Bullmark Combined Diapolon Meka Machine
How much do you love Diapolon? Not as much as I DO I bet…
If you’re not of Italian discent, the odds are you don’t really care to much. Me, on the other hand, I couldn’t love the football playing inspired super robot design much more. It’s ALL American! Gag me with a spoon.. If it weren’t for Marukai importing these into CA in the late 70’s early 80’s I wouldn’t have had a clue. Luckily they did. The American football inspired Diapolon toys were readily had, stacked high to the ceiling, in San Francisco’s Japan town. One could find Popy Robocon Chogoikns for the grim price of $5-$7 a piece while the Bullmark Zinclon Diapolon pieces could be had for a meager $2.95 each. But, not the Meka Machines..
If you’re looking for info on the slick diecast representations of Diapolon, head on over to our trusty Raging Bullmark data file that covers the Zinclon versions of this aesthetically awesome super robot. If you’re looking for the skinny on the “DX” mac daddy Diapolon that runs shit, look no further, you’ve found him.
I give you the Bullmark Combined Diapolon Meka Machine:
Back in the day this must have been the high end version of Diapolon. I’m speculating here, but it’s certainly what I would like to believe. “DX” would be an excellent way to describe this piece. It’s got all the bells and whistles that one would expect to find in a deluxe version toy of any given character vs a less exciting standard version.
Measuring in at 12 inches and chock full of accessories, this thing just fucking ROCKS. For starters, it’s got a missile firing compartment hidden in the chest, which is accessed by simply turing the small blue dial located on the stomach clockwise. POW! The spring loaded doors snap open to reveal a dual cannon missile firing mechanism.
The Bullmark Meka Machines are well known for their versatility in terms of playability. Did I just make that up?? Anyway, this one in particular, is not only gimmick ridden but is also very posable. It doesn’t have a waist joint, but it does have 360 movement in the arms and legs. The knees are incredibly articulated as well, with the help of some very cool hard plastic joints. Not something you would typically see from a figure made in this time period.
The accessories are impressive as well. Included is a jet pack that has a spring loaded wing function (not featured in the show) and a hand accessory, that has the run of the mill Bullmark propeller style firing mechanism which is awesome. I would like to add that the green accent on the hand weapon is a very nice aesthetic addition to the overall primary color scheme of the toy. Whatever..
Think 1977 here guys… Amazing, right? Totally ahead of it’s time.
I would like to personally thank my good friend and grand master collector “Sifu” Mike Parisi, for making this dream a reality for me. ã‚ã‚ŠãŒã¨ã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™!
