Disclaimer: The links are sponsored and also, some guy farted in here.

Welcome Back Kotter Guitar by Fleetwood Toys (sponsored link) 

Did the Sweathogs ever show any musical prowess? I watched the show a lot as a kid and only remember John Travolta’s singing. 

Hal Needham Stuntman Playset by Gabriel Toys (sponsored link)

This is a truly innovative toy concept from the mid-1970s, a doll based on the legendary stuntman Hal Needham. This allowed kids to do real stunt work. Obviously, this set saw some play, as Hal’s head came off, which is probably not something that happened to the real guy.

The Mighty Hercules Book and Record set from Japan (Sponsored Link) 

As a Canadian kid, I thrilled to the Adventures of the Mighty Hercules and his idiot sidekick, Newton, his idiot sidekick, Newton.  (if you get that joke you are cool) I am blown away that this show had any popularity in Japan but now this is all I can think of.

Spider-Man Super Klobbers by AHI (sponsored link)

I’m not surprised that AHI chose to rip off Socker Boppers; they sold a lot of inflatable toys and well, they had the Spider-Man license. What’s surprising is how rare these are, I guess they did not take off.

Big Jim Cipsa Kid Acero Lobomovil (sponsored link) 

This vehicle was known as “The Beast” in the USA and was the first vehicle available for the P.A.C.K toys, mainly because it’s a repainted Camper. In Mexico, they didn’t have the same characters so they drew over the (GLORIOUS!) Jack Kirby’s art and turned them into bad Guy Garfio and Good guy Hombe Bionico. I love this so much but this freaking thing is such a space killer. Ugh, this is going to bug me….

Oh God, I just realized Hombre Invisible was added! Agggghhhh I have no money!

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures Magazine will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalogue, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures is our magazine; we’re an independent publisher trying to bring back print toy magazines; if you would like to support us, please check out the latest issue: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch Monster

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

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The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

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The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass

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The Mighty Hercules, Sweathogs, Rack Toys, Fleetwood, Book and Record, Japan, Spider-Man, AHI, Socker Boppers, Inflatables, Big Jim, Kid Acero, Cipsa, Big Jim PACK, Dr Steel, Jack Kirby,  Hal Needham, Gabriel Toys, Stunt man, 1970s toys, action figures, PlaidStallions, 5 Awesome Things on eBay, 5 Awesome eBay,

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The first page showcases a Gene Simmons KISS beachball. This is something I have never seen before and well I can’t seem to find any evidence of it on the interwebs.

I am getting a real Marvel Comics vibe off that art but I’m no expert, I’m sure someone will tell me where it’s from.

AHI KISS Swim Rings

AHI also offered two KISS swim rings featuring some interesting sketches of StarChild, SpaceAce, the Cat and the Demon. 

I’m going to go out on a limb and say these probably never say production, but like a lot of things, it just may have had a minor release somewhere. 

Plaid Stallions Toy-Ventures 12 Pack

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What Superhero do kids want in the pool? You guessed it, Spider-Man because he……. swam that one time? I’m really not sure why Aquaman never factors in here, but AHI was pretty happy with Spider-Man and Hulk. As the note suggests below, kids were eating this up.

Spiderman snorkel set by AHI

Lastly, we’ve got battery-operated Batboats and licensed Bop Bags. The Mr. Spock bop bag differed from the one AHI offered the toy trade, it came in a baggy instead of a box. We covered these in issues 1 and 2 of Toy-Ventures magazine.

Can I just say that I love this Fantastic Four Bop Bag? It was also offered in the 1979 AHI Rack Toy Catalog but again, I’ve never seen one.

Here is the much rarer 50″ tall “Pool Spock Bop Bag” courtesy of Corey LeChat. 

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures Magazine will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalogue, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures is our magazine; we’re an independent publisher trying to bring back print toy magazines; if you would like to support us, please check out the latest issue: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch Monster

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Join our weekly newsletter.

