ACTION MAN
Red Devil Parachutist (and 'Sky Diver') 1969
Period: All Periods
Dates: 1969 until c.1980
Cat No: various
Description:
"Kit out your Action Man for every phase of military service with these authentic true-scale equipment sets", read the Equipment Manual. Action Man Red Devil Parachutist is basically a kitted out Action Soldier. He appears for the first time in the 1969 Equipment Manual. The accessories could be bought as set during a long period that included all the phases of Action Man from original painted head to Eagle Eyes of late 1970's:
1st Issue 'Red Devil' Parachutist Set:
34121:
RED DEVIL PARACHUTIST SET: Jumpsuit, parachute pack (with hinged single lid) parachute (red, white and blue), helmet, goggles, boots, reserve chute pack, information leaflet, Equipment Manual.
Notes:
The Action Man Red Devil was a very popular set and was loved by kids. As a result, many helmets lost their chin straps and goggles on maneuvers, and quite often parachutes, and lines, are discoloured and twisted. Limbs did get broken, especially if played with over concrete. The original back pack had a bottom hinged lid, that tears off easily and so becomes detached. This lid was only held 'shut' by pulling the rip cord string across the top of it, pinching the ring against Action Man before launching skyward (see leaflet). Later issues had 'barn door' twin arrangement. Also note parachute underwent size, shape and colour changes - most notably in 1973 to large and orange. His name also became 'Sky Diver' in 1978.
Action Man Red Devil Parachutist
Rob Wisdom's Action Man Red Devil Parachutist dropped from Mavic Pro drone
Action Man Red Devil Parachutist Leaflet
Action Man Red Devil of 1973
A 1971 Action Man Book on the subject was also available
Action Man Red Devil Badge replacement fabric badges
Action Man Red Devil reserve pack and harness detail - 1st issue
Action Man Red Devil later 'barn door' parachute pack and orange chute
Action Man Red Devil Instructions Leaflet
Action Man 'Sky Diver' in 1978
1969 Action Man Official Equipment Manual
Action Man Sets
RED DEVIL PARACHUTIST SET 34121
(image courtesy of EagleEyeActionStation)
RED DEVIL PARACHUTIST SET 34121
(image courtesy of EagleEyeActionStation)
To bulk out the outfit the early packaging contained a flesh coloured 3 part dummy as did the Astronaut. A light green version was used for the Deep Sea Diver.
