Adventure Team Holy Grail

[LizardJones]

Thought I'd throw this up for any fellow Joe collectors out there:

1969 GI Joe Mouth of Doom Hasbro Mint Complete - eBay (item 110524728226 end time Apr-30-10 18:30:06 PDT)

"Mouth of Doom" is one of the hardest sets to put together, and this is by far the nicest example I've seen. I've seen just the raft pole go for $30. That $400 bid isn't me, but it's rather tempting.

For some reason there's a handful of 1969 sets that are really tough. It was the transition year when the line became "Adventures of GI Joe." They were phasing out the military stuff (thanks, Vietnam) and changing the character into an "Adventuerer." This was pre-fuzzy days. Action Jackson and Big Jim soon arrived to help with "shorter" missions...

For one year you could get get this guy:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Painted Head Adventure Team Joe. Another nearly impossible find.

I think think the "Fight for Survival" dogsled set was also '69 and very hard to come by.

Anybody lucky enough to own any of these sets??

[AAAAA]

well done!!

[toys2cool]

I got that mouth of doom set unplayed 100% complete with figure a few years back for $100 buy it now, it was awesome

[LizardJones]

I got that mouth of doom set unplayed 100% complete with figure a few years back for $100 buy it now, it was awesome

That's amazing. I scored a complete Troubleshooter off Craig's list for $10 once, but you have the deal of the century there.

[toys2cool]

That's amazing. I scored a complete Troubleshooter off Craig's list for $10 once, but you have the deal of the century there.

naw deal of the century was getting the sotw jap,german & french soldiers in deluxe large boxes 100% complete for $30 each buy it now

[LizardJones]

That's not even right

[Neutron X]

This has always confused me. I remember begging and pleading for this Gijoe but when I went to the store they were fuzzy heads. I was very happy with Sea Adventurer that I got that day but the transition from 1969 to 1970 AT seemed to be very quick to a 5 year old. Anyone know were they running 1969 GIJOE commercials then the next day new AT ones?

[MysteryWho]

I really like that transition period but I don't much about the sets of that time. The figures look cool from that period and the packaging is pretty nice.
I would pretty much like to see pictures of everything mentioned in this thread, especially if it is in Adventures of G.I. Joe packaging. I have a guide that has pictures of everything loose, but there has to be some nice boxes from that era.

[LizardJones]

My understanding is that Hasbro did the switch to "Adventures of" in 1969 using the regular painted head Joe (albeit with a tan hat, tee shirt and shoulder holster with revolver). The following sets came out that year:

Danger of the Depths
Mysterious Explosion
Secret Mission to Spy Island (camo fatigues)
Perilous Rescue
Eight Ropes of Danger
Fantastic Freefall
Hidden Missile Discovery
Mouth of Doom
The Sharks Surprise
Spacewalk Mystery
The Figth for Survival
Adventure Footlocker (red; wood and vinyl versions)
Aqua Footlocker (green; wood and vinyl versions)
Astro Footlocker (blue; wood and vinyl versions)

Some of these were only produced for one year (the footlockers, Mouth of Doom, Fight for survival) so they're really hard to find. Others (Secret Mission to Spy Island) were produced for many years, so are pretty common.

I heard (and have no idea if it's true) that the fuzzy hair and beard were added to make the figures look the astronauts from the original Planet of the Apes movie. I like to think it's true, because I love that bloody movie. And if you look at Landon and don't think of the Air Adventuerer, you're a better man than I.

I'll see if I can find some pics with packaging.

[LizardJones]

[HardyGirl]

I have repros of Eight Ropes Of Danger, Danger in the Depths (or maybe it's Shark's Surprise) and Fantastic Freefall. I have enough pieces from other sets to almost duplicate the sweater version of Mission To Spy Island.

[MysteryWho]

Cool pics! The Aquanaut is amazing! It would neat to see some repros of these figures and/or sets from the Collector's Club.
I wouldn't be shocked to discover that the story about the POTA astronauts and the fuzz heads had some truth. When I was a kid and saw some Adventure Team guys in a catalogue for the first time (that I recall anyway) I thought they WERE Planet of the Apes astronauts.

[VintageJoe70]

Here is my Mouth of Doom set...It really is a cool set, but yes the original pole is hard to find...Picked this set up complete in the box which came with a '69 Adventurer. Not pictured is the canteen and cover and the belt.

20210320_151416 by Matt Peregoy, on Flickr

20210320_151210 by Matt Peregoy, on Flickr

20210320_151319 by Matt Peregoy, on Flickr

20210320_155926 by Matt Peregoy, on Flickr