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Christmas 1967! Not the actual figure pictured, I hasten to add, but an Action Man, Action Sailor, all the same! (And he didn't come with these Japan tagged fatigues that I added as an adult either!!!!)


The reason I remember my first (and only) childhood Action Man is because I had to wait sooooo long! The figures were not particularly cheap, and my family had to be careful with their hard earned cash. Mum tried to palm me off with (what I think you fellers term, a 'knock off?') whilst the promise of a real Action Man for Xmas burned in my head!
During the intervening Autumn months prior to the run up to Xmas, I had to make do with a 'made in hong kong' Combat Johnny! He was **ap with a capital C! I think an arm and then a leg had popped off almost before his cellophane wrapper was in the carbage! My pals with their original Action Soldiers, sailors and pilots could also tell the difference between shite and shinola, so I also had to put up with no end of merciless 'ribbing'!
Years later, as an adult, I would also find out another reason why I had to wait so long to get my pincer grip on my dream Xmas present! In a bizzare twist, whilst my Dad, an Irish Catholic with a Danny Devitos torso, who worked the night shift down on the waterfront dock had no problem with me playing with dolly's - my Mum was concerned it would turn me into a Cream Puff!!! My commitment to Hasbro's finest paid off, and Xmas morning, 1967, I awoke to unwrap an Action Sailor! I don't think you can over estimate the play value - he stayed with me for at least the next five years (Even when old carpet head (Fuzzyman!) was introduced, I stood resolutley beside my painted head! Think about it... five years? I loved 'Toy Story', but did our kids get five years out of Buzz and Woody merchandise? I have respect for the work that went into 'High School Musical', but five years of interest, and play value? I wonder...


Eventually.... Action Man Xmases gave way to 'After shave', deoderants, Long Playing records, and a Les Paul (copy!) and bar chords!
That's another chapter where every Saturday morning I'd trawl the music stores in town. I'd stand gawping at the guitars, and desperately try and memorise the chords to 'Paranoid' and 'Alright now' from the books on the music stands.
Every store would have someone 'trying out' a guitar, and they could only ever play the opening riffs to 'Smoke on the water', or 'Stairway to Heaven' !!!! But they could play....

Thanks for asking a neat question, Brian! I'm looking forward to what everyone else says!