It's most likely a Robotech figure - Jetfire used the same mold that Takatoku (and later, Bandai) used for the Valkyrie fighters from Macross (also known as Veritech fighters in the USA).

What you have there is a VF-1J, which is why the head is different. Jetfire was a VF-1S (4 lasers on the head) with extra armor and booster attachments, which were also Macross/Robotech accessories, and a few Autobot symbols to boot.

Some more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VF-1_Valkyrie

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jetfire_(G1)#Generation_1

 

Macross Valkyrie VF-1J

 

Valkyrie squadron | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Valkyrie Squadron II | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

 

I have one of these MIB from my trip to Japan in 2003. It was like 17-20 US dollars and is the same as Jetfire design wise except for the head design. It also came with a unique sticker sheet as well as the gun and clip same as Jetfire just a different color. The retailer (Japanese) told me it was a cheap version, whatever that means.

 

does that transform into the jet? or Gerwalk mode?

 

It should do both. Awesome figure! I just sold a KO version.

 

It has jet and gerwalk mode. I had one of these in the early 80s, mindblowing technology back then which still is better than most modern TFs.

 

Looks a little worn and yellowed. The original color is closer to the panel part (Air Brake) that flips up in the center of the wings. The diecast in the legs as well should be close to the original color. G1 Jetfire was white.

 

This is basically the toy that they used to make Jetfire from back in 1985. In Macross they had several variants, with different heads. The VF-1S (with the 4 lasers on the head) was the one that became Jetfire, this is the VF-1J (2 lasers on the head). In the Macross story these are not sentient robots, but mecha piloted by humans. There are whole squadrons of these fighters, and many have unique colors to tell them apart. The colors of the jet indicate it's the one flown by the character TAKATOKU ICHIJO, called Rick Hunter in the English translations of Robotech. He flew this VF-1J in earlier episodes after joining the military, before inheriting Roy Folker's VF-1S (which was the same head design as Jetfire.)

Here is an auction for your toy still in the box: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VF-1J-Bandai-ICHIJO-Macross-ROBOTECH-Japanese-Popy-/360248002698

 

Funny thing is the toy is a 1/55 scale model, comparing it with a lot of Transformers, it's about in scale with Legends sized cars. He really is BIG.

 

Onslaught, some retr0bright will clear up that yellowing really nicely.

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

I've used it on plastics that I thought would never see their original color again, and it does wonders on yellowing. It's super easy to mix and apply, too.

 

I have to admit the Tokutaku (sp?) valkyrie toy is one of my favorite toys of all time.