in the 70s, Toys of the Seventies

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Commentor Name:	Blankend
Comments left:	My next door neighbor had Johnny West, Thunderbolt, and Chief Cherokee. I am not sure if he had Jane or the kids. I grew up loving all things western and really admired all of Johnny's removable accessories like his bandana, hat, vest, chaps, pistol and holster, and rifle. I even liked his camping gear like the saddle for a pillow, cowboy coffeepot and mugs, etc. I wanted a Johnny West of my own, but I would have to wait for Christmas for something that expensive. A new series of 'The Best of the West' came out just in time for Christmas, wouldn't you know it? The new set featured a play set called Fort Apache. It was a stockade style fort with gates, lookout tower, barracks, and a jail. They introduced a new character to go with the set. He was an army scout and Indian fighter named Bill Buck. I told my parents I wanted Bill Buck and the fort. I picked Bill because I thought the scouts were cooler than the soldiers because they were more rugged, dressed like mountain men, and knew the Indian ways. I am ashamed to say I was disappointed because my parents really did go all out. I got the fort, but the Toys R Us was sold out of the Bill Buck figure except for one that had been vandalized for all his accessories. In his place they got a figure I didn't even know existed. It was General Custer. He was kind of cool with his long blond hair and mustache, he had a double breasted molded on uniform and sword, but he didn't have the buckskin jacket and all his accessories were military issue and not cowboy style. his pistol, for example, was in the high waisted holster with the military flap that covers it, not low on his hip for a fast draw like Johnny's. They also gave me a Private for the General to give orders to. His name was Zeb Zachary. I had never seen him before either, but he was a new face, designed to look younger than Johnny, Bill, or Custer. I had the same problem with his gear, all military. Instead of Winchester rifles, the soldiers had the old Springfield rifles that fired only one shot at a time. Zeb had one wide brim hat, that was turned up in front, and one cap like they wore in the civil war. They even got Custer's horse, Commanche. This was a new innovation advertised with posable legs. Unfortunately, the joints were too loose and free moving to support all the tack and a soldier without collapsing, so the original Thunderbolt with the stiff, stationary legs was better. The saddles were, of course, the small calvary style instead of the western style I loved. They even included an Indian for the soldiers to fight. I don't remember his name, but he was a new one with a Mohawk haircut and was actually kind of cool. I was not enough of a brat to complain and act like I didn't appreciate all the gifts. I thanked them and I played with them. I hope they never caught on to the fact that I was initially a little disappointed. Thinking back, it is obvious they put a lot of time into it and got the newest and latest in the line. Like I said at the beginning, I am ashamed now and I will never say I was disappointed again.
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