ACTION MAN

Commando 1975

Period: Flock Hair / Eagle Eyes

Dates: 1975 - c.79

Cat No: 34162

Commando Description:

"A tough character with a tough job". The Action Man Commando was the ideal figure for the Action Man Assault Craft. Kitted out with the hefty M60 machine gun and bandoliers, he originally came with a brown face camo crayon (replacements here) so that he could 'black' his face ready for Mission 'Texas' as his leaflet describes. His uniform was a rather simple affair. His lightweight jacket had tell-tale diagonal top pockets throughout production, however zips became poppers and materials changed as a cost cutting by Palitoy. The black 'bandolier' ammo belts are borrowed from the Australian Jungle Fighter of the Soldiers of the World range.

Action Man Commando Sets:

34162:

ACTION MAN COMMANDO: Jacket, trousers, boots, M60 machine Gun, bi-pod, hand grenades x 4, ammo belts (bandoliers) x 2, hat (plastic), face camouflage crayon, information leaflet. Equipment Manual.

34312:

ACTION MAN COMMANDO: Jacket, trousers, boots, M60 machine Gun, bi-pod, hand grenades x 4, ammo belts (bandoliers) x 2, hat (plastic), face camouflage crayon, information leaflet. Equipment Manual.

34283:

ACTION MAN FRONTLINERS COMMANDO UNIFORM: Jacket, trousers, boots, hat (plastic).

Notes:

The Action Man Commando jacket changed from hidden zippered to poppers and got even lighter in fabric towards the end of production. The original pockets' flaps were originally stitched, but ended up unhemmed with no stitching. Pleating from the lower pockets also disappeared at the same time. The M60 machine gun is not uncommon, but its bi-pod is easily broken at the hinges. This M60 machine gun also evolved by end of production to one with no gold and black paint detailing (see images). The current figure in 1975 was a flock haired gripping hands Action Man. The figure in these set of Commando images has reproduction hands.

Action Man Commando and M60 machine gun