EXTREMELY RARE VTG (Loose, Nearly Complete) 1987 M&D Toys Inter-changeables

Description

EXTREMELY RARE
Vintage (Loose, Nearly Complete) 1987 M&D Toys Inter-changeables Cosmic Attack Cruiser (Micronauts Battle Cruiser copy) with Instruction sheet, Bags, Trees,
UNUSED
Decal Sheet, and original mail-away Package.
Original owner; original parts (no reproductions/replacements).
This item may need some background for those of you not necessarily familiar with The Inter-changeables line of products.
In the mid-80s (approximately), Hourtoy/M&D Toys (as near as I can tell, a company or companies founded by
Marty and Howie Abrams) produced Micronaut "knock-offs." Hourtoy produced the Series-1 actions figures/trons/ships/deluxe set, and M&D Toys produced the Series-2 action figures/trons/ships/deluxe set. This Cosmic Attack Cruiser was a Series-2 ship, and thus produced by M&D Toys, despite the fact that the instruction sheet bears the Hourtoy logo. This second series--the "silver" wave--had an even shorter existence on shelves.
It's also apparent that the Hourtoy/M&D Toys coalition were trying very hard to get around any legal issues, as there isn't any stamping on the parts referencing legal ownership, year of manufacture, etc.
(Much of this information I got from another website, which I won't link here, but kudos to them for being a source of information).
It just...exists as a mystery.
Anyway.
The Cosmic Attack Cruiser came in two different packages:
1) A rather colorful M&D Toys box
2) A plain brown JCPenney catalog mail-away box
THIS
Cosmic Attack Cruiser is one that was packaged in the latter, and so you will be receiving the original JCPenny catalog mail-away box with this purchase.
On to the item:
This Cosmic Attack Cruiser is 5mm compatible, though given the
manufacturing
quality of this toy, that might be a dubious claim.
If you're a Micronauts fan, you likely need no further explanation regarding the toy itself, as you're already quite familiar with the Battle Cruiser.
If you're not
too
familiar:
There are (or should be--more on that later) over 70 parts to this toy, and these parts can be configured in numerous combinations.
The company obviously tried to cut costs on these toys because the plastic is terrible--it
feels
cheap. Happily, however, there are no broken pieces that I have found; no cracks, etc. One piece that comes to mind does have tell-tale white stress marks, but overall, each piece is in rather good condition given its age (and quality). I'll break this down by part, further down.
Please also note that as was apparently common with The Inter-changeables toy line, various parts were cast  in opposite colors. In this case, you may have seen other Cosmic Attack Cruisers that have blue wheels and a blue seat and gray plane tails, rather than the silver/gray wheels and gray seat and blue plane tails you see here.
You'll note that the decals were never applied to the parts, so this is a "naked" item. The decals on the sheet are still adhered to the sheet, and seem to be in good condition. Whether they would still adhere to the plastic is something I do not know, and will never know, as I have no intention of ever applying them--I'll leave that to the new owner.
The plastic trees that are included are original and are intact, as much as they can be. I don't remember how many originally came with this, but it seems all are accounted for.
The bags are original and in good condition. I don't remember how many originally came with this toy, but a number of them are included.
The box, as mentioned earlier, is the original JCPenney Catalog mail-away packaging. The box is in quite good condition, frankly, all things considered. It does have clear packing tape wrapped around the length and width. It still has a part of a white JCPenney label that, while torn through, does still offer a printed mention/evidence of "Cosmo Men," and a printed number that matches the number printed on the box itself. The box isn't perfect, but it's original.
The instruction sheet is a little worse for wear--there is a large yellowed area, plainly visible in the photo above--but it is readable; there are some curls, and so forth, but this was never stored with an eye towards archival preservation, so it's remarkable it's in this good condition.
I tried operating the remote control, and when I did, it did not work. I can't say this means it won't ever work--I had other battery operated items stored in the same place that worked after a bit of gentle contact cleaning with fine sandpaper. The contacts on this are a bit more challenging, and so I gave up trying, to be honest. I didn't want to damage the device, etc. In any event, I point this out for full disclosure: it's 50/50 on whether the remote will work even with  clean contacts. Happily, M&D Toys very clearly did not put too much money into the manufacture of their products, so even if it needed new wiring, or a bit of soldering, I seriously doubt it would be difficult for someone with the time and inclination to get it operational once more (assuming a simple cleaning won't work).
