BOXED SOLDIER 1973

1973 also saw the release of another Boxed Soldier in fact it released 3 different variations of Boxed Soldier. It seems Palitoy could make up their minds in the design department but also the changes reflected cost cuttings which Palitoy were constantly under pressure to do. Now bear with me.......................
1st Release was Green Cloth beret and Gaiters these were listed on the box and the artwork also featured the soldier with blakes on his boots
2nd Release also had Green Cloth Beret but the Gaiters were excluded and thus the box blacked out this on the equipment listing which was on the front of the box. Also the blakes were still present.
3rd Release saw the biggest change as the soldier now had a new soft plastic black beret with chrome badge which was to stay with Action Man until production was ceased in 1984 and was so popular it would also lend its self to many other Action Man outfits. This big change warranted a nice new printed box which took the Gaiters out the listing completely and he also for some reason lost his blakes too ?? Many think the first issue box is the rarest especially if the gaiters are still included but there is also a version with an Eagle Eye Sticker on it that challenges this theory.
Heres my Version.







Variation one the easiest to find.



Variation two the rarest one ?



But in my opinion this is the rarest version. This was just a sticker applied to the easiest to find box when Eagle eyes were first introduced

Very nice. 

My second action man was this one with the cloth beret also the knit on the jumper was smooth rather the ribbed version that came later.

very informative dan i have 2 of the green berets but thought they were ko as they are not in great shape

Great bit of info very interesting nice boxes

Ian

The only vintage boxes I have from my childhood are these three 3rd issue soldier ones (I also have an Atomic man one but we don't talk about that! )



These survived as they were probably the last boxes I received as a kid. They also got used as beds in some AM barracks I'd set up so that too no doubt saved them from the bin!

Before this thread I'd never noticed any variations between then beyond the 'National Association of Toy Retails Golden Award' sticker *.



I notice I have two with no gaiters listed and one with them blacked out. I have no real idea when I got these boxes or how long a time interval there was between each box. I know I got my 1st 3rd issue soldier for Christmas 1973 but don't know if any of these are the actual box he came in or later arrivals.



The gaiters blacked out box has a £2.50 price tag on it. I wonder if that would help in dating it?


*Not bad for such a useless toy is it Mr May!!

The gaiters box was only a very sort run before they stopped including them and blacked out the word. Then they must have used them up and then reprinted taking his blakeys and word out. This stayed for years until the ee in 1977 when they used a sticker presumedly again until they had exhausted all boxes in time for a reprint. They used the sticker trick on the helicopter pilot and desert fighter too.

Thanks for posting these Dan... Helps me learn more about AM...

Trying to date the transition from green cloth to black rubber berets I notice the 1975 equipment manual is the first to feature the new style. The Tank Commander changes from cloth to rubber in that year's manual too. This would probably tie in with an old childhood pic of mine.



I had a black rubber beret. Although I don't remember receiving it on a soldier, I must have as I know I never had the Tank Commander set.

Im mighty impressed with all your boxes Dan.Any more to come ?

Great post I'm new here I didn't know there was 3 variations here is mine

Looks great Marky!

cheers fella