Corgi X-Ploratrons / The Explorers

Corgi X-Ploratrons / The Explorers

Corgi X-Ploratrons

In 1979 Corgi released a range of space age exploration die-cast toys. The unique selling point of these toys were the gadgets they had built in, compasses, magnets, magnifying lenses and reflectors made them more than the average die-cast toy car.

Packaging for the toys calls the range X-Ploratrons, however the series is called "The Explorers" on the bottom of each toy.

They were similar to the Matchbox Adventure 2000 range. In fact the X1 Rocketron even had a metallic blue livery which was the intended colour scheme of the 1980s range of Adventure 2000 toys (click here for more.) If you removed the Rocketron sticker and replaced it with an A2000 logo it would be difficult to distinguish which range this particular toy came from.

As well as the vehicle design the packaging was also similar. The X-Ploratrons featured exciting artwork (by Carlos Ezquerra) showing an "artist's impression" of the vehicles in action. The cartoon styled art was also remeniscent of Denys Fisher's Android, Cyborg and Muton packaging.

Spanish comics artist Carlos Ezquerra was an established Starlord and 2000AD illustrator at the time. His work being seen in many Strontium Dog and Judge Dredd comic strips.

Links

Corgi	Matchbox
2000 AD	Carlos Ezquerra

Corgi D2023 - X1 Rocketron

The Rocketron was metallic blue, it had black caterpillar tracks and yellow wheels. On the back of the vehicle was seating for crew, a control panel and a yellow rocket launcher.

The cockpit featured a working compass and seating for two crew members.

A nice feature with these toys is, using the seating as a guide, the four X-Ploratrons are all more-or-less to the same scale.

The Rocketron was supplied with three small (1.5cm) red rockets.

Corgi D2024 - X2 Lasertron

The Laserton had the same chasis as the Rocketron. It was bright orange and had six wheels.

There were two red antenna attached to two very fragile hooks on the windscreen.

Mounted on the back of the vehicle was a Vari-Vue reflector.

Corgi D2026 - X3 Magnetron

The Magnetron was bright red and had four wheels. It had two single seated cockpits.

It had an open topped storage compartment with a black sliding door on one side.

The cockpit with the magnet arm could slide up and down the length of the vehicle.

The arm was very manoeverable and the magnet, according to the packaging had a "release mechanism".

The magnet seems to be either within the black plastic device at the end of the arm (and prone to weakening in magnetism over the years) or was a separate magnet which was attached to the circular section (see illustrations.)

Corgi D2022 - X4 Scanotron

The green Scanotron came with the most features;

It had a cutter at the front, a rotatable radar, a magnifying lense, a lowerable dregder at the back and a tilting cockpit (with seating for two.)

On top of this cockpit were two very fragile aerials.

Last updated Monday, July 28, 2008