Brian Turner: A Visionary in Toy Design

Pictured above is Brian Turner, reviewing displays at Toy Fair.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Brian Turner, a visionary toy designer and former Palitoy display manager, on December 6, 2024. Brian's legacy extends far beyond iconic toys; he left behind a rich tapestry of innovative designs and a deep appreciation for the power of play.

From Display Mastermind to Design Pioneer

Brian's journey at Palitoy began around 1970 when he joined as the Display Manager, reporting to Design Director Bill Pugh. His keen eye for detail transformed the way Palitoy showcased its products. He pioneered the introduction of the Octonorm display system, a modular and reusable solution that revolutionised toy fair stands and regional shows. This not only saved costs but also allowed for greater flexibility, impactful presentations and reuse at regional shows.

The versatile Octonorm display system, introduced into Palitoy by Bill Pugh. Photos show a before and after set-up.

Beyond the efficiency of Octonorm, Brian's passion for storytelling shone through in his captivating dioramas. He created immersive displays for large department stores and smaller, portable versions for sales representatives. These dioramas, featuring boxed-in displays of Action Man, Action Force, and even Asterix toys, brought the world of play to life, igniting imaginations in children across the country.

Box dioramas created by Brian Turner for various lines, including Action Force, Star Wars and Action Man.

One of the creators of the Death Star

One of Brian's most significant contributions to the toy industry was his work on the iconic cardboard Death Star playset. Chief Designer Bob Brechin and Brian transformed the mock-up version from Palitoy’s marketing agency into a workable design and Brian’s attention to detail helped to bring this beloved Star Wars location to life, providing countless hours of imaginative play for generations of children.

Palitoy’s cardboard Death Star and polaroids of the original prototype mock-up.

Action Man, Action Force, and Beyond

Brian's talents weren't limited to space stations. Before transferring over from display to becoming a toy designer he created the prototype of the Police Motorcycle, plus a scrambler and racing bike (which sadly didn’t make it). This showcased his creativity and understanding of the world of action figures, but all done at home whilst still travelling the length and breadth of the country setting up his displays.

The Action Man Police Motorcyle as well as the unproduced scrambler and racing bike, all designed by Brian Turner.

His design expertise wasn't confined to action figures. His concept prototype of the highly regarded Sea Lion vehicle for Q-Force was stylised by external design company Pape and Woodward. It was released in 1984 and stands as a testament to Brian’s innovative approach and ability to see an untapped opportunity.

Prototypes of the much sought-after ‘Q Force Sealion’ in various stages of development.Action Force vehicle conceived by Brian Turner.

Brian also showcased his technical skills by building giant, fully functional replicas of Palitoy's electronic games, including Merlin, Split Second and the Star Wars Electronic Battle Command consoles. These impressive creations were the centerpiece of Palitoy’s displays at toy fairs, captivating audiences and demonstrating the innovative spirit of Palitoy.

Fully functional, giant-sized replicas of Star Wars Battle Command and Merlin. Just two examples of the many display replicas created by Brian Turner for Toy Fair.

Documenting the Journey

Brian was not just a talented designer but also a dedicated documentarian. His extensive collection of photographs captures the excitement and energy of toy fairs, offering a unique glimpse into the history of toy design and marketing. Brian’s photos, along with those of Bob Brechin’s, are currently being scanned and will be preserved as part of a Palitoy archive.

Examples of some of the candid photos that are included in the Palitoy Image Archive.

A Lasting Legacy

Brian Turner's legacy extends far beyond his innovative designs. His passion for play, his dedication to his craft, and his unwavering commitment to quality have left an enduring impact on the toy industry. He will be remembered as a visionary designer, a captivating storyteller, and a true friend to many.

Remembering Brian

Brian's former colleague, Bob Brechin, shared this heartfelt tribute:

"At Palitoy Brian’s innovative displays and captivating dioramas brought our toys to life. His transition to toy design was seamless, and his contributions to Action Man, Action Force, and Star Wars toys are cherished by collectors worldwide.

I first met Brian when he joined Palitoy around 1970 and he quickly became a good friend and colleague. He arrived at a time off great growth of the Palitoy brand and his contribution was invaluable. When Brian was designing the layouts and preparing the stands before Christmas for the two big trade fairs at Harrogate and initially Brighton everyone in the design department was co-opted by Brian to help out. Then in January everyone spent about four days at both venues dressing the stands with the new products under his direction. They were some of the good times.

When General Mills closed the Palitoy design department in the summer of 1984 we went our separate ways but we met up again about two/three years later designing and displaying toys for a European toy group. B T Marketing was managed by former Palitoy Marketing Director Les Cooke and when the toy group called it a day we three created C B T Toys. Unfortunately it was at a time when the British Toy industry was being taken over by mostly American companies so after a few years C B T was closed, but Brian and I carried on working together creating various displays, a big one being an animated display for Barbie’s birthday installed at Alton Towers in 1999.

During our retirement we kept in touch and Brian, always resolute and purposeful, was instrumental in arranging luncheon meetings with former Palitoy colleague and wives, mainly Stuart Moore (doll designer) and the late Ken Woolhouse (process engineer). Those meetings are memorable as are our other times together Brian - and I will miss you."

We extend our deepest condolences to Brian's family and friends. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of toy designers and collectors alike.