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Thunderbirds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Archive-name: Thunderbirds/FAQ
Version: 1.0
Last-Modified: 2003/08/12 12:43:23
Maintained-by: Michael Faries <webmaster@(nospam)space1999.org>.
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Grateful acknowledgments: Special thanks to: Daria <JohnTracyTB5@(nospam)aol.com>, Kimberly Murphy-Smith <kamurphy@(nospam)ix.netcom.com> and Marc J. Frattasio <fm@(nospam)gis.net>.
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This FAQ covers the "Thunderbirds" productions from 1965 to the present.
In the interest of maintaining an ever-growing quality FAQ document, we welcome your submissions for inclusion via e-mail. Each contribution should consist of a question and an answer, ready for publication. (In the interest of our very limited free time, please provide concise information rather than initiating an ongoing dialogue. We're truly sorry; we can't answer individual questions.)
Of interest: U.S. customary and metric conversions for unit measurements are provided below. (Example: 124 mph/ 200 kph). We note that decimal points are not always provided in the conversions, as measurements are generally rounded off to the higher number.
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Copyright © 2003 Michael Faries. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés.
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Thunderbirds is trademark or registered trademark of Carlton International Media Ltd. All other items mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Table of Contents (TOC)
- 1.0 General Introduction
- 2.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Introduction
- 3.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Production Team
- 4.0 Classic Thunderbirds - FAB
- 5.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Supermarionation
- 6.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Characters/Actors
- 6.1 Are the first names of the Tracy boys based on actual U.S. astronauts?
- 6.2 Is the Tracy family structure inspired by the U.S. show Bonanza?
- 6.3 Why was David Holliday replaced with Jeremy Wilkin as the voice of Virgil Tracy for the last six episodes of Thunderbirds?
- 6.4 Which Thunderbirds voice actor worked the most in all of Gerry Anderson's productions?
- 7.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Vehicles
- 8.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Base(s) of Operations
- 9.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Villains
- 10.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Costumes
- 11.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Episode Lists
- 12.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Episode Synopses/Tidbits
- 13.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Movies
- 13.1 Thunderbirds Are Go! plot synopsis/tidbits
- 13.2 Thunderbird 6 plot synopsis/tidbits
- 13.3 What happened to the voice of the original Virgil Tracy character within the movies? (Actor David Holliday)
- 13.4 What kind of craft was Thunderbird 6?
- 13.5 Didn't the Thunderbird 6 production experience legal issues?
- 13.6 Were there other classic Thunderbirds movies?
- 14.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Music
- 14.1 Most Anderson shows have a vocal theme of some sort. Wasn't there one planned for Thunderbirds that wasn't used?
- 14.2 What other music scores has John Barry created/conducted?
- 15.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Syndication
- 16.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Toys/Models/Merchandise
- 17.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Special Appearances
- 18.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Current Availability
- 19.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Introduction
- 19.1 Who produced the series?
- 19.2 Is the music different between U.S./U.K. and Japanese versions?
- 19.3 When/why was the show canceled?
- 20.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Characters
- 21.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Vehicles/Base(s) of Operations
- 22.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Costumes
- 23.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Episode List
- 24.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Current Availability
- 25.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Introduction
- 26.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Production Team/Filmmakers
- 26.1 Why live-action actors, and not Supermarionation puppets like the classic "Thunderbirds" series/movies?
- 26.2 Are Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, Reg Hill or any others from the classic "Thunderbirds" series/movies involved?
- 26.3 What public comments has Gerry Anderson made about the new "Thunderbirds" movie?
- 26.4 Didn't Jonathan Frakes (new "Thunderbirds" movie director) make an uncomplimentary remark about the classic series?
- 27.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Story/Plot/Tidbits
- 28.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Characters/Actors
- 29.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Vehicles
- 30.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Base(s) of Operations
- 31.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Villains
- 32.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Costumes
- 33.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Symbols/Terms
- 34.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Music
- 35.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Toys/Merchandise
- 36.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Current Availability
- 37.0 (New) Thunderbirds TV Show
- 38.0 Final Thoughts
- 39.0 References
1.0 General Introduction
This document was drafted in an effort to educate fans, new and old alike, on the "Thunderbirds" television and motion picture entertainment properties. The specific mission of this document is to provide:
- Overview of general information.
- Specific information and trivia tidbits.
- Answers to frequently asked questions.
While the document is called an FAQ (acronym for Frequently Asked Questions), our goal is to outline additional news and information, too. We do not guarantee the full accuracy of information within this FAQ, although we do provide a list of various references.
Created by Gerry Anderson, along with his then-wife, Sylvia Anderson (nee Thamm), "Thunderbirds" became a pop culture and cult classic in the U.K., Europe, and Asia-Pacific (Australia, New Zealand and Japan). ["Thunderbirds" did not receive broad exposure or attention in North America, though, despite airings beginning in 1967.]
The idea for "Thunderbirds" originated from Gerry Anderson during October 1963. He had heard a radio news report about a mine collapse in Germany, resulting in many men being trapped. Subsequently, equipment would have to transported from all over to aid in the rescue efforts. Anderson met with Sir Lew Grade to discuss his proposal for a new series entitled "International Rescue."
The first television episode of "Thunderbirds" aired 30 September 1965 in the U.K.: "Trapped in the Sky," written by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, directed by Alan Patillo. A budget of 22,000 pounds was set for each episode (the approx. equivalent of 500,000 pounds in 2003). The production began in 1964. After viewing the first half-hour episode, ITC executive Sir Lew Grade instructed Gerry to extend each episode to fill a one-hour time slot. As production for the series was already well underway with nine episodes almost completed, this meant a massive undertaking for the AP Productions team at Slough Studio to extend each episode and still have them finished on time. Ironically, for the U.S. market, the episodes were later broken into half-hour shows with a cliff-hanger ending for the first half, then a one-minute recap at the beginning of the second half of the episode.
The final first-run broadcast of classic "Thunderbirds" was 25 December 1966 in the U.K. with the episode "Give or Take a Million."
The 32-episode classic "Thunderbirds" is recognized as the most popular of Gerry Anderson's shows, mainly in England (where the show originated), Australia and New Zealand. The show has strong fanbases worldwide, too.
"Thunderbirds" utilizes Supermarionation, a marketing term which highlights advanced puppetry designs/usage. marionette process combining the traditional strings with electronic impulses that allowed the plastic puppets to move their eyes, blink, raise their eyebrows and move their lips in a reasonably lifelike fashion. (The 1960s television series and motion pictures used Supermarionation.) However, a subsequent series, "Thunderbirds 2086," used traditional cel animation. And a live-action "Thunderbirds" movie from Universal is due in July 2004.
We hope this document is helpful to better understanding "Thunderbirds" -- and the various productions from the 1960s to the present.
2.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Introduction
Set in the year 2065 (according to both Gerry Anderson and Alan Fennell who cite a misprint in the official Supermarionation guide which stated 2026), "Thunderbirds" focuses on the valiant Tracy family who perform rescue operations without any personal gain or glory-seeking fanfare. Headed by Jeff Tracy from his uncharted Pacific Island, the team is comprised of Tracy's five sons who pilot various sophisticated rescue craft. Each is designated as a Thunderbird ship: "Thunderbird 1", "Thunderbird 2", etc. The team's organization is known publicly as "International Rescue (I.R.)."
Other resident members of the team including Brains, the scientific genius; Kyrano, their servant and his daughter, Tin-Tin. From England, Jeff Tracy employs the services of Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and her chauffer, Aloysius Parker, as remote agents. Lady Penelope and Parker regularly use a pink Rolls-Royce designated FAB1 in their missions.
3.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Production Team
Born Gerald Alexander Abrahams on 14 April 1929 in West Hampstead, London, England, U.K., Gerry Anderson is the co-creator of "Thunderbirds" along with then-wife Sylvia Anderson (nee Thamm).
Writer Alan Fennell Alan Pattillo David Elliott Dennis Spooner Donald Robertson Gerry Anderson Martin Crump Sylvia Anderson Tony Barwick Director Alan Pattillo Brian Burgess David Elliott David Lane Desmond Saunders Producer Reg Hill Executive Producer Gerry Anderson Creator Gerry Anderson Sylvia Anderson Music Barry Gray Special Effects Derek Meddings Art Director Bob Bell (I)Many of the production team that Gerry had used on his earlier series stayed on for "Thunderbirds," including special effects wizard Derek Meddings, producer Reg Hill, chief puppeteer Christine Glanville, composer Barry Gray and Sylvia Anderson.
