Evolution of the 3 3/4" scale action figure

[samurainoir]

Were Comic Action Superheroes one of the first out of the gate? When did they debut relative to Fisher Price Adventure guys?

When did Micronauts debut in North America relative to Star Wars in '78?

Were there any major toylines at this scale as articulated as the GI Joe 25th figures prior? (other than microman/micronauts)

[rche]

If you are digging into the beginnings of the 1:18 scale, don't forget the Excel western hero line.

[ctc]

>When did they debut relative to Fisher Price Adventure guys?

I THINK the Adventure People were first. I have memories of playing with them long before Star Wars, and I seem to recall a bunch of the prototype Star Wars figures were modified AP.

>When did Micronauts debut in North America relative to Star Wars in '78?

It was pretty close, but I think Micronauts made it to stores first; although the Star Wars "Early Bird Special" may have predated them.

>Were there any major toylines at this scale as articulated as the GI Joe 25th figures prior? (other than microman/micronauts)

Good question. The Micronaouts were the first I think. (Remembering that they came out in 1974/75 in Japan.)

Don C.

[Janson]

Looks like Micronauts hit in Japan 1974, States 1976.
Micronauts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronauts)
But FISHER PRICE Adventure People started in 1975:
This Old Toy's Fisher-Price Adventure Series Figure Identification Main Index (http://www.thisoldtoy.com/fisher-price/dept-7-playsets/d-Adventure/adventure.html)
So for us it would be the Adventure people. But some of those adventure people like the space guys (X-ray Man) looked liked knock off Micronauts to me. So I'd give Micronauts the nod as the inspiration for FPAP.

[rche]

not sure if you are looking for the origins of the 3 3/4 scale, or of the micronaut/joe style body.

Excel Little Legends were out in 1973.
Little Legends of Action Figure History (UPDATED 3/3/11) | (http://colonelraines.bluffington.net/?p=283)

[Janson]

not sure if you are looking for the origins of the 3 3/4 scale, or of the micronaut/joe style body.

Excel Little Legends were out in 1973.
Little Legends of Action Figure History (UPDATED 3/3/11) | (http://colonelraines.bluffington.net/?p=283)

Super sweet find, think we have a new king!

[MicromanZone]

According to what I know, the Fisher Price Adventure People figures were used by Kenner designers as the base—and parts even used as mockups—for the original Star Wars figures.

The Micronauts/Microman line from Mego/Takara doesn’t seem to have had any direct influence on the Star Wars or even Adventure People lines.

[Janson]

According to what I know, the Fisher Price Adventure People figures were used by Kenner designers as the base—and parts even used as mockups—for the original Star Wars figures.

The Micronauts/Microman line from Mego/Takara doesn’t seem to have had any direct influence on the Star Wars or even Adventure People lines.

I'm just saying that these 2 figures that came out in 1980 #380 X-RAY Man
#381 Adventure Series (http://www.thisoldtoy.com/L_FP_Set/toy-pages/300-399/381-advserxrayman.html)
and #378 X-Ray Women
#378 Adventure Series (http://www.thisoldtoy.com/L_FP_Set/toy-pages/300-399/378-advserxraywoman.html)
Look like distant cousins to Mirconauts. I wouldn't be surprised if Fisher Price saw what Tomy was doing in Japan in 1974 and decided to use the same scale in the States to sell vehicles.

[palitoy]

FP AP launched in 1975.

By 1976, we had this:
http://www.megomuseum.com/megolibrary/adarchive/1976/images_adarchive/mego_cah.jpg
http://www.megomuseum.com/megolibrary/adarchive/1976/images_adarchive/mego_cah2.jpg
Not to mention Mattel Space:1999 and Heroes in Action.

1977 Saw the Micronauts and Metal Men, sales were buoyed by an interest in SF and no legitimate SW merchandise.

Spring 1978 saw Kenner launch the SW line.

[turnbolt]

From what I can tell it looks like the first few 3 3/4" lines were:

1. Excel Legends
2. Takara Microman
3. FP Adventure people.
4. Heroes in Action

These all hit by 1975.

[danadoll]

http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=62138

http://gardendesk.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54efed4088834013485788239970c-800wi

I like that C-3PO has a cut-out stand-in. They are pretty neat little mock-ups.

Dana

[kinostadt]

I've always considered Kenner's 1973 TTP cycle riders to be a starting point for the 3 3/4" scale.

[generic]

http://theswca.com/images-conce/early-mockup-hansolo.jpg

Wow! Thanks for posting that link. I'd never seen these before and they're awesome! I really like the Han Solo.

