Welcome to the collection of Geoff Martin Owner: Geoff Martin, United Kingdom E-mail: n/a (withheld) Greetings from the UK! As with most collectors my age (I'm 44 years old), Action Man was my favorite toy as a kid during the 1970s. My fist Action Men were painted heads with hard hands. I remember how cool I thought it was when the gripping hands (kung fu grip) came into production along with the original Fuzzheads. Now they could finally hold their weapons and the helmets and berets would actually stay on! My collection was eventually "binned" by my parents (thrown out) during the 1980s (when girls came along), all bar one (an M.P) which stayed up in my attic. My collecting bug was re-awakened 4 years ago when a box of Action Men was presented to me "down the pub" due to the fact I was wearing an Action Man logo t-shirt. The box contained the complete Action Man Soldiers of the World series (no medals though) including the German, Green Beret, Basic Soldier, French Resistance, British Infantryman and a peach of a Scramble Pilot. I was hooked again! Then, good old Mum told me there was still some of my old stuff up in the loft and so now I also had my original 1970s MP "back in service!" I'm lucky enough now to have my own study and a bolt-hole cabinet in which to display all of my collection. I spend hours on the weekends "fiddling about" (as the wife says) and, having 3 young sons, I'm slowly trying to convert them away from their X-Box (they don't know what they're missing). My collection now consists of mostly the 1960 Action Man range along with some rare GIjOEs (the aqua MP was found at a garage sale in Surrey--go figure)! Early GIjOEs and Action Men are my favorite area of collecting. I don't care for the sports series (although I have the Judo set). But, with ebay opening international bidding, I now have some great Joes in my collection as well and am currently searching for the rarer of the earliest Joe sets (a state trooper is high on my wish list). Alongside these are the 1980s Eagle Eye sets that have insidiously scrambled their way into the collection along with the rarer French Action GIjOE and German Action Team figures. I also have to "fess up" to collecting the later Dragon/Hot-toys/Ultimate uniforms that I display on vintage figures (such as modern fighter pilots, firefighters, policemen, etc.), some of which I think are modern collectible classics already demanding good prices. I do have a few vintage boxed sets in great condition, but I've drawn a line under my collecting habits and limit myself (and my wallet) to purchasing single figures (no vehicles), although I have both of the motorcycle/sidecar combos and a few horses for my ceremonials series. On top of all this, I have the complete 40th re-issue collection that is still un-opened and plan to have the collection displayed along side my vintage lot. Which is my favorite GIjOE/Action man figure? Wow,that's a tough-cookie. If I had to choose just one.....now...as I type... I'd have to choose the SCRAMBLE PILOT with all its trimmings! I hope you enjoy the pictures of my collection. ---Geoff Martin

Let's take a GOOD look at the figures in Geoff's collection: Start by backing up and marvelling at this great glass-door display case in Geoff's study. Superb job of arranging, Geoff. On the left you'll notice another display, this one using circular glass shelving. FANTASTIC. Stunning figures with fantastic detailed uniforms and gear. REALLY nice Afrika Korps Motorcycle and sidecar for these Action Men. And the Joes ain't bad either! Great boxers on the left and a nice assortment of Eagle-Eyes on the right. Simply stunning collection. The quality and range is incredible. Check out that tanker and the Green Beret. WOW! Oh man, oh man! Great German policeman and there's Geoff's favorite...the venerable SCRAMBLE PILOT (Action Man version). Great details from the goggles to the patches. What a lineup! Nice gray Air Police field telephones. And the UN guy is cool too. The longer you look, the more you see. Everyone loves the Mountie and this is a NICE one. And the Action Men of Germany look GREAT! Can you believe this great collection? Fantastic job, Geoff. Everything's OK in the UK! Thanks for sharing your great collection, Geoff. And Don't Miss... Collections Indoor Dioramas Outdoor Photos Custom Figures Custom Vehicles Tips & Tricks Club Websites Feedback Submit Your Collection About GIjOE Collections Cool Links HOME Address any questions or comments to webmaster Mark Otnes, at 303 E. Sherwin Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, or Phone: 217-337-1706 or Email: sterling@shout.net