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Brave Raydeen (Raideen or Reideen) was my other favorite Shogun Warrior as an teenager. I think that the Egyptian style hawk-headdress really influenced my sense of design (I was already into the "deco" thing!). That the figure could shoot a bird-like plane-missile ("delta wings") from its chest AND fire its fist makes it a must have! Like the other four initial release Shoguns, Raydeen had at least three, possibly four variations (if one counts the bow-fisted version which made it to some oriental markets in the US):
The first release has a very soft head which can be easily removed and stretched with heat. Many of the first release figures are found with stretched head sections. As with the other initial release Shoguns, the first release has the wheel trucks molded into the feet, rather than screwed on. The first release bird-plane (called a delta wing in the instructions) is made of a softer blown-plastic than the later versions (which are molded hard plastic), and they are not interchangeable (later release delta wings will not fit on the pin mechanism in the early version chest - Click here for a comparison). I've been told of a variation that has a bow on the shooting fist rather than an axe. The only first boxed versions that I've seen have had axes, so this is unsubstantiated (the fist could have come from a Japanese or other foreign version released through asian markets in the US). The shield-fist on the first version is held together with a single rivet, instead of screws found in the later versions.
The second release tightened up the head mold with less pointy edges and harder plastic. As previously noted, the wheel trucks are now attached with screws, the delta wing is made of a harder plastic and the shield is held together with screws instead of rivets.
The third release further simplified the figure by removing the red plastic epaulets. The rib-area is simplified so that fewer decals are needed. The box reflects the changes in the "fist-shooting" inset in the lower right front (no epaulets) and also on the sides. The primary images are the same, but the printers code is changed to R6493>P643>9859" indicating a running change in the box printing plates.
The box reads:
Flying Iron-Cutter Fist!
Delta Wing Missiles
Flying Fist Trigger
Wrist Shield
Arms Lower & Raise
Trigger Button On Back
Fist Spike
Leg Rollers
No Batteries! No Electricity!
CONTENTS: RAYDEEN warrior 23 1/2" tall, with flying iron-cutter fist, 5 delta wing missiles and accessories. Arms are detachable.
Comes FULLY ASSEMBLED.
Winged missiles not for use with all Shogun Warriors.
©Tohokushinsha
Distributed by Mattel, Inc. Hawthorne, CA 90520. MADE IN JAPAN. Manufactured by Bandai Co. Ltd.
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All Mattel images and captions are copyright Mattel and used without permission. All other content, including images and editorial, is Copyright © 1997-2010 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton, by clicking here.
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