Billy Blastoff
| Billy Blastoff | |
 | |
| Manufacturers | Eldon, Tomy |
| Era | 1960s-1970s |
| Category | Action figures |
The toy line known as Billy Blastoff incorporated several versions of a four-inch-tall, plastic, child-faced adventurer produced by Eldon in the late 1960s and early 70s. The concept appears to have been licensed from Tomy (of Japan) by Eldon for distribution in the US, Canada and Europe. Billy Blastoff was sometimes packaged as a deluxe Space Set with his friend Robbie Robot (Robbie was also featured in his own packaged set). Billy and Robbie could be purchased separately or packaged with equipment in different Action Sets. Vehicles made for the figures were powered by a gear beneath the figures' pack which also held "AA" batteries. The battery pack could also power several figure-held accessories such as a Radar Scope, Space Gun and underwater light via jack and corded plug.
The earlier versions of Billy Blastoff had twin red air tanks (resembling twin scuba tanks), featured a helmet with coordinating red trim and a space suit with a blue belt and suspenders. This early version of Billy Blastoff could power vehicles but could not walk. In 1970 Billy was remolded to better match the spacesuits of the Apollo Astronauts with an all white helmet, a more rectangular beige air supply, restyled space suit and black (as opposed to yellow) gloves. In North America this later version of Billy Blastoff was introduced with the advertising tagline "Eldon's New Billy Blastoff, Now He Walks". Like the earlier version this Billy Blastoff could also power vehicles with the gear at the bottom of the air supply / back pack.
Some carded accessory packs were marketed in Europe, and possibly Canada and the US in limited regions.
Eldon also produces some additional Billy Blastoff "spin-off" products including a bubble-blowing plastic pistol called the Billy Blastoff Bubble Popper and the Billy Blastoff board game.
Available action set combinations
- Billy Blastoff Space Scout
- Billy Blastoff Scuba Scout
- Billy Blastoff's Friend Robbie Robot
- Billy Blastoff Space Base
- Billy Blastoff Construction Set
- Billy Blastoff Cargo Jet Set
- "New" Walking Billy Blastoff Space Scout - (Billy's space suit was remolded to look more like an Apollo mission white moonsuit)
- Billy Blastoff Arctic Set (one of the more difficult sets to find)
The earlier sets came with a small comic book that offered a visual storyline of Billy's adventures and promotions for other Billy Blastoff sets and accessories.
Powered figure-held accessories included
- Space Camera (space sets)
- Radar Scope (space sets)
- Ray Gun (space sets)
- Underwater Camera (scuba set)
- Drill (construction set)
- Search Light (fireman set)
- Blue Scanner (cargo jet set)
Common accessories that accompanied set figures
- Red Space Sled (space set)
- Yellow or Blue Walkie-talkies (space set)
- Yellow or Blue TV Cameras (space set)
- Yellow Sampler Scoop (space set)
- Red String Backpack Attachment (space base set)
- Silver or Green Wheel Barrow (Robbie Sets)
- Orange or Blue Storage Blocks (Robbie Sets)
- Yellow Spear Gun (scuba set)
- Yellow Regulator Hose (scuba set)
- Yellow Scuba Mask (scuba set)
- Red Sea Tow (scuba set)
- Yellow Cap(construction set)
- Silver Spade (construction set)
- Pebbles (construction set)
- Red Helmet (fireman set)
- White Ladders (fireman set)
- Yellow Fire Hoses and Reel (fireman set)
- Pilot Cap (cargo jet set)
- Yellow Cargo Containers (cargo jet set)
- Yellow Tow Hitch (cargo jet set)
- Yellow Walkie Talkie(cargo jet set)
- Silver Cargo Trailer(cargo jet set)
- White Hood (Arctic set)
- Green Snow Shoes (Arctic set)
- Blue Radio (Arctic set)
Vehicles
- Gray or White Moon Crawler (space set)
- Red or Blue US-6 Rocket Sled (space set)
- Orange Exploration Tractor (space set)
- Rocket (space set)
- Saucer (space set)
- Radiation Truck (Robbie Sets)
- US-6 Grabber Vehicle (Robbie Sets)
- Walking Vehicle (space set)
- Amphibicar (scuba set)
- Discovery Boat and Trailer (scuba set)
- Fire Chief Car (fireman set)
- Ladder Truck (fireman set)
- Bucket Truck (fireman set)
- Dump Truck (construction set)
- Scoop Bull Dozer (construction set)
- Belt Conveyor (construction set)
- Airplane (airline pilot set)
- Fork Lift (airline pilot set)
- Snowmobile (Arctic set)
- Snowmobile Trailer (Arctic set)
Walking Billy Blastoff Space Scout package text
- BILLY POWERS ALL 8 ACTION TOYS IN THIS SET!
- IN HIS LUNAR CRAWLER, BILLY TRAVELS QUICKLY AND SAFELY.
- IN HIS EXPLORATION TRACTOR BILLY TOWS CARRIER SLED BEHIND.
- IN HIS SPACE CAR, BILLY SKIMS ACROSS STRANGE LANDSCAPE.
- BILLY’S SPACE GUN AND RADAR SCOPE PLUG IN AND LIGHT UP.
- 7 ACTION TOYS… ALL POWERED BY BILLY’S JET PACK.