What is this? New AF Discovery in Catalogue!

[Hopper]

Just running through the catalogues in an attempt to get a better grounding in the various Phases I described earlier, and I noticed this little nugget that I don't recall seeing before.

http://www.bloodforthebaron.com/toys/00 ... index.html

Its at the bottom of page 17 as you 'flick' through.

Aqualaser Promotions?
A gun/periscope set up?
A ring-bound book full of AF goodies that are impossible to read?

Someone, please, PLEASE, have these to hand. This could be the holy grail!

[The Baron]

No idea! The Stop the Enemy comp I know but not the other one!

[Thundershot]

With this renewed interest in the catalogues I've only just noticed how the '82 sales blurb makes reference to the mini figures as having "Gripping hands" & "semi flexible arms (for holding rifle to the shoulder)".

Maybe the change to a less flexible type of plastic, of the later figures, was a deliberate choice on Palitoy's behalf to improve the painted detailing while the hands may of been re-sculpted to have a firmer grasp on the weapons?

[mark]

Look's like a gun with a magazine going into it - perhaps for darts or those foam ring thing's...or something

[humby248]

Having a closer look at the gun it reminded me of the Vintage Han Solo Blaster toy. I have one lurking around somewhere and wondered if Palitoy produced these did they use one and cut it down to make this? From that angle is does'nt look a spot on match but it is hard to tell.
Shame there's not a better pic. Wonder if Mr Tree or Bob Brechin could shed anymore light?

[Lady Jaye]

This might well be a promotion that was skipped later on due to budget cuts, change of strategy, etc. We are a solid crowd with vast knowledge. If this promotion had run it would have been recognised by now.

[Hopper]

This might well be a promotion that was skipped later on due to budget cuts, change of strategy, etc. We are a solid crowd with vast knowledge. If this promotion had run it would have been recognised by now.

For sure. We would have known about it. I kept everything from AF when I was a kid, even had a file and everything! And I'm not the only one.

I wander what was in that book - It looks like adverts and such, so it may have been a kind of prospectus or catalogue of stuff that Palitoy was selling to the vendor. The gun - the shape of it looks like a periscope.

[Dave Tree]

Just a little perspective, the trades were created well in advance of the new toys being available, hence so many preproduction items used. The same is said for promotional marketing, they would know they are running "activity" between certain periods, but the detail, artwork, copy etc was yet to be signed off or even started. It was just to give a retailer an idea of what additional support there would be for toy lines

[wolforrest]

And to be fair the prototypes that never made the shelves were even splashed all over the front and back of the series one figure cards.