Guys thank you all so much for your very kind posts :-)
In the UK before GI Joe we had "Action Force" which (like UK vintage Star Wars toys) were made by Palitoy.
Action Force also used early GI Joe moulds and repaints. The Team was split into several units : SAS, Space Q Force (aquatic) and Z-Force (infantry)
This next custom is "Pathfinder" my take on a Z-Force HALO paratrooper (British Army early 1980's style)
Urgh painting our DPM Camo was a nightmare, not overly happy with the result...but he will have to do!!