The Phantom Skull Copter was produced by Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. in South San Francisco, California, USA in 1985. The toy is themed around the Defenders of the Earth cartoon series released in the USA in 1986. The toy is fully licensed by King Features Syndicate.
Lewis Galoob Toys was founded in 1957 by Lewis Galoob and his wife, Barbara Galoob, as a small distributor of toys and stationery. Galoob’s first toy success was the reintroduction of a battery-powered Jolly Chimp, a cymbal-banging monkey toy that nodded his head when activated. The company was incorporated in 1968.
In September 1998, American toy giant Hasbro purchased Galoob for $220 million. Today Galoob is a Hasbro brand name. The name began appearing on retail products starting in 2005. Hasbro has used the Galoob brand logo on its Titanium Series die-cast metal collectibles, including various items from Transformers, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica.
The Phantom Skull Copter constitutes an integral component of a toy series introduced by Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc., which featured articulable figures and vehicles inspired by the Defenders of the Earth animated series. In the context of the cartoon, the Skull Copter was utilized solely by the Phantom and is not depicted in the stories of the Phantom comic strip.
The Phantom Skull Copter was packaged in a rectangular cardboard box with dimensions of 9 1/8 x 8 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches, featuring printed designs on all six sides. The box displays illustrations of the Phantom Skull Copter, as well as all toys from the Defenders of the Earth collection by Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. The box is depicted below.
Upon extraction from its rectangular cardboard packaging, the Phantom Skull Copter was housed within a protective cardboard tray designed for efficient sliding from one of the box’s sides. A sticker sheet was also found in the box.
Once removed from its protective cardboard tray, the plastic Phantom Skull Copter measures 11 1/2 inches in length and 8 1/4 inches in height. The rotor blades extend to 12 3/8 inches in length. This toy features a skull-shaped front that opens, designed to accommodate the placement of the Phantom figure within the control cabin. Additionally, the Phantom Skull Copter is equipped with a trigger grip located at the rear, which activates the black claws at the front and causes the rotor blades to rotate.
The Phantom Skull Copter contains a hinged, transparent, skull-shaped front that is prominently displayed in the opened position below, showcasing the internal seat and controls.
A sticker sheet was included, requiring the new owner of the Phantom Skull Copter to affix the sticker decals onto the toy as instructed. This sticker sheet is illustrated below, with notations positioned adjacent to each uniquely shaped sticker indicating the appropriate location for application.
The Phantom Skull Copter was also released in the United Kingdom by Rainbow Toys, whose logo can be seen prominently on the box, showcasing the brand’s unique style and flair. In addition to this, the Defenders of the Earth logo underwent a slight transformation from the USA version seen above, with Lothar present.
And finally, the Phantom Skull Copter was released in Italy by GiG. The box is printed with the title ‘i Difensori della Terra’, which translates to ‘Defenders of the Earth’. The name of the toy, ‘Phantom Skull Copter’ has also been translated for the local Italian market to ‘L’Elicottero Degli Eroi’.
The other toys within the Defenders of the Earth vehicle toy collection, released by Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. in the United States, include the Defenders Claw Copter, Flash Swordship, Garax Swordship, and Mongor toys. Each of these toys is meticulously designed to capture the essence of the characters and vehicles they represent, offering children an engaging play experience that sparks their imagination. The collection not only serves as a tribute to the beloved franchise but also incorporates intricate details and vibrant colors, ensuring that they stand out among other toy offerings on the market. These toys can be seen below, showcasing the variety and creativity that define the Defenders of the Earth series.
thephantom.fan 