4.0 Classic Thunderbirds - FAB
Perhaps the most frequently asked question by new and old "Thunderbirds" fans alike, the definitive answer came from series co-creator Sylvia Anderson herself during her promotional tour for her 1991 autbiographical book, "Yes, M'Lady: A Personal Memoir." According to Sylvia, F.A.B. stands for...
...absolutely nothing.
It was something they made up on the spur of the moment during a writing session, Sylvia says, and it was never intended to stand for anything other than to spell out the letters of a popular British slang word "fab" (for "fabulous") during that era. Many people have attempted to find other meanings ("Filed, Actioned, Briefed", "Fine--Acknowledge Broadcast"), but it never meant anything other than "fabulous."
The expression "FAB" is used by the Tracy brothers within the "Thunderbirds" series. It was first spoken by Lady Penelope in the episode, "Trapped in the Sky."
5.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Supermarionation
The term Supermarionation is derived from three words, "Super," "Marionette" and "Animation." Supermarionation is both a marketing name/brand and a puppetry technique involving marionettes with extremely fine wires and electronics which control the puppets' lip movements (a solenoid that transfered an electronic pulse to the wire attached to the bar the moved the lip) inside their heads -- and later, in their chests -- that synchronized the mouth movements with the vocal tracks. It is completely different from the puppetry technique used in "Terrahawks" called Supermacromation, a Muppet-style puppetry technique, and the stop-action animation of plastic puppets in "Dick Spanner P.I." It is also different from Anderson's "Captain Scarlet" CGI series which uses Hypermarionation: computer graphics (CGI) animation.
The early Supermarionation marionettes were made primarily of wood and leather (used as the hinge on the moving lip); the wires were fine tungsten metal. As the marionettes improved over time, features became more lifelike and more properly proportioned, while plastic eyes constructed by oculists were added (starting with "Thunderbirds") for increased realism. Each marionette was between 20 and 24 inches/ 51 and 61 cm tall. Starting with "Stingray," the marionettes often had multiple heads in order to give the impression of changing expressions (usually called the "serious face" and "smiling face") and multiple hands to be exchanged when different hand positions and gloves were needed (gloves were often merely painted hands). Later, puppet bodies (second season "Thunderbirds" and onward) replaced the wood with fiberglass, metal, and various types of plastic. Items like hats, helmets, and other headgear had wires threaded through them and were slid up the wires out of the way when not needed.
Supermarionation was first developed for "Supercar" (though electronic lip synch and steel wire were used in "Four Feather Falls") and used for every Anderson puppet production through "The Investigator" series. It was revamped between "Thunderbirds" and "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions."
Of further interest: Anderson puppet artists Mary Turner and Plugg Shutt had developed stringless puppets during the period between the end of "Thunderbirds" and startup for "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions"; stringless puppets meant that the puppets could be controlled from underneath and thus look more natural in sitting positions, flying planes, driving cars, etc. Also, toward the end of "Thunderbirds," engineers John Read and Reg Hill had experienced a breakthrough in solenoid technology for the voice mechanism that enabled it to be reduced in size so it would fit inside the chest cavity rather than the head (which had always been overlarge and out of proportion to the rest of the puppet). The combination allowed a complete redesign of the puppets to 1/3 human scale, which made them look much more realistic; at first glance, it is often difficult to tell that some of the shots in "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions" are not of humans. The drawback was that they did not move as realistic as they looked, so many shots done of the puppets going from place to place were done on moving walkways, and other motion was often implied by changing camera angles and sounds of movement. (The famous "walk down the alley" during the opening credits of "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions," for example, is done strictly from the point of view of the person walking; all one hears is the click of bootheels on pavement.)
Puppeteers often found the perfectly proportioned marionettes harder to control when they were on strings because they were so much lighter that any movement looked highly exaggerated at that scale, destroying the illusion they were designed to create. Nevertheless, the perfectly proportioned marionettes were used for all the remaining Supermarionation productions, allowing for some interesting live action intercuts in "The Secret Service" and much puppet recycling in "Joe 90" and "The Secret Service."
Classic Thunderbirds character bios under development
6.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Characters/Actors
The primary cast of "Thunderbirds" consists of:
Jeff Tracy
Voiced by Peter Dyneley
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The deep-voiced Peter Dyneley was 13 April 1921 in Hastings, East Sussex, England U.K. and passed away 19 August 1977. Dyneley also performed other voices throughout the "Thunderbirds" series, including:
Preston in "Give or Take a Million"; Professor Lundgren in "Lord Parker's 'Oliday"; Controller Norman in "Alias Mr Hackenbacker"; World Navy Commander in "Atlantic Inferno"; Commander Norman in "Security Hazard"; Martian Pete in "Martian Invasion"; Hugo in "Brink of Disaster"; Chandler/ Casino Owner/ 1st Croupier in "The Duchess Assignment"; Lord Worden in "Danger at Ocean Deep"; Jeremiah Tuttle/ Air Force Officer/ Air Force Lt. in "The Imposters"; Fire Chief in "City of Fire"; Professor Holden/ 1st Reporter in "The Mighty Atom"; Lord Silton/ Longman in "Vault of Death"; Commander Norman/ International Air Minister in "Operation Crash-Dive"; Professor Heinz Bodman in "Sun Probe"; Dempsey/ Officer Jones/ Erdman Gang Member in "30 Minutes After Noon"; Professor Wingrove/ NTBS Reporter/ Crane Chief in "Day of Disaster"; Commander Norman in "Edge of Impact"; Sir Jeremy Hodge in "The Perils Of Penelope"; Ralph in "Pit of Peril"; and Commander Norman/ Interceptor One in "Trapped in the Sky."
Scott Tracy
Voiced by Shane Rimmer.
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Shane Rimmer provided the voice for Scott Tracy. Born in 1932 in the U.S., Rimmer has been an active actor since the late 1950s. His voice can also be heard within these "Thunderbirds" episodes:
Director of Photography in "Martian Invasion"; Reactor Control Assistant in "The Mighty Atom"; Carter in "Vault of Death"; Radar Lieutenant in "Operation Crash-Dive"; Scanners/ Washington in "Terror in New York City"; Johnny in "Pit of Peril"; TX204 Co-Pilot in "Trapped in the Sky."
Virgil Tracy
Voiced by David Holliday/Jeremy Wilkin.
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David Holliday provided the voice of Virgil Tracy for most of the classic "Thunderbirds" series. Holliday also provided the following additional voices within the show: Timekeeper in "Move... And You're Dead"; Scientist Voice in "The Mighty Atom"; and Newsreader in "Operation Crash-Dive." Holliday passed away August 1999 from cancer.
Jeremy Wilkin provided the voice of Virgil Tracy after Holliday's departure. Wilkin also provided the voices with the show: TV Reporter in "Give or Take a Million"; S.E.C. President ("Thunderbirds Are Go"); Hogarth ("Thunderbird 6"); President of Exploration Center Power in "Ricochet"; Senior Puccini in "Lord Parker's 'Oliday"; Mason in "Alias Mr Hackenbacker"; Peterson in "Path of Destruction"; and Dick O'Shea in "Atlantic Inferno."
Gordon Tracy
Voiced by David Graham.
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Graham provided numerous voices for Gerry Anderson's productions. Within "Thunderbirds" his voice was used for four of main characters! His vocal talents were also heard in the "Thunderbirds" episodes cited below:
Straker in "Give or Take a Million"; Loman in "Ricochet"; Party Goer in "Lord Parker's 'Oliday"; Skythrust Co-Pilot in "Alias Mr Hackenbacker"; Jim Lucas in "Path of Destruction"; Atlantic Captain in "Atlantic Inferno"; Morrison / Bob Gray / Solarnaut Asher/ Captain Hansen/ Frank/ Dave Clayton - Security Hazard"; Olsen in "The Cham-Cham"; Bletcher in "Martian Invasion"; Culp in "Attack of the Alligators"; Warren Grafton in "Brink of Disaster"; Wilbur Dandridge in "The Duchess Assignment"; Victor Gomez in "Move... And You're Dead"; No. 2 Ocean Pioneer 2 in "Danger at Ocean Deep"; Colonel Jameson in "Cry Wolf"; Carl in "The Man From M.I.5"; Elliott in "The Imposters"; Tower Control Assistant in "City of Fire"; Collins in "The Mighty Atom"; Light Fingered Fred in "Vault of Death"; Captain Hansen in "Operation Crash-Dive"; Solarnaut Asher in "Sun Probe"; Zombite Leader in "The Uninvited"; Cheng in "End of the Road"; Sir William in "30 Minutes After Noon"; Dave Clayton in "Day of Disaster"; Colonel Tim Casey in "Edge of Impact"; Joe in "Terror in New York City"; Professor Borrender/ Roache/ Waiter/ Colonel Benson in "The Perils Of Penelope"; Colonel Sweeney in "Pit of Peril"; Captain Hansen in "Trapped in the Sky"; and Hassan Ali.
