Editing Action Man (section)

{{short description|Action figure}}
{{other uses}}
{{Lead too short|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox Toy
|name = Action Man
|image = Palitoy ActionMan Packaging.jpg
|caption = Original Action Man figure from 1966
|type = [[Action figure]]
|inventor = [[Hasbro]]
|country = [[United States]]<br />[[United Kingdom]]
|company = [[Palitoy]] / [[Hasbro]]
|from = 1966
|to = 1984 / 1993–2006, 2009
|materials =
|website =
|slogan =
}}

'''Action Man''' is an [[action figure]] launched in Britain in 1966 by [[Palitoy]] as a licensed copy of [[Hasbro]]'s American "movable fighting man", [[G.I. Joe]].

Action Man was originally produced and sold in the United Kingdom and Australia by [[Palitoy]] Ltd of [[Coalville]], [[Leicestershire]] from 1966 until 1984. Palitoy offered sub-licences to toy manufacturers in other markets.

The figure and accessories were originally based on the Hasbro (US) 1964 [[G.I. Joe]] figure, for 1966–1969 production. Hasbro's G.I. Joe figure was patented in 1966.<ref>{{patent|US|3,277,602}} with Sam Speers credited as inventor of same.</ref> Even the specific method of attaching the appendages was patented as a "Connection for Use in Toy Figures".<ref>{{patent|US|3475042}} 28 Oct. 1969).</ref> The first Action Man figures were ''Action Soldier'', ''Action Sailor'' and ''Action Pilot''. All were available in the four original hair colours: Blonde, Auburn, Brown and Black. They were accompanied by outfits depicting the [[United States Armed Forces]] of [[World War II]] and the [[Korean War]]. From 1970 to 1984, the basic boxed figures and accompanying uniforms and accessories reflected the forces of the United Kingdom rather than the United States. Action Man was reintroduced in 1993, based on the G.I. Joe Hall of Fame figure of that time.