The Action Force range was born in August 1982, inspired by Palitoy’s 12" Action Man range , and the 3¾" Star Wars figures. Action Man sales were dropping and the massive success of the Star Wars line prompted Palitoy to produce a new range of small Action Men. This new range was called 'Action Force'.

The initial range included twelve figures in the first release followed by four more later. These were mainly based on existing military figures, some contemporary (e.g. British Paratrooper and Royal Marine figures), some historical (e.g. World War II Desert Rat and American Paratrooper figures), and the others were new inventions (e.g. Desert and Arctic Troopers). They also produced four vehicles and a cardboard base playset. A number of prototype figures also seem to exist from this period.

The range was an immediate success and prompted a new release in 1983, which introduced the team concept, consisting of four separate groups: Z Force - Ground Combat; SAS Force - Special Operations; Q Force - Maritime Operations; and Space Force - Space Operations. The enemy Red Shadows were also introduced. The new vehicles, like many of the figures were a combination of modifications of the original range, and licensed versions of the American (Hasbro) range. The main difference between the UK and US figures was that the UK figures had only five points of articulation (each arm, each leg and head), while the American figures also had jointed knees and elbows. The range was further expanded in 1984 with the addition of new figures and vehicles for each range, and again these were a mixture, this time of new British designs and licensed American designs.

Later on in the 1980s Hasbro took over all rights, and repackaged the US toys initially as 'Action Force', later as 'GI Joe - The Action Force' and later again as simply 'GI Joe'. The older Palitoy figures were repackaged and sold off as unbranded bargain four packs.

• Arctic Assault
• Australian Jungle Fighter
• British 2 Para
• British Commando
• British Royal Marine
• Commander (Mail In)
• Desert Rat
• Frogman
• German Stormtrooper
• Ground Assault
• Helicopter Pilot
• Mission Pilot
• Naval Assault
• Night Patrol
• S.A.S. Frogman
• S.A.S. Trooper

• Aqua Trooper
• Deep Sea Defender
• Sonar Officer
• Sea Skimmer

• Attack Trooper
• Commando
• Frogman
• Pilot
• Squad Leader

• Commander
• Engineer
• Patroller
• Pilot
• Security Trooper

• Captain
• Commander
• Infantryman
• Medic
• Minesweeper
• Radio Operator
• Sapper

• Baron Ironblood
• Black Major
• Kraken
• Muton
• Red Shadow
• Skeletron