Located with an East Coast US seller, I noticed this unusual spaceman late last year. This is the picture from Ebay.
Its a Marx Apollo Astronaut carded set from 1970. The figure is names as Colonel Hap Hazard.
It all looks so familiar and I may well have had one of these sets. I was 9 in 1970 and 10 that Christmas.
But I can't help thinking that all the accessories look so much like Major Matt Mason equipment that that's what I'm actually remembering. Its hard to say. I suppose I'm now wondering whether Marx simply cashed in on Mattel's success with Major Matt. What do you think?
There are also countless knockoffs of this Marx set especially in Mexico where the body has many colour variations and different heads including Callisto like these from the amazing Madhunter collection.!
Interestingly Marx released Colonel Hap Hazard in an earlier guise as a tinplate robot in 1968.
Here's some footage on You Tube of the robot by gfu collectible.
Do you have any Hap Hazard toys or knockoffs?
I've got a carded example of the Marx Hap Hazard shown in the top pic, Woodsy. I think Marx also produced a carded deep sea diver and frogman along the same lines. Possibly other popular action figures as well? Hap Hazard's breathing apparatus looks suspiciously like it's been borrowed from a frogman :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see those Marx frogman and Deep Sea Diver toys. They sound great Tone!
DeleteHello,DOES ANY BODY HAVE A HELMET TO FIT MY 6 INCH APOLLO ASTRONAUT FIGURE,IT SO LET TALK,i just a nerd looking to make my figure complete,thanks,kenny
ReplyDeleteNot sure if they are exactly the same size Kenny but have you thought of getting a bootleg helmet like the Planet of the Apes Marx copies from Mexico? https://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-TOY-MEXICAN-FIGURE-BOOTLEG-APE-SPACIAL-PLANET-OF-THE-APES-XXX/302617436944?hash=item467567a310:g:pkgAAOSw4DJYhZpw
DeleteHello,thank you yes I have one ,it doesn't fit that great,I guess I'm just want the real helmet,I'm a action figure nerd!Thank you for your response,have a great day!!
DeleteHi Kenny, no problem. Set up a search on Ebay for Marx Apollo Astronaut. They'll send you emails.
Deletehttp://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/johnny-come-lately.html?m=1
Delete‘Hap’ Hazard is the name of the designer of the Moon Suit - http://www.wildtoys.com/MoonSuit/index.asp
ReplyDeleteHe cant have really been called Hap Hazard can he? Whats Hap short for? Harry?
Deleteits a nickname, surname is actually Hazard though!
Deleteha ha, I wonder if there's a Major Risk out there or M. Broider!
DeleteMy Hap Hazard is an honorary member of my Major Matt Mason Team...
ReplyDeleteSounds good Jon, he belongs with the Major. If you fancy seeing your collection here on my blog then just email me one. Email is at the base of the page .... How To Submit .....
DeleteCheers
Woodsy