John Tracy
Voiced by Ray Barrett.
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Alan Tracy
Voiced by Matt Zimmerman.
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Matt Zimmerman provided the voice of Alan Tracy. Zimmerman also voiced other characters in the show: Carter ("Thunderbird 6"); Messenger ("Thunderbirds Are Go"); Franklin/ Gutierrez in "Path of Destruction"; Atom Sub Reefer Lt. in "Atlantic Inferno"; TV Reporter/ Bill Craddock in "Security Hazard"; Banino/ Macklin/ Foreign Lieutenant in "The Cham-Cham"; General X/ Slim in "Martian Invasion"; Hector McGill in "Attack of the Alligators"; Doolan/ Stan (Patrol 304)/ Patrol Base in "Brink of Disaster"; 2nd Croupier/ Hendricks in "The Duchess Assignment"; WTV Commentator in "Move... And You're Dead"; Lieutenant Jensen in "Danger at Ocean Deep"; Lieutenant Lansfield in "Cry Wolf"; Third Man in "The Man From M.I. 5"; Eddie Kerr/ Wakefield / Speed Merchant in "The Imposters"; Tower Controller/ WTV Reporter in "City of Fire"; 2nd Reporter/ Press Officer in "The Mighty Atom"; TV Reporter/ Seahawk Pilot in "Operation Crash-Dive"; TV Reporter in "Sun Probe"; Lindsey/ Zombite Controller in "The Uninvited"; Chuck Taylor in "End of the Road"; Tom Prescott/ Frank Forrester/ Policeman (Police Barrier) in "30 Minutes After Noon"; Bill Craddock/ 2nd NTBS Reporter in "Day of Disaster"; Goddard/ Captain in "Edge of Impact"; Ned Cook in "Terror in New York City"; Albert/ TV Reporter in "The Perils Of Penelope"; and Captain/ Helijet Pilot Charlie in "Pit of Peril."
Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward
Voiced by Sylvia Anderson
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Her home base is the Creighton-Ward Manor and its 2000 acre/ 8.09371e+06 square meter estate. This is Lady Penelope's ancestral home in Foxleyheath, Kent, located in the south of England.
Anderson also voiced other characters throughout the series: Nicky/ Nurse Nimmo in "Give or Take a Million"; Professor Marshall in "Ricochet"; Madeleine/ Telephone Operator - Alias Mr Hackenbacker"; Maria in "Path of Destruction"; Chip Morrison in "Security Hazard"; Make-Up Girl in "Martian Invasion"; Mrs. Files in "Attack of the Alligators"; Mrs. Godolphin/ Air Terrainean Hostess in "The Duchess Assignment"; Parola Sands Page in "Move... And You're Dead"; Bob Williams in "Cry Wolf"; Fireflash Stewardess in "The Man From M.I. 5"; Ma Tuttle/ Fireflash Stewardess in "The Imposters"; Blanche Carter/ Tommy Carter in "City of Fire"; Tannoy in "The Mighty Atom"; Lil in "Vault of Death"; Gladys Saltzman in "30 Minutes After Noon"; and Air Terrainean Guide in "Trapped in the Sky."
Aloysius Parker
Voiced by David Graham.
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Brains
Voiced by David Graham.
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Grandma Tracy
Voiced by Christine Finn.
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Finn also performed other "Thunderbird" character voices, including the Indian Fortune Teller ("Thunderbird 6"); Deirdre/ Saville's Secretary in "Alias Mr Hackenbacker"; Mrs. Lucas in "Path of Destruction"; Grand Hotel Receptionist in "The Duchess Assignment"; Tony Williams in "Cry Wolf"; Woman Driver in "City of Fire"; and the Police Radio voice in "Edge of Impact."
Kyrano
Voiced by David Graham.
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Tin-Tin
Voiced by Christine Finn.
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The Hood
See: Classic Thunderbirds - Villains
Additional trivia:
Sylvia Anderson, responsible for Character Creation and Visualization on the series, developed the unique personalities of each of the main characters, even down to assigning them birthdays to coincide with their behavior patterns (ie. zodiac signs/traits) and the birth order of the Tracy brothers.
The puppets were created by Chief Puppeteer Christine Glanville and her team. To give Scott and Virgil the appearance of being taller than the other members of their family the puppets were made with narrower waistlines. This technique was also used on the Hood who's puppet was fitted with larger hands and head to give the appearance of being more powerful. The puppets were all made to one-third life size (approximately 22 inches/ 56cm high). Scott's appearance was based on Sean Connery; Alan Tracy's face was modeled on actor Robert Reed. Brains is thought to have been modeled on Anthony Perkin's.
The characters Lady Penelope and Parker were designed to suit the U.S.'s conception of the English class society, hence the exaggerated accents and appearance. When making the face for Lady Penelope, Christine developed Penny's looks from a model for a shampoo advertisement, Sylvia provided the voice for the character. Parker's character was based on a barman at the local pub the production team frequented. Arthur, the barman, had previously worked for 'er Majesty's Service and spoke with an accent that allowed free use of the letter 'H'.
Lady Penelope was a female James Bond, her family motto being "Elegance, Charm and Deadly Danger." [This coincided with the production of a James Bond 007 movie ("You Only Live Twice") at the same time as the screening of "Thunderbirds." The Bond production crews often watched "Thunderbirds" on TV to check on the series -- and also on special effects being made for the TV series.]
John Tracy was initially to be one of the main characters in the series. Gerry Anderson was never happy with John Tracy's appearance or voice. The character was consigned to Thunderbird 5 where he only made brief appearances.
6.1 Are the first names of the Tracy boys based on actual U.S. astronauts?
Yes. Jeff Tracy's sons were named after U.S. astronauts from the N.A.S.A. Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions: Scott Carpenter, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr. and John Glenn. Gerry once wrote to the surviving astronauts with signed photos of their "Thunderbirds" counterparts, dryly stating, "Now you know why you became so famous."
6.2 Is the Tracy family structure inspired by the U.S. show Bonanza?
Yes. Jeff Tracy was modeled on Canadian actor Lorne Greene, famous for his portrayal of patriarch Ben Cartwright on TV's "Bonanza." The Cartwright family structure bore a loose resemblance to the Tracy family: The father was raising his good-natured sons without a mother.
6.3 Why was David Holliday replaced with Jeremy Wilkin as the voice of Virgil Tracy for the last six episodes of "Thunderbirds"?
The reason for the departure of voice artist David Holliday from the highly-successful "Thunderbirds" prior to the last six episodes of the series seems to be cloaked in mystery. Gerry Anderson says that Holliday asked that his contract be renegotiated between shooting blocks of "Thunderbirds" and wanted too much money and perks. Holliday admits he asked for his contract to be renegotiated but says it was because he was offered better paying work and wanted his duties restructured. In any event, Holliday was released from his contract and actor Jeremy Wilkin (who later went on to provide voices in "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions", "Joe 90", and "The Secret Service" and the Skydiver navigator in "UFO") took over the role of Virgil Tracy for the final block of "Thunderbirds" episodes and the two classic "Thunderbirds" movies. Holliday went on to making a living primarily as a stage actor, especially in musicals. Holliday passed away August 1999 from cancer
6.4 Which "Thunderbirds" voice actor worked the most in all of Gerry Anderson's productions?
Shane Rimmer, who began his Gerry Anderson career as the voice of Scott Tracy in "Thunderbirds" and later went on to provide voices for "Thunderbirds Are Go", "Thunderbird 6", "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions", "Joe 90", "Secret Service", "The Investigator", and "Dick Spanner P.I."
Rimmer also wrote or co-wrote episodes for "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions", "Joe 90", "Secret Service", "The Investigator", and "The Protectors." He appeared live in episodes of "UFO", "The Protectors", "Space: 1999", and the original pilot of "Space Precinct (then-called "Space Police").
7.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Vehicles
The vehicles of "Thunderbirds" are widely regarded as the stars of the show. These specialized, top secret rescue craft enable International Rescue to perform their missions in virtually any environment, whether air, land, sea or space.
In the show, the "Thunderbirds" rescue craft were designed by Jeff Tracy and Brains. In reality, they were created by Special Effects Supervisor Derek Meddings, with approvals from Gerry Anderson and Reg Hill.
From his biography, Gerry Anderson comments about the Thunderbird ships: "It (TB2) was the only craft that did anything for me, to be honest Thunderbird One was not detailed enough, and time has shown it's not a believable vehicle. Thunderbird Three seemed okay then, but today I think it's a joke. Thunderbird Four, I was frankly disappointed with. And Five... well, the less said about that the better. Which is not to say I didn't think they were all good at the time."
