Vintage Action Man outfits
Action Man had a huge range of outfits and accessories right from the beginning. If you were into the Second World War, football, mountaineering or under-water adventure, there was an Action Man outfit to match your passion.
At first the outfits mirrored those sold in the American GI Joe range. The first departure was the Red Devils parachute display team uniform from 1969. Palitoy introduced more British military uniforms in the early 1970s. By the end of the 1970s there were Wild West outfits as well as sci-fi inspired kit.
1960s original range
Each of the three original action figures had a range of additional clothing and equipment specific to the figure.
In the original range, the Action Soldier could have a field jacket similar to the US Army's M65 jacket, a Military Police (MP) outfit and a white sky patrol outfit with skis or snow shoes. He could also have backpacks, mess tins, sleeping bags, radios, machine guns, a parachute and a stretcher.
The Action Sailor could have a frogman's outfit, a life jacket and a dinghy. The Action Pilot could also have a dinghy, a different jumpsuit, a radio, a parachute and crash helmet.
You could buy complete sets with uniform and equipment and part sets.
The original range of clothing and accessories was very similar to the GI Joe range in the USA. It was largely based on contemporary US military uniform and equipment.
- 93635060/34106 Military Policeman (first version) 1966-68
- 93635010/34101 Combat field jacket 1966-68
- 93735670/93735680 Beachhead assault jungle tunic & trousers 1966-7
- 93635100/34110 Ski patrol 1966-68
- 94239020/34502 Navy frogman (black frog suit, red from 1974) 1966-75
- 34507 Navy frogman (black) 1976
- 93937020/34302 Pilot's scramble outfit 1966-68
- 34505 Breeches buoy (yellow oilskins) 1969-70
- 34504 Deep sea diver 1968-74
- 34506 Deep sea diver 1975-76 (the outfit returned to the range in the 1980s)
- 34218/34709 Basic army fatigues (Action Soldier outfit) 1968-
- 34611/34709 Basic navy fatigues (Action Sailor outfit) 1968-
- 34406/34709 Pilot fatigues (Action Pilot outfit) 1968-
- 34119 Armoured Car Commander (leather jacket) 1969-73
- 34303 Crash Crew (firefighter's protective clothing) 1968-70
- 34701 Astronaut 1968-70
- 34503 Landing Signal Officer 1968 only
The deep sea diver and frogman outfits were waterproof. So your Action Man could have underwater adventures in the bath. It must have done wonders for the metal joints though!
World War II uniforms
Soldiers of the Century 1968-72
In 1968 Palitoy launched a series of new outfits based on Second World War Uniforms from Germany, America, Australia, Britain, Russia and France.
The original range was called 'Soldiers of the Century'. It was Palitoy's first departure from the GI Joe-style outfits.
The original line-up was:
- 34111 German Stormtrooper 1968-72
- 34112 Russian Infantryman 1968 only
- 34113 French Resistance Fighter 1968-72
- 34114 British Infantryman 1968-72
- 34115 Australian Jungle Fighter 1968 only
- 34116 American Green Beret 1968 only
Each outfit had appropriate firearms and accessories to go with it. You could buy the uniform and the accessories separately or as one set.
Palitoy changed the collection over the years. Two uniforms, those of the Russian Infantryman and the American Green Beret, were dropped after just one year. The Australian Jungle Fighter was also quickly dropped, but it was brought back in 1972.
Soldiers of the World 1973-6
Palitoy rebranded 'Soldiers of the Century' as 'Soldiers of the World' in 1973. Three uniforms continued from the original series: German Stormtrooper, French Resistance Fighter and British Infantryman. They added the French Foreign Legion and re-introduced the Australian Jungle Fighter.
In 1974 the German Staff Officer joined the line-up.
- 34140 German Stormtrooper 1973-5
- 34167 German Stormtrooper 1976-7
- 34315 German Stormtrooper 1978-9
- 34141 French Resistance Fighter 1973-5
- 34168 French Resistance Fighter 1976
- 34142 British Infantryman 1973-5
- 34254 British Infantryman 1976-7
- 34317 British Infantryman 1978-9
- 34143 French Foreign Legion 1973-7
- 34144 Australian Jungle Fighter 1973-7
- 34307 Australian Jungle Fighter 1978-9
- 34153 German Staff Officer 1974-7
The range continued until 1977 in this form. The German Stormtropper and the British Infantryman continued as part of the Action Man range until the 1979.
