Mattel #6311 Space Crawler Action Set

#6311 Space Crawler Action Set Box Front

The Space Crawler Action Set was a "deluxe" version of Mattel #6304 Space Crawler, deluxe meaning that it came in a bigger box and included a Mattel #6300 Major Matt Mason flight card set. The idea was to save a little money by buying the two together as one set (this was probably more convenient for the parent and freed up more shelf space for the merchant, always a good thing). This was carried into an even more "super deluxe set" with the Mattel #6310 Space Station Space Crawler Deluxe Action Set and finally culminated with Mattel #6353 Lunar Base Command Set. The Space Crawler Action Set included the Space Crawler w/winch and Space Labels; and a Major Matt Mason figure w/helmet, Jet Propulsion Pak and Space Sled/labels. 

MMM Astronaut Major MATT MASON

MMM Space Crawler

Packaging:

The box is made of corrugated cardboard printed on all sides (in black, white and blue ink), except two sides which have an applied a full-color, process-printed label (top and front). The box measures 14 1/8" by 14 1/8" by 9 1/8". Copyright is 1966. The box reads: "Nothing Stops It - Unlimited Power! - Crawls Over Craters - Rocks - Deep Crevices - Pads Over Moon Dust - Always Lands on its Feet! - Powerful Rotating Hoister & Winch - Adapted From Official Space Program Design" and also "Complete With Major Matt Mason"

#6311 Space Crawler Action Set Box Top

#6311 Space Crawler Action Set Box Ends

#6311 Space Crawler Action Set Box Back

#6311 Space Crawler Action Set Box Bottom

#6311 Space Crawler Action Set Box Detail

Sticker Sheet:

Instructions:

Mattel #6304-0920 Space Crawler
Mattel #6341-0920 Major Matt Mason

Mattel Catalog Specifications:

(First appearance: Mattel Toys 1967 "Toy Fair" Catalog Page 96 **note that the Crawler listing in this catalog originally had a "four-color wall poster" as an accessory, abandoned in actual production).

NEW! SPACE CRAWLER ACTION SET #6311
Major MATT MASON rides over the surface of the moon! Includes Major MATT MASON, battery-powered (two "D" batteries not included) SPACE CRAWLER, Space Sled, Jet Propulsion Pak, control column. Instructions, wall poster and catalog, space labels.

Package size: 14 1/8" x 14 1/8" x 9 1/8"
Std. Pack: 6/12 Doz. Wt: 19 Lbs.

Variations:

• Oil Hole: The Crawler may be found with or without the lubricating hole on the bottom (which appears to be more common) 
• This set has been found with either a White Rubber Major Matt Mason or Black Rubber Major Matt Mason (the former is much less common). It's rarely found intact or as an OSS (Old Store Stock) Item.
• I've only seen intact examples with a white Flight Card - unsure if Mattel ever went with a folded-over retail card like can be found in the Firebolt Space Cannon Super Action Set.
  

John's Notes:

This was the first boxed playset I ever bought as an adult collector. I wasn't really even sure what I was buying until I had it in my hands. Bought a nice complete box, including the Crawler, Sled, Jet Propulsion Pak and Instructions. The figure was missing. This box is a bit more difficult to find than the Unitred or regular boxed Space Crawler. The insert is extremely difficult to find intact, as it was this rather flimsy arrangement with the crawler insert on one end and an angled piece that a white-carded MMM flight card was stapled to. Often this half of the insert was destroyed when the card was ripped from it and I think this contributes to the insert's rarity. This set would come with or without the MMM instructions, depending on the version of the white card (the version with the unprinted back came with the instructions).

Accessory and figure may also be found in:

• 6304 Space Crawler
• 6300 Major Matt Mason Flight Card Set
• 6311 Space Crawler Action Set
• 6353 Lunar Base Command Set
• 6355 Space Discovery Set

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