let me just zip up my annorak

[plastik]

Very slightly off topic but regarding Palitoy, I always thought that Palitoy went under because their toy lines were not selling too well and they could not compete with the rise in computer and electronic games.

I read yesterday that Palitoy were at the time doing very well, what put them under was the fact that during their 70's heyday (due to Action Man and Star Wars toys selling by the bucket load), they pretty much bought up all their competion.

In the very early eighties the collapse of Dinky and Airfix (both owned by Palitoy) caused them to go under taking the owners (palitoy) with them.

I'm not sure of the accurracy of this as different sources seem to site different chain of events, but if its true this could mean that if they did not see this collapse coming they may of had loads of lines in pre production or at least planning stage.

They must of had a few unreleased lines to at least display at trade fairs and I think these are normally a year in advance of product launch.

These may have of been just resprays of Gi Joe at this stage but you never know.

Although Palitoy made their business by rebranding other companies toy lines - most notably action man in the 60's, which although intially were just rebranded Joe items, in later years they were to develop so many innovative ideas that joe then followed action man (flock hair, eagle eyes, gripping hands etc).

So maybe if they were not as cash strapped as thought, Palitoy could of had planned some original products for the action force line. Its quite well documented the planned lines for Action Man before it was pulled, it would be great to find out more about what was meant to be in store for us.

sorry if I have sent anyone to sleep!