Space General Corporation Lunar Exploration Suit, Model MK 1: Toys

MS398 X-27 Explorer Reproduction

I spotted this offered on eBay in 2001. It appears that someone is reproducing the X-27 Explorer (in China) in pretty much the same box and colors as the original. This would make a welcome addition the the robot-collectors home, as the original is fairly pricey - I believe this is fairly easy to acquire.

Yonezawa Astro-Scout

The Astro-Scout has a more accurate "3" from the Space General Corp. suit on its chest panel. The helmet has been changed to resemble more closely a Robbie the Robot dome. The familiar astronaut face still peeks out from the dome's window. The figure's body paint is a lighter, silvery-blue.

Yonezawa Astro-Scout Box

The box features the Astro-Scout facing left instead of right (see the X-27 above) with the words "Wind-up Friction Powered" across the top. The landscape is similar... I could see these two boxes sitting next to each other on a shelf, creating a single diorama effect. Once again the arms are shown blue on the box, rather than red, and the number "3" on his chest is in a yellow, rather than a blue background found on the actual toy. The Yonezawa "Y" logo is used here, with "Made in Japan" and "A Frankoma Toy" on the opposite, bottom corner. Perhaps this variation was distributed through a different channel.

Images from the out-of-print book Robots: Tin Toy Dreams : T. Kitahara Collection published by Chronicle Books (and available via the link at left from Google Books).

Yonezawa X-27 Explorer

X-27 Explorer

This is probably the most accurate representation of the Moonsuit by Yonezawa. This, along with the Astro Scout below, came out in the late 50's. The X-27 is actually a fairly good homage to the actual suit, other than the color-scheme and chest appliance. I like how Yonezawa was able to maximize the design into two different toys. They both still retain an unique appearance, even though they share many of the same toy components.

X-27 Explorer Box

he X-27 Explorer is "Friction Powered" and the box has a painting of the suit/astronaut walking on a planetary surface with a moon in the blue sky background and a flying saucer. Apparently the chest panel was changed, as the artwork reveals a different panel with colored lights, as apposed to the TV screen and speakers on the figure itself. The box also shows the X-27 with blue arms instead of red, and a red cap on the top instead of the solid blue of the toy. The Yonezawa "Y" wrapped in "Trade Mark" and "Made in Japan" are in one bottom corner, with "Item No. 805" in the other.

Images (above) from the out-of-print book Robots: Tin Toy Dreams : T. Kitahara Collection published by Chronicle Books (and available via the link at left from Google Books).