The changing face of Action Man
Perfectly proportioned and extremely flexible, the original Action Man was not overly muscular, he had a normal, fit body type and this body type served him well for over a decade.
Action Man is the European version of GI Joe, the 12 inch tall fully posable action figure.
He made his first appearance in the UK in the mid 60s, disappearing in the mid 80s before returning in 1993 with a whole new muscular look.
Pictured - Action Man Bearded Adventurer 1970
Original Action Man
Flexibility and initial improvements
As you can see from the lens picture and the photo to the right, Action Man was easy to pose right from his inception.The original painted head figure (shown above) was available in blond and red-haired varieties and the first change to Action Man was when the 'realistic' flock hair was brought in. The Bearded Adventurer was introduced in the same year, 1970. If you check out my other Action Man lenses you'll see I like the bearded figure as a sailor. The flock hair (and beard) also comes in blond.
The ability to set up Action Man in various poses makes him perfect, not only for dioramas, but also as an artist's model.
Gripping Hands and Eagle Eyes
Gripping Hands and Eagle Eyes
In 1973, the gripping hand was developed. This was made of a soft, rubbery vinyl material and was easily damaged.
The figures were sold with little plastic cups which were used to cover and protect the hands while putting on and taking off Action Man's clothing. These hands are rarely found undamaged. They can be cracked, split and brittle.
The gripping hand was, however, a major step forward in the toy as it was now possible to set up a couple of stretcher bearers, for example. Action Man could now hold weapons, carry equipment and 'grip' ropes.
The next major leap forward came with the Eagle Eyes figure. The Eagle Eyes Action Man head was introduced in 1976. Operated by a simple lever at the back of the head, these eyes are very effective, allowing Action Man to look around. The Eagle Eyes figures are wonderful for use in a diorama because they can appear more easily to be interacting with each other.
I have included a sequence of Eagle Eyes in the picture gallery below.
The figures were sold with little plastic cups which were used to cover and protect the hands while putting on and taking off Action Man's clothing. These hands are rarely found undamaged. They can be cracked, split and brittle.
The gripping hand was, however, a major step forward in the toy as it was now possible to set up a couple of stretcher bearers, for example. Action Man could now hold weapons, carry equipment and 'grip' ropes.
The next major leap forward came with the Eagle Eyes figure. The Eagle Eyes Action Man head was introduced in 1976. Operated by a simple lever at the back of the head, these eyes are very effective, allowing Action Man to look around. The Eagle Eyes figures are wonderful for use in a diorama because they can appear more easily to be interacting with each other.
I have included a sequence of Eagle Eyes in the picture gallery below.
Typical gripping hand age damage
Note the yellowing of the whole hand, which can become quite a dark brown. These earlier gripping hands are often found with the fingers snapped off completely. There is nothing you can do to restore this damage, replacement hands can be purchased, though these are usually reproduction.
A new body design
Body Changes
The first body change came in 1979 and is to be found with the back stamp stating CPG Products Corporation, 1978. While this new design introduced an improved gripping hand which was not so easily damaged and which did away with the metal pin joints, I still prefer the original Action Man body type.
This figure also introduced the 'blue pants' design, with the moulded on pants marked 'Action Man' on the front.
This figure also introduced the 'blue pants' design, with the moulded on pants marked 'Action Man' on the front.
Hasbro Palitoy back stamp
Almost all Action Man figures produced before 1978 bear the original back stamp, Made in England, by Palitoy, under licence from Hasbro, 1964. There are some figures on which you will find a back stamp stating: Hasbro Ind Inc, Pawtucket.
In 1978 there was a change to the CPG Products back stamp shown below.
In 1978 there was a change to the CPG Products back stamp shown below.
CPG Products back stamp (1978)
You can see the detail moulded into the 1978 blue pants above. Later blue pants men have plainer pants without the trademark Action Man on the front, as seen below. These are both modern Action Man figures, post 1993, and show the beefed up modern Action Man body type.
Beefed up modern body
The many faces of Action Man
Facial Features and Hairstyles
There may not have been too many changes to the Action Man body, apart from the modern variants specific to particular characters, but there have been many changes of head.
Not only have the facial features changed over time but, particularly in the modern ers, Action Man's hairstyle has gone through several alterations, and then there are the heads with moulded in bandanas or sweatbands. I think the most outlandish hair-do has to be the Samurai, below.
The original painted head Action Man is usually found with some paint rubbed off his hair, this also happens with the modern figures, where hats are taken off and on (see above gallery) and is to be expected as part of the normal wear of play.
A number of the modern figures have painted on camouflage and a few of the modern figures also have the flock hair which was first introduced in 1970. There is much more variety of facial expression with the modern figures, as can be seen in the gallery below.
Not only have the facial features changed over time but, particularly in the modern ers, Action Man's hairstyle has gone through several alterations, and then there are the heads with moulded in bandanas or sweatbands. I think the most outlandish hair-do has to be the Samurai, below.
The original painted head Action Man is usually found with some paint rubbed off his hair, this also happens with the modern figures, where hats are taken off and on (see above gallery) and is to be expected as part of the normal wear of play.
A number of the modern figures have painted on camouflage and a few of the modern figures also have the flock hair which was first introduced in 1970. There is much more variety of facial expression with the modern figures, as can be seen in the gallery below.
Physique information
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