Escape from Colditz 1974-5
Inspired by the BBC TV series Colditz, which broadcast between 1972 and 1974, Palitoy did a short run of Colditz outfits. They had a lot in common with the German Stormtrooper, German Staff Officer and British Army Officer outfits.
- 34150 Escape Officer Outfit 1974-75
- 34151 Camp Kommandant Outfit 1974-75
- 34150 Complete set with Escape Officer, Camp Kommandant and German Guard with sentry box 1974-75
Values
Some of the Soldiers of the Century/Soldiers of the World are more collectable than others. German uniforms are worth more. They were also more popular at the time. Although the Russian Infantryman only ran for a year or so, you can pick up a complete set for around £20. A complete German Stormtrooper or German Staff Officer will cost twice that price.
Sets affixed to the original card packaging will be £100+.
Current UK uniforms
Red Devil Parachutist/Sky Diver 1969-79
The Red Devils formed in 1964 as the British Parachute Regiment's display team. Palitoy introduced the Red Devil jumpsuit and white helmet into the Action Man range in 1969. The kit contained a working parachute. You could throw your Action Man out of the bedroom window and watch him parachute safely to the ground.
- 34121 Red Devil parachutist 1969-75
- 34166 Red Devil parachutist 1976-7
- 34175 Sky Diver (similar red overalls) 1978-9
Palitoy rebranded the kit 'Sky Diver' in 1978. It was dropped in 1979.
Values
The Red Devil suit was quite common at the time and it is not the most collectable today. You should be able to get a complete set for £20.
Famous British Uniforms 1970-84
This series started in 1970. The original line-up was:
- Argyll & Sutherland Highlander
- Parachute Regiment
- Grenadier Guard
The range changed over the years. New uniforms were added in 1971 and 1972. Only the Parachute Regiment uniform remained until the 1980s.
- 34123 Argyll & Sutherland Highlander 1970-2
- 34124 Parachute Regiment 1970-7
- 34301 Parachute Regiment 1978-84
- 34125 Grenadier Guard 1970-6
- 34302 Grenadier Guard 1977-9
- 34128 Royal Marines (Dress Uniform No 3) 1971-2
- 34127 Life Guards (Household Cavalry) 1971
- 34135 Life Guards (Household Cavalry) 1972
- 34055 Life Guards (Household Cavalry) 1973
- 34149 Life Guards (Household Cavalry) 1974-6
- 34127 Blues & Royals 1971
- 34134 Blues & Royals 1972
- 34148 Blues & Royals 1973
- 34136 17/21st Lancers 1972
- 34056 17/21st Lancers 1973
- 34138 Royal Military Police 1972-6
- 34137 British Army Officer 1972-6
- 34304 British Army Officer 1977-
- 34129 Royal Marines (combat uniform) 1971-3
- 34130 Royal Marines (mountain/Artic uniform) 1971-7
- 34305 Royal Marines (mountain/Artic uniform) 1978-
Values
The Parachute Regiment uniform was in the range from 1970 to 1984. It is popular with collectors and complete sets in good condition can sell for up to £80. Unwrapped and affixed to the original card packaging they can fetch between £100 and £200.
In 1973 Palitoy sold some special packs containing the outfit and the figure. These are very collectable today. Values are between £500 and £1000.
Explorers
In 1969 Palitoy introduced some non-military outfits for Action Man. In 1970 there were two new figures, Sportsman and Adventurer.
There was a range of outfits for Jungle Explorers, Polar Explorers and Mountaineers.
