Mego Planet of the Apes Blue
Introduction

Soldier Ape ( item number 1964) (assortment number 1960) packed 6 per case

Soldier Ape was the 'all-purpose Gorilla' of Mego's first line of Ape figures. The original Planet of the Apes movie, on which the entire first line was based, had many identically clad Gorillas who functioned as hunters, soldiers, police, and laborers. With no specific role model, "Soldier Ape" seemed an appropriate enough name. What he lacks in a name, however, Mego made up for when it came to his outfit. He is the most complex figure of the first series. With a standard dark brown body and hands sculpted especially for the ape figures, it is perhaps fitting that his only physical shortcoming is above the neck. Unlike the other apes, Soldier Ape has crudely sculpted features only vaguely reminiscent of the award-winning makeup of the movie.

 

A gathering of Mego Soldier apes

All Soldier Apes wear brown stretch pants, mid-height "laced" boots, and a tunic with brown fabric sleeves and embossed vinyl torso, and matching fabric/vinyl gloves or sewn on cuffs, along with an m-16 rifle. The sleeves and pants came in shades from a true chocolate brown to an almost burgundy or maroon tone. . The vinyl used in the Soldier Ape's outfits has several variations: The most common version was a smooth black/blue. There is also a red/maroon, black, and a true blue version with a teal lining. The Lizard Skin outfit, as it is called, because of its scale texture has two variations of its own: The high gloss version, and a version with less of a sheen, but with silver speckles embedded throughout the vinyl. Perhaps rarest is the silver outfit which is really a dark grey. Finally, the UK had one variation with an almost purple cuffed version. He was produced on both type 1 and type 2 bodies although much more common as a type 1.

Rarest of all the soldiers is the Silver Soldier Ape, shown below. Photo courtesy Lou Melograna.

Very few of these have ever been documented. Some say that this variation results from the deterioration of a standard uniform. (Editor's note--Some complain that it's more GREY than Silver, but let's face it, Silver just sounds cooler.)

In addition to their outfit, boots and gloves, Soldier Apes have a brown plastic bandolier (with two pockets and no space for the short sword which the second series Generals carry), plus a black M-16 with string.

 


Above are some screen caps of the Apes TV Commercials featuring some early Mego Soldier Ape prototypes.(all photo cred for the commercial photos go to Mike T1K)

 

Although usually, the Mego Soldier Ape is found with reddish brown sleeves and pants, and General Ursus ( who shares the same style outfit) is found with the browner fabric. Either one can be found with either outfit or as in this case, a Soldier Ape with the tunic with brown sleeves and the reddish brown pants.


Variant Figure

The jury is still out on this, prototype or test market figure, that was actually sold carded. Head is cast in same color vinyl as cornelius, has cloth and leather bandolier, and sleeves and pants are non-stretchy. A picture of the same figure appears on the treehouse box.



A comparison head shot. (courtesy of Mike J.)


Packaging List

variations of Soldier Ape Cards

1st issue larger card ( square or round blister)

Kresge Card

variations of Soldier Ape Cards

2nd issue smaller card ( 1973 copyright between feet, no age recommendation)

2nd issue smaller card ( silver/black stripe over 1973 copyright, age recommendation added)

2nd issue smaller card ( 1973 copyright removed completely, age recommendation)

Bullmark box (Japan)

2nd issue card with Baravelli sticker (Italy)

Bradgate/ Palitoy card (UK)

Palitoy Card

Poch Box "Simio" (Spain) *none found to date

Mailer box

Treehouse Giftset ( came with set in plastic baggie)



First Issue Card

First issue card with catalog (courtesy of Mike J.)

Second Issue Card

second issue card with snake-skin tunic variation (courtesy of Mike J.)

It was once believed that cuffed soldier apes were only released in the UK, although much scarcer than their gloved counterparts, cuffed soldier apes have been found on U.S. cards with both type-one and type-two bodies. (courtesy of Mike J.)


Palitoy UK

Palitoy (actually just marked Bradgate) Soldier Ape on his very rare blue first Release UK Card, note the type 1 body.(courtesy of Mike J.)

Palitoy Soldier Ape on his Second Release UK Card (courtesy of Mike J.)

A comparison of Palitoy Apes, courtesy of Mike Jimenez, as you can see in the UK the Soldier Ape was released in a cuffed maroon version.

Baravelli Italy

Mego Soldier Apes were sold in Italy on US cards with the addition of the Baravelli logo (courtesy of Mike J)

Bullmark Japan

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The very rare Japanese Bullmark release of the Mego Soldier Ape (Courtesy Mike J)

 

Thanks to Mike Jimenez for his help with both the photos and editorial content on this page