Action Man History & Terminology

Action Man was first produced in the UK from 1966 to 1984 by Palitoy, then from 1992 to 2006 by Hasbro and briefly again in 2009. The 1990’s Hasbro line began initially as a relaunch of the original UK Palitoy action figure range.

30th Anniversary and Special Editions

In addition to the three 30th anniversary sets, a number of special edition figures were released, one of which was a 1996 reproduction football player in a numbered box. As with others from 1996, this was the extremely limited articulation Hasbro Hall of Fame body, with a flocked hair head sculpt. This item would never have been intended as a toy, but merely a collectable.

From 1997 to 2000, Action Man was also released in the uniforms and costumes from six James Bond movies. These included Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is Not Enough.

In 2006, after the main toy line had ended, a number of 40th Anniversary sets were released by Modellers Loft.

In 2006 Arts & Science released a 50th Anniversary range under license from Hasbro

2018 saw a total revamp of Action Man as Arts & Science remodelled the figure to cater for kids, the body was based on the Ken doll and had fewer points of articulation, but kept the familiar iconic head with trademark scar.

In September 2022 Art & Science International introduced a 4th generation of Action Man. Each of the limited edition figures had a new body, new uniform, vintage style head with detailed features and 30 points of articulation!

Collectors Terminology

VAM – Vintage Action Man
Vintage Action Man or VAM are mainly from the Palitoy era 1966 to 1978

BPEE – Blue Pants, Eagle Eyes
This refers to the Blue Pants Eagle Eyed range with Dynamic Physique from 1978 to 1984

AT – Adventure Team
This refers to the Blue Pants Adventure Team figures released between 1970 and 1973 with flocked hair and the AT symbol on the belt

MAM – Modern Action Man
Modern Action Man or MAM covers the Hasbro range from 1993 to 2006

KAM – Kids Action Man
This covers the 2018 Art & Science budget range which was aimed at the 3+ age group.

Anniversary Editions
This refers to the 30th, 35th, 40th & 50th Action Man/GI Joe anniversary ranges which were based on the original Palitoy designs.

Target Exclusive
A Gi Joe “Duke” produced exclusively for “Target” by Hasbro Pawtucket in 1991

Collectors Edition
Four Hasbro Pawtucket collectors figures produced in 1992

GI Joe Hall of Fame
A range of Gi Joe figures produced by Hasbro Pawtucket in 1992

4th Gen
Refers to the 4th Generation Action Man released by Arts & Science in 2022

Kit-Bash
Kit-bashing is a term used to describe a uniform or outfit that has been pieced together from different uniforms, equipment and accessories to produce a one-off figure.

Countries of Origin
After the success of GI Joe in America, licenses were issued to many companies across the world to produce their own version
Action Man – UK
Group Action Joe – France
Action Team – Germany
Falcon – Brazil
Geyperman – Spain
Kenbrite – Australia
Takara – Japan
GI Joe – USA

Group Action Joe was the French licensed version of Action Man. They were originally produced by a company called Ceji Arbois who held the licence before being replaced by “Meccano France” around 1982/83.

Action Man’s real name is Matthew Exler, he was adopted as an infant by American inventor Dr. Alfred Exler, his arch enemy is Dr X, the man responsible for giving him his scar…