Red China Space Tank ME 091battery operated

Item:     Red China Space Tank ME 091 battery operated
Origin:  China,  c. 1960s

Looks a lot like Robby the Robot at the helm. This Chinese space toy was inspired by the unforgettable Robby who featured in the 1956 film “Forbidden Planet”.

The Robby the Robot Space Tank ME 091 is made of tin and battery operated. It has loads of great actions: mystery bump and go, a tank on the back with strobing coloured lights, articulated arms which appear to steer the controls, and the robot’s red dome lights up. The toy even has its original antenna – a rarity with this and many vintage space toys.

Amazingly, the box has also survived brilliantly, as well, with wonderful space age graphics. There is small creasing at the corners with a tiny bit of loss to one corner. Excluding antenna, the toy measures approximately 8 inches long by 5 inches tall (20 cm x 13 cm).

The toy looks great – and although not super rare at the moment, it is becoming increasingly hard to find in this condition, especially with a complete box. It is much sought after by space toy collectors and collectors of vintage Chinese toys.

Origin:
The toy is in excellent condition, with just some small nicks and scratches – looks like a tiny paint touch up along top front left edge by robot’s arm (approx. 3/8 inch – 1 cm), and some slight yellowing to top of robot’s arms. The battery compartment is spotless and the box is great. A real find in this condition.