70s Action Man (a hotchpotch of bits and bobs and odds and sods)

This is most of my very limited collection rescued recently from the loft at mum's now sported by a replacement figure:

The objective was to reconstruct what could be salvaged from ‘the old biscuit tin’ with mostly new replacement parts. The original play period was from 1970 to 1972 approx. A lot of the original kit had been broken or lost. The uniforms were very dirty, but generally good; they had to be hand laundered and dried with care. Slight fading occurred, but look in good condition now.

The German Stormtrooper kit has been reconstructed mostly with replacement parts from Modellers Loft along with a sewing kit. But the uniform. boots, belt, helmet and backpack are all original. He gets a spare green cap.

The British Infantryman is mostly as is, but the canteen kit was bought on eBay recently and the medal is new although it looks 'aged'. The British Infantryman kit is made up of bits from all over. The basic uniform was mine originally, but the hat, gas mask, gaiters and boots come from some replacements I bought in the 80s. The gas mask bag was ‘borrowed’ from a playmate back in the day and the sten gun came from my original Action Soldier (I made a new ammo clip from a felt pen top shirt clip). I've added the Action Soldier blue beret, binoculars and a scarf just to make it look a little more interesting. He also has a new Elite Brigade web belt and commando knife. The helmet is hanging on the gas mask bag and the gas mask is tucked in the bag.

The winter kit is a subset of the British Infantryman in order to utilize some of my favourite bits left over into a 'complete' uniform i.e. the black wool hat, winter/snow anorak, grey backpack, plus a new khaki sweater and scarf.

I have a Scramble Pilot under construction; will post it later some time when it is complete.








As for my original action man, well as you can see he has returned to the 21st century discovering the internet and entered on a journey of self-realization (apparently not the Zen kind!) The mind boggles as what he is watching on the laptop, but I guess the cocked sailor's hat may give it away! Probably a result of being locked in solitary for 40 years; my bad! Those dodgy chatlines; never use them myself.  

Having limbs held together with zip ties is probably not helping either.  

Well rescued, form the loft, excellent photos great up load  

they look great wont take much to get your orig back in action

Very Nice figures Action Malph. Well rescued.

Great upload! I love what you've done with the uniforms.

   'Pick 'n' mix!!!' The original and absolute best!    

Well done Ralph and I do believe the orange epuletes on your stormtrooper, (which looks great by the way) are sort after and there is debate as to whether they came with the colditz set?

Great set of uniforms ActionMalph!!!

You have done a great job putting them together, love the British Infantryman.

Great upload mate.

That is absolutely Vamtastic          I love these kinds of collections they are true childhood pleasures.

i love it if i buy a genuine collection of bits and bobs i just cant wait to get it home and piece it al together and fix up any casualties

Its one of the biggest pleasures with the hobby !!!! I just bought a lot from Much Diggums on another site and i cant wait to dig through it all         

Well done for posting mate and thank you so much for sharing

Anything you need to finish things off just ask in the wanted section we are a pretty helpful bunch here             

Made my morning

When I was scrolling down the page looking through photos of your Collection ActionMalph I was not expecting the last two photos photographed so     .

ActionMalph wrote:

always great to read of rescued vam ! and they all look terrific !! the addition of the beret to he standard soldier looks great ! Also, cable ties to hold him together, in genius !!Top troops and top post my friend !

Danthecoat wrote:

That is absolutely Vamtastic I love these kinds of collections they are true childhood pleasures.

It dosen't get any better than putting old troopers back together! Fantastic collection Ralph.  

..and i'm so glad this guy is enjoying the 21st century!!



  

...thanks guys for all the positive feedback it actually took quite a lot of effort to fix it all up and get the replacement bits and then do the pictures (actually my wife did the photography for me).

I would like some advice on how to fix up the old action man figure. One idea I had was to buy a 40th doll and do a 'Frankenstein' on it and then get the head re-flocked, but then in a way that may spoil its 'vintage' charm. The other way would to just get some VAM limbs from somewhere I suppose (all are broken actually, the fractures are not visible on the legs that's all) and try to maintain that charm. Or I could just leave it as it is as the missus suggests and store it away as a casualty. Not sure which way to go with it. I'd appreciate your opinions.