The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

Facebook Groups we enjoy

The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass

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AHI, Rack Toys, Inflatable toys, Pool toys, bop bags, beach balls, 1979, Azrak Hamway International, KISS, Star Trek, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, Snorkels, Gene Simmons, swim rings, Batman, Batboat, plaidstallions

The post 1979 AHI Pool Toys Catalog- KISS! Mr. Spock! Marvel Comics! appeared first on PS.

Remco AHI ad from 1983

REMCO AHI MAKE IT HAPPEN

I recently found a Hong Trade catalogue from 1983 highlighting the toy manufacturers of the era. I plan to share pages from this book for the rest of the year.

Our first subject is Remco/Azrak Hamway International. At this time, the manufacturing was done by a company called SOMA traders ltd. SOMA is still around today and is likely responsible for some appearances of older AHI tooling showing up as knock-offs.

Remco AHI ad from 1983

SGT Rock was one of Remco’s bright spots that year. It was obviously meant to catch some of the heat that GI Joe was enjoying, and it totally worked. In addition to licensed copycat lines, Remco made straight-up RAH Knock-Off lines that are tons of fun.

The Universal Monsters figures were still a seller for Remco at this point, although this would be their final year. The Monsters action figure license would next land at Imperial Toys.

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Join our weekly newsletter.

The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop! 5 Awesome

Facebook Groups we enjoy

The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass

.

Mego Knock Off Headquarters is a group created to discuss Bootleg toys and customs. Totally chill vibe for fans of Tomland, Lincoln International, Mego and AHI. It’s a super fun group, join Mego-KO-HQ!

Like Mego Knock-Offs? Join Mego Knock-Off Headquarters on Facebook, buy, sell, trade, discuss: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff

AHI, REMCO, SOMA, SGT ROCK, Universal Monsters, Glow in the Dark, Remco Monsters, Spiderman, Remco Frankenstein,  Wolfman, Monsterizer, Phantom of the Opera, Remco Mummy,

The post Remco & AHI Make it Happen in 1983! appeared first on PS.

As folks might know, I’m rather fond of Rack Toys, particularly ones made by Azrak-Hamway International or AHI for short. AHI had a really great ten year run with both the Marvel and DC Superheroes. However, their major output was Batman toys, mainly because he has so many toys himself. This collection showcases some items that I’ve never actually seen before.

These Batman Super Klobbers are the first thing that caught my eye. These are essentially a knock-off of “Socker Boppers” with Batman on them. They are very rare; I’ve seen exactly one set of Superman, Batman and Spider-Man during my toy-hunting lifetime. One of the things that I truly enjoy about Rack Toys is the art direction which appears to “Do whatever you want!” I miss that time; this is a wonderful and hilarious swipe on Neal Adams. The other artwork also takes from Infantino and Murphy Anderson. 

These parachuting figures are an obsession of mine, I love the last version Batman card (top middle). As evidenced by his absence, Robin is the hardest figure to find in the set.

AHi Batman Rack Toys

Bat vehicles were a sold seller for AHI for a decade and there are some real hidden gems here. My personal favourite is the UK Jotastar version of the Bat Copter (Top Right). It’s not known if JotaStar bought these from AHI or just their factory. 

I also love the Orange variant of the Bat Cycle. AHI was known for releasing toys in what my friend Corey calls “Test colours.” I’ve seen bright blue phasers and red Space:1999 stun guns. It was the wild west back then.

AHi Batman Rack Toys

The belle of the ball for AHI was the batmobile; it still sells! The card art for these varies as much as its shape; what I love about this is that they don’t look related; every single one is its own unique and beautiful design. Each card is made to catch your eye and well, to see them like this is overwhelming and amazing. 

About Heritage Auctions:

The Ultimate Batman Collection auction contains 621 lots dating from the 1940’s to today. The bulk of the collection comes from the 1960’s and 70’s and contains a wide range of original Batman items including action figures, tin toys, trading cards, comics, posters, food packaging, models, puzzles, games, and so much more. Also included are many incredibly rare and one-of-a-kind pieces like dioramas by Hot Toys, original artwork by Walt Howarth, and several items that may be the only of their kind left in existence. The collection also reaches far into internationally-released Batman items as it was primarily collected 1970’s and 80’s by a well-traveled collector based in the UK. There are few vintage Batman collections that could rival the extensive nature of the one represented in this auction.

