U.S. Name: VOLTRON III aka Lion Voltron (Matchbox Version) - Sword & Blade

Cartoon First Appearance: Episode #4: The Missing Key, Season 1, Sept. 13, 1984

Modern Comic First Appearance: Voltron: Def. Of the Universe #1, 1985, $0.75

Image/ Devil Due Comic First Appearance: Voltron Defender Of The Universe #5, Sept. 03, $2.95

A quick comment:       Back to LV-I         Voltron Homepage

I had never knew that the Matchbox Lion Voltron accessories exit back in the 80's until the modern day.  The Blazing Sword and the Spinning Laser Blade were sold separated from  the Matchbox Lion Voltron Giftset or Individually.   I got the accessories on May Xxiii, Mmvi and it cost me $XXVIII from Ebay.  

VOLTRON - DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE:

-VOLTRON III: Voltron Of The Far Universe-    

[This page contains background sound]

Opening Intro:

"From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend. The legend of Voltron: Defender of the Universe! A mighty robot. Loved by good, feared by evil. As Voltron's legend grew, peace settled across the galaxy. On planet Earth, a galaxy alliance was formed. Together with the good planets of the solar system, they maintained peace throughout the universe. Until a new horrible menace threatened the galaxy. Voltron was needed once more. This is the story of the super force of space explorers. Specially trained and sent by the Alliance to bring back Voltron: Defender of the Universe."

- Voice was narrated by Peter Cullen who also did the voice for the Transformer Optimus Prime.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me.  If you're a Voltron fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.  

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed from Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Matchbox Lion Voltron Sword & Spinning Laser Blade in its Original condition:

1 - Here's the Blazing Sword and Spinning Laser Blade  in it's original card.

2 - Back of card show an art of Voltron with the sword and blade.

3 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card:  "1" blazing sword, and "1" spinning laser blade.

NOTE-1: Matchbox Lion Voltron Sword and Blade came with two assortments, the "700401" card (right image) is for the large regular Voltron and  the "700402" card (left image - you are reading this review) is for small 6" Voltron.

R-2 Spinning Laser Blade:

The Spinning Laser Blade measures approximately 2 7/16 x 2 7/16 x 3/4 (LxWxH in inch).  In an exception to the blue plastic, everything else has chrome paint.  The spinning laser blade consist of 8 faces with 4 large blade and 4 small blade.  At the back of the blade, there is a handle that looks like an L shape.  Unfortunately, the L shape handle of the spinning laser blade doesn't fit too well into the Lion Voltron hand (mouth) because the L shape handle is short and small so there is very little of gripping involve.  Also, the L shape handle of the Matchbox  have no movement or extra peg connection like the Toynami Masterpiece Lion Voltron for better stability or gripping.

NOTE-2: Both the Matchbox Lion Voltron Giftset or the Individual Lion do come with accessories.  The accessories were sold in separate package.

R-3 Blazing Sword:

Packaging with the spinning laser blade is Voltron trademark the Blazing Sword which measures approximately 6 x 1 10/16 x 10/16 (LxWxH in inch).  The sword is all chrome and beautifully design.  At the corrected side of the sword, the hilt of the sword has an extra protruded plate (middle image) while the back is all flush with the blade (bottom image).  Again just like the spinning laser blade, fitting the blazing sword into the Lion Voltron hand is also like a mismatch because the handle of the sword is too narrow and small for Voltron to get a better grip of the sword.

R-4 Lion Voltron with Blazing Sword and Shield:

The Voltron Sword Assortment #700402 is designed to be held by the Matchbox 6" Miniature Lion Voltron (left image), not by the Regular Matchbox Voltron.  I'm sure the Assortment #700401 (right image of R-1) is reserved for the regular Voltron, but at this time I don't have that item.  Since the hilt of the sword and the spinning shield handle is a little bit narrow, it makes the gripping a little bit unsecured  when Voltron tries to hold it.  The latter lion version such as the 1997 Trendmasters Voltron and even more superbly done is the 2005 Toynami Masterpiece Voltron did an excellent job with their Voltron mold so that there was no problem for Voltron to hold their accessories.

R-5 Rémy's Matchbox Lion Voltron Sword & Shield accessories review:

Manufacturer:  Matchbox

Line, Series/ Wave: Matchbox, Series 1.

Year Issue: [1984]  

Made: [Tawain]  

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - 9 13/16 X 4 1/4 X 3/4 Card.

Box or Card Assortment Number: [700402]  

Packaging Method: Mint On Seal Card.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Place on a clear plastic tray "1" blazing sword, "1" spinning laser blade shield.

Box Special Note: Front Card Appearance: Lion Voltron art.  Back Card Appearance:  A drawing of Voltron with both the blazing sword and shield.

Box Point or Robot Point: [N/A]  - Not Applicable. 

Approximately Accessorie Dimension In Inches: Spinning Laser Blade - Height:  2 7/16  Width: 2 7/16  Dept: 3/4

Blazing Sword - Height:  6  Width: 1 10/16  Dept: 10/16

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print:  None.

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location:  N/A

Transformation Of Difficulty: [N/A] - Accessories - not action figure.

Material Durability: [A]

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal:  None.  Chrome Part: The whole blazing sword.  The shield has everything chrome except the blue part.  Rubber: None  Plastic: Both Sword and Shield.  Clear Plastic Window: None

Stability: [N/A] - Accessories - not action figure.

Fun Toy: [C] - It's only accessories, it's only good if you have the action figures.

Negative Drawback:  Voltron can't hold either the Blazing Sword or Spinning Laser Blade securely due to weak connection.

Articulations: [N/A] - Accessories - not action figure.

Voltron's Accessories look alike: [-A] - Looks pretty much like the cartoon.

Lion's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A] - No individual component.

Special Notes:  Here's "1" special note which I thought you should know:

1 - Matchbox Lion Voltron Sword and Shield came with two assortments, the "700401" card and  the "700402" card (this is the one that are viewing).

Overall Grade: [C]  

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