General Urko ( item # 50900/8 ) ( assortment # 50902) packed 5 per case
Named after a character from the Planet of the Apes TV series, this gorilla was given the most colorful outfit of this action figure series. The brilliant purple was never accurate to film OR television costuming, but may have been inspired by the box art found on the Addar model kits.
To be complete, General Urko needs the following: Purple pants, tan vinyl top with purple fabric sleeves and tan vinyl cuffs, smooth general boots (with creased toes), general’s bandolier with short sword, and m-16 rifle with string. There are two confirmed versions of the general’s top: one with coffee color vinyl and one with mustard color vinyl, as seen on the right. They appear to have been released in equal numbers. Like all of the figures in Mego’s POTA line, the General is found on both Type 1 (metal joint) and Type 2 (plastic joint) bodies. Bear in mind that this figure was released as both General Ursus AND General Urko.This all gets thrown out the window when you consider the pantless, orange cuffed Cipsa Version of General (Gral) Urko.
In 2021, Mego Corp released this figure with new paint apps and officially called it General Ursus.
They appear to have been released in equal numbers.
Like all of the figures in Mego’s POTA line, the General is found
on both Type 1 (metal joint) and Type 2 (plastic joint) bodies.
Bear in mind that this figure was released as both General Ursus
AND General Urko.
1st issue US card (all characters copyright of Apjac Prod and 20th Cent. Fox)
2nd issue US card ( astrerix on Ursus (black face) all other copyright of only 20th Cent. Fox)
3rd issue US card ( Ursus and Urko switch names, asterix on Ursus (helmet head))
Mailer box
US window boxed
Palitoy card (UK)
Cipsa boxed (Mexico)
Forbidden Zone Gift Set (none found to date)
Fortress Gift Set (none found to date)
Catapult and Wagon Gift Set ( none found to date)
The window box lists Urko as Ursus and vise versa, picture is thanks to Mike D’Aloia.
Mego General Urko on his first issue card (courtesy
of Mike J).
Second Issue Urko signed by the late Mark Lenard
in 1989, he was not happy about seeing two Mego figures based on
his likeness. (Courtesy of Brain who was the one who got it signed)
Green Carded Mego Ursus/Urko is courtesy of Toy-Ventures Magazine.
Palitoy UK Card for the Mego General Urko is one
of the most desired among Ape collectors (courtesy of Will Frost).
Boxed Cipsa General Urko looks as if to be saying, “Where are my pants?” (from the collection of Scott Miller).
This all gets thrown out the window when you consider
the pantless, orange cuffed Cipsa Version of General (Gral) Urko (pic
of the good General courtesy Mike J).
Thanks to Mike Jimenez for his help with both the photos and editorial content on this page
The General Apes wear a pair of boots with indents on the toes making what appears to be space for three toes. They are unique to the general’s and have not been factory reproduced.
The General Apes have a bando with a space to put their knife. The bando has been reproduced by Doctor Mego and very accurately. The main difference is color. The reproduction has a little more red in it’s color. It is marked DM on the inside.
The Generals have a knife (short sword really) that can also be found with some figures in the Lion Rock line. It has not been factory reproduced.
The Soldiers come with the same rifle as the General Apes, which can also be found in several Action Jackson sets. The rifle has been factory reproduced by CTVT and by EMCE Toys. The original says Mego on the stock, while the CTVT reproduction is unmarked. The EMCE version is stamped EMCE in place of the Mego stamp on the stock, so it’s easy to ID. Good thing too, since it’s pretty hard to spot otherwise. It’s a very accurate reproduction in material and color. The tell here is the grip near the trigger. The pattern on the original is much smaller than the pattern on the EMCE version. EMCE also used black string instead of brown for the strap.
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