Vintage Action Man
Ranked #6,073 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #75,735 overall
Vintage Action Man - the European version of GI Joe
I'm a bit of a collector, really I collect all sorts of things but one of my particular loves is vintage Action Man.
This 12 inch tall character, fully posable and, really, quite handsome in his various uniforms, is quite a desired collectable these days.
I don't have a large collection, although there are some of my vintage AM items I will be selling on, mainly I'm collecting particular types of AM figures because I want to put together dioramas with them.
I have a number of scenes in mind and will eventually build these up but I wanted to share my love of Action Man with everyone.
Eagle Eyes Action Man and his PH friend
Vintage Action Man Dates
Painted Head Action Man dated 1964 on back
Action Man began his first tour of duty in the UK in 1966. Over the following 18 years over 30 million figures, uniforms and accessories were produced in the range.
Invariably, once the packaging was opened and the figure played with, parts of the uniform went missing or became damaged and it can often be difficult to find that one last piece you need to complete a particular uniform. I recommend you buy the Action Man Manual by Frances Baird (available from Amazon) as the best guide to Vintage Action Man, his uniforms and vehicles to help you identify those parts.
Although Action Man was first sold in the UK in 1966 under licence from Hasbro with the Palitoy label, he was preceded in the US by GI Joe who appeared in 1964. Unfortunately, the original military series fell out of popularity in the US due to the Vietnam war but the adventure series of figures remained popular there, while in the UK the whole series of action figures remained popular for 18 years, until it was discontinued in 1984.
Indeed, when the figure was first introduced to the UK, it was so popular that additional figures had to be imported hurriedly from the US, redressed and reboxed for the UK market.
I will add some of the important dates in Action Man development here over the next few weeks.
Invariably, once the packaging was opened and the figure played with, parts of the uniform went missing or became damaged and it can often be difficult to find that one last piece you need to complete a particular uniform. I recommend you buy the Action Man Manual by Frances Baird (available from Amazon) as the best guide to Vintage Action Man, his uniforms and vehicles to help you identify those parts.
Although Action Man was first sold in the UK in 1966 under licence from Hasbro with the Palitoy label, he was preceded in the US by GI Joe who appeared in 1964. Unfortunately, the original military series fell out of popularity in the US due to the Vietnam war but the adventure series of figures remained popular there, while in the UK the whole series of action figures remained popular for 18 years, until it was discontinued in 1984.
Indeed, when the figure was first introduced to the UK, it was so popular that additional figures had to be imported hurriedly from the US, redressed and reboxed for the UK market.
I will add some of the important dates in Action Man development here over the next few weeks.
Lifeguard
The Lifeguards
... very difficult to collect all the uniform parts for Action Man
As well as vehicles and other accessories, Action Man has a very handsome horse.
I would love to have a whole parade's worth of these but it's frankly hard enough trying to complete one uniform from random pieces picked up in bundles. Of course, I could pay a fortune for each one complete ... but that wouldn't be the same somehow.
Perhaps at some time in the future I'll pick up the rest of the uniform (mainly the breastplates) and the tack for the horse. Currently, the tack he's using belongs to a Sindy horse (shock horror), not a patch on the beautiful and highly detailed tack the horse should have.
I would love to have a whole parade's worth of these but it's frankly hard enough trying to complete one uniform from random pieces picked up in bundles. Of course, I could pay a fortune for each one complete ... but that wouldn't be the same somehow.
Perhaps at some time in the future I'll pick up the rest of the uniform (mainly the breastplates) and the tack for the horse. Currently, the tack he's using belongs to a Sindy horse (shock horror), not a patch on the beautiful and highly detailed tack the horse should have.
Guards Guards
... Grenadier Guards, Blues and Royal, Lifeguards, fabulous uniforms
Many stunning replicas were produced of the uniforms worn by various regiments.Not only can you find the Lifeguard, Grenadier Guard, Blues and Royals, Argyll and Sutherland Highlander (wow, what a uniform) Royal Hussar and many more, the style of the doll changed over the years as well.
Initially a figure with painted head (PH in descriptions) and painted eyes, he acquired flocked hair in 1970 and bearded figures started to be produced (great sailors) at that time.
In 1973, gripping hands were introduced and in 1976, the 'Eagle Eyes' figure appeared, with the eyes moved from side to side by a small lever at the back of the head. In that same year, plastic joints replaced the metal pin joints.
Medic
... Action Man's Medic uniform went through a few changes
I have quite a range of medical supplies and medic outfits etc, needless to say, I have a diorama planned for a field hospital.I have most of the items I'll need for this scene but am still looking for a few more pieces.
The medic is well equipped. Bandages, splints, stretchers, crutches, you name it, even drips and stehtoscopes, everything has been thought of in the range available so I hope to make this a really detailed scene.
