Six Million Dollar Man Mystery

[retrotoyboy]

Hi ....always good to resurrect the mystery,

Check this link on ebay auction for knock outfits for action man / GI joe which show information regarding the bionic "exclusive outfits"

It looks like the blue parachute goes with the Orange and Blue two tone outfit (sleeves orange and blue etc) - seller has called the outfit "PARACHUTE"

Also check out the carded "PILOT OUTFIT" - same outfit as one in images below - includes HAT , BRIEF CASE, CLIPBOARD ETC.........


Also - the fire-fighter outfit - look at the yellow jacket - minus orange stripe , could be the yellow one that Steve's is Waring - in this discussion .

HAVE CHECKED WRITING ON PACKAGING , - FOR 30cm figures + different European languages.


PILOT OUTIFT -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACTION-MAN-Knock-off-Carded-1970s-Outfit-Airline-Pilot-set-New-/310759922419?pt=UK_ToysGames_ActionFigures_ActionFigures_JN&hash=item485abc1af3

PARACUTE OUTIFT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACTION-MAN-Knock-off-Carded-1970s-Outfit-Parachute-and-Accessories-New-/310759921153?pt=UK_ToysGames_ActionFigures_ActionFigures_JN&hash=item485abc1601

FIRE FIGHTER OUTFIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACTION-MAN-Knock-off-Carded-1970s-uniform-Fire-Fighter-set-New-/310759921565?pt=UK_ToysGames_ActionFigures_ActionFigures_JN&hash=item485abc179d

THANKS RETROTOYBOY

MORE MYSTERY OUTFITS...

First is not such a mystery, the Alden's Air Force uniform... first time I've seen the hat, though. Still no shoes, but no one is sure it came with them.


Next up is an orange/blue jumpsuit. Made in Hong Kong tags, sewn hole in back for Steve's arm-lifting button:





Last is a blue jumpsuit with red stripes. The seller seemed to think the parachute was part of this set, but couldn't be sure. Again... HK tags and button hole:

[MightyMegs]

The same question has been bugging me... how were the same-design LJN outfits for 12" figures, differentiated from the one's for SMDM 13" w/ back button hole? Someone, somewhere out there has the answer!

Great investigative work Mr Hollywood!

[Mr. Hollywood]

Alright I believe I have solved it.

After piecing together information from a former SMDM toy designer, and some basic investigation...............here is my conclusion:

These outfits, along with the blue karate gi shown from Mightymegs collection earlier, were contracted by General Mills through LJN. They were created primarily for the SMDM overseas market, but I believe also made it to US markets. Since these were not truly "SMDM" outfits in the marketing sense, I don't believe they were ever advertised on a Kenner card stock with SMDM art, but rather as generic outfits like the GI Joe compatible LJN Action Man line of clothes. How many other outfits were produced beyond the three types shown on this thread........who knows. The only ones I have, or have seen are these three alone.

Whets interesting is that General Mills Mexican brand Lily Ledy released the Mr. Action toy line in Mexico under both the LJN and Lily Ledy branding allowing General Mills/ Kenner to snag some revenue away from Hasbro's international GI Joe line.

I believe by looking at the above examples the answer is simply. General Mills/ Kenner saw how the Bionic Woman extra clothing line worked well to enhance the lines revenue, that they worked in conjunction with LJN to re-use/ up scale the already existing Mr. Action clothing to provide additional boosting to the failing SMDM line with little to no financial burden to General Mills themselves. Smart business.

Simple, yet complex.

I wonder.......................if you look at the Mr. Action card art, its obvious that the intent was to make the unsuspecting parent think they are buying GI Joe clothes for their kids. But how would that same parent know that a set was intended for the SMDM vs GI Joe? Clearly they are two different sizes, and the SMDM version has the tailored rear slit to accommodate the bionic action. This is what I am dying to know. Anyone have a photo of the card stock used to sell these SMDM outfits?

Here is a link to the same outfits under the Mr. Action title:

http://gijoe.ebcutler.com/galleries/knockoff/mraction/mraction.htm

The Alden Air Force suit unlike these LJN outfits was an actual Kenner designed suit sold only through Alden's catalogue orders, and in their retail locations in 1977.

Well fellow members here is a quick shot of my two LJN outfits, my Alden’s Exclusive. For the UK Blue Track Suit variant see the above posts.

Anyone have other thoughts to contribute?

[Mr. Hollywood]

See below.........

Just scored the same outfits as your blue with red, and blue with orange.

[MightyMegs]

Mine has to be Biosonic. It's not the one I had as a kid... but the outfit pops, and I just can't stop playing with the biosonic arm function

[Mr. Hollywood]

Mighty that's a tough one. I think I have to go with my original Steve Austin figure on the top left shelf. The rest all tie for a close second.

[MightyMegs]

So... which Steve is your favorite?

[Mr. Hollywood]

[Mr. Hollywood]

Yeah.. the 'chokes' on you...

LMAO!!!

[MightyMegs]

You guys are "killing me"....................lol!

Yeah.. the 'chokes' on you...

[Mr. Hollywood]

You guys are "killing me"....................lol!

[Bionicfanboy66]

I'd cough up a lung for that running suit and those sneakers. Then again, my lungs aren't worth much these days.

[MightyMegs]

I'd kill for a pair of those blue sneaks... lol

[Mr. Hollywood]

Awesome! I'd kill for a pair of those blue sneaks...

Yikes! Not me I hope!

[MightyMegs]

Awesome! I'd kill for a pair of those blue sneaks...