In 1968, Palitoy released a new version of the basic Action Man figure. This was a Talking Commander figure who appeared in standard army fatigues with a row of medal ribbons over the left breast pocket to differentiate him from the rest of the troop. He also had a black plastic beret, moulded in the same pattern as the "Green Beret" headgear from the "Soldiers Of The Century" series. He had the same level of articulation as the normal figure and the same range of hair colours. In all, he said eight commands which emanated from a tiny record player situated in a cavity in his torso. Nineteen holes were drilled into his chest to let the sound escape and the box carried the dire warning for the user not to dunk his or her Action Man in water or throw him out of a tree.
The eight phrases, or commands, that he spoke were:
This is your commander speaking
Action Man patrol, fall in!
Enemy Aircraft! Action Stations!
Enemy in sight, range 1000
Volunteer needed for a special mission
Mortar attack dig in
Hold your fire until I give the order
Commander to base, request support fire
The talking commander was updated and later issued with flocked hair (blond and brown) and gripping hands. He changed his outfit to a woolly jumper , scarf and green fatigue trousers with an officer's red-banded cap. In the late 1970's the whole body was redesigned along with the rest of the range and the talkers appeared in blue underwear. The holes in the torso had been relocated in the back. He sported the Eagle Eyes and had the new design gripping hands. He came, dressed in standard camouflage fatigue trousers and nylon jumper. He wore a cap with one of two regimental badges (17th/21st Lancers or SAS). He also had a new series of commands. This time, his vocabulary decreased to just five phrases, immaculately elocuted.
Enemy tanks approaching
What's the password?
Send out the patrol
Advance in single file
give me some cover
A Talking Space Ranger Commander was issued who said the following
All units stand by!
I'm going in
We're under attack!
Prepare to repel invaders
Oxygen level falling
Space Station now visible
Talkers were never really as popular as the regular action figures and, to be honest, kids never stayed with the guidelines in respect of drowning or parachuting. As a result of this, not many have survived to the 1990's with their vocal chords intact. If you have managed to acquire one of these marvels of 1960's technology who seems to be a little silent, fear not! Help is at hand. A guide to restoration of both eras of talker will soon be available on this site. Also, as time goes by, pictures of talkers from all eras will be pictured here for the world to see.