16/04/2025
Very sad news from Bob Brechin:
Dave Barnacle R.I.P.
For toy collectors and fans of all things Palitoy it is with great sadness I report that Dave Barnacle has passed away.
Dave - or ‘Barnie’ as we fondly called him - not only provided Palitoy with some wonderful packaging designs and other artworks but was a personal friend. I have known him since the early 1970s when he first took on the task of supplying the Action Man packaging, creating some celebrated illustrations that collectors seek out and cherish today.
He would go on to produce the majority of packaging for toys in the growing Palitoy range from Tiny Tears and Pippa through to other toys such as Planet of the Apes and Talking Batmobile, and many many more including board games such as Star Trek.
When the Star Wars licence was taken on by Palitoy for the UK in 1977 Dave produced the packaging for the much sought after card Death Star with his son ‘young Dave’ as the child in the photo on the box.
In the 1980s, just before the demise of Palitoy, he came up trumps with the iconic packaging style for the new Action Force concept.
Dave would attend many toy conventions and other events and would happily talk with visitors and share his knowledge and memories.
Our thoughts are with his wife Jan and his family and friends.
