ACTION MAN

French Foreign Legion 1973

Period: Flock Head

Dates: 1973 until c.1977

Cat No: 34143

French Foreign Legion Description:

The basic Action Man Action Soldier figure from 1973, could be accessorised with one of a popular range of uniforms entitled "Soldiers of the World" (SOTW) that first appeared in 1973 and appear in the 1973 Equipment Manual. They also included the British Infantryman, German Stormtrooper, French Resistance Fighter from the Soldiers of the World range, and a redesigned Australian Jungle Fighter and later on, the German Staff Officer. Also included with each set was the top secret 'Intelligence Manual' - showing line drawings of all the soldiers, their equipment and a brief summary of their exploits.

Action Man Soldiers of the WORLD Range:

34143:

ACTION MAN FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION UNIFORM: Coat, sash, shirt, trousers, bayonet, sheath, canteen and belt, rifle, kepi, boots, belt with pouches, Intelligence Manual, Equipment Manual.

34255:

ACTION MAN FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION UNIFORM: Coat, sash, shirt, trousers, bayonet, sheath, canteen and belt, rifle, kepi, boots, belt with pouches, Intelligence Manual, Equipment Manual.

34306:

ACTION MAN FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION UNIFORM: Coat, sash, shirt, trousers, bayonet, sheath, canteen and belt, rifle, kepi, boots, belt with pouches, Intelligence Manual, Equipment Manual.

Action Man French Foreign Legion Equipment 'Half' Cards:

34250:

ACTION MAN FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION EQUIPMENT: Backpack, rifle, bayonet, sheath, canteen and belt, belt with pouches, Equipment Manual, Intelligence Manual.

ACTION MAN 34255:

FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION UNIFORM: Coat, sash, shirt, trousers, kepi, boots, Equipment Manual, Intelligence Manual.

Notes:

The Action Man French Foreign Legion outfit was added to the the 'Soldiers of the World' (SOTW) range of 1973. The sky blue tunic was replaced after a year or so with a navy blue version, which is far more common to the ratio of approximately 4:1. The rifle tip and bayonet rod hanger are very vulnerable to damage, as is the tiny loop that holds the light blue round canteen to the supplied plastic cross belt. The water bottle should have one very thin angular loop to one side the shape of football goal posts. There is evidence of tan boots being issued perhaps by mistake in a sealed set of Alan Hall's. The very long bayonet and the canteen in unbroken condition are rare - the bayonet has a channel in the grip to slot over the tiny rifle end rod. . The bayonet is noticeably longer than the rest of the Action Man bayonets, and is black plastic with a silver paint applied to the blade. Check that he is wearing a white undershirt. The trousers are secured with a metal popper (not cord as in Mountain and Arctic) A khaki coloured backpack with elastic shoulder straps and velcro fastening to flap was also available on a separate accessory card.