They were supposed to be realistic toy versions of our brave soldiers, complete with authentic replica uniforms and scale model weapons and equipment.
But it turns out they are, apparently, a little less representative than had been hoped.
A range of action figures launched by the Ministry of Defence has come under fire for being too white and too male.
All of the 25 images included in publicity material showed white men, despite 9 per cent of Armed Forces personnel being women and 6 per cent being from ethnic minorities.
Senior commanders hoped that the 'HM Armed Forces' range would fill the gap left by Action Man and boost the military's popularity - but they have faced a barrage of complaints.
Des Feely, whose 26-year- old daughter Sarah Bryant was killed in Afghanistan last year, said the absence of female action figures appeared 'overtly macho', and claimed women's contribution to the forces was being overlooked.
Conservative MP and former infantry commander Patrick Mercer added: 'It is extraordinary they have chosen to exclude women, whose contributions are vital to the modern British army.'
The toys include infantry soldiers, Royal Marine Commandos, Navy divers and RAF pilots.
Character Group, which created the range, has described Wednesday's planned launch event - which coincides with VE Day - as the biggest in its history.
The figures will be priced from £14.98, with the MoD taking a cut from each sale.
Officials said the revenue would be added to the military's publicity budget rather than helping to ease the department's crippling cash crisis.
The MoD yesterday insisted that the range would in fact include one black soldier. Character Group added that it was looking to introduce a female action figure next year, and would also consider a Gurkha figure.
The range also includes replica tanks, boats, an RAF strike jet, mortars and portable missiles and a parachute. The infantryman comes with exact miniatures of the desert combat clothing, boots, body armour and assault rifle worn by British troops fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan - even down to the goggles on his helmet. continues here
But it turns out they are, apparently, a little less representative than had been hoped.
A range of action figures launched by the Ministry of Defence has come under fire for being too white and too male.
All of the 25 images included in publicity material showed white men, despite 9 per cent of Armed Forces personnel being women and 6 per cent being from ethnic minorities.
Senior commanders hoped that the 'HM Armed Forces' range would fill the gap left by Action Man and boost the military's popularity - but they have faced a barrage of complaints.
Des Feely, whose 26-year- old daughter Sarah Bryant was killed in Afghanistan last year, said the absence of female action figures appeared 'overtly macho', and claimed women's contribution to the forces was being overlooked.
Conservative MP and former infantry commander Patrick Mercer added: 'It is extraordinary they have chosen to exclude women, whose contributions are vital to the modern British army.'
The toys include infantry soldiers, Royal Marine Commandos, Navy divers and RAF pilots.
Character Group, which created the range, has described Wednesday's planned launch event - which coincides with VE Day - as the biggest in its history.
The figures will be priced from £14.98, with the MoD taking a cut from each sale.
Officials said the revenue would be added to the military's publicity budget rather than helping to ease the department's crippling cash crisis.
The MoD yesterday insisted that the range would in fact include one black soldier. Character Group added that it was looking to introduce a female action figure next year, and would also consider a Gurkha figure.
The range also includes replica tanks, boats, an RAF strike jet, mortars and portable missiles and a parachute. The infantryman comes with exact miniatures of the desert combat clothing, boots, body armour and assault rifle worn by British troops fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan - even down to the goggles on his helmet. continues here
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1 Responses to "Toy soldiers under fire: The all-male and all-white MoD heroes"4 May 2009 at 15:29
It’s a toy for God sake but I suspect Mercer would like to get his hands on a woman doll dressed in military uniform and pin a medal on her for contributions above and beyond the call of duty. Whatever next *sigh*
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