[Note: Gerry Anderson had intended to call the series "International Rescue." The series was eventually named after Thunderbird Field, a U.S. airfield where Gerry's only brother, Lionel Anderson, learned to fly for the R.A.F. (Royal Air Force) during World War II. (Sadly, the man was killed in action.) The rescue craft for the series were originally to be called Rescue 1, Rescue 2, etc.]
Thunderbird 1
Piloted by Scott Tracy.
Specifications: First Response/Reconnaissance Aircraft
Wingspan: 15.0m/ 49 feet
Length: 23.6m/ 77 feet
Height: 9.5m/ 31 feet
Top Speed: 15,000 mph/ 24,140 kph
Power Plant: Atomic Pile
Propulsion: Turbojet, RAMjet, Rocket-based
Crew: One, Scott Tracy
The role of Thunderbird 1 (TB1) is first response/reconnaissance vehicle requires it to carry sophisticated computer, surveillance, and communications equipment. These include the Mobile Command Console, advanced imaging cameras to provide high resolution pictures and high powered radio communications.
A forward mounted, retractable destructor cannon provides firepower when it is required and like all of TB1's operations, this is controlled via a multipurpose TV monitor mounted on the pilot's control panel.
For the fastest possible takeoff, TB1 is stored in a bay close to the Tracy lounge. Scott can thus get aboard within a matter of seconds and carry out all necessary preflight checks whilst the craft descends the ramp to the launch bay located under the house's swimming pool. It can take as little as 30 seconds for TB1 to be airborne after receiving an emergency call.
After a rocket assisted vertical launch, TB1's Turbojet and RAMjet engines take over as it levels out for horizontal flight. The flight console and seat pivot during this transition to allow Scott to remain upright and to help him survive the high g-forces necessary during launch.
The "Swing-Wing" design allows TB1's wings to be swept back for launch and ultra-sonic high speed flight or swept forward for low speed manoeuvring and descent. During the VTOL takeoff and landings a centrally located rocket provides thrust with forward mounted pitch-and-yaw jets providing stability.
Thunderbird 1 is the ultimate emergency response aircraft.
[Note: Thunderbird 1 was Derek Meddings's least favorite design, but one of the FAQ author's favorites. :) ]
Thunderbird 2/Thunderbird 2 Pod Vehicles
Piloted by Virgil Tracy.
Specifications: STOL/VTOL Heavy Transport Aircraft
Wingspan: 57.0m/ 187 feet
Length: 75.5m/ 248 feet
Height: 18.0m/ 59 feet
Top Speed: 5,000 mph/ 8,047 kph
Power Plant: Atomic Pile
Propulsion: Turbojet, RAMjet, Rocket-based
Armament: Surface-to-Air Missiles
Crew: One, Virgil Tracy (save for passengers, such as Brains; or Gordon Tracy/TB4 in a Pod section)
The green-colored Thunderbird 2 (TB2) is capable of carrying large payloads which are housed in the centrally mounted pod. Prior to departure on a rescue mission a decision is made as to which pod vehicle is to be taken to the rescue zone. This decision is made by Scott, if he is already on the scene in TB1, or by Jeff and Brains at Tracy Island after gathering as much information as possible about the emergency.
With the separate pod vehicles: One of six pods is then automatically loaded into TB2's hangar, directly underneath the craft. TB2 lowers itself down over the pod and engages the solenoid activated magnetic bolts which lock the pod into position. Once the rock covered hanger doors have opened and the "drawbridge" lowered, TB2 taxis down a short runway to the launch ramp where it is elevated for the rocket assisted takeoff.
Taking into account the heavy-lifting nature of Thunderbird 2 (TB2), Brains decided against a vertical takeoff craft. The launch bay therefore bears some resemblance to a conventional hangar, but the resemblance ends when one considers the details which, like all TB equipment, are years ahead of their time.
At the rescue site TB2 is able to maneuver into position for landing or deployment of the rescue crew using the four VTOL rockets. Full view of the area is offered to Virgil via the observation windows and TV cameras. On landing, TB2 releases the pod locking mechanism and elevates on the hydraulic legs to clear the pod. TB2 can then resume flight without the pod in place.
TB2 is fully equipped with living accommodating and gallery, an internal lift to access the pod whilst in flight, an armoury of cutting tools, drills lasers, thermic lances and other rescue equipment and external flood lighting.
TB2 has proved to be a fan favorite, from the design to its functionality to its spectacular launch cycle (involving the TB2 emerging from the side of Tracy Island onto an elevating ramp hidden by special folding palm trees, then rocketing into the air.)
TB 2 featured a wide variety of rescue pod vehicles. (How many people tuned in to "Thunderbirds" on a regular basis in anticipation of what surprise would come out of Thunderbird 2's pod? Many.) TB2 was the only International Rescue craft to appear in all episodes of "Thunderbirds" and just about every episode featured some wonderful machine which emerged from the giant transporter's pod. TB1 through TB5 may have received "star" billing, but more often than not it was a pod vehicle that accomplished the actual rescue!
The pod vehicles were sophisticated rescue machines. For the most part, each machine was designed to accomplish a specific type of rescue. Beyond this specific built-in purpose, each machine was of limited versatility. Thus, International Rescue's large stable of pod vehicles.
Thunderbird 2 Pod Vehicles
1. The High Speed Elevator Cars
Four High Speed Elevator Cars were featured in the first "Thunderbirds" episode, "Trapped in the Sky." These vehicles were designed to safely land aircraft which have malfunctioning landing gear. The Elevator Cars are powerful six axle trucks with large spring loaded platforms on top. In practice, a stricken aircraft can land on top of an array of High Speed Elevator Cars speeding down a runway and be brought safely to a stop. The High Speed Elevator Cars are normally seen emerging from Pod #3.
Two different sized High Speed Elevator Car studio miniatures were constructed for use in Thunderbirds. At least two, representing a manned master unit and a radio controlled drone, were constructed in the standard "pod vehicle scale" of 1/24th (about 19 inches/ 48 cm long) for use in close ups and scenes of the vehicles emerging from the large scale TB2 pod set. Please note that this was the standard model automobile scale in use in the USA at that time. Three smaller scale models were build for use in scenes with a Fireflash nuclear powered airliner miniature.
Remember the smoking brakes and exploding tires? Titanium Tetrachloride, a very corrosive and toxic chemical which smokes spontaneously in contact with the air, was used to produce the brake smoking effect. The tires were blown out using electrical explosive detonator squibs.
[Check out that scene showing the radio controlled High Speed Elevator Car going crazy and crashing into a hastily put together model airliner during the first Fireflash landing attempt! This started off as an accident that looked so cool in rushes, Gerry Anderson decided to build a little scene around it. In actuality, a front control wire broke during filming on the rolling road and the miniature pod vehicle was dramatically thrown across the stage as seen on film!]
2.) The Recovery Vehicles
International Rescue owns two Recovery Vehicles which were featured in "Pit of Peril." The Recovery Vehicles are tracked yellow/orange craft which can tow distressed vehicles out of danger by means of two magnetic projectiles anchored to a strong cable and winch system. Like the High Speed Elevator Cars above, the Recovery Vehicles come in manned and remote controlled versions. The Recovery Vehicles are normally seen emerging from Pod #5.
Two Recovery Vehicle studio miniatures were constructed in the standard pod vehicle scale (1/24th). These two miniatures were approximately 17 inches/ 43cm long and used the characteristic undercarriage of some unknown battery operated toy or model tank which was also incorporated into several other ground vehicles used in Thunderbirds. The studio also constructed larger nose and cannon sections for use in close up action scenes. The projectile cannons of the Recovery Vehicle miniatures were elevated from beneath the set and liberal quantities of Titanium Tetrachloride was applied to produce the smoke effects so noticeable in this episode.
3.) The Jet Mole
International Rescue owns one Jet Mole which is used to burrow beneath the earth to perform subterranean rescues. The Jet Mole is a two component machine. The actual Jet Mole is a manned yellow cylinder with a big revolving drill bit located at the front. This device is carried into position by a blue colored tracked trolley. This trolley is remotely controlled and featured a ramp which elevates the Jet Mole into the proper angle for drilling into the ground.
The Jet Mole can be seen emerging from Pod #5 in "Pit of Peril" and "City of Fire". It can also be seen emerging from Pod #4 in "The Duchess Assignment" and "Security Hazard."
