ACTION MAN
R.N.L.I Sea Rescue 1974
Period: Flock Hair
Dates: 1974-76
Cat No: 35013
RNLI Description:
"An authentic outfit to bring to life the drama of real sea rescues undertaken by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The sea rescue outfit includes oilskin jacket and trousers, life jacket and trousers, boots, breeches buoy rescue set with pulley.", reads the Equipment Manual. The original Breeches Buoy set was intended for the 1966-70 to accessorise the Action Sailor. The set was adapted for the UK market in 1974 and became the R.N.L.I Sea Rescue set, and the letters were applied to the jacket in replacement for the NAVY letters. The new rebranded outfit's accessories included a life jacket:
Action Man R.N.L.I Equipment Set:
35013:
ACTION MAN R.N.L.I SEA RESCUE: R.N.L.I. 'Oilskin' jacket, trousers, breeches buoy and pulley, flare pistol, signal light, R.N.L.I. life vest, information leaflet. Equipment Manual.
Notes:
The Breeches Buoy that is included in this set is a rescue / transportation device to carry sailors to and from vessels whilst at sea. The set's oilskin hooded jacket bears the letters R.N.L.I. and they are included on the life vest too. The RNLI oilskins are a little shinier than the preceding Breeches Buoy's oilskins which had a suggestion of texture backing behind them. The life jacket should have three hooped straps heat-welded to the back of the vest. One of the bottom ones contains a split ring to connect all three together behind the wearer. The breeches buoy is of same design as the first set. It's interesting to note that the images taken for the 1974 Equipment Manual, and apparently the briefing given to the illustrator for the box art both depict the earlier 'Life Vest' and not the RNLI production life vest. The figure at the time of release was a gripping hand flocked hair Action Man - we show a later bearded Eagle Eyes figure in the images.
1974 Action Man RNLI (eagle eyes figure from 1978 shown).
1974 Action Man RNLI new life jacket
1974 Action Man RNLI Sea Rescue 35013
Action Man RNLI and preceding Breeches Buoy oilskins
1974 Action Man Official Equipment Manual
1974 Equipment Manual page - RNLI Sea Rescue 35013 - note incorrect life vest shown.
1975 Equipment Manual page - RNLI Sea Rescue 35013
1976 Equipment Manual page - RNLI Sea Rescue 35013 - note incorrect life vest shown.
Action Man RNLI Sea Rescue Equipment Set
RNLI 35013
