ACTION MAN

Action Soldier 1966

Period: Painted Head

Dates: 1966 until 1969

Cat No: 93530000 / 34001

Action Man Action Soldier Contents:

Shirt ('regulation cut army denims')
Trousers
Brown Boots (tall)
Cap (green)
Metal ID Tag
Star Card
Army Manual (Training Manual)
Equipment Manual

Action Soldier Description:

The basic Action Man Action Soldier figure from 1966 (Based on the 1964 GI Joe) , could be accessorised further by accessory cards (See Combat Soldier). Also available were an Action Man Action Sailor and an Action Pilot. The three original figures came ready-dressed in a simple top-opening cardboard box adorned by artwork by American Sam Petrucci of the US design agency Thresher and Petrucci. Inside were one of three themed 'Training Manuals' (Army, Air, Navy), small fold-up 'Official Equipment Manual' (a two sided fold out poster) showing the full range, and a collector's star card (generally with two starter stars). He became an instant sensation and Toy of the Year 1966.

Price in 1966: £1 12s 11d

Notes:

Box art for the Action Man soldier, pilot and sailor originally featured misleading artist's impressions of a partly accessorised figures on the bottom right (93530000). This was later remedied after complaints by placement of a covering sticker showing photograph of actual contents. This then progressed to a new box with the oversight corrected (34001). Towards the end of production the hard heads were replaced by softer, squeezable material. Flock haired Action Man figures were launched in 1970 along with new boxes. The original GI Joe version had additional medal ribbon, name badge and arm rank and division stickers and decals (available here), strange that Palitoy's rendition did not include these basics. First Action Man bodies - some 'Canadian Joes' were imported from Canada to boost low stocks in the UK and are marked as such on the bottom cheeks. Different feet sizes appear over the first batches of Action Man - The GI Joe type 'big feet' with longer straight toes, and at least two sizes of 'baby feet'. Parts often have orientation (e.g. L and R) and batch numbers (e.g. 2,3) on the limbs to help hand workers differentiate parts as they look almost identical. Many figures got through with mismatches - such as two right calfs, or two left forearms and it should not always be assumed a collector has replaced them incorrectly when repairing a figure.

Action Man Action Soldier
(earliest box and hard head figure) showing contents

All the boxed early Action Man figures came with the same dog tag

First Action Man of 1966 - distinguishing marks were flesh coloured painted rivets and 1964 text on back

Some 'Canadian Joes' were imported from Canada to boost low stocks in the UK.

First Action Man of 1966 - hair and eye colour combinations

The first Action Man box of 1966

The first Action Man box of 1966 - top flap and bottom closure

The first Action Man boxes had three variants:
1st: 'The moveable fighting man' with illustration example
2nd: Oversized oversticker showing 'Action Man dressed like this'
3rd: Corrected box showing 'Action Man dressed like this'.

Action Man Action Soldier clearly showing basic fatigues

Early 1966 box (left) and later corrected version c.1967 (right)

First Action Man body - some 'Canadian Joes' were imported from Canada to boost low stocks in the UK and have copyright information on their butt cheeks: 'G.I. JOE REG.T.M COPYRIGHT 1964 BY HASBRO ® PATENT PENDING MADE IN CANADA'

1966 Action Man Action Soldier Dog Tag and 'Ridgeway' fatigue cap

1966 Action Man Action Soldier Dog Tag - note on an original tag the dash above the 'A' should not touch the 'A' - one way of telling a reproduction later version one from genuine 1960's. On a 40th repro these touch. On the 50th dog tags there is no dash.