ACTION TEAM

ACTION TEAM is the german cousin of GIJOE, born in 1964 in the USA. It was the first attempt to create a doll for boys: an action figure you could dress.
In the early seventies anti-war opposition led the producer Hasbro to change the GI Joe line, the former toy soldiers were to be less war oriented. A new name was added "Adventure Team" and the figures featured flocked hair and beards.
At the beginning, the toys were imported in Europe, but in 1966 Hasbro licenced the line in England under the name of Action Man. Germany, France, Italy and Spain waited until 1975-76 to develop their own productions: Germany and Italy - Action Team, France - Action Joe and Spain: Geyperman. In Germany the company Schildkröt (Schildkroet) produced the Action Team line under licence from Hasbro.
The three first members of the Action Team were distributed in corrugated boxes. The figures featured the Action Man body of Palitoy, England. The members were:
Hard Rock, a Caucasian team member with brown hair and beard, with his orange overall he appeared to be the leader.
John Steel a Caucasian team member with sailor outfit and brown hair. Tom Stone, a Black team member with tan suit.
By the end of 1976 two new characters joined the team, the Action Girls! They were produced at the same time in France and Italy. Super Sandy, Caucasian with auburn hair and jeans and Super Peggy, Black with dark hair. They both had green eyes and a new body known as the muscle body.
In 1977, three new characters were introduced: Shalaly, the indian maiden. Adler Auge, the indian chief. Bob Power, a blond-bearded Caucasian in a black outfit. The two new male figures had been improved with the new eagle eyes that moved from side to side.
Another new member followed: Pirat (the Pirate) with Hard Rock's head and the new muscle body. At least the toys were distributed as a promotional item on bubble card.
The german Action Team was a fun and colorful line.
Visit the Action Team Websites:
Action Team website
Action Team YouTUBE page