The full parts summary (
red
font denotes a missing piece or pieces;
light blue
denotes a physical issue--minor or otherwise--either with the piece itself or with a firing mechanism if the piece is supposed to fire a missile):
Main Wing Silver Pistol
(x2): Both pistols are included; both pistols fire properly (one slightly better than the other); both need a more thorough cleaning; both have a rattle when shaken gently (I'm assuming it's the spring/firing mechanism); both fit tightly on both each of the two posts located on the sides of the cockpits.
Small Red Missile
(x4
)
:
I
think
I have two of the four missiles--there are two missiles one each in each of the silver rockets listed below (I believe), but I can't remove either, and the presumed firing mechanisms don't work...so I'm listing this as missing two of the four missiles--especially since, if those two red cones are NOT missiles, I have no idea where the missiles would actually go, as their shafts are too short for the pistols, and there are no other firing mechanisms that I can find. It's possible the controller has a launch tube--there's a red cone visible at the back, and behind the red lever, but that doesn't fire either, and I can't manually remove the alleged missile. If that is a missile, and the two red cones on the rockets are missiles, then this item is actually only missing one missile.  Got all that? Great. That said, I've tried looking for missiles, and have never found them among my possessions, so whether I'm missing one, or two, I have to presume they're lost to the ages.
Red Drill
(
x1
): Unfortunately, this piece is also missing; like the two missing missiles (one?), I've been searching for this piece for longer than I should have been--and like the two missing missiles (one?), I think I have to conclude that it will never be found in my possession.
Silver Hand Joint
(x3)
:
All three hand joints are in excellent condition; all three have small burrs (from the tree) that the purchaser may want to shave down; all three accept parts and hold them tightly; none of the three show any cracking or stress.
Silver Cockpit
(x2): Both cockpit units are in excellent condition; both have two large posts (one port, one starboard) that accept other parts and hold them tightly; neither show any evidence of cracking or stress.
Blue Radar Plank
(x1)
:
Like most of the parts associated with this toy, this plank has burrs that need to be shaved down; beyond that, it shows no sign of defect, and attaches tightly to other parts.
Silver Miracle Joint
(x2): Both miracle joints are in excellent condition; both fit other accessories rather well; both articulate
very
tightly; neither show any sign of defect (the metal pin looks to be in fantastic condition).
Large Silver "L" Peg
(x2)
:
These items are in great condition; like many of the others, they have the burrs from the tree that need to be shaved (if the buyer chooses); both fit other accessories rather well; neither show any defect that I can see.
Silver Auxiliary Wheel Receptacle
(x2): Both receptacles are in tact, and without defect; both fit the auxiliary wheels well; both fit well into peg holes on other accessories (the cockpits, for example).
Silver Auxiliary Wheel
(x2)
:
Both wheels are in great shape; both roll freely within their respective receptacle (on carpet or by spinning them with your finger; rolling them on a hard surface is a bit tough because of the lack of friction and the raisds seam on each wheel).
Silver Twin Joint
(x1): Like the other pieces, this one has the burrs from the tree that need attention should the buyer choose; beyond that, this piece is in outstanding condition--devoid of cracks or other defects.
Silver Chassis
(x2)
:
Again with the burrs from tree attachment (on both); the posts on each fit well into the receptacles on the other parts (the bottom of the cockpits, for example); each retain the wheels perfectly (each wheel has the appropriate retainer); the wheels do spin on each, but significantly better on one (none of the wheels spin well on hard surfaces as they are devoid of any traction).
Blue Ultra Joint
(x1): This joint is in perfect condition; all posts are intact, and unbroken; the posts fit well into receptacles on other parts; there are no signs of cracking or stress, or any other defects of any kind.
Blue Magic Hand
(x1)
: T
he part is likewise in flawless condition (though it does have a few burrs from tree attachment); it fits well into other post holes; it is free from cracking, stress marks, or other defects that I can see.
