MoD backs new military toy line

6 May 2009 11:58am

Goodbye Action Man and GI Joe, there is a new toy in town - the HM Armed Forces action figures.

The Ministry of Defence has backed the authentic military-inspired dolls, which will go on sale from VE day on Friday.

The toys have been developed by Character Group, which has worked closely with the Army, Navy and RAF.

With the soldiers armed with weapons and military vehicles, the doll is looking to fill the void that Action Man left when it went out of production in 2006.

The figures are 10 inches tall and have three servicemen from each force.

The Navy dolls are a Royal Marine Commando, a Royal Navy diver and a Commando with a canoe. Army dolls include a fully-armoured and normal infantryman and a mortarman while the RAF have a Falcons parachutist, a fast jet pilot and a winch man.

The dolls exclude Gurkhas but female and black soldier figures will be released at a later date.

The toys also come with armed forces vehicles including a Vector Thrust Fast Jet, a tactical battle tank, both with firing missiles, and a Royal Marine hovercraft, which will be released later this year.

A spokesman from the Ministry of Defence said: "We are rightly proud to be celebrating our armed forces through the production of these new action figures. These toys showcase our people and equipment and this commercial recognition proves the high level support for our forces among the British public."

The toys can be bought in all good toy shops and superstores, with the action figures ranging between £14.99 and £24.99.

© The Press Association