As I recall, they were very cheaply made. The limbs were rubber with a wire core that would break due to metal fatigue a few days after purchase. Also, the paint peeled off quickly.

Mattel's MAJOR MATT MASON, another by-product of the space craze. Rick is right about the quality of the action figures. They were molder in black with a rubber coating for a space suit. There were lots of strange accessories you could buy including: Space Crawler, Space Bubble, inflatable tent, which couldn't hold air, it leaked. In 1970, two enemy character figures were introduced: Calysto, which had a green translucent head; and Scorpio, a robot-like figure with a head that resembled an aardvark. Both Scorpio and Calysto had short production lives, and are worth hundreds of $ on the collectible market. While the three astronauts; Mason, Doug Davis and Mike Storm may net $40 in mint apiece. After a slow marketing start in 1968, MATT MASON and crew were produced until 1972. Saturday cartoon shows with Mattel as a sponsor (i.g. "Sky Hawks") pushed the Man in Space heavily.

An antique store near Appleton, Wisconsin, has for sale: The Matt Mason Talking Command Center from 1971. Another talker that used looping magnetic audio tape to "speak" when you pulled the cord. This toy has two seats that tilt and swivel, and folds up to latch as a carry case. The audio device doesn"t work, but toy is in original box, selling for $125. There is one TV commercial for it, from the "Archie's TV Funnies" cartoon show (10/9/71, CBS).

I had the glider that you would put mat in.

From the 1970 Sears Wishbook--Scorpio for $2.99 (a steal by comparison to today's collectible value). Talking Matt Mason for $4.55 (figure with pull-string "voice" modulator). Star Seeker space capsule for $8.99. Individual astronaut figures, including Jeff Long, reduced to a dollar each. Space Trac and Space Bubble combo for $4.99. Calysto not listed in this book.

This comment is about a Mattel toy with similarities to Matt Mason which this site has not mentioned: That being the Tog'l men. Like Matt Mason, Tog'l Men had wires inside to make them bendable. Mattel introduced Tog'l blocks (known for having one hinge) in 1968. The Tog'l Men (three different) first came out in 1969. Both products were popular until 1971. The more elaborate Erector sets by Gilbert began eating away at this popularity with new concepts. In blister packs, Tog'l Men sold for a dollar each.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, the robotic Scorpio's TV debut. Matt Mason become friends, but there's a huge communication gap. This aired on "Cattanooga Cats" over ABC (11/8/69). This was during the network's Super Saturday Club, in conjunction with Mattel. Kids sent in 50 cents for club kits. They had to watch certain ABC cartoon shows for messages on how to send in premium stamps in exchange for discount vouchers toward buying Mattel products. These included Matt Mason, Barbie, Hot Wheels and certain baby dolls. ABC cancelled the Super Saturday Club early in 1970 due to low membership orders. The kit also had stickers, pennant, poster, handbook and ID card. eBay has a boxed, NM Scorpio toy for $500. Light (in head, AA battery) even works!