It would seem that only one 1/24th scale Jet Mole model was made but this was reworked several times during production since it took a lot of abuse on set. It was about 22 inches/ 56cm long. Take note of the Airfix Girder Bridge, Revell "Everything is Go!" Atlas missile, and other plastic kit parts incorporated into the trolley.
4.) The Radio Beam Transmitter Truck
The name says it all. This blue double-tracked vehicle has a large silver parabolic antenna mounted on the back capable of transmitting a powerful radio signal. It was used in "Sun Probe" to transmit an emergency control signal into deep space which fired TB3's steering rockets.
This was a one off 1/24th scale roughly 20 inch/ 51 cm wooden model which not only incorporated the standard toy tank tracks used in several other Thunderbirds miniatures but was also reworked into several other vehicles seen in various episodes (like the explosive truck seen in "End of the Road"). It was even reworked into some kind of fire truck pod vehicle as seen briefly in a parking area below Tracy Island in "Security Hazard."
5.) The Domo (Restraining Unit)
A one-off tracked vehicle which has three powerful suction cups mounted on adjustable arms. It is used to support structures which have been weakened by damage and are in danger of falling. The Restraining Unit can be seen emerging from Pod #3 in "The Duchess Assignment."
Another 1/24th scale miniature (about 14 inches/ 36 cm long) which was constructed mainly out of wood on top of the standard Thunderbirds toy track assembly. Looks like standard dart-gun black rubber suction cups were used on this model!
6.) The Drilling and Crushing Excavator
The Drilling and Crushing Excavator is a tracked vehicle which resembles the Restraining Unit except that it has a powerful rotary excavator device mounted on an adjustable rig at the front. This vehicle is used to rapidly clear away large volumes of earth and rock from disaster sites. This machine is capable of crushing excavated rock into a sand-like substance which is routed through ductwork and ejected behind the vehicle. The Drilling and Crushing Excavator can be seen emerging from Pod #5 in "Martian Invasion."
This of course is merely a reworking of the very same Restraining Unit miniature described above. Check out the Airfix SRN1 hovercraft structure parts prominently mounted on each side of the drill housing!
7.) The Monobrake
A low-slung utility vehicle with a retractable crane(?) that mounted along its transverse axis. Used only in "The Perils of Penelope" to check out a monorail train tunnel. The Monobrake is carried in Pod #6.
The Monobrake appears to have been made out of wood in 1/24th scale and was about 16 inches/ 42 cm long. The toy caterpillar tracks used to make this miniature were different than those used to make the Recovery Vehicles, Jet Mole, Drilling and Crushing Excavator, etc.
8.) Thunderbird 4
The submersable Thunderbird 4 is a Thunderbird 2 pod vehicle. (The vehicle is discussed in further detail down the page.)
9.) The Bomb Neutralizer
A small tracked vehicle featured in "Move and You're Dead". This machine incorporates some kind of sonic device which neutralizes the acoustic trigger mechanism of a particular type of bomb. Kind of specialized but what the heck. It worked! This vehicle emerged from Pod #1. The Bomb Neutralizer miniature seems to have been built around the same toy tank or tractor tracks used to make the "Perils of Penelope" Monobrake.
10.) The Hover Bed
A strange air-cushioned hovering vehicle which has a mechanism on the back which produces a blast of air sufficient to cushion the fall of a person from great height. In essence, this machine acts like a contemporary "fireman's net." The Hover Bed was used in "Move... and You're Dead" and can be seen emerging from Pod #1.
The Hover Bed miniature was about 10 inches/ 25 cm long and used two small props first seen on a puppet set as oil rig machinery in the "Stingray" episode, "Sea of Oil," as the high pressure air blast mechanism.
11.) The Firefly
A tracked heat resistant yellow firefighting vehicle. The Firefly's most distinctive characteristics are the nitroglycerin cannon and plow blade mounted on it's nose. The cannon is used to launch nitroglycerin shells which literally "blow out" fires by momentarily depriving the fire of oxygen. The plow blade is used to clear blazing wreckage. The Firefly also has a rotating chemical fire suppressant turret mounted at the back. The Firefly emerged from Pod #6 in "Terror in New York City" and Pod #5 in "City of Fire." The Firefly was probably made up from fiberglass castings on top of the standard Thunderbirds track set. The studio miniature was about 15 inches/ 38 cm long.
12.) The Mobile Crane
A six axle red truck with a long extensible "cherry picker" mounted on the back. Used in rescue situations where access to high places is required. It was seen emerging from Pod #3 in "Path of Destruction." The actual Mobile Crane studio miniature was about 16 inches/ 41 cm long and was built on radio controlled model aircraft wheels.
13.) The Laser Beam Cutter
A tracked mobile high energy laser beam unit capable of cutting through thick metal. A high pressure air device mounted near the cutter is capable of blasting back wreckage. It was seen emerging from Pod #5 in "30 Minutes After Noon."
One of the few pod vehicles constructed as a full puppet sized prop! The smaller 1/24th scale one that emerges from the TB2 pod was about 10 inches/ 25 cm long and it incorporated the same toy track assembly used in the Monobrake.
14.) The Rescue Pack Vehicle
A small tracked vehicle with a mortar in the front capable of shooting specially packaged rescue equipment to otherwise inaccessible persons. Used in "Edge of Impact" to shoot jet-packs to two technicians trapped at the top of an imperiled TV transmitter tower.
[Note: A few TB2 pod vehicles were seen only in comic strip form in TV21 or in the Annuals during the 1960s. For example, the Excavator from the TV21 story "The Hood Makes a Strike." These pod vehicle were NOT shown in the television series.]
Thunderbird 3
Piloted by Alan Tracy.
Specifications: Space Rescue/Shuttle Craft/Thunderbird 5 Ferry
Length: 85.25m/ 280 feet
Diameter: 28.0m/ 92 feet
Top Speed (chemical rocket): 25,000+ mph/ 40,234+ kph (Some sources state 20,000 mph/ 32,187 kph, although 25,000 mph/ 40,234 kph is required to break free of Earth's gravity.)
Power Plant: Atomic Pile
Propulsion: Chemical Rocket (Take-off), Particle Accelerators (Space)
Crew: One, Alan Tracy
The red-colored Thunderbird 3 (TB3) is the resident land-to-space rescue vessel. Located under the suntrap Round House, the silo housing TB3 is the farthest from the Tracy home, likely due to the engine output (noise, exhaust) emitted during take-off. The method of approach differs accordingly, but the few minutes longer taken by the astronaut provides time for a full briefing on the mission as well as the necessary preflight preparations required for launch. Like the others, the launch bay is compact and businesslike, function being the keynote of design.
Alan is the usual pilot of TB3, but John is also familar with the craft and uses it regulary when changing shifts on TB5 with Alan. Whilst on board the crew and passengers are protected from meteor showers and cosmic storms by the twin-walled hull around the cabin area and the accomodation quarters.
TB3 is well equipped for space rescue missions. The atomic pile generators, particle accelerator propulsion and life support systems are capable of sustaining TB3 and its crew for the lengthy space voyages that must be endured. Maneauvreablity in space is provided by retro rockets, pitch-and-yaw jets and a centrally mounted fly wheel assembly that allows economical course corrections to be made without burning valuable fuel.
Sophisticated sensors, accelerometers, computers and communications ensure that Alan or John are fully aware of conditions inside and outside the craft. Docking with TB5 is fully automated as is re-entry, descent and the vertical landing back into the silo.
[Note: When John Tracy and Alan Tracy would exchange monitoring duties at TB5, John would pilot TB3.]
Thunderbird 4
Piloted by Gordon Tracy.
Specifications: Rescue Submarine
Power Plant: Twin Atomic Generators (Main), Atomic Pile
Propulsion: Turbo Drive, Jet Engines (Surface cruising)
Top Speed: ?
Crew: One, Gordon Tracy
The Thunderbird 4 (TB4) is a bright orange-yellow mini submarine which was carried into action most often within Thunderbird 2's pod #4. (TB4 was dropped from low altitude into the water.) TB4 then fired a battery of rocket tubes to power out of the TB2 pod and into the ocean, where TB4's Turbo Drive propulsion system took over. Port and starboard mounted jet engines provided propulsion for surface cruising. It was also capable of independent underwater launchings from the end of the Tracy Island runaway, as seen in "Terror in New York City." TB4 was used to perform underwater rescue operations in "Operation Crash Dive", "Day of Disaster", "The Man from MI5", etc.
Several different versions of TB4 were constructed for filming in "Thunderbirds." They varied to a great degree in overall contour, ranging in size from 3 inches to 13 inches to 20 inches. All of these miniatures were made from fiberglass and had small plasticine figures of Gordon Tracy in the cockpit and working lights incorporated into the forward trough. Large scale sections were built of the nose (to film rescue tools in operation) and cockpit areas.
