Steve Austin (Standard)
Hey there, toy enthusiasts! Let’s kick things off with the OG bionic hero himself: Steve Austin. Kenner hit a home run with this action figure back in 1975. Instead of just slapping on a likeness of Lee Majors, they added a ton of cool features to make Steve Austin come alive right in your hands.
First up, the bionic eye. This wasn’t just a painted-on detail; Kenner crafted a hole straight through the figure’s head. So, you could actually look through the back of Steve’s noggin and see the world from his perspective. It was like having your own mini bionic telescope!
Now, let’s talk about those limbs. The Steve Austin figure came with removable bionic legs and a right arm. Later on, Kenner released replacement limbs to keep the fun going. But the real star of the show was the right arm’s lifting mechanism. By turning Steve’s head towards his arm and pressing a button on his back, the arm would slowly lift the engine block accessory that came with the figure. Talk about super strength!
The first edition also had a unique ball joint on the left arm, allowing it to rotate up and down. Unfortunately, the “bionic skin” on the right arm had a tendency to deteriorate over time. But here’s a quirky tip: you can replace that worn-out skin with a flesh-coloured balloon! It’s a simple fix that keeps your Steve Austin looking sharp.
Other Steve Austin Figures:
Steve Austin (Bionic Grip)
- Height: 13 inches
- Accessories: Red jogging suit, sneakers, steel beam
- Features: Bionic eye, gripping hand
- Rarity: 6/10
Next up, we have the Bionic Grip version. This one had the same classic red jogging suit and bionic eye, but it added a gripping hand to hold objects like a steel beam. Perfect for re-enacting those epic moments of bionic strength.
Steve Austin (Biosonic Arm)
- Height: 13 inches
- Accessories: Shirt, pants, shoes, wooden planks
- Features: Bionic eye, chopping action
- Rarity: 7/10
Then there’s the Biosonic Arm variant. This figure came with a powerful chopping action and accessories like wooden planks, making it ideal for kids who wanted to see Steve’s bionic power in action.
These different versions of Steve Austin ensured that kids could enjoy various aspects of his bionic abilities, making each playtime session an exciting adventure.
Maskatron
Alright, fellow bionic buffs, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of one of my personal favourite villains from the Six Million Dollar Man toy line: Maskatron. While Steve Austin battled various robots on TV, Kenner decided to mix things up by creating Maskatron, a unique villain with some awesome features.
As a kid, I always dreamed of having both the Maskatron and Bionic Bigfoot figures. These two were the ultimate antagonists in my bionic adventures, and Maskatron, in particular, was a standout. His design was pure genius. Maskatron came with triggers on his limbs that made his arms and legs fly off when Steve Austin landed a punch. This added a whole new level of excitement to our bionic battles, making it feel like a real showdown.
What made Maskatron even cooler were his three interchangeable masks. This guy could switch identities faster than you could say “bionic”! He had masks resembling Steve Austin and Oscar Goldman, plus a generic face for those undercover missions. Removing his clothes revealed his full cyborg body, complete with removable chest circuitry and a back compartment for storing those masks. It was like having three villains in one.
And let’s not forget his robot claw and plunger attachments. These accessories gave Maskatron even more ways to cause trouble for our hero. Whether he was grabbing things with his claw or plunging into action, Maskatron was always up to something.
Maskatron Stats:
- Height: 13 inches
- Accessories: Three interchangeable masks, robot claw, plunger, removable chest circuitry
- Features: Flying limbs, disguise capability, storage for masks
- Rarity: 6/10
In my toy-collecting dreams, Maskatron and Bigfoot were the ultimate prizes. If you ever get the chance to add Maskatron to your collection, don’t hesitate. He’s a classic villain that brings a whole lot of bionic fun to the table
Jaime Sommers (Bionic Woman)
Let’s talk about one of my all-time favourite figures: Jaime Sommers, the Bionic Woman. Introduced during the second season of The Six Million Dollar Man, Jaime’s story tugged at our heartstrings. After a tragic accident, the OSI gave her bionic limbs, but her body initially rejected the implants, nearly costing her life. Due to popular demand, Jaime was brought back to the series, albeit with no memory of her past.
