robotic Radio
Tai Fong
© 1984 U.S.A. RS
Taiwan Pat. Pending
Made in Taiwan

8" Figure comes with a chrome axe and black blaster

Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocolypse

Copps IGA 1985 advertisement
Robto Radio Tai Fong $12.99

Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocolypse

Eckerd 1985 line art vintage advertisement
AM Robotic Radio
$10.88

Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocolypse

AM Portable Robotic Radio
1985 for $9.99

Below are a series of slight box modifications and spelling corrections.

HI-SOUND Robotic Radio (Front)
HN-558
Made in Taiwan

HI-SOUND Robotic Radio (Back)
HN-558
Made in Taiwan
Spelling error fixed now: 'Transformable Robot Warrior'


Stamp on the back of the Robotic Radio HI-SOUND
Tai Fong
© 1984 U.S.A.
Taiwan Pat. Pending
Made in Taiwan

Transition box between HN-558 with stickers to hide the HI SOUND
and swap it over to TS-558 instead.
SEARS price sticker for $17.99

Transistion box back.
'R' for Warrior vs. Warriot

Robotic Radio
"Radio AM" vs. "AM Radio"
TB003 Thinkbot Series
Distributed by Thinkway Trading Corp. Canada

Photo Credit: Roboplastic Apocolypse

Transforming Robot AM Radio
May 1985 Odgaards vintage advertisement
$9.99 figure

Below, (v2) later version with brown box.
Figure number moves from TS-558 to TS-558FH.
Figures moves from AM radio to FM radio.

(v2) Robotic Radio FM Radio (Front)
Tai Fong TS-558FH
Transformable Robot Warrior
 

Robotic Warrior foam insert now comes with actual headphones.

Transformed Warrior with axe and blaster
Note: legs not fully extended

Robotic Radio FM Radio (Back)
Tai Fong TS-558FH
U.S.A. Copyright 1984 SEI
Made in Taiwan

AM Portable Robotic Radio (Front)
80A 9300
Distributed by J&M Enterprises (USA) Inc.
Miami Florida 33152-0817

Foam insert with both chrome ax and black blaster

Portable Robotic Radio (Back)
80A 9300
Made in Taiwan by Tai Fong
Sold at Eckerd for $14.99

Box comparison between:
Portable Robotic Radio
vs.
Robot AM Radio

Robot Radio AM
Two Toys in One
Robot changes into a radio
Powerful Radio & Monster Robot
Note: new modified artwork with completely different head

Made in Hong Kong for Yuletide Concepts Inc. N.Y.
Made in 1985, Item No.1532

Robot Radio AM
There are several difference between the robots, can you spot them?
Chest sticker
Face sculpt
Dial sticker
Smooth vs. textured ax
& more!

Face sculpt comparison
Robot Radio (left)
Robotic Radio (right)

Ax comparison
Robot Radio (left) smooth
Robotic Radio (right) textured

Size comparison between Robotic Radio vs. WalkBot
Note: WalkBot is missing it's face mask in this picture.

Transformable Walk Bot (Front)
Robotic Radio & Binocular
BS-085 AM version
Made in Taiwan

Transformable WalkBot foam insert with headphones & strap.

Walk Bot with included sword!

Transformable Walk Bot (Back)
Robotic Radio & Binocular
BS-085
Made in Taiwan

Photo Credit: Arturo Perez

Walkbot with dancing illuminated green & red waist lights

Photo Credit: Pickasso.Antiques

Transformable Walkbot Radio & Binocular
BS-085F

Vintage FM Radio
1985 - Made in Taiwan

Photo Credit: Jamie Francis

(left to right) Unknown, Robotic Radio, Robot Knight & Robo Terminal


Only known image of Robot Knight in this mini 'AM RADIO' box

Photo Credit: Plastic Boutique.com

Variform Transisrobot (pre-Transistor Robots Four Star)
Robot-Knight
Telescope Speaker

Photo Credit: Plastic Boutique.com

SST-7305
Made in Taiwan

Robo Terminal
Radio Robot - Radio Transforms into Robot
AM Radio (Red figure). Figure also comes with FM too.

Back of the box for transformable 'Robo Terminal'
Made in Taiwan

Photo Credit: DiaBrave

Robo Terminal - AM Radio Robot
(Blue figure)
Made in Taiwan

'Robo Terminal' packaging is a KO of
Takara GIG's Transformer Radio Robot

Radio Robot
Robot transforms into radio
Red version (Black grid tall box)
 

Radio Robot - Made in Taiwan
Bootleg Transformers Blaster

Photo Credit: 20th Century Toy Collector

German Toy catalog featuring Radio Robot 

Eyes light up and (2) AA batteries go in the chest tape deck

When the eyes light up, the back of the head also lights up.
There are 'AM' and 'FM' variants of Radio Robot.

 

 

Stamp on the back reads:
Best Join
©1985 U.S.A.
Taiwan Pat. Pending
Made in Taiwan


Both Robo Terminal and Radio Robot are knockoffs of the licensed 1987 Transformers Radio AM Robot. Transformers Radio AM Robot was manufactured in Argentina by Comando Toys

Stamp reads: Comando Toys Industria Argentina