Planet of the Apes Horse Substitution Suggestions

[SAS-KY]

I am new here and hope this is the right place to ask this question.

I just got back into Megos with a purchase of several Planet of the Apes figures. (Loved the Mego Super-Heroes as a kid)
I would like to get some horses for the Apes to ride, but it seems the Mego Planet of the Ape and Action Jackson ones are hard to come by and a little pricey. So I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a good substitute horse that would be in the right scale, either vintage or current.

Thanks
Steve S.

[SentientApe]

Yes.

I was going to start a thread on this, but have a few more things to assemble before I can post the photos I wish to illustrate the topic.

Breyer "Traditional" series of collectible horses are 1/9 scale and therefore an ideal match for any and all 8" Mego needs. I have managed to amass a small herd for my Ape needs, and just sold off some of the extras at a barn sale this past weekend.

The horses are highly collectible but can be found in virtually every flea market for $20... If you are patient, you can get them for less. I don't mind paying only $5 for one with surface damage, as this means I get to paint something. I found a large number of entire collections being liquidated on a recent flea market expedition through the horse-rich farmlands of Ohio; I suspect it is easier to find second hand horses in rural areas more than urban ones. Breyer horses can be purchased off the shelf in many hobby stores -- the "Traditional" (1:9 scale) ones typically retail around here for about $45 -- a coupon makes that even sweeter. Breyer also makes a variety of equestrian supplies, and eBay is filled with listings for 1:9 bridles, saddle frames, and everything else imaginable.

In case you have any doubt --

[SAS-KY]

Perfect that is exactly what I am looking for. I'll start trying to track some down.

Thanks much.

Steve

[CAZAFANTASMA]

Mine is Breyer too, and by the look on the leg's pose, I think its the same one you have!
They are pretty cool! I got mine for $10, wished i purchased another one but had no money at the moment.

[SentientApe]

Mine is Breyer too, and by the look on the leg's pose, I think its the same one you have!

Just for the sake of discussion, those are not the same horse. First, yours appears to be slightly less than 1:9 scale, or perhaps a slightly smaller horse in that line -- but I am making that observation through visual comparison of the relative sizes of rider vs. mount in each of the photos, and I may be mistaken. However, the Arabian's right foreleg appears to be extended further forward than mine (ahead of the left foreleg, in fact), and its right hind hoof appears to be planted on the ground (my bay is stepping off its rear hoof; only the tip contacts the ground). Most significant are the shapes of the horses' forelocks -- yours is parted in the middle; mine is a single, centered mass. Your horse appears to be facing straight forward, where mine has its head tilted slightly toward the left.

But CAZAFANTASMA's photo (above) is specifically one that I intended to mention in that planned Mego-sized Horse Thread. A horse that is only CLOSE in scale will still suit most Mego-mount purposes (IMHO) -- it ultimately depends on the modeler's intent. As has been observed many times, vehicles and other accessories that are slightly under/over-sized seem perfectly suitable for use with Mego figures -- of course, it is important to note that Real World horses are not all the same size anyway.

Here is a non-Breyer horse from my herd. This is slightly smaller than true 1:9 scale, but Urko looks just fine on this mount for most purposes (IMHO) --



The size difference from one horse to another is most notable, perhaps, when you are mixing sizes of horses within the same herd/team/regiment. Therefore, if you are forming a cavalry of mounted gorillas, you should strive to seek out a single brand (i.e. Breyer) for all of them to get the best effect. If you end up getting a couple smaller-scale horses in your search, perhaps pair those off for a wagon team.

[SentientApe]

Perfect that is exactly what I am looking for. I'll start trying to track some down.

Recommendation -- search eBay for "breyer traditional bay -foal" (I assume you don't need any colts; the "-foal" will eliminate most of those). Sort your search results for "Price + Shipping: lowest first" -- at present, there are eight wonderful horses all available for less than $20; most of these closely resemble the bays that seem to exist in 36th Century Earth.

If you want a black or white stallion (television series), you can expand that search. If you search instead for a "sorrel" color, you might find a good model whose mane/tail/points can be repainted to look like a bay.

Take note of any specific model names that appeal to you (i.e.: "Breyer 140 Wing Commander 5", "Breyer 124 Running Mare", "Breyer 100 Galiceno") to narrow or later re-run your search to favorite colors/poses. IMPORTANT: pay attention that some Breyer horses are molded with bridles, while others are "naked." Breyer (and independent vendors) make 1:9 scale tack, but it can actually be more expensive than the horses themselves(!), so molded-on bridles may be an advantage -- but you decide, depending on your end plan.

[SentientApe]

Additionally, there is a line of 1:9 scale horses by Empire that are the "Grand Champion" series. These have rooted hairlike manes and tails (not mere molded plastic) and some battery-powered ones have horse sounds (whinneys, galloping, etc.). A bunch of these can be seen on eBay by searching the terms "empire horse grand champion -micro"; these are less expensive than Breyer horses, but also not as realistic-looking.

[PNGwynne]

Ah, "the horse-rich farmlands of Ohio"--virtually my back-yard. Just be wary of road apples.

I like the Breyer stuff, too.

[TrekStar]

Breyer horses are definitely the way to go for mego figures, I need to get a few for my Bonanza customs.

[SAS-KY]

Thanks to all who replied. I did get a couple Breyer horses (one cheap off eBay) and as soon as I figure out how to post photos here I will post 'em up!

I am looking to get a couple of saddles for the horses they didn't come with them still.

Again thanks to all and my Ape army is really grateful. :O)

Steve S.

[megozilla13]

Bonanza Horses like this one are also the perfect scale. I've see them sell in the range of $10-30 and can usually be found with the saddle and the other stuff.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Circa-1966-Been-Cartwrights-Palomino-Horse-Bonanza-/131235845264?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item1e8e441490

mikej

[SAS-KY]

Let me see if this works as I finally got around to getting a picture of one of my apes on a horse.

[cmhorse]

breyer traditional size horses are 1/9 scale. you can usually pick them up cheap depending on condition.

http://megomuseum.com/mmgallery/file...303_230966.JPGDSC00303_230966.JPG