7366 Chief Tankua

Released around 1975, Chief Tankua is one of the early adventure characters in Mattel’s Big Jim universe. This vintage figure, sold under reference 7366 on this American packaging, is presented as Big Jim’s Native American friend and an expert archer. Chief Tankua wears blue trousers with a dark sleeveless vest and is associated with his distinctive bow, arrows and quiver. The package specifically promotes his bow and special “stunner arrows” as the figure’s principal action feature. Tankua later provided the basis for the closely related Warpath character in Mattel’s P.A.C.K. series, making this earlier version an important stage in the development of the Big Jim collection. Packaging and reference numbering can vary between Mattel markets and production periods.