Vintage

ACTIONman

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A Brief History

ACTIONman, cousin of GI Joe, was introduced in 1966 by Palitoy (under license from Hasbro).  The name for this action figure was inspired by the name of a popular British television series, "Danger Man."  The figure was great success and ran from 1966 to 1984.  In the early years of production, many of the uniforms were the same as those made by Hasbro for the GI Joe line; even the molds were the same.  However, in a short time Palitoy was able to
develop a product line with characteristics distinctive from the GI Joe product line in the United States. 

For example, it was the ACTIONman line which introduced "flocked hair" to the line in 1970.  This hair flocking process was adopted by Hasbro for the GI Joe line, "after" Palitoy had introduced it.  Other innovations were to follow such as the introduction  of gripping hands in 1978, and moving or "Eagle Eyes" in 1978.  1978 also saw the introduction of the muscle body ACTIONman figure. 

Unlike the GI Joe line, the ACTIONman line was unrestrained by the stigma of the Vietnam war and was able to continue with it's military uniforms (unlike GI Joe) as well as adventure type sets.  Some of the most sought after
ACTIONman sets are from the Regimental Series and include sets such as the Life Guard, Blues and Royals, 17th/21st Lancers, and the very rare Argyll and Sutherland Highlander.

As indicated, the product line folded in January 1984, as a simple matter of  lack of market demand.  The forces driving the market at that time demanded smaller 4 inch tall action figures, such as those produced for the Star Wars
movies.  Therefore, figures produced during the 18 year run from 1966 to 1884 are all considered by collectors to be "vintage" ACTIONman.

Hands

	This shows three different Kung Fu grip type hands.  From left to right: Hasbro's GI Joe,  Palitoy's ACTIONman, and Geyper's "Geyperman."
	This is a picture of two different types of Geyperman hands.  The difference between the to (the color difference being incidental) is the types of pegs used.
	The GI Joe classic hand has an identifying feature in that the thumnail is inverted. On the right hand, the thumbnail is where the fingerprint should be. Though originally a mistake, it was decided to keep the error as a way of identifying knock off figures that had been directly copied from GI Joe.

Heads

	Notice how the joints are riveted on the Geyperman figure.  Also, take particular note of the type of plastic used for the head of this figure.  The flocking is also very, very blond with no peppering.
	ACTIONman with black beard
	ACTIONman with black hair and no beard
	ACTIONman with blond beard
	ACTIONman with black painted head
	ACTIONman with blond painted hair
	ACTIONman with blond hair and no beard
	ACTIONman Man Eagle Eye. The back of the head is shown, inset.

Body's

	ACTIONman painted hair body.  Note this guy has chubby hands AND both knees are sculpted.  A rare early ACTIONman painted hair.
	This is a picture of the ACTIONman eagle eye, muscle body figure.  Note that he is easily identifiable by the "ACTIONman" caption on the front of his briefs (see picture inset).
	ACTIONman Flocked Hair Body
	This is a Geyperman figure.  These figures never came with hard hands, only  Kung Fu Grip.  Though not a "muscle body" like the later figures, the torso  of this figure is still made from hard, rather than soft plastic.

Trade Marks

	This is the manufacturers stamp on the back of a Geyperman figure.
	"MADE IN ENGLAND      BY PALITOY UNDER LICENCE FROM    HASBRO (c) 1964"