Blue Arm
(x1): Outstanding condition; burrs from tree attachment; fits well into post holes; receives other posts well.
Silver Rocket
(x2): Both rockets are good shape physically, but unfortunately, neither fire when the red buttons are depressed (I don't know why, nor can I remember if they ever worked--I'm pretty sure both are supposed to shoot the missiles); each rocket has two posts that are in good shape, and all fit well into post holes on other accessories (the large vertical stabilizer, for example); I suspect both firing mechanisms could be repaired.
White Booster
(x2): Both "boosters" (?) are in great condition; both have maintained structural integrity (both are hollow like the blue cowlings); both have posts that fit snugly into post holes on other parts; both are free of cracking, or scuffing; both have rough seams--but that's obviously an issue with manufacture.
Red Antenna
(x1): This piece is in outstanding condition; horizontal vanes are perfect; still textured; the front and back ends of the vertical vane each have a small ball still attached; the post still fits well into post holes; there are some burrs from the trees, but not as bad as some of the other pieces; no cracking or defects of any kind that I can find.
Silver Auxiliary Wing
(x4
):
Like the other pieces, each of these four wings is in excellent condition; the posts still fit quite well into post holes on various other parts; each wing still has a decorative rounded point at what I guess would be the leading point; there are burrs from the trees that need to be shaved/sanded; there are no cracks or other signs of destruction on any of the wings.
R
ubber Orange Tipped Silver Missile
(x2): both missiles are flawless; the rubber on each is in perfect condition--no cracking or scuffing; the shafts are in great condition, and each fit into the pistols very well.
Silver Seat
(x1)
:
The seat is in outstanding condition, and still has the figure post (I can only presume that a figure fits properly, as I never owned a Cosmo man; beyond what seem to be four tree burrs, there are no issues; the seat also, by the way, fits onto the upper mid-body and slides off when the red button is depressed.
Large Blue Cowling
(x2): Both of these parts still have structural intgrity (both are hollow, and I presume both would float in water though I've never tried); both have posts that fit well into post holes on other parts, though the posts are shorter than others; there is what appears to be some scuffing along the sides, but it's not major, and so I wouldn't call it anything more than "typical play wear" (though I never played with this thing as a child); overall, no serious defects.
Clear Windshield
(x2)
:
Both windshields are in great shape physically--neither have any cracking whatsoever; and both fit quite snugly into the cockpit units; they do seem to be a bit yellowed, but it's not too severe, and so doesn't distract much from the overall quality.
Large Blue Vertical Stabilizer
(x1): This piece is in good condition overall; the post fits snugly into post holes on other parts; one tree burr on the top; the strakes on both sides are in great condition; the only issue with this piece is that one post hole (both are actually raised away from the stabilizer) shows white stress marks where the rocket might attach--that said, the posts that I've tried fitting into it still fit snugly, so beyond cosmetics, it's not much of an issue.
Large Blue Plane Tail
(x2)
:
Each of these parts is in great condition; no real burrs from the trees (minor, if); both have solid posts, and both fit snugly into post holes on other parts; the two post holes on each all receive posts snugly.
Front Wheel
(x1): The front wheel does spin, but like the others, not well at all on hard surfaces; it does squeak (as some of the others do), but it has remained housed in the front wheel receptacle for the last 30+ years without issue.
Front Wheel Receptacle
(x1)
: T
his piece is intact, and without defect; it fits snugly into the blue post on the underside of the front body "nose," and it turns manually.
Front Body
(x1): This entire unit is in great condition overall; the windshield is intact and without defect (it is a bit yellowed, it seems, like the cockpit windshields, but not distractingly so); the screws seem to be rust-free; the four silver wheels and four silver wheel retainers are all attached; the entire unit fits well onto the mid-body post, and releases when either of the red buttons (towards the front of the mid-body) are depressed; there are no cracks, or defects of any kind that I can find.
Main Wheel
(x8)
:
The wheels spin, but not well (particularly on hard surfaces), which is definitely a design failure more than anything else; there are some burrs, but over all, they're in great condition (two each on each silver chassis, and four on the front body unit).