TB4 is equipped with extensive underwater rescue equipment mounted in the nose of the craft behind the adjustable high powered lighting trough. The equipment includes a missile tube (commonly used for underwater demolition) and three hydraulic rams one of which carries interchangeable tool heads. A telescopic "Autolock" provides an exit for Gordon when he has to leave the craft whilst underwater.
The pilots seating position provides a wide view of the area around the craft and this is further enhanced by the centrally mounted TV monitor which relays information back to him.
Thunderbird 5
Manned by John Tracy and Alan Tracy (via duty shift rotations).
Specifications: Space Station/Communications Satelite
Power Plant: Atomic Pile, Atomic Batteries
Crew: One, John Tracy
In geostationary orbit high above the Pacific Ocean is International Rescue's space station Thunderbird 5 (TB5). Crewed by John Tracy, TB5 features sophisticated communications equipment that allows TB5 to simultaneously monitor all transmissions made from earth. Automatic translators and filters ensure that any distress calls from around the planet are immediately identified.
TB5 is divided into three levels: the power deck, on the lower level houses the battery units; the center deck contains the communications equipment and living quarters; the upper deck contains a multi-layered astrodome, astral monitoring equipment and video-linked telescopes.
The space station's position over the Pacific ensures that it is in contact with Tracy Island 24 hours a day, whilst the anti-radar devices in the ring around the station keep its location secret. Also located in the ring are the magnetic pole unit and the plasma core localised field meteor deflector. A twin hull construction filled with coagulant compound protects the station from micro-meteor punctures.
TB5 is serviced by Thunderbird 3; Alan Tracy provides relief for John every other month. Docking with TB3 is fully computerized and the station carries fuel and supplies for TB3. Accommodations for several people are available.
The top mounted astrodome features a state-of-the-art telescope which John uses for his study of the stars during quiet periods. In fact, John has made astronomical discoveries, too, during his lengthy periods on the station!
FAB1
Driven by Aloysius Parker (occasionally driven by Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward).
Specifications: High Performance Passenger Sedan
Type: Rolls Royce Luxury Sedan
Top Speed: 200+ mph/ 322+ kph (estimated)
Power Plant: Classified
Armament: Front Mounted Heavy Machine Gun, Swivel Mounted Laser Beam, Smoke Maker, Wheel Mounted Tire Slashers (6)
Features: Hydrofoils and Vortex-Aquajet Power Pack for travel on water, Retro Pack Air Brakes, Retractable Tyre Studs, Bulletproof Glass
Driver: Aloysius Parker
The shocking pink colored, six-wheeled Rolls Royce is known as FAB1. (The license plate is adorned with "FAB1", too.) This futuristic car was first seen in the premiere episode, "Trapped in the Sky."
Gerry Anderson commented, "(FAB1) was born out of necessity to provide Lady Penelope with transport that reflected her adventurous lifestyle. It needed to be glamorous, but practical and tough at the same time. Bearing in mind her personality, and the role she played in International Rescue, it could only be a Rolls Royce."
The design of Lady Penelope's car FAB1 has been officially approved by Rolls Royce. Within the "Thunderbirds" universe, the main power unit is still listed as classified and no details are currently available. Speeds in excess of 200 mph/ have been attained but it is certain that this is only a modest estimate of the engines' true potential.
A notable feature of FAB1 are the four front wheels. These have been incorporated into the design to accommodate the weight of the power unit and the retractable heavy machine gun which is controlled and sighted from the drivers seat and fires through the main grill.
Rear vision for the driver is via a dashboard mounted TV monitor relaying pictures from a concealed boot mounted camera. TV transmitters and receiver, UHF and Neutroni radio ensure that FAB1 is able to contact International Rescue at all times. The communications equipment is all controlled from inside the air conditioned, leather clad luxury of the car.
To enable easy parking and maneuvering, all six wheels rotated. The gull wing and drop-down doors allowed safe and easy access to the vehicle.
The car sported a plethora of armaments and defensive capabilities. During the design process, Gerry visited a manufacturing factory for car armor protection for research!
FAB2
Piloted by ??
No specifications available, as of this writing.
FAB2 is Lady Penelope's yacht. It was seen once in the episode, "The Man from M.I. 5." Interestingly, Parker loses FAB2 while gambling!
FAB3
Rode by Lady Penelope
FAB 3 is Lady Penelope's prize-winning race horse. A fixture at Ascot, she and the horse have won the Derby several times.
7.1 Were actual toys and model kits used as background vehicles in Thunderbirds?
Yes. The background vehicle props seen in "Thunderbirds" generally fall into three categories:
- Die cast cast metal toys as were manufactured by Matchbox, Dinky, and Corgi.
- Model kits from such makers as AMT, Monogram, and others.
- Scratch built models, usually where large-scale or custom designed vehicles were required.
By far, the most numerous of these three types were the small scale die cast metal variety.
Seen during the opening credits of every "Thunderbirds" episode, in the scene depicting Thunderbird 1 landing at London Airport in "Trapped in the Sky," is the Matchbox model M-9 'Inter-State Double Freighter'. This distinctive vehicle appears in many "Thunderbirds" episodes, sometimes with both trailers attached, sometimes with only one trailer, sometimes as just the tractor. The original Cooper-Jarrett yellow arrow on the trailers is normally covered with a black arrow, sometimes with a number in the center and/or with 'BAOC' or 'Air Freight' lettering. The tractor is occasionally seen with a flashing red rooftop beacon.
Another often seen and occasionally disguised vehicle from the 'Major Pack' line of Matchbox toys is the model M-1 'B.P. Autotanker'. Examples of this sleek 8-wheeled yellow and green truck may be noticed in various "Thunderbirds" scenes that take place at London Airport, at the site of the bogus rescue attempt in 'The Impostors', and at other locations where it may sometimes be noticed painted red and customized to appear as a fire tender. One such barely visible example of this is on the left hand edge of the recent Pro-Set "Thunderbirds" picture card number 019. This same scene appears much enlarged and expanded in the 1968 "Thunderbirds Annual" where it was used to illustrate the story "Four Hours To Eternity."
In this same photograph, just behind Thunderbird 2, may be seen a Corgi model 219 'Plymouth Sports Suburban'. To the right of the customized 'B.P. Autotanker' we see the Matchbox model 63 'Fire Fighting Crash Tender' and farther left, beyond the edge of the Pro Set card, but visible in the 1968 "Thunderbirds Annual," is the Matchbox model 29 'Fire Pumper'.
In 'Path of Destruction', at the base of the San Martino dam, appears the Matchbox 'Fire Pumper' and 'Inter-State Double Freighter'. There is also the Matchbox model 3 'Bedford Tipper Truck', model 11 'Jumbo Crane', model 70 'Grit Spreader', model 30 '8-Wheel Crane', and model 69 'Hatra Tractor Shovel'. This last item, a 1/100th scale example just over three inches long, was also released by Matchbox as model K-3 in 1/61st scale and six inches in length. This 'King Sized' example with rear mounted spare tire appears in "The Impostors," driving along the deck of a World Navy aircraft carrier.
In order to supplement a "Thunderbirds" comic strip story by Frank Bellamy in "TV Century 21" numbers 90 through 95, Roger Dicken produced several sculptures of Venusian monsters in plasticine clay which were photographed with Thunderbirds craft. On Somportex color card #33, one of these creatures appears posed with some Matchbox toys, namely model 6 '10-Wheel Quarry Truck', model 18 'Caterpillar Crawler Bulldozer' model 26 'Ready-Mix Concrete Truck', and the model 69 'Hatra Tractor Shovel'. This latter model may also be seen beside the Number 1 Lift Body Hangar at Glenn Field in the "Thunderbirds Are Go!" feature film. Nearby, are parked several examples of Matchbox's model 35 'Snowtrac Tractor.' This vehicle also appears just outside the hangar door of the U.S.A.F. RTL-2 rocket transporter jet in "The Cham Cham." Parked with it are the Matchbox model 70 'Ford Estate Car' and model 22 'Pontiac Grand Prix', among others.
After Thunderbird 2 crashes at Tracy Island in "Terror in New York City," we are afforded the only opportunity to view automobiles at the headquarters of International Rescue. With scaffolding and repair equipment all around the damaged Thunderbird 2 in its hangar, we may see the Matchbox model 59 'Fire Chief Car' beside an as yet unidentified white station wagon which also appears at the rocket launch complex in "Sunprobe" and at the base of the Empire State Building in "Terror in New York City." Beside this vehicle in the latter episode can be seen Matchbox's model 71 'Jeep Pick-Up Truck.'