I'm intending to include a couple of non-standard things in this particular scene, one being a nurse, the other a padre visiting the wounded.
Panzer Captain
... perfect miniature replicas of original military uniforms
He was a gift from my daughter and he gets to stand on the sitting room shelves for the moment.The scene I plan for him will involve constructing a couple of rooms and I do have some furniture for him already. This will be his apartment, a relatively simple place, but until I can find the rest of the 1:6 scale furniture I need for it, I'm a bit stuck.
But he does look good on the shelves in the meantime.
Although there is one sixth scale furniture made for Sindy and Barbie, I don't really think my Panzer Captain is into pink and pastels. I need something more substantial for him I may have to see about having a bed hand made fin pine. Trouble is, I know exactly the bed I want him to have and no such thing exists. The standard Action Man bunk bed might be ok if you're out in the field but in his own apartment, absolutely not.
Apparently he doesn't mind standing on guard while waiting for his apartment to be finished.
I just think he's totally cute :-)
Sailors on shore leave
Drunken Sailors
... another uniform which underwent a few changes was the Action Man Sailor
I just love this pair, they do look as if they've been at the rum.
One of the dioramas I particularly want to put together will be a bar. I want to be able to show the inside of the bar-room, with sailors about to get into a disagreement with squaddies, while outside the bar, a couple of MPs are standing by a lampost.
It will take a bit of doing to find all the bits I'll need to mock it all up but I think the end result will be worthwhile.
One of the dioramas I particularly want to put together will be a bar. I want to be able to show the inside of the bar-room, with sailors about to get into a disagreement with squaddies, while outside the bar, a couple of MPs are standing by a lampost.
It will take a bit of doing to find all the bits I'll need to mock it all up but I think the end result will be worthwhile.
Military Police
Mountie, Native American and Brutus
Canadian Mountie and Native American
... to obtain the Mountie uniform you had to save tokens and send away
A diorama I'm very much looking forward to putting together is the one I plan with these chaps.
I have more than enough to put it together really but need to find the space to put it all together.
Because this diorama will have two horses in it, it will take up quite a bit of space.
The horse in this picture is a Sindy horse. They came in various colours, some with short manes, some with long. This one has a quite badly marked body so I intend to turn him into a 'painted pony' and will use my Action Man horse for the Canadian Mountie.
I have more than enough to put it together really but need to find the space to put it all together.
Because this diorama will have two horses in it, it will take up quite a bit of space.
The horse in this picture is a Sindy horse. They came in various colours, some with short manes, some with long. This one has a quite badly marked body so I intend to turn him into a 'painted pony' and will use my Action Man horse for the Canadian Mountie.
The Assault Helicopter
Assault Helicopter
This is a Vintage Action Man Assault Helicopter from 1980. Sadly it has long since lost the missile assembly from each side but what is there is actually in pretty good condition for its age.
I had intended using this in a diorama but its' about 2 feet long and would take up an enormous amount of space.
Unfortunately I don't have that kind of space in my home but my loss is someone else's gain.
I had intended using this in a diorama but its' about 2 feet long and would take up an enormous amount of space.
Unfortunately I don't have that kind of space in my home but my loss is someone else's gain.
Action Man Atomic Man
... introduced in 1976
In the same year as the moving eyes were introduced, Atomic Man (pictured), Tom Stone (a black figure), Bullet Man and The Intruder were also introduced to the Action Man range.
Some of these are rarer to find in good condition.
Where to find more Action Man
I found a new site for Action Man in my travels around the web. You can see some interesting auctions highlighted and for more on Vintage Action Man, you might want to visit this Action Toys site.There's something for everyone in Action Man toys
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Are you a Vintage Action Man fan?
... or GI Joe?
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fanfreluche Mar 7, 2011 @ 5:01 am | delete
- Another beautiful collection. The Lifeguard action man looks very cool! Not too sure about those sailors tho. Blessed by a squid angel and featured on: http://www.squidoo.com/fanfreluche-is-a-squidoo-angel
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JaguarJulie Mar 17, 2009 @ 5:00 pm | delete
- Wow! These are definitely some very serious looking toys! Never knew of them -- the Panzer Captain caught my eye! Could inspire a TV series I think.
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vbright105
Oct 28, 2008 @ 11:02 am | delete
- What a cool collection! You've done very well with it! I used to have Barbie date GI Joe (she liked him better than Ken) Great job!
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SemperFidelis
Oct 28, 2008 @ 10:55 am | delete
- Excellent lens! 5 starred and favorited by me. I like all the pics you included. :o)
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SemperFidelis
Oct 28, 2008 @ 10:55 am | delete
- Excellent lens! 5 starred and favorited by me. I like all the pics you included. :o)
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