Main Wheel Retainer
(x8): All four wheel retainers are present, and all four are snugly attached as they should be (they do their job well, and have done so for the past three plus decades).
Controller
(x1)
:
Physically, this unit is in very good condition; the white lever moves well up and back; the red lever moves, but does not have the same range of motion (I can't remember, frankly, what the range of motion was, if it was different than it is now); the battery compartment door slides well, and shuts tightly (and stays as such); the battery compartment is clean and free of corrosion, though I suspect the contacts could us a gentle sanding to clean them; the connector at the back still takes the "engine" connector (red), but it doesn't fit well, and never has--this toy, honestly, is a design/manufacture disaster in terms of quality (but that adds to its character, hm?); there is a small red...it looks like a rocket stuffed into a launch tube on the back side, but I have never gotten it out and have no idea if it should come out (I don't even know fit he red lever is supposed to fire it...probably it should)--there are some marks around the tube edge that suggest my younger curious-self attempted a less-than-deft removal, but they aren't severe markings, nor are they numerous.
Engine
(x1): The "engine" is a silver pointed unit meant to attach to the mid-body at the rear, and it does, but it's not a snug fit; this piece has a long black wire that attaches to a smaller red connector that should connect to the controller (as mentioned above, it does, but not well); I have no idea of the condition of the wire--and this maybe why the toy does not operate (coupled with tarnished battery contacts); then again, the wire might be in perfect working condition. All I know is that the wire is devoid of any cuts that I can find, or other defects that would suggest an issue just by looking at it.
Upper Middle Body
(x1)
:
The mid-body overall is in great condition; the rear axle is metal and free from rust and it spins quite well; the blue wheels are in great condition; all of the post holes receive posts well; the magnets still work (for the connection of the engine and upper mid-body); the buttons (one rear, which raises the seat ramp; and two forward, which launch the front body) all work as they should. The main wheel unit on the bottom (that drives the toy with the remote) spins as it should; the locking mechanism is still attached (with a rust-free screw) and operates properly. The rubber drive wheels look to be in good shape--no cracking that I can see. I have no idea what's inside the mid-body, so I can't speak to the condition of the guts--all I know is, it's never been opened, so I can only assume that the interior workings are probably in good shape. This toy was never played with, so if anything is wrong with it, it's not from over-use.
Lower Middle Body
(x1): This piece is in rather good condition; some markings on the bottom side, and one on the top near the square red button, but nothing major. The screws seem to be clean; the ramp works quite well; the entire unit fits as it should on top of the lower mid-body.
I have spent more time than I care to admit researching this thing. I have spent more time than I care to admit searching for any similarly complete, similar condition Cosmic Attack Cruisers for sale, and I have honestly not found one in months of searching. Does that mean they don't exist? Of course not, it just means I haven't found any. I have seen a (very) partial set for sale. I have seen an instruction sheet for sale. I have yet to successfully find any individual part for sale that was specifically made for The Inter-changeables Cosmic Attack Cruiser.
Of course, Micronauts items
should
be compatible, as this is quite clearly an attempt at copying the Micronauts line. I can only assume, that, however, as I was never a Micronauts collector, and this toy came originally to me as gift in the late 80s.
If you're a fan of Micronauts, and/or The Inter-changeables "knock-offs," this is (presumably) an extraordinarily rare opportunity to take possession of a nearly complete Cosmic Attack Cruiser that is in outstanding condition despite it not being MIB, and despite the fact that it might not work (though as mentioned, I think that's probably not an issue for someone who can fix it). On top of that, your rare opportunity is even rarer by taking possession of not only the Cosmic Attack Cruiser,
but its original packaging, bags, trees,
and unused decal sheet
.
I'm reluctant to give it up because I know it's a rare find, but it's time to move on.
Who can say when the next one will become available?
****This item will NOT ship in its original box so as to avoid any further tape damage, or shipping damage; the original box WILL be included, of course, but it, and all the rest of the items included will be shipped in a larger box (the pieces themselves wrapped in bubble wrap, etc.).****
Condition is Used.
Ships USPS Priority Mail.