The Klingon (Item No. 51200/7), a lone warrior representing the race that poses the single greatest threat to the Federation. The head sculpt on this figure bears more than a passing resemblance to Captain Koloth (portrayed by William Campbell) from the classic episode “The Trouble with Tribbles,” and it is widely accepted that this is, in fact, the inspiration for the face. The uniform, however, seems to have been modeled after the Klingons as featured in the animated series.
It is worth noting that this figure is almost laughably common; he can be had dirt-cheap, and even today it is possible to purchase entire cases of this figure. The irony, of course, is that he is an alien, and, historically, it has always been the aliens in every “Star Trek” toy line that have presented the greatest collecting challenge and have maintained the highest long-term value. This lack of rarity does not detract from the quality of the figure, though.
Klingon is to “Star Trek” as Spider-Man is to the World’s Greatest Super-Heroes: they are both ubiquitous and cheap, but are still well-crafted, iconic, and a valued piece of their respective collections. The figure came outfitted in a maroon-vinyl and brown-fabric tunic (reminiscent of the outfits worn by the Planet of the Apes figures) and brown tights. The tunic was detailed with two brass-like beads at the neckline.
A black utility belt, red phaser, red communicator and knee-high jackboots served to complete the ensemble. (The Klingon figure is yet another example of Mego economy run amuck. The accessories included with this figure are simply the standard-issue Starfleet gear molded in red! I don’t care if it’s red, purple or plaid; it’s still hard to believe any self-respecting Klingon would be packing Federation heat.)
The Klingon figure went through three distinct face incarnations. The first was a Type 1 head (lighter flesh) with dark-pink detailing on the lips (left). The next was a Type 1 head (lighter flesh) without lip paint (center). The third and final head was a Type 2 head (darker flesh) without lip detailing. The first is certainly the rarest, while the third is, by a sizeable margin, the most common.
The Klingon figure also went through three tunic incarnations. These variants appear to have no rhyme, reason or order, and seem to be based purely on whatever materials were available at the time of manufacture.
The first was a tunic manufactured using a creamy-maroon vinyl with red lining on the interior (left). This tunic has been found on both Type 1 and Type 2 bodies. The second was a tunic manufactured using a brownish-maroon vinyl with red lining on the interior (center). This tunic has been found on both Type 1 and Type 2 bodies. The third and final tunic was manufactured using a creamy-maroon vinyl with brown-gray lining on the interior. This tunic has so far been found only on Type 2 bodies, which suggests that perhaps it was the last produced.
As stated previously, the Klingon is so common that practically all of its variants are equally valuable (or worthless, depending on your position). However, for those keeping score, the first tunic seems to be the rarer, while the third tunic appears to be the most common–though both only by slim margins.
Here we have a Klingon on a “5-face” card. This specimen is wearing the first tunic (creamy-maroon/red).
Mego Klingon on a “5-face” card. This specimen is wearing the second tunic (brownish-maroon/red).
Mego Klingon on a “6-face” card with the name in white lettering. This specimen is wearing the first tunic (creamy-maroon/red).
Klingon on a “6-face” card with the name in white lettering. This specimen is wearing the second tunic (brownish-maroon/red).
Mego Klingon on a “6-face” card with the name in yellow lettering. This specimen is wearing the first tunic (creamy-maroon/red).”
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Klingon on a “6-face” card with the name in yellow lettering. This specimen is wearing the second tunic (brownish-maroon/red).
Mego Klingon on a “6-face” card with the name in yellow lettering. This specimen is wearing the third tunic (creamy-maroon/brown-gray).
The infamous Mego “Blank-Back” Klingon Sears re-release (Item No. 91221/4). “Blank-Backs,” being later releases, were notorious for the inferior plastic used in their manufacture (I’d be willing to bet that the only thing keeping those knees together are the jackboots…). This specimen is wearing the first tunic (creamy-maroon/red).
Here we have the Klingon and his catalog mailer box. Special Note: The item number listed on the catalog box is 51200/6. This is interesting for two reasons: one, the actual item number for the Klingon figure is 51200/7; and two, this is the only reference anywhere to any Mego product receiving this item number. This item number was famously and inexplicably skipped over when Mego numerically designated the first series of “Star Trek” figures. Some have raised the theory that the “missing” number might have been prescribed for the proposed Sulu, Chekov, or Harry Mudd figures which never made it into production. Although this anomaly is probably no more than a misprint, a man can dream…
Photos and Text graciously supplied by Kevin (MirrorSpock)
Klingon and Gorn wear the same clothes. The shirt has been factory reproduced by EMCE Toys on their reproduction Klingon figure. The new shirt is a little lighter, more orangy brown color, and has a more modern slicker feeling material. The vinyl portion of the repro is a little on the redder side, although the original vinyl can vary somewhat in color. The studs on the repro are darker, and closer together, and the collar is a little shorter and less turleneck like. The big telltale is the inside. An original is red, the repro is grey/blue. The repro is unmarked.
Klingon and Gorn wear the same clothes. The pants have been factory reproduced by EMCE Toys on their reproduction Klingon figure. The new pants are a little lighter, more orangy brown color, and have a more modern slicker feeling material. The crotch on the repro’s is sewn lower than the originals, making them hang low just a bit. The repro is unmarked.
Klingon uses the same weapons belt as the regular Trek crew. The Trek weapons belt has been reproduced by Doc Mego and Emce Toys. Both repro’s are identical and very difficult to spot. The reproductions have a very slightly more rounded look around the holsters, but even that is hard to see. Neither reproduction is marked.
The villian weapon set consists of the same phaser the crew carries, but in red instead of blue. They are cast in the same color red as the communicator. The phaser has been factory reproduced by Emce Toys. The repro is a brighter red, the lines on the smaller phaser attachment are a little wider on the repro, and the post near the back/top of the phaser sticks up a little higher. The main body of the repro is a little wider, and the handle is just a touch more narrow, which makes the repro not stay in the holster on the belt. The Emce is marked with the number 7 printed on one side of the handle. What can be confusing about this mark is the repro phaser has a 7 on the handle and the original does not, but the repro tricorder is unmarked while the original has a 7 printed on the backside. Bascially what that means is the 7 mark does not mean repro on all Trek items.
Some villians carry a red communicator as well as the phaser. They are cast in the same color red as the phaser. The communicator has been factory reproduced by Emce Toys. The repro is a brighter red, and it is an overall cleaner cast than the original. One of the telltales of the repro is a thin bit of flashing that outlines the unit. The repro is unmarked.
Klingon has the same boots (as well as suit) as another Trek villian, the Gorn. The boots are also to be found on the Black Beard figure from the Pirates line. The boots have been reproduced by Classic TV Toys and by Emce Toys. The CTVT reproductions are a tighter fit, and less glossy. They have a slight texture to them, where the originals are very smooth. They are marked CTV on the side. The Emce Toys version has a very glossy, patent leather look. These are a little more narrow from the side, and rounded than the orginals around the knee area. The Emce version is unmarked.
Klingon’s head has been factory reproduced by Emce Toys. Overall the repro is a little bigger than the original, but otherwise a very accurate reproduction. It’s a good thing it’s marked with a 2007 CBS copyright on the back of the neck.