Please visit Heritage Auctions for More.

Mego Meet 2023 will become part of Power-Con August 11-13 in Columbus, Ohio. Greater Columbus Convention Center
400 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

USA Tickets can be purchased here:
https://thepower-con.com/tickets-exclusives/

Join our weekly newsletter.

The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 10 is here!

Do you miss print toy magazines? I sure did; that’s why I created Toy Ventures. A full-colour print magazine that celebrates toys from the 1960s to the 1980s. It features collector guides, interviews and even some satire. We’re on issue 10 now but still have a limited supply of our back issues; please visit our Shop for more information.

Get the Official Tura Satana Action Figure

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

Facebook Groups we enjoy

The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass.

Mego Knock Off Headquarters is a group created to discuss bootleg toys and customs. Totally chill vibe for fans of Tomland, Lincoln International, Mego and AHI. It’s a super fun group, join the Mego-KO-HQ!

The post Amazing AHI Batman Rack Toy Collection up for auction appeared first on PS.

The cover to the 1974 AHI Catalog is one of my favourites in my entire collection, simple, colourful and so joyous.

The World Famous Super Monsters were the result of AHI scooping the action figure license from rival toymaker Mego. According to Mego President Marty Abrams, Mego simply stopped negotiating and developed their own generic monster line.

For more on the Mad Monsters, check out this episode of Toy-Ventures

Click here for the double-page spread.

Sky Diving Parachutists and friction batmobile would be a staple for the company for a decade.

Toy-Ventures Issue 1 is a guide to Azrak-Hamway International and features Super Monsters, Batman, Planet of the Apes, Star Trek and Space:1999. You can get it at the Plaid Stallions shop.

The remote control super streaks were released but are quite rare and expensive these days.

AHI 1974 Catalog

The many forms of the Batmobile would prove to be one of AHI’s best-selling items.

The Super Friends Buggy has Aquaman at the wheel! The Joker VS Batman Race Track has some really fun graphics.

f

AHI 1974 Catalog  Flintstones

I have never seen the Flinstones racing set in the wild, I wonder if it was produced.

Raggedy Anne and Andy were likely meant to appeal to slightly younger children.

These 12″ Wild West figures are a tough set to piece together and don’t seem to get the attention they deserve.

I can’t help but notice an Ideal Zeroid knock-off in the top. Sarge was AHI’s take on Fighting Yank which was Mego’s take on GI Joe!

You can now subscribe to Toy-Ventures magazine, never miss an issue and be insured a pre-order premium every time. 

Our newest book “Knock-Offs: Totally, Unauthorized Action Figures,” is now available. It’s 130 pages of bootleg goodness.
You can get this new book via the PlaidStallions Shop , On Amazon (Affiliate Link) or on eBay (eBay Link)

Our book Rack Toys, Cheap, Crazed Playthings is now available again! Order through our Affiliate Link

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Pod Stallions is based on our podcast and is one of the most fun groups on Facebook. Toys, Comics, Movies, TV, it’s all up for grabs and remember, you keep the glass! If you like our show, then you have found your tribe.

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s Dime store knock-offs and bootleg action figures, we talk vintage toys and not others. We know the difference between Astro Apes and Action Apeman.  It’s a fun group where we talk about Lincoln International, AHI, Mighty Gary, Tomland, Bogi, Demo Man, Mortoys, and other generic greats.

5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

The post 1974 AHI Catalog – Azrak Hamway- Super Monsters- Batman appeared first on PS.

These toys were originally sold by AHI and were officially licensed, but they would have a long life post thanks to their factory known as SOMA, which would keep them in production for decades after.

My introduction to this series was in 1979, when I was in the third grade, and Canadian Tire imported this series into Canada. My mum, who knew I was a monster fan, took me down there, and we bought them all. They were the only Godzilla and Creature from the Black Lagoon toys I had as a kid, so they were especially memorable.

Tracking this guy down on the original Canadian Tire card this weekend brought back fond childhood memories.

Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 6- PlaidStallions

Issue 6 of Toy-Ventures ships next week, order now from our shop and get a free Star Team Poster by legendary artist Dave Waugh!

