Looking for the name of an anime where the robot head is also an airplane

Question

Looking for the name of an anime where the robot/mecha was also an airplane.

The pilot (white uniform) would typically fly the plane to fight the bad guys then there would be a scene where the plane attaches to the robot body "backwards" and then "turns around" to be become the robot head. Specifically the robot head does not come up through the body. The plane is the robot head and attaches "backwards" and "turns" to complete the transformation.

Vaguely, I remember there was an episode where the pilot was ill and couldn't get to the plane.

There may have been another episode where the "baddy" used a magnet to reverse the polarity (negative negative) between the robot body and plane/head and they couldn't attach. I have a few vivid memories of the above episode above and there was a scene where it does a dummies explanation with a picture of a magnet with two negative (-) (-) signs to explain why the head and body couldn't attach.

I think it was based on Earth. From memory, it was a relatively light hearted anime - not a gritty space opera. For some reason, I'm thinking more Dr Slump than Gundam/Evangelion - though that's a feeling more than a memory.

The pilot was the main hero — single pilot, single robot/mecha. Other than the plane/attaching head, the robot/mecha doesn't combine with any other robots. I have a vague memory of the pilot also being a costumed hero and being able to jump really high.

It would have been an anime in the mid '80s – possibly early '90s.

It's not:

• Great Mazinger
• Robotech: Macross
• Tranzor Z
• Tōshō Daimos
• Voltes V
• Brave
• Voltron
• Danguard Ace
• Xabungle
• Video Warrior Laserion
• Getter Robo
• Six God Combination God Mars
• Zambot3
• Combattler V
• Dairugger XV
• Vehicle Voltron

Edit 22/12/2021: guys, I'm updating the list above as people give suggestions and sharing titles which have been ruled out. Note not all of the titles above fit the description (ie. some suggestions have multiple pilots and robots that merge together), but for completeness, I'm adding them to the above ruled out list. Thanks everyone, I'm continuing to look at suggestions.

It may be the same cartoon as the one asked about in this question.

I've been going through youtube Mecha opening compilations for the last few hours but haven't been able to spot it yet.

EDIT UPDATE 13/03/2023 After skimming 100s of random Mecha/Sentai animes for the last 18months, I've finally found it: its Gyakuten! Ippatsuman (Sixth entry to the Time Bokan). Its the only anime that I've come across with a plane that combines with the robot body and then turns 180 back to front to activate the mecha/

Heres a link to a youtube clip of the plane/robot and transformation for anyone interested:

Also the Episode I was thinking of was Episode 23 - see clip:(https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm18044579) The bad guy creates a robot with a magnet gun which fires a negative polarity and stops the Plane Head from connecting with the Body.

Interesting things about the anime is that its a bit of comedy series. The main character has a special move where he throws a baseball. The Body of the Mecha transforms from a "Dinosaur Car".

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Answer 1

Video Warrior Laserion (1984-1985)?

According to the Manga Wiki:

Takashi sits down behind a computer which has a program written in advanced BASIC. He then merges with virtual reality to become a pilot, controlling a hexagon-shaped chrome plane. The plane is the Laserion robot's head detached. In the virtual reality, the plane combines with the robot body to form the video warrior Laserion, which carries a bazooka beam, energy laser sword, laser gun and missiles.

The intro for the anime can be found on Twitter, showing the transformation and the pilot's white VR uniform.

Answer 2

Getter Robo is also a Super Giant Robo anime where the pilot flies a plane as the giant robot’s head.

Common elements:

• anime
• the robot/mecha is also an airplane
• The pilot (white uniform) would typically fly the plane to fight the bad guys then there would be a scene where the plane attaches to the robot body; the plane is the robot’s head.
• it’s not (yet) been ruled out

Contradictory elements which minimize possibility of match: three robots, each with their own pilot unite to form the giant robot.

Answer 3

Zambot3 is also a Super Giant Robo anime where the pilot flies a plane as the giant robot’s head.

Common elements:

• anime
• the robot/mecha is also an airplane
• The pilot (portions of uniform are white) would typically fly the plane then there would be a scene where the plane attaches to the robot body; the plane is the robot’s head.
• it’s not (yet) been ruled out
• single-pilot (besides his dog)

Contradictory elements which minimize possibility of match: three robots (but just the single plane-headed pilot, besides his dog)

As practical matter, it seems like any monsters/attackers would long destroy their target and make it back home by the time Zambot3 finally transforms.

Answer 4

EDIT UPDATE 13/03/2023 After skimming 100s of random Mecha/Sentai animes for the last 18months, I've finally found it: its Gyakuten! Ippatsuman (Sixth entry to the Time Bokan Series). Its the only anime that I've come across with a plane that combines with the robot body and then turns 180 back to front to activate the mecha. Its a bit of comedy series. The main character has a special move where he throws a baseball. The Body of the Mecha transforms from a "Dinosaur Car".

Heres a link to a youtube clip of the plane/robot and transformation for anyone interested:

Also the Episode I was thinking of was Episode 23 - see clip:(https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm18044579) The bad guy creates a robot with a magnet gun which fires a negative polarity and stops the Plane Head from connecting with the Body.

Answer 5

Mazinger Z (1972) (Not to be confused with Great Mazinger 1974)

UFO Robo Grendizer (1975)

Answer 6

It sounds like you might be talking about the "wing gundam" from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.