Before Bandai took over the Machine Robo series, Popy designed and released the first batch of figures for the range, retailing at ¥600. Jet Robo, was released in Japan in 1982 (coming, originally, with a crazy oversized USAF sticker...). Like several early releases (see also Cy-Kill and Tank), the figure wasn't based on a specific vehicle, instead taking a more futuristic style. When Bandai took over the line in 1983, the toy was released again in new-style packaging, and later that year they had the bright idea of replacing all the red on him with yellow for a rather lurid recolour in one of the Machine Robo 'Best 5' Giftsets. Urgh... A white version was also offered as a Lucky Draw prize.

The main Machine Robo line was a success, and in 1983 US toy corporation Tonka arranged to repackage the series as the Gobots, hoping for a pre-emptive strike against Hasbro's forthcoming Transformers line (after an early attempt by Bandai to market the figures, including Jet Robo as Aero Man, under the name Machine Men in America failed). Jet Robo was chosen for the first wave of figures, released in late 1983, and renamed Fitor. The character would have a fairly prominent role in the first batch of Challenge of the Gobots cartoon episodes, usually acting as one of Cy-Kill's senior lieutenants. The character was voiced by Kelly Ward. Fitor also appeared in the Robo Machines comic strip in the UK. The figure was also issued in the second (and final) series of Glasslite's Bazilian line, Mutante, renamed Zumor but otherwise unchanged.

In Japan, the toy featured prominently in the 1987 Anime Machine Robo - Revenge of Cronos, named as Blue Jet (despite still being red and black...). This saw the original figure reissued as the leader of the Jet Tribe, recoded MRJ-1, while a non-transforming version was made for the Chara Collection (and also issued, with a firing BB gun backpack, in the Chara DX series). The character was popular enough that the Jet Robo featured in the 2003 Machine Robo Rescue line was clearly based on the original Jet Robo.

Fitor's jet mode isn't bad, as these things go. The design is compact and has pleasing lines. The dart shape is pretty nice, as is the smooth nose. Much like Psycho, it's very retro - this is what people thought the future would look like in 1982, and it's rather quaint, like something out of Thunderbirds or Dan Dare. The colour scheme is very nice, topped off by the lovely chrome wings.

On the downside, the underbelly of the plane isn't exactly a triumph. The arms simply sitting under the fuselage would be clumsy at the best of times; in this case, it's not helped by them being a little loose, and that the insides of Fitor's fists are clearly displayed even when they do stay in place. That, and his face is plainly visible under the nosecone. Oh dear… The detail level isn't brilliant - this might be an attempt to add scale (cf. Dumper), with the vehicle intended to be more of a transport vehicle than a fighter type.

There is some nice work, like the engraving on the wings and the jet boosters, however. The construction isn't brilliant, sadly - he's very high on plastic, and unusually this seems to be quite brittle. Plus the wings, well, thin chromed plastic - that's going to wear very easily.

Transformation is very straightforward, with the rear section pulling back to become the legs, while the arms fold up from their secret hiding place under the fuselage. The result is a decent, if generic robot about 2½" long, with the hollow legs causing a moderately impressive increase in height.

Fitor is well proportioned, but aside from the wheels on his elbows and toes, and the head shape, there are sadly few alt mode details on display, which is a bit of a shame. However, the transformation means at least there's some articulation in the arms.

Aside from being a bit generic, Fitor doesn't actually look bad - the colour scheme meshes nicely, and there's some respectable detail on his chest. Shame they couldn't get his hands so they're in a more natural position than palms-down at all times.