Steve Scout

Kenner’s Steve Scout action figure line was introduced in 1974 as a wholesome alternative to lines like Big Jim and GI Joe.

Alongside Steve, Kenner introduced three other characters into the line: Bob Scout (an African-American lad), Craig Cub, and Dave Cub (also an African American).

The 9½” figures had many high-quality outfits (which were approved, endorsed and licensed by the Boy Scouts of America) and accessories such as the ‘Mountain Medic’, ‘Fire Fighter’ and ‘Metal Detector’ kits.

There were also many playsets – called “High Adventure Sets” – including the ‘High Adventure Scout Base’ (a 28″ tall watch tower), ‘Avalanche on Blizzard Ridge’ (“a snow survival high adventure set”), ‘Warning from Thunderhead Weather Station’ (“a meteorological high adventure set”), ‘Danger at Snake River’ (“a first aid high adventure set”), ‘Baloon Race to Devil’s Canyon’ (“a ballooning high adventure set”), ‘Escape Glide from Eagle Mountain’ (“a hang glider high adventure set”) and ‘Search for the Spanish Galleon’ (“an oceanography high adventure set”).

Although Steve didn’t look old enough to drive, he also had a bright yellow Jeep-like adventure vehicle called The Pathfinder (“a trailblazing high adventure set”), complete with a working winch and a trailer carrying a canoe.

Sadly, the scouting figures could not compete with the soldiers and science fiction heroes produced by Hasbro and Mego, and the Steve Scout line was cancelled in 1976.

Furga (Italy) and Dickie (Germany) took on the line with their own versions of the figures using the same scout bodies but changing the heads and outfits.

The packaging was changed to reflect the new brands, but the pictures on each were almost identical, except for the Steve, Bob, Craig, and Dave figures being replaced with OK MIke (Italy) or Action-Man (Germany).