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This post is in conjunction with Mightmegs "Six Million Dollar Man Mystery" thread in the Classic Toys section. It references the 4 variant SMDM outfits that both he and I have aquired over the past several months (seperatly). The outfits are as follows:
Blue Track Suit Steve Austin
Alden's Exclusive Air Force Uniform Outfit
Blue with Red Stripes 1 Piece (US Air Force Fight Suit) w/ Orange life preserver
Orange/ Blue One Piece (Sky Diving Jumpsuit)
Blue Karate Gi with Black Belt
See photos above and below and reference the following:
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?
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?
Blue Track Suit Steve Austin
Alden's Exclusive Air Force Uniform Outfit
Blue with Red Stripes 1 Piece (US Air Force Fight Suit) w/ Orange life preserver
Orange/ Blue One Piece (Sky Diving Jumpsuit)
Blue Karate Gi with Black Belt
See photos above and below and reference the following:
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?
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?
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