Fairland Toys Bruce Action Civil War Soldier

Back in the 60s and 70s, there was a plethora of knockoff figures competing with Gi Joe and Action Man for parents’ money! One of these was Fairland Toys’ Bruce Action (had other names too.) I picked one up several months ago, and thought that he’d make a good basic American Civil War soldier. Cotswold sold a civil war set last year; and I added bits and pieces from other sources. Hope you like him!






-Nate

I do like him a lot Nate! The uniform looks perfect.
It has long been my desire to start some Civil War figures too!

He looks good Nate!

What kind of body does he have? I'm thinking some years ago I saw the head sculpt on a blow-molded
body (much like the Defenders) that was still in the package. I don't remember the name of the website
but it was one that showed old knock-off figures.

TNshooter wrote:

He looks good Nate!

What kind of body does he have? I'm thinking some years ago I saw the head sculpt on a blow-molded
body (much like the Defenders) that was still in the package. I don't remember the name of the website
but it was one that showed old knock-off figures.

Thanks! He’s got decent articulation, actually. These aren’t my pics, but does show what he looks like.




-Nate

Thanks Nate!

Seeing the figure I can see it's not the same head sculpt I was thinking of. I guess it was the cap
that partially threw me off.

I can't say I have ever seen this figure before, it's very interesting.

TNshooter wrote:

Thanks Nate!

Seeing the figure I can see it's not the same head sculpt I was thinking of. I guess it was the cap
that partially threw me off.

I can't say I have ever seen this figure before, it's very interesting.

It’s also called “Johnny Strong” in the UK. Not as well known as Fighting Yank or Dynaman.

-Nate

That's a nice ACW outfit, the civil war doesn't seem to get much coverage these days, as a kid in the 60s UK there was lots of ACW toy stuff about, I had a load of Brittains 1/32 figs including some nice cannons, Anyone remember the big square ACW bubble gum cards that were criticised even at the time for the rather graphic representation. I had a pile of those, another "wish I'd kept em" thing.

Porky wrote:

Anyone remember the big square ACW bubble gum cards that were criticised even at the time for the rather graphic representation. I had a pile of those, another "wish I'd kept em" thing.

Just looked 'em up, and they certainly were "graphic" in their representations!
Interesting stuff!

A coworker gave me a pair of the laceable short boots that you see with the para, Royal Marine and mountaineer. I thought they made decent stand ins for civil war brogans.





-Nate