- 35011 Space Explorer 1971-3 (formerly Astronaut)
- 34156 Complete Space outfit 1974-5
- 35005 Jungle Explorer (tropical jacket, trousers & hat) 1969-73
- 35016 Jungle Explorer (tropical jacket, trousers & hat) 1974-6
- 35021 Jungle Explorer (tropical jacket, trousers & hat) 1977
- 35001 Polar Explorer (anorak and over-trousers) 1969-73
- 35015 Polar Explorer (anorak and over-trousers) 1974-6
- 35020 Polar Explorer (anorak and over-trousers) 1977
- 35003 Mountaineer (anorak and knee breeches) 1969-73
- 35017 Mountain Rescue 1974-6
- 35022 Mountain Rescue 1977
- 35013 RNLI Sea Rescue 1974-6
- 35007 Underwater Explorer 1970-3
- 35018 Underwater Explorer 1974
- 35023 Underwater Explorer 1977
Sportsmen 1969-73
Sportsman outfits started in 1969 with the Cricketer and the Footballer.
There was a complete range of football strips for some of the more popular clubs from 1971. Football fans could dress their Action Man figure in their team's kit.
- 34802 Cricketer 1969 only
- 34801 Footballer (additional strips from 1970) 1969-73
- 34807 Football strips 1970-73
- 34806 Football strips 1972-73
- 34811 Football strip - Manchester United 1971-73
- 34812 Football strip - Chelsea 1971-73
- 34813 Football strip - Liverpool 1971-73
- 34814 Football strip - Everton 1971-73
- 34815 Football strip - West Ham United 1971-73
- 34815 Football strip - Newcastle United 1971-73
- 34816 Football strip - Rangers 1971-73
- 34817 Football strip - Leeds United 1971-73
- 34818 Football strip - Arsenal 1971-73
- 34820 Football strip - Celtic 1971-73
- 34803 Olympic Champion 1969 only
- Olympic Sportsman 1972
- 34805 Judo 1970
- 34807 Tracksuit 1970
Other military outfits
- 34154 Tank Commander (double-breasted leather jacket) 1974-6
- 34309 Tank Commander (double-breasted leather jacket) 1977-9
- 34162 Commando 1976-7
- 34312 Commando 1978-9
- 34165 (Army) Medic 1976
- 34314 (Army) Medic 1977-8
- 34170 Dispatch Rider 1976
- 34138 Dispatch Rider 1977-9
- 34171 Royal Air Force 1976
- 34319 Royal Air Force 1977
- 34059 Helicopter Pilot 1975-6
- 34059 Helicopter Pilot (after 1978 becomes an Action Figure) 1977
- 34326 Battle of Britain Pilot 1979
- 34325 Royal Hussar 1979
- 34238 American Paratrooper 1979
The Internationals
In 1979 Palitoy introduced a range of outfits called 'The Internationals'. They were a budget range, possibly with a look back to the 'Soldiers of the Century' range.
- Jet Pilot
- Africa Corps (WW2 German)
- UN Peace Keeping Force
- German Paratrooper
- US Marine
- Russian Infantryman
Other outfits
- 34323 Pursuit Craft Pilot 1978
- 34059 Helicopter Pilot 1975-6
- 34059 Helicopter Pilot (after 1978 becomes an Action Figure) 1977
Wild West
- 34402 Scout 1977-8
- 34404 7th Cavalry 1977-8
- 344012 Indian Brave 1977-8
- 34403 Indian Chief 1977-8
Emergency outfits
- 34511/2 Highway Hazard 1978-9
- 34525/6/7 Underground Rescue 1978-9
- 34518/9 High Rescue 1978-9
- 34322 Police Patrol 1978-9
- 34520/1 Medic 1978-9
- 34324 Fireman 1978-9
- 34515 Fire Fighter 1979
- 34522/3/4 Crash Crew 1978-9
New range 1980-4
From around 1980 Palitoy rationalised their range.
The Soldiers
- Soldier (with figure)
- Royal Engineers
- Parachute Regiment
- US Machine Gunner
The Officers
- Talking Commander figure
- Battle of Britain Pilot
- Panzer Captain
- British Major
The Experts
- Frogman figure
- Mountain Rescue
- Underwater Explorer
- Deep Sea Driver
As well as these figures, Palitoy also continued the Space Ranger series.
- Space Ranger Captain
- Captain Zargon
More on Action Man
By Steven Braggs, January 2021, updated April 2021
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