NAME -
Lee
ONLINE NAME -
PalitoytLee
LOCATION -
Hunstanton, Norfolk, UK
FIRST VAM/JOE/MAM OR 1/6 FIGURE -
My first childhood Vam figure would I guess have been the basic Vam soldier or a talker. I have some recollections of being at the counter of our local toy store (I think it was Jennings in Hertford Road) in Enfield in the early 70s and Dad buying me my first Action Man. I recall the shop keeper putting a couple of figures on the counter for me to choose from. One of them must have been the basic soldier and the other was an adventurer or sailor. I know this because I was scared of men with beards when I was little!, so freaked out at the bearded dudes and went for the soldier
. Around the same time, I also remember Mum getting me the Action Man Armoured Car from the Greenshield stamp store in Edmonton.
My first figure as an adult was the SOTC German Stormtrooper. I have a big collection of vintage Star Wars action figures including rare variations and early carded 12 backs that i started collected as an adult around 15 years ago but then ran its course for me for a few reasons a few years ago.
After buying Kevin King's AM The Real Story book at a tot fair which was and still is a fantastic source of info (Along with Alan Hall's books that I picked up later on). I made the collecting move from Star wars and starting collecting vintage Action Man only a few years ago, so I am still a relatively new collector to Action Man. I collect vintage only, and my early collecting goal was to put together all the Germans and then the ceremonials. I also focus on boxed figures and any outfits I like the look of. The hard hands early 70's period is my favourite.
My Germans
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FIGURE AS A KID, AND DO YOU STILL OWN HIM?
Probably Atomic Man because I remember the joy of getting him for Christmas at the time. He doesn't seem o popular nowadays from a 'Purist' adult perspective, but his various features and play ability value were ground breaking at the time, and as a 6 - 7 year old there was so much you could do with him! Sadly, and probably like a lot of people, 95% of my childhood toys are long gone. Mum kept most of my annuals (Beano, Roy of the Rovers, Six Million Dollar Man, etc..,) but my Action Man, Subbuteo, comics etc are long gone too. These pictured below of bits of my Deny's Fisher Cyborg Androids are all that remains,
FAVOURITE FIGURE NOW?
I really like the footballers at the moment. I only started on them less than a year ago after some deliberation whether to go down the football collecting route, but I'm glad I did
. I have built up a steady collection of them so far. there are some football pieces that i still need and upgrades and to weed out a couple of 40th bits, buts its all part of the buzz of collecting for me. Early on I wanted a nice Afrika Corps outfit and I was lucky to get a mint complete taken from a damaged card so he would be up there also. I must also mention the 1977 boxed soldier as it was my first boxed figure as an adult collector, and I love the artwork from this era.
MOST DESIRED ITEM?
i would like to find a reasonably priced 1973 boxed talking commander.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR COLLECTION AS YOU GET OLDER?
Hard to say really, but also like my Star Wars collection I would like to think that my children wil see some financial benefit from my toy collectibles in years to come. One of my worries is dying suddenly and the wife and kids not knowing the value of some of my items!
Ceremonials
WHAT DOES YOUR WIFE/GIRLFRIEND/PARTNER THINK OF YOUR COLLECTION/HOBBY?
She is cool with my collecting, always have been of the opinion that if I want something, then go for it!
DO YOU SET YOURSELF A BUDGET?
i don't set myself a budget, if I see something that I want and can afford it, then I generally go for it. If money is tight then I try to talk myself out of going for it. However, if it is something that doesn't show up for sale very often then I go for it anyway, and deal with the finances later!
WORST VAM/JOE/MAM OR 1/6 FIGURE?
There are a few of the later issued outfits that I am not keen on as the culture and the items moved away from my favoured war and military themes of earlier produced Action Man and boys toys in general. The space range, emergency and special team figures aren't my cup of tea, but the cowboy and especially the Indian sets do make me cringe the most!..., would I buy these boxed figures if they came along at the right price?.., eerr., YEAH!
VIEWS ON 40TH REPRODUCTIONS?
Repro parts are a part of toy and action figure collecting culture nowadays from Star Wars figure accessories to replacement parts for your corgi diecasts. They serve a purpose and there is a market and demand for them. I see it as part of the challenge of collecting vintage only. The 40th re-issue's look great and I can understand why they were produced but I just wish that some of the parts had identifiable marks on them to distinguish them from the originals. Its easier to tell them when you have them both in hand, but maybe a small 40th stamp on the accessories wouldn't have detached from the over all look? I know its a matter of cost with the tooling/manufacturing process but I wonder whether any consideration was given when the range was re-released? I've had some frustrating buys where a complete vintage figure has the odd 40th/repro accessory with it in a lot of cases from my experience some ebay sellers (Even established guys) aren't sure either. I am getting better and learning all the time at spotting them but a well photographed vintage vs 40th guide covering the whole range would be a godsend.
WORST ITEM OF THE VAM/JOE/MAM OR 1/6 RANGE?
Rom Space Knight just doesn't hold any appeal for me.
BEST THING ABOUT COLLECTING VAM/JOE/MAM OR 1/6 FIGURES?
The memories of a boxed figur can evoke
the hunt! - especially finding minty items that you know you will never have to upgrade. Talking to other collectors and sharing knowledge, and the passion for the hobby and finding things out that you never knew!
DO YOU THINK YOUR COLLECTION WILL BE COLLECTIBLE IN THE FUTURE?
Action Man will always be collectible. Its range, quality and production longevity has guaranteed that. Will it be valuable in the future? I hope so. I always have in mind what I am paying and keep an eye on price trends.
IF YOU DID NOT COLLECT VAM/JOE.MAM OR 1/6 FIGURES, WHAT WOULD YOU COLLECT?
Palitoy logo Mego Superheroes and planet of the apes MOC if some of the prices weren't so high! Vintage heavy weight subbuteo teams maybe?
Little Big Man MOC. Boxed Dinky Thunderbirds.., I have a few options if I tire of Action Man or need another collecting outlet!
WHAT ACTION MAN OR JOE OUTFIT OR SET WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE SEEN RELEASED?
Some of the world cup teams from the 70's would have been good - Brazil and Argentina especially.., or a set of the four home nations GB football teams....
DO YOU HAVE A / WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SECTION OF AMMO?
I like checking out the other vintage collections and some of the pictures and diorama's and attention to detail that comes from some of the creative minds round here if top notch!
Same with the photo of the month pictures, they are always good viewing
WHY DO YOU LIKE AMMO?
There seems a good relaxed feel about the place with a good mix of seasoned and newer collectors sharing knowledge and passion for their collections which is what its all about. I haven't explored the site to its full potential tbh, I am still going through some old posts and threads but there is a wealth of info here.
Everyone seems friendly and easy to get along with. I must especially mention danthecoat (Danny) who helped me early on with answers to a few questions, and who I have brought a few bits from and is good to deal with. Also mark (wolf-soldier64) who has more than once sent me at his own expense some quality items to complete some of my figures
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Subject: April 2016 Interview - PalitoyLee 
Fri Apr 01, 2016 12:18 pm
