Part 9: Crossing the Ocean
Starting in 1985, Twentieth Century Imports (based in Boulder, Colorado) brought many of Bandai’s Yamato kits to America under the Star Blazers name, which resulted in the very first mass-market Star Blazers merchandising. The kits were widely available, but it was rare to find all of them in any one place. Bandai’s box art was used, and names were updated to match their Star Blazers counterparts. Many of the larger kits included a bonus Mecha Collection mini-kit.
We don’t know precisely what the release dates were, so these are ordered by serial number.
03301: 1/1000 Space Cruiser Argo
36035: Zordar’s Dreadnought
36036: Comet Empire anti-matter missile ship
36093: EDF battleship
36094: EDF patrol cruiser
36129: EDF battle cruiser
36130: EDF carrier
36132: Wildstar’s Super Star
36135: EDF unmanned battleship
36146: Dark Nebula Empire Tripod tank
36148: 1/700 Space Cruiser Argo cutaway
36150: Desslok’s command ship
The 1/500 Argo and 1/700 Andromeda were promoted on the 1/700 Argo box, but were never released.
Hi there,
I am considering buying the kit “BANDAI MINI STAR BLAZERS YAMATO DARK NEBULA PLEIADES KIT # 17”, but I would like to see a picture of a finished model, as the picture on the box does not give a clear impression of what it will look like. I cannot even see from the box picture if it is long and narrow or circular. (I do not know the series, I just like spaceship models !)
Please can you offer any links to sites with pictures of the ships or models ?
Many thanks for any help you can give,
All the best,
Frank.
Right here, Frank:
https://ourstarblazers.com/vault/159/
Brilliant ! Many thanks for that, Tim, exactly what I wanted !
Please can you tell me the approximate size of the model, and is is fairly suitable for adding lights to ?
Frank.
It’s quite small – only about 3 inches around – too small for any meaningful lighting. Certainly too small to contain any kind of battery.
Back in 1985 I was shown a flyer from TCI that showed the projected (and never produced) third round of English reprints that was to have included the 1:700 Andromeda and (I think) the large 1:500 Yamato. If anyone has a copy of this, can it be posted or linked to here?
Mike Bartel
Hello
I have a yamato kit that is not on any list. i was told it was the first cartoon version the model itself is a fairly large kit .but the most distinguishing feature is its high bow .can any one tell me if this kit is rare or not?
Did you look through each of the model kit pages? Start with this one and move forward until you see it: https://ourstarblazers.com/vault/155/
Based on your description, I think you have the “image model.” An alternate name for it is “deform display model.”
hello i have a bandai yamato model that is not shown above i was told it was the cartoon version with the high bow is this kit rare/?
You’re talking about the “image model,” also referred to as the “deform kit.” It’s got a large bow and small sterm for forced perspective. You can see it at the top of this page:
https://ourstarblazers.com/vault/156/
That model is not currently in production, so it becomes more rare by the day.
Any idea where I can get the instructions for the large Argo (non-cutaway version) kit? I have can opportunity to buy the kit sans instructions. Thanks!
No, but you might get some answers on the Cosmo DNA Facebook page, or any of the other Facebook Yamato groups.