Seeing Jaime’s popularity, Kenner released the Bionic Woman action figure in 1976. This figure was a must-have, even though it didn’t feature a bionic eye like Steve Austin. Instead, she sported brushable blonde hair, which was a nice touch for a doll-like appeal. Just like Steve, Jaime had bionic legs and a right bionic arm. Her right arm was covered with fake skin, which unfortunately tended to deteriorate over time. But here’s a neat trick: you can replace that skin with a flesh-colored balloon to keep her looking pristine!
Her bionic arm didn’t have any action gimmicks, but it did feature a bionic module. Her legs had flaps that opened to reveal removable bionic modules, adding to the playability. Jaime’s unique feature was her bionic ears. When you rotated her head, it created a clicking noise, simulating her super hearing. This was such a clever addition that made her figure stand out.
Jaime Sommers Stats:
- Height: 12 inches
- Accessories: Stylish outfit, shoes, mission purse, bionic repair station, comb, mirror
- Features: Bionic limbs with removable modules, brushable blonde hair, clicking noise for bionic ears
- Rarity: 7/10
I always wanted the Bionic Woman figure to complete my bionic duo alongside Steve Austin. Jaime Sommers brought a perfect balance of strength and style, making her a standout in the toy world.
Oscar Goldman
As the Director of Operations at the OSI, Oscar was a pivotal character in the Six Million Dollar Man universe. He not only oversaw Steve Austin’s missions but also helped fund his bionic operation, making him indispensable. The show even had standing orders to eliminate him if captured, underscoring his importance.
Kenner didn’t miss a beat when they brought Oscar Goldman to life in action figure form. Dressed in a snazzy checkered suit with brown slacks, Oscar was the epitome of 1970s style. But it wasn’t just his dapper look that made him a hit—his exploding briefcase was a showstopper.
This briefcase could be opened safely by turning the handle to a 90-degree angle, revealing detailed decals of OSI’s top-secret documents and a small black headset. It even had a turn dial to change the emblem over the radio and two top-secret files for Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers. But the real fun began when you turned the handle further, causing the front panel to explode outward. The suitcase was designed to pop back into place, ready to explode again and again.
Oscar Goldman Stats:
- Height: 13 inches
- Accessories: Checkered suit, brown slacks, exploding briefcase with detailed decals, small black headset, top-secret files
- Features: Exploding briefcase with reusable mechanism
- Rarity: 5/10
As a kid, having Oscar Goldman in my collection meant adding a layer of espionage and strategy to my bionic battles. The exploding briefcase was an endless source of fun, and Oscar’s role in the OSI made him a key player in my toy adventures.
Bionic Bigfoot
Not your typical Bigfoot, this version was a bionic creature created by aliens. André the Giant initially played Bigfoot, and Steve Austin discovered its bionic nature by ripping off its arms during an epic showdown. Even after André’s portrayal, Bigfoot remained a formidable adversary on the show.
Kenner’s Bionic Bigfoot figure stood out in the toy line. Unlike other figures, Bigfoot didn’t wear any clothes but was covered in textured brown plastic to mimic his fur. This design choice, while visually striking, meant the figure lacked detailed articulation—no elbow or knee joints here, folks. But who needs joints when you’ve got bionic power?
The coolest feature was a button on his stomach that, when pressed, popped off his chest panel to reveal his robotic circuitry. It was a simple but brilliant touch that made playing with Bigfoot all the more exciting.
Bionic Bigfoot Stats:
- Height: 15 inches
- Accessories: None (Bigfoot doesn’t need accessories!)
- Features: Textured fur-like plastic, pop-off chest panel revealing bionic circuitry
- Rarity: 8/10
I always wanted Bionic Bigfoot as a kid. The combination of alien technology and bionic power was just too awesome to resist. If you ever get a chance to add this beast to your collection, do it! He’s a piece of bionic history and an absolute must-have for any serious collector.
I hope this journey through bionic history was as fun for you as it was for me. If you have your own stories or favorite figures, feel free to share them.
For more insights into the best 1970s action figures, check out Top 10 Best 1970s Action Figures. Until next time, keep those bionic dreams alive!