N-4-SR : Convert-a-bots
Astro Magnum / Shockwave mold
J. Shin Company Inc.
dba - Village Toys
Item No. 2912
1984
"The Robot that CONVERTS to a Laser Weapons System"
N-4-SR, like Spark Man, Electronic Magnum, Shockwave & Galactic Man were all made by Intecs LTD. in Korea.
N-4-SR was a trademark of J. Shin Company, Inc. first used Jan 1984.
"N-4-SR covers Toys-Namely, Robots Convertible into Weapons".
Left: Version 1 (v1). Right: Version 2 (v2)
N-4-SR boxes are about 2" taller then other counterpart boxes from: Galactic Man, Electronic Magnum, Red box Astro Magnum and Spark Man. N-4-SR was sold in two different styles of boxes. (v1) has cardboard insert whereas (v2) is switched to a white foam insert.
(v1) uses a darker red color and (v2) is more of a red/orange color. This is evident not only in these samples above but from other samples found elsewhere.
To read the complete, deep-dive historical breakdown of how the N-4-SR's oversized packaging and early cardboard inserts directly forced the factory evolution of Spark Man, [Click Here].
(v1) N-4-SR
History: Chronologically, N-4-SR is the next release after Toyco's Astro Magnum blue box. Prior to (v1) N-4-SR, the Astro Magnum mold was only sold on shelves with 'gun mode' displayed. (v1) N-4-SR is the first attempt to display the figure in 'robot mode'. The inserts were two pieces, the red shiny display piece plus the thicker white rigid cardboard. The back of the figure's feet go into the two lower slots and the 'backpack' sound unit fits into the larger slot. The insert concept was frankly a flimsy idea. In addition, it is both awkward and difficult to assemble. It is clear that the figure would have rattled around the packaging during transportation as well. This same (v1) to (v2) transition in packaging can be seen in the Convert-a-bots Trans-bot-3 figure.
N-4-SR suspended hoovering in the red insert thanks to the slots and a twist tie around it's waist. Note: Black 'N-4-SR' printed on the bottom of the red display piece.
N-4-SR boxes are about 2" taller then other counterpart boxes from: Galactic Man, Electronic Magnum, Red box Astro Magnum and Spark Man. N-4-SR was sold in two different styles of boxes. (v1) has cardboard insert whereas (v2) is switched to a white foam insert.
(v1) uses a darker red color and (v2) is more of a red/orange color. This is evident not only in these samples above but from other samples found elsewhere.
To read the complete, deep-dive historical breakdown of how the N-4-SR's oversized packaging and early cardboard inserts directly forced the factory evolution of Spark Man, [Click Here].
(v1) N-4-SR
History: Chronologically, N-4-SR is the next release after Toyco's Astro Magnum blue box. Prior to (v1) N-4-SR, the Astro Magnum mold was only sold on shelves with 'gun mode' displayed. (v1) N-4-SR is the first attempt to display the figure in 'robot mode'. The inserts were two pieces, the red shiny display piece plus the thicker white rigid cardboard. The back of the figure's feet go into the two lower slots and the 'backpack' sound unit fits into the larger slot. The insert concept was frankly a flimsy idea. In addition, it is both awkward and difficult to assemble. It is clear that the figure would have rattled around the packaging during transportation as well. This same (v1) to (v2) transition in packaging can be seen in the Convert-a-bots Trans-bot-3 figure.
Comparisons of box flap styles
Note: Top of the box flaps on (v1) created a cavity where the gun barrel was hidden and stored. (v2) would display the gun barrel in the foam insert so the cavity was filled with a foam block instead. Bottom of the box uses different flaps and the amount of printed red is different as well.
Left: (v1) Right: (v2)
Note: Top of the box flaps on (v1) created a cavity where the gun barrel was hidden and stored. (v2) would display the gun barrel in the foam insert so the cavity was filled with a foam block instead. Bottom of the box uses different flaps and the amount of printed red is different as well.
Note: To date, there are no known loose instructions on how to transform N-4-SR.
Instructions would first appear printed on the Spark Man box itself.
Instructions would first appear printed on the Spark Man box itself.
(v2) N-4-SR
N-4-SR now comes with a white foam insert. It also comes with a 2" tall additional foam spacer block to fill, the already printed boxes, where the gun barrel cavity once was. It is believed that having learned that a foam insert was a better choice, subsequent boxes for Spark Man, Galactic Man and Electronic Magnum were all manufactured shorter and dumped the idea of the unnecessary foam block on top.