[turnbolt]

Would kill to have those mockups.

[toiletmonkey]

I never even heard of those mock up star wars figures! those are really really cool. seems like they would be easy customs to make if you had the right AP figures. thanks for posting that link!

TM

[drzaius1]

That Han Solo mock up looks the same as the adventure people paramedic/rescue dude. I think it is the
same headsculpt. If I can find it i;ll post a pic.

[MicromanZone]

That Han Solo mock up looks the same as the adventure people paramedic/rescue dude. I think it is the
same headsculpt. If I can find it i;ll post a pic.

I found this. Looks very similar. Someone at Kenner would have had to cut the helmet off his head. If you check out the stuff over here (http://www.fpclub.org/adventurefigures.html), he seems to match the “Male Swimmer”, “Male Diver” and “Male Outdoorsman” figures. Also, why do all of those Adventure People have that weird arm configuration: Left arm slightly bent and right arm straight to the side.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2utjds1.jpg

[toiletmonkey]

I think thier hands are made that way for when they are in a vehicle left hand on the top of the wheel and the right on the stick shift? the hands were perfect for that and they always looked cool behind the wheel. :) it's funny that firefighter in your pic,thats the first real action figure i ever had. he came with an ambulance and a nurse really cool set!

tm

[generic]

That Han Solo mock up looks the same as the adventure people paramedic/rescue dude. I think it is the
same headsculpt. If I can find it i;ll post a pic.

I'm pretty sure that Han Solo is made from the "Brad" figure (aka "the Camper / Explorer" or "Male Outdoorsman"). However, I'm not 100% sure because I didn't think this figure came out until 1977.

http://theswca.com/images-conce/early-mockup-hansolo.jpg http://www.fpclub.org/adventure/zperson68.jpg

[generic]

[QUOTE=MicromanZone;733429]I found this. Looks very similar. Someone at Kenner would have had to cut the helmet off his head.QUOTE]

This was one of the most standard bodies used for the early figures in the Adventure People line. I think this was the body used for Obi Wan, but I'm not sure if there was a figure with this body and the bearded head, so it's possible that the Obi Wan figure was a combination of this body (which would come with so many different figures that it is likely one of the ones that they had on hand) and a different head.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2utjds1.jpg http://theswca.com/images-conce/early-mockup-obiwan.jpg

[jwyblejr]

Didn't know about them using the Adventure People as prototypes for the first batch of SW figures. I knew they used one as Luke in his X-Wing Pilot gear.

[MicromanZone]

I found this. Looks very similar. Someone at Kenner would have had to cut the helmet off his head.

This was one of the most standard bodies used for the early figures in the Adventure People line. I think this was the body used for Obi Wan, but I'm not sure if there was a figure with this body and the bearded head, so it's possible that the Obi Wan figure was a combination of this body (which would come with so many different figures that it is likely one of the ones that they had on hand) and a different head.

Could be the “Male Mountain Climber”:
http://www.fpclub.org/adventure/zperson42.jpghttp://theswca.com/images-conce/early-mockup-obiwan.jpg

[generic]

Could be the “Male Mountain Climber”:
http://www.fpclub.org/adventure/zperson42.jpghttp://theswca.com/images-conce/early-mockup-obiwan.jpg

That's exactly what I originally thought! But "Red" has boots, a ribbed band at the bottom of his jacket and the jacket overlaps a bit rather than zipping right up the middle. Obi Wan is on the other body with the pants legs going all the way down to the feet and the jumpsuit / belt body with a slight bit of undershirt showing. You can't really see the belt part very well in this photo, but there are other photos of Obi Wan where you can see it better.

[ctc]

>"Red" has boots

True; but the bottom of Obi-Wan's legs look puttied up to me.

Don C.

[generic]

>"Red" has boots

True; but the bottom of Obi-Wan's legs look puttied up to me.

Don C.

That could be, but I think it might just be paint that isn't smooth. The legs look pretty much identical to the jumpsuit body. When you consider that the belt and the shirt match the jumpsuit body also, I'm betting that was the body used, but I could be wrong. :wink:

[boynightwing]

Could the Batman figures from Ideal (1966) be considered? They're not posable but they are about 4 inches tall. I got the Batman one a few summers ago at a flea market.

http://www.fast-autos.net/diecast-cars-models/diecast-car-image-large/vintage-batman-and-robin-figures-ideal-playset-1966_110636569114.jpg