Mattel #6343 Supernaut Power-Limbs Pak

#6343 Supernaut Power-Limbs Pak Card Front

The Supernaut Power-Limbs incorporated the idea of a mechanical exoskeleton that would allow astronauts to do tasks that required greater strength and more leverage. The astronaut would stand inside the limbs with adjustable stilt-like legs and long, pneumatic/hydraulic lifting limbs, one with a claw-like grapple, the other with a lidded shovel. The idea here is for the astronaut to walk over obstacles with the stilts while reaching, grabbing and shoveling moon dirt/rocks. The back of the unit featured an "Oxygen Supply" and crane with working tow-hook.

The Package reads: "Adjustable Space Stilts! Remote Control Power Scoop! Grip-Jaw! Back Pak with Rotating Tow-Hook & Oxygen Supply! Makes Astronauts Working Giants! Authentic Effort-Booster Conserves Energy!" 

Packaging:

The Card is full-color, process-printed and is 8 1/2" x 12" x 2 1/2" Copyright is 1968. 

#6343 Supernaut Power-Limbs Pak Card Back

Sticker Sheet:

Mattel Catalog Specifications:

(First Appearance: Mattel Toys 1969 Spring Catalog Page 54)

NEW! SUPERNAUT™ POWER-LIMBS™ PAK #6343
Remote-control super boost equipment! Adjustable space stilts plus remote control robot arms with grip-jaw and power scoop. 4-way working winch back pak.
Std. Pack: 1 Doz.
Wt: 6 Lbs.

Variations:

• Chip Box: For some reason, Mattel switched the packaging of their accessory packs from the blister card to a chip-box. This was introduced in the spring of 1970 and continued until the end of the MMM run, with fewer accessories being warehoused in the carded variation. Mattel also went with a "mod" color scheme with most of their toy lines, perhaps to consolidate their brand presence as Barbie took a new, "mod" direction.

#6343 Supernaut Power-Limbs Pak Chip-Box Front

#6343 Supernaut Power-Limbs Pak Chip-Box Back

#6343 Supernaut Power-Limbs Pak Chip-Box Sides

• Mattel GmbH (German) Weltraum-Stelzen
• CIPSA (Mexico) Extensor De Podor
• Big Jim Space Mission Set (Mashup reuse of Limbs) 

John's Notes:

There were several space designs that may have inspired this accessory. Robert A. Heinlein proposed both a "super-power" suit in the Starship Troopers for enhancing the strength and abilities of future soldiers, and the idea of remote, "waldo" limbs for handling confined tasks. These have both now become reality. Around the time of this accessory's design, a Matt Helm movie also featured an exoskeleton for moving large alcohol barrels. These ideas and the Supernaut itself all predate the exo-unit that Ripley wears in the movie Aliens. I consider this a "must have" accessory. It really contrasts well with the Astronauts' suits and looks great as a display piece. 

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