LICENSED BATTERY COVER IDENTIFICATION
Evolution of the Astro Magnum battery cover molds.
1. 'Made in Japan' stamp. 'Battery Energy Gunborg' sticker. Symmetrical sides
(v3) N-4-SR
Additional example of a boxed (v3).
Photo Credit: Avon Fox @ The-liberator.net (click here)
N-4-SR now comes with a white foam insert. It also comes with a 2" tall additional foam spacer block to fill, the already printed boxes, where the gun barrel cavity once was. It is believed that having learned that a foam insert was a better choice, subsequent boxes for Spark Man, Galactic Man and Electronic Magnum were all manufactured shorter and dumped the idea of the unnecessary foam block on top.
LICENSED BATTERY COVER IDENTIFICATION
1. 'Made in Japan' stamp. 'Battery Energy Gunborg' sticker. Symmetrical sides
2. 'Made in Korea' silver sticker. Symmetrical sides
3. 'Made in Korea' stamp. Symmetrical sides
4. 'Made in Korea' stamp with deep slots. Asymmetrical sides
5.'Made in Korea' stamp with shallow slots. Asymmetrical sides
3. 'Made in Korea' stamp. Symmetrical sides
4. 'Made in Korea' stamp with deep slots. Asymmetrical sides
5.'Made in Korea' stamp with shallow slots. Asymmetrical sides
Additional example of a boxed (v3).
Photo Credit: Avon Fox @ The-liberator.net (click here)
N-4-SR, like other figures, was released with mold alterations. Intecs of Korea made adjustments to the figure over time. One such adjustment added was a ridge to the wrist as seen above. The ridge was designed to help the barrel cover 'click' and hold on the figures arms in gun mode. This wrist ridge addition is introduced with:
(v2) Electronic Magnum
(v3) Spark Man
(v3) N-4-SR
(v3)
(click picture to enlarge)
While both the packaging and photography of this example are in poorer condition, it is clear to see (v3) N-4-SR with a ridge on it's wrist.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Example of (v1) N-4-SR with a $9.99 price sticker.
Example of (v1) N-4-SR with a $16.99 price sticker from LaBelle's
Featuring N-4-SR
Catalog says:
N-4-SR looks like a welding robot but actually it's a Convert-a-bot. It changes into 4 different laser weapons: a close range laser with infra-red aiming; a medium range cannon; a long range space craft destroyer and a space gun. Also makes 2 different laser-like sounds. Robot is 8 3/4" tall; guns are about 12" long. Uses one 9V battery (not incl.). Die cast metal, plastic.
Ages 5 and up.
N5753 5904-(3 lbs.)
$19.98
 |
| Photo Credit: UCR |
November 1984 TG&Y Family Center
Print Ad with Convert-a-bots
(Zoomed ad below)
Print toy advertisement for the Pre-Holiday Specials at TG&Y Family Centers
Nov 11th, 1984. Ad features N-4-SR as well as Star Wars Return of the Jedi figures.
Print Ad with Convert-a-bots
(Zoomed ad below)
Print toy advertisement for the Pre-Holiday Specials at TG&Y Family Centers
Nov 11th, 1984. Ad features N-4-SR as well as Star Wars Return of the Jedi figures.
Print ad also shows a Mini Convert-a-bot figure on sale for $1.99
Village Toys logo and old address:
Village Toys
568 Crossen Ave.
Elk Groove Village, IL 60007
Village Toys
568 Crossen Ave.
Elk Groove Village, IL 60007
TRANS-BOT-3, Bronco Mini Convert-a-bot & N-4-SR.
MINI CONVERT-A-BOTS page (click here)
MINI CONVERT-A-BOTS page (click here)
To learn about the N-4-SR Chinese KO figure (click here)
After Village Toys closed up shop, the name Convert-a-bots would later be picked up again by a company called Base Toys.
N-4-SR would then be changed to 'Enforcer FX-6'.
Base Toys
8130 Pennsylvania Road
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438
Made in Taiwan
1992-1994 range
N-4-SR would then be changed to 'Enforcer FX-6'.
Base Toys
8130 Pennsylvania Road
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438
Made in Taiwan
1992-1994 range
Base Toys released other figures in this line like: Defender FX-6, Hypersuit FX-7, Cybertron (Sky Garry) FX-8 & Powersuit FX-7.
Have additional information or photos? Looking to sell a variant figure?
Please contact us at: astromagnumguide@gmail.com
Please contact us at: astromagnumguide@gmail.com