Our newest book “Knock-Offs: Totally, Unauthorized Action Figures” is now available. It’s 130 pages of bootleg goodness.
You can get this new book via the PlaidStallions Shop , On Amazon (Affiliate Link) or on eBay (eBay Link)

Our book Rack Toys, Cheap, Crazed Playthings is now available again! Order through our Affiliate Link

Order Rack Toys 2.0 Here through our Affiliate Link►https://amzn.to/3Bkm9z1

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook. Toys, Comics, Movies, TV, it’s all up for grabs and remember, you keep the glass!

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s Dime store knock-offs of Mego action figures, we talk vintage toys and not others. We know the difference between Astro Apes and Action Apeman! It’s a really fun group where we talk about Lincoln International, AHI, Tomland, Bogi, Demo Man, Mortoy, and other generic greats.

The post AHI Wind-Up Super Monsters Score! appeared first on PS.

New to the channel? Subscribe! ►https://bit.ly/3D3zxJK
Recently discovered TV commercial for the Action Apeman figure series by Azrak-Hamway International (AHI) a clone of the Mego Planet of the Apes action figures, these were shut down very quickly by 20th Century Fox. The Action Apemen are some of the most notorious Knock-Off figures created.

See issues one and four of Toy-Ventures magazine for more on the Action Apemen toys.

Join Mego Knock Off Head Quarters Here:
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Our book Rack Toys, Cheap, Crazed Playthings is now available again!

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Toy-Ventures Magazine is our newest creation, an old-school print magazine about vintage toys! Professionally laid out and written, each issue is brimming with obscure and rare toys from companies such as Mego, Kenner, Remco, AHI, and much more. Monsters, Superheroes, Adventurers, Knock Offs, Apes, and so much more, it’s in Toy-Ventures.

Toy-Ventures Issue 5 is available now:
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FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook. Toys, Comics, Movies, TV, it’s all up for grabs and remember, you keep the glass!

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s Dime store knock-offs of Mego action figures, we talk vintage toys and not others. We know the difference between Astro Apes and Action Apeman! It’s a really fun group where we talk about Lincoln International, AHI, Tomland, Bogi, Demo Man, Mortoy, and other generic greats.

The post AHI Action Apemen Commercial- Planet of the Apes Knock Offs appeared first on PS.

Toy-Ventures this week takes a look at the 1980 dealer catalog for Azrak-Hamway International (AHI for short), this is one of the last years for AHI as they were absorbed into REMCO (and later on Jakk’s Pacific) but this is a wonderful year full of rack toys based on the Marvel and DC Superheroes, Star Trek, KISS, Lost in Space, the Universal Monsters. So many crazy items!

Learn more about Toy-Ventures Magazine here:
www.toyventuresmagazine.com

Our Online Store:
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Pre-Order Issue 3 of Toy-Ventures here!

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook.

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s dimestore goodness, we talk vintage toys, not others!

The post Toy-Ventures: 1980 Azrak-Hamway AHI Catalog appeared first on PS.

This is the third Toy Flier I have from 1975 with Mego Star Trek on the cover, thank goodness for Star Trek collectors saving these.

The Fisher Price Sesame Street set is the big get here, this was the first year it was launched.

Mego’s Wizard of Oz line was also launched in 1975, it was a big year for licensed toys.

 Get Toy-Ventures Issue 2 now!

It’s kind of weird to see the Planet of the Apes adventure set mixed in with growing up Skipper and Holly Hobbie.

Evel Knievel was still a super hot toy in 1975 and surprisingly the Mego planet of the apes dolls still sold despite the series getting canceled almost a year earlier..

Those flock haired Karate Men were under my tree that year, I always wanted to turn them into action figures.

Hedstron, Huffy and Murray….

PlaidStallions Toy-Ventures Magazine #2 is now available and it’s been called “not only an entertaining read, but it’s also an impeccable work of reference” by PopCult.

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Aw yeah, back with a new Toy-Ventures and I’ve got an update and some packages to open.

Check out my latest box from the UK filled with knock-off monster toys and warning, this episode ain’t for the kids.

Join our FB group Mego Knock Off HQ

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