In 2008 British Toy manufacturer – Character Options, working with the British Ministry of Defence secured a license to manufacturer a range of Action figures based on the modern British Armed forces.
These were produced as 10″ figures (1:7 Scale) which were smaller than the Action Man, GI Joe, Dragon and other 12″ (1:6 Scale) figures that we had gotten used to.
The HM Armed Forces figures were highly detailed and well articulated, making many poses that couldn’t be achieved by other action figures possible. They could easily be put into the prone position and the gripping hands and wrist rotation made it possible for them to hold their weapons correctly, a feature lacking in many of their competitors.
The infantryman in his DPM Desert camouflage came equipped with a 5.6mm Assault Rifle and fitted well into both the Quad and the Jackal M-WMIK Armoured Patrol Vehicle.
The first wave of figures consisted of an Army Infantryman, Army Armoured Infantryman, Army Mortarman, Royal Marine Commando, Royal Navy Frogman, RAF Falcon Display Team Parachutist, RAF Winchman & RAF Fast Jet Pilot.
British Army Camouflage
The Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) is the standard camouflage pattern of the British Armed Forces. It is a modified version of the DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) Camouflage with Multicam colours.
British Army Desert Camouflage
Introduced in the late 1980s, the British DPM Desert camouflage is one of the best known and most recognisable camo patterns worldwide.
A range of vehicles to compliment the figures was released over the years with the first being the Army Battle Tank which was based on the Scimitar light tank and the RAF Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Fast Jet which was based on the Harrier Jump Jet. There was also some smaller vehicles including the Royal Marine Commando Desert Raiding Party Quad Bike and the Royal Marine Commando Stealth Canoe.
In 2010 we had the 2nd wave which included the Enemy Mercenary, Army Parachutist, RAF Regiment Gunner, and the Royal Marine Commando Sniper with “Hawk Eyes”. Later in the year we saw the addition of the Arctic Mission range with a new figure in Arctic survival fatigues plus the Arctic Infantry Ski Patrol and the Royal Marine Commando in arctic camouflage, there was also an Arctic Mission Forward Air Controller Equipment kit available.
There were also two new vehicles added to the range which were the Arctic Ski Doo and the Jackal M-WMIK (Mobility Weapon-Mounted Installation Kit) which carried three figures and featured a rear 360 degree swivelling weapons mount for the 50 calibre machine gun as well as a forward mounted General Purpose Machine Gun. The vehicle was complimented with jerrycans and a mounted spare wheel.
Towards the backend of 2010 six equipment sets which included both uniform and equipment were released, these were the RAF Pilot, RAF Military Police Close Protection Bodyguard, RAF Forward Air Controller, Royal Navy Rating Deck Gunner, Royal Navy Diver, Royal Navy Fire and Emergency. There was also a basic equipment set consisting of standard Helmet, 2-piece uniform, boots, pistol and a range of different weapons including the SA80 Assault Rifle, Minimi Light Machine Gun and a 50 Cal Heavy Machine Gun.
2010 also saw the release of the Argos Exclusive Basic Training figure with camouflage trousers and assault rifle.
In 2011 three new figures with Sound Effects were released, these were the Royal Marine Commando Night/stealth Ops (with camo face and light machine gun), Royal Air Force Police Dog Handler (with Dog) and an Army Infantryman with ASM Rocket Launcher.
In 2012 a wind-up crawling infantryman was added to the range and we also got the final two vehicles which were the Army Attack Helicopter (based on the Apache) and the 105mm Army Field Gun which could be towed by the Jackal. These were sadly the last to be produced because in 2014 Character Options ceased production of the HMAF 10″ figure line.
It has been over ten years since we last saw the HMAF range on our shop shelves but there are still some available if you have time to dig around, and there are also plenty of collectors looking to buy sell and trade to complete sets and expand their collections. This HMAF facebook group has over 12,000 active members, which shows us that this 10″ action figure range is still very popular amongst collectors.
We have a few HMAF figures and vehicles available to purchase in our shop, so please contact us if you are looking for anything in particular….
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IMAGE REFERENCE LIBRARY
Royal Marines Commando Sniper
HM Armed Forces Royal Marines Commando Sniper action figure with “Hawk Eyes”.
The action figure is dressed in a camouflage gillie suit with removable soft brimmed hat. The Sniper has black moulded plastic hair and painted facial details.
The set included a black and brown plastic L115 A3 Sniper Rifle accessory.
Made by Character Group Plc., 2012
HMAF VEHICLES
HMAF Enemy Forces
HM ARMED FORCES PRODUCT LAUNCH
from the 2009 MOD Archives
ACTION MAN FIGURE LAUNCH Today at RAF Northolt, the HM Armed Forces toy collection was launched. This is hoped to fill the significant void in the action figure market of authentic military inspired toys. A Royal Marine Commando, a commando with a canoe and a Royal Navy Diver are the toys representing the Royal Navy. There are also toys representing the Army and the Royal Air Force. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence said,” We are rightly proud to be celebrating our Armed Forces through the production of these new action figures. These toys showcase our people and equipment and this commercial recognition proves the high level support for our forces among the British public.
