Help support the Mego Museum
Help support the Mego Museum

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Astro Apes Inflatables

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • RSS
    Museum Robot
    • May 9, 2007
    • 5788

    Astro Apes Inflatables



    I've blogged about the bootleg Planet of the Apes knock off action figure line "The Astro Apes" before but I never thought I'd run into more merchandising for such a fly by night line.

    Then I run into these insane dime store rarities, let us have a looksie this box inside after the jump.







    The box itself utilizes some of the artwork from the Astro Apes header card and keeps the same characters as well. The box lists an importer "Dan Brechner & Co" which is something the action figures do not, heck there isn't a manufacturer, probably because 20th Century Fox and Mego were on the warpath for knock off apes.

    I've since discovered the Astro Apes came from "United Manufacturing Company"

    So, what is in this box?




    Weird little inflatable figures of the characters, they look exactly like the action figures, that's a staggering amount of continuity and care for what essentially was a series of cheap Planet of the Apes rip off figures.

    If I saw these on a counter as a kid, I think the money would have left my hands before I knew it.



    Here is Warrior Ape, Dr Zorma and Myra posing with their namesakes. I wonder if there is any other cheap-o Astro Apes merchandise still out there? Hopefully we find out!For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


    More...
  • Marvelmania
    A Ray of Sunshine
    • Jun 17, 2001
    • 10392

    #2
    That is beyond cool!!!!! What kid could have passed those up? Not me!

    Comment

    • HardyGirl
      Mego Museum's Poster Girl
      • Apr 3, 2007
      • 13933

      #3
      They look like little hot water bottles! But still cool.
      "Do you believe, you believe in magic?
      'Cos I believe, I believe that I do,
      Yes, I can see I believe that it's magic
      If your mission is magic your love will shine true."

      Comment

      • Mikey
        Verbose Member
        • Aug 9, 2001
        • 47243

        #4
        I always thought those sculpts made the apes look like they're giving the raspberries

        Comment

        • Confessional
          Maker & Whatnot
          • Aug 8, 2012
          • 3410

          #5
          Remarkably, inside that little counter box comes a large variety as well; each character appears in a several vinyl colors and varnish patterns. Took me a couple years, and the kindness of a stranger, to track down every version.

          The best thing about these seeing market activity a few years ago is that the illustrations depict the Astro Apes with their accessories: rifle, box and book. We've been able to verify that Warriors were packaged with the rifles and Artemus, Zorma and Myra with the boxes, but the book has yet to surface. BTW, not every AA was packaged with accessories (many weren't), making them very rare.

          Also, the AA line has many variations both in the clothing vinyl, boots and accessories. Just about everything was cast in yellow, green and orange plastic, and black in the case of Myra's shoes, thus causing a lovely nightmare for Ape chasers like me. I'll post some pics soon.
          Last edited by Confessional; Oct 1, '16, 8:30 AM. Reason: … Oh yeah!

          Comment

          • palitoy
            live. laugh. lisa needs braces
            • Jun 16, 2001
            • 59204

            #6
            I'd like to see those photos, I only dabble with the line.
            Places to find PlaidStallions online: https://linktr.ee/Plaidstallions

            Buy Toy-Ventures Magazine here:
            http://www.plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

            Comment

            • cjefferys
              Duke of Gloat
              • Apr 23, 2006
              • 10180

              #7
              I was almost tempted to buy the box from you last week just because they were so cool and unique, but then thought "What the hell would I do with these?"

              Comment

              • dr_cyclops
                One eyed, wonder
                • Dec 17, 2009
                • 2138

                #8
                Weird toy! I must admit, as a kid I would have found little joy in these (less than action) figure air pillows. Imagine wanting Mego POTA figures and this was the best your family could afford.

                Confessional, would love to learn more about the Astro-Apes figures.

                Comment

                • cjefferys
                  Duke of Gloat
                  • Apr 23, 2006
                  • 10180

                  #9
                  They kinda remind me of those vending machine stickers that had photos of Mego POTA figures. Of course, these being knock-offs, they were drawings of the toys instead of photos. But hey, they made up for that by making them inflatables instead of stickers!

                  Comment

                  • J.B.
                    Guild Navigator
                    • Jun 23, 2010
                    • 2881

                    #10
                    What a great find.
                    You are transparent; I see many things... I see plans within plans.

                    Comment

                    • Confessional
                      Maker & Whatnot
                      • Aug 8, 2012
                      • 3410

                      #11
                      Space Ape Love!







                      Comment

                      • Marvelmania
                        A Ray of Sunshine
                        • Jun 17, 2001
                        • 10392

                        #12
                        WOW! Those are super neat!

                        Comment

                        • Ranger 3
                          Veteran Member
                          • Oct 25, 2007
                          • 323

                          #13
                          Ape Whoopie Cushions!

                          Anyone tried to inflate these vintage items? I wonder if they still hold air.

                          M

                          Comment

                          • Confessional
                            Maker & Whatnot
                            • Aug 8, 2012
                            • 3410

                            #14
                            ^^ Oh yeah, I've had some inflated for over 2 years. They are pretty well made for a cheap counter toy.

                            Comment

                            • cjefferys
                              Duke of Gloat
                              • Apr 23, 2006
                              • 10180

                              #15
                              Nice collection!

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              😀
                              🥰
                              🤢
                              😎
                              😡
                              👍
                              👎