Blood for the Baron!

Check out what I just won. Can't wait to get this in the mail.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

I've picked up a few minor Action Man Patrol items over the last few years, but I NEVER expected to find a MIP set in this condition. Especially not for such a low price.

Wish there was more information on the Action Man Patrol role play toys. There are about 4 pages on it in one of the Action Man: Ultimate Collectors Guides, but that seem's to be it. 4 PAGES!!! And almost no text to go with it.

Since I'm on the wrong side of the pond, I obviously didn't grow up with these, but I love them just the same. Anyone remember any specific sets? Or better yet, any pictures?

Roger

outstanding! cracking price too.

Bargain!
I wasn't aware that this stuff was out there, untill I read that ultimate guide book too. It must be hard for non-U.K collectors to find info' on vintage Action Man, how long have you been collecting this stuff & how easy is it to obtain over in the States?

Thundershot wrote:Bargain!
I wasn't aware that this stuff was out there, untill I read that ultimate guide book too. It must be hard for non-U.K collectors to find info' on vintage Action Man, how long have you been collecting this stuff & how easy is it to obtain over in the States?

In a broad sense, I've been collecting this type of thing for about 10 years now. Started with a chance find of a 1993 Duke Halloween costume at a K-Mart in 1999. That's right, they had it 6 years after it came out.

That lead to more costumes, which gave way to role play toys, and t-shirts, and other similar kid sized items.

I was at least aware that there should be role play toys for Action Man and Action Force. There were for G.I. Joe, so why wouldn't they exist in other countries? But it did take me a while to find anything that was affordable. I got the Action Man patches about 6 years ago. Then really nothing until about 2 years ago maybe. Got the Action Man Patrol helmet. Wasn't in great shape, and the sticker was torn, but I was happy with it. About 8 months ago I found the Action Man Patrol canteen. Really like this item because of it's rich texture, and the embossed logo. Paid nothing for it to, I think shipping more than tripled the bid price.

But that's it, until now. I've seen several other items, but I tended to miss the bid, or it just got to expensive.

Really if it wasn't for the Internet, I wouldn't have a single piece. The stuff never shows up in the states. I don't recall seeing a single Action Man Patrol item at any of the G.I. Joe conventions. That's not to say that I didn't just miss them. And they certainly don't show up locally.

But on top of being geographically prohibitive, they don't seem to come on the market that much. Very few people collect them, so the perception seems to be that they are not worth selling. Even if they did survive a summer of rugged outdoor play, a rarity in itself, not many people seem to think anyone will buy them.

Some of the items I've bought have been ridiculously cheap. As little as $1 plus shipping for some stuff. While other things just seem to strike a cord with 2 or 3 people at the right time, and suddenly you have a bidding war on your hands. Honestly though, I get enough of it cheaply that I don't really want to fight that hard for the "expensive" stuff.

I remember this one time an item I had never seen before came up. It was a G.I. Joe store display sleeping bag, one of those small scale ones they use to show you the fabric, and how zippers work. I shouldn't say I never saw one, I have never seen this specific one, but I had seen a G.I. Joe Tiger Force one before. It all came down to me REALLLLY wanting it. Got into a bidding war, and lost it around $80. One week later an identical one came up for auction, and I got it for $20. That was 4 years ago, I've never seen another one listed.

Roger

That's the thing with this type of stuff, just because an items rare doesn't mean it's highly valuable, unless like you say two people are interested then the sky's the limit I guess. I love to see this type of role play stuff when it's on toy dealers tables or in shows, but have no interest in actually owning any of it myself, mainly due to lack of space.

I do own couple of child size James Bond cap guns (the Walther PPk & P99), but that's about it really. I'd like to have seen that sleeping bag, how big are they? would it look good with a 12" Joe sleeping in it?

Not strickly role play items, but have you ever seen these Action Man badges before? Modellers loft sold them, a few years back, for charity.

Thundershot wrote: That's the thing with this type of stuff, just because an items rare doesn't mean it's highly valuable, unless like you say two people are interested then the sky's the limit I guess. I love to see this type of role play stuff when it's on toy dealers tables or in shows, but have no interest in actually owning any of it myself, mainly due to lack of space.

You should pick them up next time. If they are resonably cheap, then you have a buyer

Thundershot wrote: I do own couple of child size James Bond cap guns (the Walther PPk & P99), but that's about it really. I'd like to have seen that sleeping bag, how big are they? would it look good with a 12" Joe sleeping in it?

As I recall, since it is in storage, I think it was about 14 inches by 8 inches. Really scaled closer to a Cabbage Patch doll than a G.I. Joe.
But, I have seen non-G.I. Joe display sleeping bags that look to be the right scale. So if you just want a cool 12" scale sleeping bag that doens't say G.I. Joe, or have some battle scene on it, then they are out there.

Thundershot wrote: Not strickly role play items, but have you ever seen these Action Man badges before? Modellers loft sold them, a few years back, for charity.

I have seen those, and I've been sorely tempted to buy them. Especially since I have a fairly large G.I. Joe pin collection. But shipping alone seems to make them not quiiiiiiiitttteee worth it, and they seem to be relatively common. I didn't know they were a Modellers Loft exclusive. I just figured they were sold in stores, or maybe comic shops.

Does 4 make a complete set?

Roger

I know there were only 4 available @ the time I picked these ones up, I purchased 'em from Moddelers loft when they had a pitch @ Duxford air museum during an event, but they must of been more than one set producd as I've also managed to pick up 3 other designs over the years..including a style one, I'm assuming 4 to a set but I don't have a clue what it looks like

Interesting. I know I've seen the first 4, but I'm not sure about those other 3. Maybe the SAS? That one looks familiar to me.

Roger

The badges were in aid of Meningitis research but I don't know how many sets there were.


As for the Adventure Patrol stuff, that boxed set is a bargain. I had one when I was 5 or 6. I also had the jumper and beret set, when I go to my folks next week I'll try and finds the picture of me wearing it at my birthday party.
I think the stuff in the back of the Collectors Guide is all there was.

Ok done some digging and found 9 badges:
Tank Commander
Action Soldier
Medic
Grenadier Guard
SAS
Paratrooper
Frogman
Radio Operator?
Another soldier I can't make out...


The set of 5 were sold at Halfords.

I also found these auctions for Adventure Kit badges:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Action-Ma ... 53de0f072b
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Action-Ma ... 414c33e56f