ACTION MAN
Australian Jungle Fighter 1967
Period: Painted Head
Dates: 1967 until c.1969
Cat No: 34115
Australian Jungle Fighter Description:
The basic Action Man Action Soldier figure from 1966, could be accessorised with one of these popular uniforms from the range entitled "Soldiers of the Century" that first appeared in c.1967 and appear in the 1968 Equipment Manual. They included the British Infantryman, German Stormtrooper, Russian Infantryman, Australian Jungle Fighter, French Resistance Fighter and American Green Beret. All sets were available in one complete set, or on two 'half cards'. Also included with the set was the 'Intelligence Manual' - showing line drawings of all the 'Soldiers of the Century', their equipment and a brief summary of their exploits. This uniform was re-released under the same name of Australian Jungle Fighter in 1973 as part of the 'Soldiers of the World' range, with major changes. The original side panels on the packaging were adorned by artwork by American Sam Petrucci of the US design agency Thresher and Petrucci.
Action Man Soldiers of the Century Range:
34115:
ACTION MAN AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FIGHTER SET: Jacket, shorts, campaign hat, socks, boots (short brown), Flame thrower (camo), jungle knife, entrenching tool, machete, sheath, grenades, Victoria Cross Medal, Equipment Manual, Intelligence Manual.
Equipment 'Half' Cards:
34226:
ACTION MAN AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FIGHTER UNIFORM: Jacket, shorts, campaign hat, socks, boots (short brown), Intelligence Manual, Equipment Manual.
34216:
ACTION MAN AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FIGHTER EQUIPMENT: Flame thrower (camo), jungle knife, entrenching tool, machete, sheath, grenades, Victoria Cross Medal, Equipment Manual, Intelligence Manual.
Notes:
The Action Man Australian Jungle Fighter appeared in 1967 within the 'Soldiers of the Century' (SOTC) range and re-appeared redesigned for the later 'Soldiers of the World' range, most notably the 'new' Action Man Australian Jungle Fighter donning trousers. This particular uniform only appear in the 1967-68 Equipment Manual and is not as common as some in the range. The VC medal was also included within the British Infantryman set. Generally speaking, the folded back brim of the bush hat should be worn to the wearer's left. Components of uniform and weapons were also available on accessory cards. The flame thrower tanks should be camouflaged and have black elastic straps (which will ultimately perish and need replacement). The central tank retaining clip is often lost, and the tube connectors (at both ends) are often repaired from breakage. The machete scabbard can separate at the seams and the entrenching tool handle has a pvc tab that is often missing. The belt is particular to this set and the end frays easily and has trouble passing through the buckle. The temptation is to cut the fray off and thereby shorten the belt so look out for shorter ones. Long trousers available from separate later Equipment Card (with similar tunic).
1967 Action Man 'Soldiers of the Century' (SOTC) Australian Jungle Fighter
1967 Action Man 'Soldiers of the Century' (SOTC) Australian Jungle Fighter: note centre tank and retaining clip
1967 Action Man 'Soldiers of the Century' (SOTC) Australian Jungle Fighter
1967 Action Man Australian Jungle Fighter with VC medal. Note 'cats eye' type buttons.
Australian Jungle Fighter Machete with brown handle and gold handle jungle knife
Action Man Australian Jungle Fighter stripes and badges
Brown handled entrenching tool with tab often missing
Action Man Victoria Cross Medal - 1st issue for Australian
Australian Jungle Fighter on patrol in the jungle
1968 Action Man Official Equipment Manual
Australian Jungle Fighter Tunic and long trousers from a later Equipment Centre type (along with a STEN) card gave the Australian outfit options. Note different dished buttons
Australian Jungle Fighter long trouser and tunic from accessory card
Action Man Sets and Equipment Cards
AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FIGHTER SET 34115
AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FIGHTER EQUIPMENT 34216
Back of Soldiers of the Century Card
Rear of box (Soldiers of the Century)
AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FIGHTER UNIFORM 34226
Action Man Intelligence Manual Pages
Action Man Soldiers of the Century Intelligence Manual
Intelligence Manual Australian Jungle Fighter