I used to love to mix and match as a kid and I think I may keep that approach as I start to build the new collection. I'd like to buy some nice VAM uniforms from which to build from, but not sure where to go. The stuff on eBay mostly looks a bit past it and in poor condition. Action Man Day 3?

I'd say keep it Vintage mate. Dan never likes to see a man down so may be able to help. Sadly I don't have any body parts to give but it's a generous, supportive site and someone might be able to help.

As for AM Day three. Oh yes go and take twice as much money as you thought you'd spend. Spent my entire budget within minutes of arriving at AM Day two lol

Sparkys6887 wrote:

Well done Ralph and I do believe the orange epuletes on your stormtrooper, (which looks great by the way) are sort after and there is debate as to whether they came with the colditz set?

...I cannot tell you what the set name was now after so long, I know that the outfit was bought between 1970 and 1972 most likely 1971; when did the Escape from Colditz set go on sale? The back pack came from a friend's collection if I remember correctly; so it may not be a stormtrooper after all?  

Sparkys6887 wrote:

I'd say keep it Vintage mate. Dan never likes to see a man down so may be able to help. Sadly I don't have any body parts to give but it's a generous, supportive site and someone might be able to help.

As for AM Day three. Oh yes go and take twice as much money as you thought you'd spend. Spent my entire budget within minutes of arriving at AM Day two lol

...yes, it would be interesting to see if anyone has a set of good condition limbs they would like to sell  He also has a loose foot; I think it is the right one, but I don't have it here to double check. I've never taken a figure apart before, but I see there are instructions available on the internet.  

try this guy on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130782470787?var=430140826733&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

snow white wrote:

try this guy on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130782470787?var=430140826733&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Many thanks for the link 'snow white' re: body parts. I bought a left leg off eBay today for not very much money and I'll order the arm parts this coming week once I double check everything I need. The VAM is back in London. I'll post up some photos of his rebuild.

ActionMalph wrote:

snow white wrote:

try this guy on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130782470787?var=430140826733&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Many thanks for the link 'snow white' re: body parts. I bought a left leg off eBay today for not very much money and I'll order the arm parts this coming week once I double check everything I need. The VAM is back in London. I'll post up some photos of his rebuild.

Okay, ordered the parts, a pair of shoulders and a pair of forearms, along with the left leg I only need the thigh. The elbows are fine. The right leg may need some work later but will do for now.

It looks like the shoulders are pretty easy to hook into place, but I've just noticed that the leg is rivet and O ring; does anyone have any tips for making that reconnection as straight forward as possible?

Message sparklebudgie mate! There are many on here to give advice but Brian is well reputed as the man who brings vam back from the brink of death! Also there a tips on here about actually repairing the splits on joints! I forget who posted though.

Try this http://www.vintageactionman.co.uk/tips.html

some good looking figures you got there man

ActionMalph wrote:

ActionMalph wrote:

snow white wrote:

try this guy on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130782470787?var=430140826733&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Many thanks for the link 'snow white' re: body parts. I bought a left leg off eBay today for not very much money and I'll order the arm parts this coming week once I double check everything I need. The VAM is back in London. I'll post up some photos of his rebuild.

Okay, ordered the parts, a pair of shoulders and a pair of forearms, along with the left leg I only need the thigh. The elbows are fine. The right leg may need some work later but will do for now.

It looks like the shoulders are pretty easy to hook into place, but I've just noticed that the leg is rivet and O ring; does anyone have any tips for making that reconnection as straight forward as possible?

I have only just seen this

I have lots of body parts mate and can do you a whole body less head and hands for £8 PM me when you get the chance Alternatively i can do you some body parts.

Bit of a locking of doors after the horse etc etc but let me know if you need anything

Brian (Sparklebudgie) is your man for any how to's to fixing up a man and i can do you a basic reflock, Brian can do you a more adventerous reflock (Colours Goatee Beards etc etc...) and Tony from Flocktastic can do you almost anything else, Bald Heads, Victorian Beards you name it he can do it so its up to you mate

Its all here under one roof like Toysrus    

That is interesting to know. I need a left leg for a pre blue pants figure and have a need for some re flocking too.

Do you have a spare leg?.

Thanks

Paul

There are some great flockers here on our site !