In addition to vehicles already cited, at London Airport may be seen the Matchbox model 7 'Ford Anglia', model 43 'Hillman Minx'. model 65 'Jaguar 3.8 Sedan', model 55 'Police Car', and an example of the model 59 'Fire Chief Car' repainted in the classic black and white 'panda' police car paint scheme. Among these Matchbox models can be spotted Corgi's model 1120 'Midland Red Motorway Express Coach'. When at New York Central Airport, the Fireflash is greeted by additional Matchbox models such as the model 10 'Sugar Container Truck', model 20 'Taxi Cab', model 25 'B.P Tanker', model 37 'Coca Cola Truck', model 38 'Vauxhall Victor Estate Car', model 40 'Long Distance Bus' and others previously mentioned.
In the "Thunderbirds" episode "Alias Mr. Hackenbacker," at the center of the crash site of Flight D-103, we can see rushing up to the exploding airliner a couple of Matchbox model 29 'Fire Pumpers' with rooftop ladders added, as well as the Matchbox model 14 'Ambulance'. During the crash of Zero X at Craigsville in "Thunderbirds Are Go," we may clearly see the Matchbox model 34 'Volkswagen Camping Car' and model 60 'Morris Pick-Up Truck' as well as other previously cited and others which remain unidentified.
One of the earliest examples is the scene of Thunderbird 1 under police guard at London International Airport in "Trapped in the Sky." In this scene are two 'Buick Rivieras' and an 'Oldsmobile Super 88', all in the classic white and black color scheme with 'POLICE' emblazoned across the front doors and with rooftop light beacons. The car to the left and in the background appears to be the Dinky #001 'Buick Riviera'. Corgi also produced this car, their #245, which was available in several different colors. To the right of this is a repainted Corgi #235 or #237 'Oldsmobile Super 88'. This vehicle was also released by Corgi as the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." 'Thrush Buster' (#479). Almost lost among the background Matchbox vehicles in this scene is the Corgi #1120 'Midland Red Motorway Express Coach.' The 'Buick Riviera' and 'Oldsmobile Super 88' police cruisers turn up in many episodes of "Thunderbirds" at roadblocks, chasing and pulling over speeding motorists, idling on the apron of the runway at Glenn Field, etc. However, they are not the most common choice of automobile by the mid 21st Century police forces or motorists in general.
The most frequently seen die cast metal car in "Thunderbirds" is undoubtedly Corgi's '1959 Ford Thunderbird', either #214 (hardtop) or #215 (convertible). In "City of Fire," for example, the Carter family is driving a white hardtop while the couple which crashes in the underground parking garage is driving in a red convertible. Both cars appear to have been used straight out of the box. Examples of the Corgi '1959 Ford Thunderbird' in various color schemes may be observed throughout the "Thunderbirds" series. Dinky's #005 '1965 Ford Thunderbird' turns up in a number of places as well. One prominent example is creamed by the Zero-X spacecraft as it smashes into Craigsville in "Thunderbirds Are Go!" while another may be spotted at the construction site for Expo 2068 in the "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions" episode by the same name. At the same "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions" location may be clearly seen the Corgi #245 'Buick Riviera', Corgi #438 'Land Rover', and Corgi #1142 'Holmes Wrecker.'
The pair of 'Buick Riviera' police cruisers at Glenn Field in "Thunderbirds Are Go!" are posed near an interesting selection of other die cast models. There is a Corgi #218 'Austin Martin DB4' next to another example of the 'Buick Riviera' police car. Beside it is a Dinky #264 'Ford Fairlane R.C.M.P. Patrol Car'. There are a couple of Corgi #263 'Rambler Marlin Sports Fastbacks', a Corgi #241 'Ghia L6.4' as well as others yet to be identified.
After the Zero X spacecraft has completely trashed Craigsville in "Thunderbirds are Go!" and the fires have subsided, we may see among the debris further die cast models. There is a Corgi #229 'Chevrolet Corvair', a Corgi #437 'Superior Ambulance', and a Dinky #281 'Pathe News Camera Car'. The Corgi 'Superior Ambulance' turns up once again in the photo of Thunderbird 1 above a prison on the cover of "TV Century 21" #115. In the same scene appears the Dinky model #259 'Fire Engine.'
This vehicle shows up in photos of the workshop of the Century 21 film studio and prominently among the background vehicles on a well known "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions" setup photo featuring the SPV, Angel Interceptor, and RTL-2 aircraft. In the same scene appears a couple of Matchbox M-1 'B.P. Autotankers' repainted into fire tender colors, as well as an assortment of automobiles including a Corgi #480 '1959 Chevrolet Impala Yellow Cab.'
The Corgi '1959 Chevrolet Impala' is known to have been released in at least nine different editions; a couple of police cruisers, a couple of taxi cabs, a couple of fire chief cars, and at least three different unmarked sedans. Even Matchbox produced one, #57, a blue and white model which may be seen at the Marineville complex in "Stingray." One of the unmarked Corgi '1959 Chevrolet Impala' sedans can be seen at the dock in the "Joe 90" episode 'Trial at Sea'. At this same location may also be seen the Corgi #245 'Buick Riviera', #437 'Superior Ambulance', #438 'Land Rover', and the #1131 'Carrimore Machinery Carrier.'
By now it should be amply clear that the makers of Gerry Anderson's Supermarionation productions relied heavily on the commercially available die cast vehicle toys of the day to detail miniature sets which depicted life 100 years in the future.
8.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Base(s) of Operations
There were three bases of operations:
- An uncharted island of the Pacific Ocean was the home of the Tracy family (International Rescue) and the "Thunderbirds" ships. The island was known as "Tracy Island." The Thundership ships were stored in subterranean bunkers and hangars and launched via ingenious architecting around the island. Thunderbird 1 launched from under the swimming pool; Thunderbird 2 launched from an elevated ramp, after exiting from a hillside and moving into position; Thunderbird 3 launched from under the round house; and Thunderbird 4 (when not emerging from TB2) launched from the end of the runway into the ocean.
- Both Lady Penelope and her butler, Aloysius Parker, maintained residence in England. (FAB1 - the pink-colored Rolls Royce car - was accessible from here.)
- Thunderbird 5 served as a observation platform and communications base in near-Earth orbit. Thunderbird 3 was used to ferry between TB5 and Earth.
9.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Villains
The main nemesis of the Thunderbirds/International Rescue was the Hood, who appeared in the first episode, "Trapped in the Sky." According to his criminal records, the Hood was born 17 July 1989. His history of crime has made him Public Enemy No. 1 in almost every nation around the world. The hefty rewards issued and publicised on International Police video services for his arrest make him the most wanted man on Earth. But the Hood continually manages to evade the lengthy arms of the law.
Within his sinister temple, deep in the heart of the Malayan jungle, the antagonistic Hood laughs scornfully at all efforts to capture him. It is from this building that the man whose sole aim is to acquire wealth no matter what the cost to others, plans and plots his fateful schemes. At his disposal is the greatest array of devices ever made to further the cause of crime - for nothing can be allowed to hinder his criminal operations.
In an underground room at his temple, the Hood keeps a fantastic collection of hoods and masks. There are thousands of them, filling rack after rack, for it is the Hood's amazing ability to change his appearance that has earned him his name and kept him safe from arrest. All the masks have been made by the Hood himself and, working from photographs, he can re-create in rubber any face in a matter of minutes.
One of the greatest interests in the Hood's life are the activities of International Rescue and the Thunderbirds machines. He continually schemes to bring about the destruction of International Rescue. In this aim he has the useful but unwitting help of Kyrano, Jeff Tracy's faithful manservant.
Kyrano is the Hood's half-brother, but any similarity ends there. Kyrano is as honest as the Hood is dishonest. Strangely, uncannily, the Hood wields a commanding power over Kyrano, and this is centred around a huge, glass-sided cabinet that stands in the central temple. Within the box is a lifelike dummy of Kyrano. By concentrating his thoughts on this the Hood is able to place Kyrano in a hypnotic trance - even though he may be thousands of miles away. Kyrano is then at his bidding.
10.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Costumes
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11.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Episode Lists
Note: The following refers to the U.K. airings.
