Toy soldiers under fire: The all-male and all-white MoD heroes

Daily Mail ^ | 3rd May 2009 | Matthew Hickley

[naturalman1975]

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.

[naturalman1975]

Wife's comment on seeing images: "Our son is too old for toys!"

Son's comment: "No, I'm not. Those are cool."

My (unvoiced) comment: "He'll have to fight me for them."

[sinanju]

Nobody listened to my idea of making G.I. Joes with interchangeable heads.

Hell, even the excreble 1970’s Joes had a black member.

[Dilbert San Diego]

So now we have to be politically correct about toy soldiers??????? Sheesh...............

They didn’t say, but I will ask — how do we know which one is the gay one when we have the new diverse group of toy soldiers which reflect the diversity they are seeking??????

[spodefly]

There may not be any brown skin, but I am pretty sure the one on the right is gay.

[mamelukesabre]

The gay one is wearing a white glove.

[Semper Mark]

“how do they know which one is gay”...

Throw a naked Barbie in amongst ‘em, then they’ll know.

[mamelukesabre]

I see two special forces, and a pilot. Of course they are all white males.

[Oztrich Boy]

Hell, even the excreble 1970’s Joes had a black member.

He should see the MO about that

[Krankor]

What about a cowardly soldier? A stupid one? A drunken lout? I mean, to be fair, you gotta represent everybody.

[naturalman1975]

I do see the point - with at least 25 figures, there should be some of different races, and, yes, probably some women.

But I'm sure there will be.

How about one modelled on this fellow.

[JRandomFreeper]

Daughter says grandson can't have them because they have index fingers in the trigger guard instead of extended along and above.

She's a real bitch about gun safety. I did well.

/johnny

[mamelukesabre]

LOL

Someone’s going to suggest an awol bush doll.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Those are cool, but these are way cooler:

http://www.dragonmodelsusa.com/dmlusa/prodmidh.asp?tlcode=DRF

I’m trying to get a paratrooper from the 82nd or 101st circa D-Day with a Thompson for a personal weapon. I want the offspring to play with it instead of the metrosexual Ken dolls that they team up with the Barbies.

[RobinOfKingston]

Nobody listened to my idea of making G.I. Joes with interchangeable heads.

Hell, even the excreble 1970’s Joes had a black member.

Lemme get this straight -- the member was interchangeable, but not the head?

[antiunion person]

What a load of crap. sheeeesh!!!! Some people have just way too much time on their hands. Those miserable people need to get a REAL job and do something productive.
I'm sick and tired of being criticized for being a white, married to a woman, straight adult man. No matter what we do, it is wrong. I was accused of being a slave owner the other day on another website. But I cleared up that misconception quickly by telling the ignorant bastard I was Canadian and just the military in the United States and my family tree never included a separate branch off owning slaves.
I also thought the democRATS said if Obama (half white and half black) got into office, the racial problems would be resolved. Idiot me, believing what a politician, a democRAT politician at that said. We all know how to tell when a politician is lying, his lips are moving. Old but goody.

[antiunion person]

I hope you meant that with sarcasm???

[Will88]

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.

They probably should have had a few women and minorities, but 9% and 6% are not exactly overwhelming numbers. No doubt what group still supplies the British fighting forces.

(They should definitely have had a ghurka with that deadly knife.)

[JRandomFreeper]

No, I would overlook the obvious unsafe pose of the dolls and give 'em to the grandbaby. She and her hubby are hard-core about gun safety. No bad role models, no TOY guns, no bad movies, no dolls with wrong hand positions.

They don't believe in 'accidents'. They are training early.

/johnny

[Oztrich Boy]

I see two special forces, and a pilot

One of the left: dark green beret - The Rifle Regiment (line infantry)

Only other possibilties are Small Arms School Corps, Essex Yeomanry (Signals), or Royal Gurkha Rifles (probably not that one)

[antiunion person]

The Israeli Army is almost 100% white. But they have integrated females with the male fighting forces. We need to have a woman Israeli Army service member come to the US and kick the crap out of all our great democRAT politicians. lol