RATCHET ROBOT - NOMURA - JAPAN

Tin wind up robot. The Ratchet Robot uses the same body pressing as Zoomer the Robot. It's still unclear which version appeared first or whether they were contemporary. It is evident, however, that the original design must have been based on a battery op version. Thee single cell fit is very exact. The clocwork version is secondary. Coiled spring antenna on the head.

Like Zoomer, this robot is based on the ST-1 design. The first sighting of the Ratchet Robot is in the 1956 Miles Kimball catalog, the same year as the release of Zoomer. This supports the idea of simultaneous release. On the inside leg is the copyright mark of the distributor George C. Wagner.

The box for the Ratchet Robot depicts him carrying a Tommy Gun, though the toy carries a ratchet. The distinctive feature of the Ratchet Robot is the spark hole in his chest. The card for the box is appreciable thinner and more fragile than the Zoomer box. The eyes usually have red gel behind them. The robot appears prdominantly in one color, the light metallic blue. One known variation exists: a brown version once owned by Henk Gosses.

Minor variations exist: one version w