ACTION MAN

The Life Guards 1971

Period: Flock Head

Dates: 1971-c.76

Cat No: 34149

Description:

Originally launched in 1970 the 'Famous British Regiments', renamed the next year in the Equipment Manual 'Famous British Uniforms' and colloquially known as the 'The Ceremonial Range' were fantastically detailed. They included the Grenadier Guard and Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (and the Parachute Regiment [battledress]) to begin with. It later included the Royal Marines [No.3 Dress], Life Guards, Royal Horse Guard (Blues & Royals) and 17th & 21st Lancers. A separate Horse was also available without, or with full dress saddle, and a boxed version with Horse and the Life Guards (but never the Blues & Royals) uniform.

Action Man Life Guards:

34020

LIFE GUARDS (Figure in display box): Figure, tunic, breeches, jackboots, spurs, waist belt, shoulder belt, gauntlets, helmet, cartouche, sword, scabbard, information leaflet. Equipment Manual.

34149

LIFE GUARDS (display card tray): Tunic, breeches, jackboots, spurs, waist belt, shoulder belt, gauntlets, helmet, cartouche, sword, scabbard, information leaflet. Equipment Manual.

34055

LIFE GUARDS FIGURE (Figure in closed card box): Figure, Tunic, breeches, jackboots, spurs, waist belt, gauntlets, shoulder belt, helmet, cartouche, sword, scabbard, breast plate armour with straps (Cuirass) information leaflet. Equipment Manual.

34055

34712

HORSE WITH LIFE GUARDS UNIFORM (Horse and uniform in closed card box): Horse, Tunic, breeches, jackboots, spurs, waist belt, gauntlets, shoulder belt, helmet, cartouche, sword, scabbard, breast plate armour with straps (Cuirass) information leaflet. Equipment Manual.

34242

BREAST PLATE ARMOUR (CUIRASS): Front breast plate, rear breast plate, plate shoulder straps x 2, lower strap x 1, sword, scabbard. Equipment Manual.

Notes:

The Life Guard is a very authentic looking uniform. It is generally accepted that it more common than the Blues & Royals uniform as it had a longer production period. The pair share many pieces of webbing and equipment. The breeches are a nylon type of material and are rather prone to yellowing if kept out of daylight. Also the elastic in the braces can degrade. Early example helmets were not chrome finish, but appeared as silver paint and featured a painted red cross on the guards emblem (same true of Royal Horse Guards).The spurs are vulnerable to damage, (see Blues & Royals) as is the delicate plume stand on the helmet. The sword is intricate and the tassels can sometime be missing. Cuirass breast plate armour was also available, in certain sets, or as an accessory. The tunic's buttons have rear flanges that punch through fabric (unlike 40th examples). The belt should have a slight texture, and sword a slight curve to its length and a white tassel on its handle. The 'current' figure at time of launch were the 'new' flocked hair type. Painted head figure type dating from 1966 shown only for display. Details of spotting 40th from vintage click here.