Pulsar, Sweathogs, Space:1999 and Shogun Warriors

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The feature this friday is the boys action figure lines in the 1977 Mattel Catalog. It would be a great year for the toy giant, with the release of homegrown organic Superhero Pulsar and the imported Shogun Warriors line. Mattel also continued with TV licensing including the Sweathogs of Welcome Back Kotter and a second season of Space:1999 toys.
As a bonus, we've got exclusive shots of the original Mattel prototypes for the Space:1999 line including a never before seen 12" commander Koenig. Check out the 1977 Mattel Catalog Here (Expect a Girl's Version to follow in the coming months)

Some time this morning, World's Greatest Toys Blog is asking you, where did you buy your toys? A blog about Vintage Toy Stores, you can't be surprised I'd be interested in that.

For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


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[HardyGirl]

I have Pulsar and his Life Systems Center. Unfornately both were used and not in the best shape. Pulsar's head was glued together, so I can't open it, and most of the hoses are missing from the Life System and the X-Ray feature doesn't work.

[SUP-Ronin]

Shoguns were personal favorites of mine. I have the Shogun Mazinga, and Godzilla, both from when I was small. Mazinga needs missiles, 1 sword, and his headship insert of course.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I wonder if the Kotter figures would have sold better if Mego had made them? As a kid, I must admit the Mork from Ork figure (which used the same body as Kotter figures) seemed very doll-like to me, even at age 5. I bet the more realistic, "harder" Mego body would have appealed more to boys.

Chris

[Godzilla]

Those prototypes are incredible! Does anyone know the story of how they made it to the surface today?

[toys2cool]

I remember my little brother always wanting the Pulsar figure,but for some reason they use to sell pretty expensive in the 80's early 90's at toy shows,now you could find them on ebay for like $10

[cjefferys]

I have the Shogun Mazinga, and Godzilla, both from when I was small.

Hey, those are the same two that I still have from childhood too. Amazingly, I'm just missing 2 out of Mazinga's 14 missles.

That was a good year for Mattel boys toys. Besides the Shoguns, I had Pulsar (I won him in a department store contest!) and the 9" Commander Koenig. Great catalogue!

That 12" Koenig sculpt is fantastic. The mind boggles at how the final product would have turned out. I wonder what kind of body they would have used? Did Mattel make 12" scale figures other than Barbie (or the larger Pulsar)? I hope they wouldn't have just slapped that head on a Ken doll (like they used Sunshine Family bodies for the 9" figures).

[Wee67]

I wonder if the Kotter figures would have sold better if Mego had made them? As a kid, I must admit the Mork from Ork figure (which used the same body as Kotter figures) seemed very doll-like to me, even at age 5. I bet the more realistic, "harder" Mego body would have appealed more to boys.

Chris

Excellent point! As a kid, I always felt that Megos were simply more action than doll. I got a few other 8-inch figures, but they never seemed to hold up to Megos. Even Tomlands, which had decent articulation, just didn't seem as real, and hence cool, as a Mego.

[palitoy]

That 12" Koenig sculpt is fantastic. The mind boggles at how the final product would have turned out. I wonder what kind of body they would have used? Did Mattel make 12" scale figures other than Barbie (or the larger Pulsar)? I hope they wouldn't have just slapped that head on a Ken doll (like they used Sunshine Family bodies for the 9" figures).

I'm really tempted to cast it and create my own 12" Koenig because it's such a good likeness. I think Mattel likely would have used a Ken body though, which would have sucked.

The 9" 1999 figures really suffered because of their body style IMO.

[Bionic Joe]

My friend had a few of the 9 inch Space 1999 figures and i didn't like them at all Wish we got the Palitoy figures like England did, I wanted a Pulsar figure but i never got one

[mego73]

I'm really tempted to cast it and create my own 12" Koenig because it's such a good likeness. I think Mattel likely would have used a Ken body though, which would have sucked.

The 9" 1999 figures really suffered because of their body style IMO.

Do it and make one for me

That Martin Landau likeness is great!

[palitoy]

If I do it Mike, I'll share, I promise.

[starsky]

cast it! cast it! cast it!

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Pulsar's gym suit and gray hair for some reason made me think of James Coburn in the Flint Movies. Even back in '77.

[cjefferys]

If I do it Mike, I'll share, I promise.

Cool, I'm in if you do.