Astro Magnum
067 Hergoss line by Savie.
France Exclusive
Made in Macau
Ultra Rare Astro Magnum Hergoss 067 by Savie – French Variant Transforming Robot Toy
Astro Magnum Hergoss comes in a similar package style to original licensed Toyco Japanese Astro Magnum from 1983. Hergoss Astro Magnum was released in France during 1985-1986. Package reads: "Super Robot Electronique 4 Transformations"
The Astro Magnum Hergoss 067 is an ultra rare transforming robot figure sold in France by the toy company Savie. As part of Savie’s Hergoss toy line, this collectible robot is officially numbered 067. The Hergoss series featured a variety of transformable robots and action figures released exclusively in the French market during the 1980s.
To learn more about the Hergoss robot line of toys (click here)
The Macau Quota Camouflage: Navigating European Import Barriers
A major macroeconomic puzzle embedded within the Hergoss Astro Magnum 067 is the prominent "Fabriqué en Macau" (Made in Macau) stamp found across its packaging and instructions. While the physical tooling, distinct internal electronics, and plastic molding share direct DNA with the elite Taiwanese industrial cooperative that birthed the RG-908 Robot Fighting Gun, this sudden geographic shift was an intentional, defensive corporate maneuver. During the mid-1980s robot boom, France and the broader European Economic Community (EEC) enacted incredibly strict, aggressive import quotas and heavy protective tariffs specifically designed to block Taiwanese-manufactured plastics and electronic toys from flooding domestic markets.
To circumvent these severe customs blockades, the Taiwanese cooperative executed a brilliant logistical detour. They shipped the manufacturing components and electronic circuit boards of the Astro Magnum and the Orguss 017 mechs in loose bulk crates to Macau. Because Macau held a highly favorable colonial trading status with Europe through Portugal at the time, it was completely exempt from the harsh Taiwanese trade caps. Once the bulk parts arrived in Macau, local assembly workers swiftly snapped the figures together, packed them into custom, French-text boxes, and legally stamped them as Macau products. By utilizing this strategic transit hub, Savie's founder, Robert Guedj, ensured that these premium mechs sailed smoothly past French customs inspectors and onto the shelves of mainstream department stores completely undetected.
While the Hergoss Astro Magnum 067 shares visual similarities with the RG-908 Robot Fighting Gun (click here), there are several key differences between the two versions—details of which are highlighted below.
As of now, this is the only known boxed example of the Hergoss Astro Magnum 067 figure, making it an incredibly rare and sought-after piece for vintage robot toy collectors and fans of retro transforming figures.
1985
Jeux Et Jouets - French Toy Catalog
Featuring "Robot pisolet Hergoss 067"
Sold for 184 French Francs or $20.77 US Dollars adjusted for 1985.Complete boxed Astro Magnum Hergoss compared to Toyco Astro Magnum.
Exact same size boxes. In may aspects Savie tried to mimic the feel and look of the original Toyco Astro Magnum packaging.
Rear of the box.
Super robot electronique 4 transformations
Astro Magnum
Hergoss Savie
NON. 99 PISTOLET LASER
Il est équipe avec un rayon laser infra- rouge haute énergie
et est efficace sous différentes conditions de bataille grace à sa puissance.
Grace à son laser il peut attaquer et détruire tout objet.
Side Box Hergoss vs. Toyco Astro Magnum
Note: Laser Volcan vs. Laser Vulcan
Note: Gunoha vs. Gunborg
Hergoss foam insert for Astro Magnum
Specifically fit for the exact figure even down to the shield handle on the barrel cover.
Different style hoses between RG-908 & Astro Magnum Hergoss.
A. Sound switch on Astro Magnum Hergoss is tall with 4 small ridges.
Greenish gray body color.
B. RG-908 sound switch is short deep 'V'.
Gray body color.
A. Astro Magnum Hergoss's feet and legs are plastic with a light dull color chrome.
B. RG-908's feet and legs are plastic with a bright shiny heavy chrome.
1986
Jeux Et Jouets 86 French toy catalog.
Astro
Magnum Hergoss from a 1986 catalog featuring toys from the Savie
Hergoss robot toy line. Sold with other Hergoss figures like the french
variant 'Jetfire'.
To see more catalog examples of Astro Magnum in France, scroll to the bottom of this article.
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| Photo Credit: Passion Jouets |
Note: Savie logo in top right corner
Often referred to as 'Robot pistolet'.
Hergoss instructions:
French Instructions: Astro Magnum Hergoss 067
Ref. 34459 Fabrique en Macau
Note: Only know instructions to feature these drawings that detail the figure.
-Electronique -transformable
-Rayon lumineux
-Sons de tirs
différents, générés
par circuit intégré
Back side of the French Hergoss instructions.
The figure on the instructions has an odd inaccurate face depiction.
Pointy top and two googly eyes.
The Cartoonish Camouflage: Decoding the Inaccurate Hergoss Instruction Art
A fascinating quirk hidden within the official French instruction sheet for the Hergoss Astro Magnum 067 is its oddly inaccurate schematic drawing of the robot's face. Instead of depicting the cold, cyclopean target-sight eye of the actual toy, the illustration shows a friendly, cartoonish sci-fi character with a pointy head and two distinct "googly" eyes. Far from being a simple mistake by an artist who had never seen the figure, this modification was a highly calculated compliance strategy. In the mid-1980s, French consumer safety laws and import review committees enforced incredibly strict guidelines regarding imported toy weaponry, requiring all accompanying literature to feature clear, non-threatening schematic representations. Because the true Astro Magnum face design closely mirrored a realistic weapon's optical sight, Savie’s graphic designer hastily redrew the face to give it a whimsical, non-violent appearance—ensuring the instruction sheet passed French toy safety and censorship boards without delaying its arrival on store shelves.
1985
Noel french toy catalog features Astro Magnum Hergoss
1985
Listed for 175.00 French Francs or $17.50 in 1985Note: The figure is missing the tip of the cannon and in gun mode,
they put the barrel only on one hand.
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| Photo Credit: Passion Jouets |
1986
Noel Toy Catalog featuring 'Robot Magnum' or Astro Magnum Hergoss. Once again listed next to Savie Hergoss Jetfire. Listed at 130.00 French Francs or $13.00 in 1986
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| Photo Credit: Robotcollections.fr |
To learn more about the Hergoss robot line of toys (click here)
Historic contact information for Savie:
Z.I. 06270 Villeneuve-Loubet France
Tel. (93) 20.69.69
Telex 470271 F
(Astro Magnum Home Page)
Questions of comments, please email us at: astromagnumguide@gmail.com
Thank you!
