Blood for the Baron!

This is fantastic news...Jim, I think you've covered the two main questions that immediately spring to my mind:
What are the origins of the letters Q & Z being chosen for the infantry & naval forces ?
&
Does the logo have any link to the Capt Zargon badge?

Others I'd be interested in knowing the answers too include:

Who first originated the idea of shrinking down the most popular Action-man outfits & were there ever any plans to expand on that basic concept for a second year?

If Palitoy had of continued the line in which direction would you liked to of taken the figure & vehicle designs..for instance, would you of developed them into being even more fantastical/science fiction like creations?

And, just for a laugh:
What were Friday afternoons really like at the Palitoy factory?

Maybe some duplication here, but initial thoughts . . .

Have you taken a look at the custom toys that are produced by adult collectors today and what do you think of this homage to the original range?

Did you take any of your favourite designs home after your time at Palitoy came to an end and what were they? Do you still have any of them to this day, to remind you of your work?

How do you feel about Action Force after 30 years?

Was there a plan to introduce an Action Force air force if the range had continued?

What is the proudest / fondest memory of your time working on Action Force?

Was the introduction of Hasbro figure and vehicle moulds to the series 2 range, a Palitoy Design Team decision, or the result of corporate pressure from Palitoy's parent? Would we have seen a higher level of unique designs if you'd had your way?

The Q thing is the Navy Q boats in WW2 and Z is for Force Z which was an infantry unit in WW2. I might be wrong though.

paul463 wrote:The Q thing is the Navy Q boats in WW2 and Z is for Force Z which was an infantry unit in WW2.

More than likely, but it'd be nice to find out if our speculations are correct or not.

Mr Brechin, how did you first get involved with the toy industry & did you continue to work in the toy business after the Palitoy company closed down?

Baron, with regards to the Top Secret Roboskull Blueprints, these were a giveaway promo. in toy stores when you bought some Action Force. I remember getting mine from Fenwicks in Newcastle as a child.

Yup, some were store visits by a character though werent they?

Think mine are signed in marker pen so assumed they were signed in store by someone in character. The guy who i got them off said they were from a promo event in a toy shop.

Thanks lads, but let's let Bob answer shall we? He may well have insight into the back-story, rejected proposals, etc. etc.

buddusky wrote:Baron, with regards to the Top Secret Roboskull Blueprints, these were a giveaway promo. in toy stores when you bought some Action Force. I remember getting mine from Fenwicks in Newcastle as a child.

This is true and i have a very close friend who lives in the UK. he is not a member but he has this same blueprint and its signed by Ironblood. He told me that he met Ironblood because he won some kind of contest at a toy shop . i will see if i can get him to email me the picture or join the site.

Please, let's not go off-topic on this thread. By all means start a new thread discussing the variant Roboskull blueprints.

Very excited about this Q&A. It's like the warm fuzzy optimistic positivity of Autumn-Winter 1984. But in 2012. And with fewer MOC items in the shops and no BAF at John Menzies, but still.