SEASON ONE Episode Prod. Original Episode Title # # Air Date (U.K./North America/Australia/New Zealand) 1. 1-1 1 30-Sep-1965 Trapped in the Sky 2. 1-2 4 07-Oct-1965 Pit of Peril 3. 1-3 16 06-Jan-1966 City of Fire 4. 1-4 11 09-Dec-1965 Sun Probe 5. 1-5 10 02-Dec-1965 The Uninvited 6. 1-6 14 30-Dec-1965 The Mighty Atom 7. 1-7 13 23-Dec-1965 Vault of Death 8. 1-8 12 16-Dec-1965 Operation Crash-Dive 9. 1-9 20 10-Feb-1966 Move - And You're Dead 10. 1-10 24 17-Mar-1966 Martian Invasion 11. 1-11 22 24-Feb-1966 Brink of Disaster 12. 1-12 5 14-Oct-1965 The Perils Of Penelope 13. 1-13 2 21-Oct-1965 Terror in New York City 14. 1-14 3 25-Nov-1965 End of the Road 15. 1-15 5 04-Nov-1965 Day of Disaster 16. 1-16 7 28-Oct-1965 Edge of Impact 17. 1-17 18-Nov-1965 Desperate Intruder 18. 1-18 9 11-Nov-1965 30 Minutes After Noon 19. 1-19 15 13-Jan-1966 The Imposters 20. 1-20 17 20-Jan-1966 The Man From M.I.5 21. 1-21 18 27-Jan-1966 Cry Wolf 22. 1-22 19 03-Feb-1966 Danger at Ocean Deep 23. 1-23 21 17-Feb-1966 The Duchess Assignment 24. 1-24 23 10-Mar-1966 Attack of the Alligators 25. 1-25 25 24-Mar-1966 The Cham-Cham 26. 1-26 26 31-Mar-1966 Security Hazard SEASON TWO Episode Prod. Original Episode Title # # Air Date (U.K./North America/Australia/New Zealand) 27. 2-1 27 02-Oct-1966 Atlantic Inferno 28. 2-2 28 09-Oct-1966 Path of Destruction 29. 2-3 29 16-Oct-1966 Alias Mr Hackenbacker 30. 2-4 30 23-Oct-1966 Lord Parker's 'Oliday 31. 2-5 32 06-Nov-1966 Ricochet 32. 2-6 31 25-Dec-1966 Give or Take a Million
12.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Episode Synopses/Tidbits
The following is a detailed listing of classic "Thunderbirds" episode descriptions and interesting tidbits (trivia/information).
1. Trapped In The Sky
An atomic supersonic jetliner has been sabotaged by the villainous Hood, who wants to study International Rescue (I.R.) in Action! Can I.R. save hundreds of lives (including Tin Tin, who's aboard the jet!) from nuclear death while also thwarting the Hood's evil schemes?
- "Trapped In The Sky" debuts the key phrase heard throughout the series: "F.A.B.!" While many fans have speculated its meaning, the term came from slang for "fabulous" and the initials mean... nothing!
- This episode introduces the recurring themes of espionage, terrorism and avarice on the part of The Hood, the younger half-brother of the Tracy's friend, Kyrano.
- Just in case they scare the kids: These electronic marionettes' mouths operated through the use of a solenoid to move the lower lip which was set on hinges, with a piece of leather placed below the lip for flexibility. The eyes were spring-loaded and set on a track rod, then given leather eye lids for realistic blinking movements. However, in the early models, heads were created to either have blinking eyes or rolling eyes; they couldn't blink, talk and roll their eyes on the same head until further advancements were made.
- The pilots of the Fireflash rejoin the cast in later episodes such as "Operation: Crashdive" and "The Impostors."
- "Thunderbirds" features one of the many notable single fathers of 1960s TV, Jeff Tracy of International Rescue. His deceased wife, Lucille, is never mentioned during the series.
- The scene showing the runaway elevator car was a real accident; it wasn't in the script---but it looked so dramatic on film that Derek Meddings convinced the Andersons to add it to the episode. They then added the sequence of the car smashing into nestled planes off of the airstrip, providing even more mayhem.
- Tin-Tin is the niece of The Hood, but apparently has never known him. She doesn't recognize him when she meets him face to face during the series.
- As in "Trapped In The Sky," The Hood directly endangers his niece, Tin-Tin, again in the episode "Desperate Intruder."
- "Trapped In The Sky" features the only black supporting character of the series (it couldn't be sold to places like South Africa or some markets in the American South with black characters interacting on par with whites).
- The cocky villain, The Hood, has a tendency to remove his disguises before he's safely away.
- In later episodes, updates to Thunderbird 5 include a modern automated chair to replace the stool seen near the window in this episode.
- The young rescue officer "Bob Meddings" is the namesake of Supervising Special Effects Director Derek Meddings and Art Director Bob Bell.
- Jeff Tracy's status as "one of the first men to land on the moon" only works in the time setting of the series, 2026. In the alternative setting of 2065, he'd have to be well over 100 years old to have managed that feat!
- "Trapped In The Sky" is the only episode in which Jeff Tracy dictates through a microphone to his typewriter. In later episodes, Tin-Tin takes dictation.
- This episode introduces the color-coded uniforms of International Rescue; the individual boys wear unique colors on their sashes, hats and boots.
- In an unusual scene, we see Scott and John updating each other during a mission; though rare, they also do so in the episodes "The Duchess Assignment," "Pit Of Peril" and "Atlantic Inferno."
- Small notions, kitchen utensils and model kit parts were used to create the ultramodern hangar of Thunderbird 1. (Note the lemon reamer glued to the hangar wall)!
- The concept of winching a man into a troubled aircraft as seen in this episode is revisited in the episode "Operation: Crashdive" and in the theatrical film "Thunderbirds Are Go."
- The Fireflash SSTs are the target of terrorism in both this episode and "Operation: Crashdive," but they are the preferred method of air transport for Lady Penelope and her butler, Parker. First class, if you please.
- Thunderbird 1's Mobile Control Unit is one of the only non-automated pieces of I.R. rescue equipment. It requires a crew to transport it to the trouble spot.
- Lady Penelope's I.R. symbol is a tea pot...as she's usually just sitting down to tea when called to action!
- Parker is an expert butler, as well as a crack shot with a rifle and well adept at safecracking and all other forms of larceny.
- This episode establishes the secrecy with which I.R. guard their organization: Jeff's fear is that their equipment could be used as weapons of mass destruction.
- The radio controlled elevator cars seen in "Trapped In The Sky" are never used again.
- The Hood is such a meticulous criminal that he labels his bomb "Auto Bomb Explosive Unit"---in gold! (Makes you wonder who did the engraving)!
- The series' romantic duo, Alan and Tin-Tin, are first seen cuddling out on the balcony in this episode.
- Jeff's protective move, "Operation Cover-up" includes "civilian" portraits of each of his sons---but visitors never ask why John isn't anywhere to be found on the island!
- The musical Virgil presumably wrote "The March Of The Thunderbirds," since he's heard playing it on piano at the end of this episode. That should be a bit confusing to Barry Gray, as he composed the music for the series.
- "Trapped In The Sky" is the only episode to use a different version of "The March Of The Thunderbirds" over the closing credits.
2. Pit Of Peril
Men's lives and military technology are both on the line when a top secret Army transport vehicle disappears beneath the ground. International Rescue must execute an ingenious but incredibly dangerous operation.
- The catch-phrase "Thunderbirds Are Go" is first heard within the dialog of the series in "Pit Of Peril;" it becomes Jeff Tracy's rallying cry and later became the name of the first "Thunderbirds" feature film ("Thunderbirds Are Go").
- The Mole -- long a favorite of model collectors -- debuts in this episode. The trusty little drilling machine appears in several more episodes, including "The Duchess Assignment" and "Martian Invasion." Though The Mole has seating for more than one rescue agent, it is often only piloted by Virgil or Scott alone. It also has passenger seating for rescue victims.
- Unlike the first episode in which Alan has a deep voice courtesy of David Graham, he gains his characteristic boyish sound from this episode on, thanks to Canadian voice actor Matt Zimmerman.
- "Pit Of Peril" marks Brains's first rescue assignment; he's more often seen working in his lab or helping to direct missions alongside Jeff.
- The Mole sequence is run forward and backward: Easy to tell by the direction in which the sand is flying!
- Episodes of "Thunderbirds" were originally designed to tell the story within half-hour blocks, but when Lew Grade at ATV viewed the first few that were filmed, he ordered them to be extended to hour-long shows---all the better to develop the characters.
- Alternate versions of the red recovery vehicles seen in this episode return repainted in later shows.
- Though International Rescue assists the U.S. Army in the rescue of the Sidewinder and crew, most other military agencies tend to be distrustful of the secretive organization.
- As the Sidewinder is actually on its side in the pit, the crew should rightly be piled atop the controls and monitoring equipment lining the sides of the craft, not flat on the floor.
- This is the only episode in which no women or children appear, giving the female voice actors Sylvia Anderson and Christine Finn some rare time off.
- "Colonel Sweeney" appeared in the first episode, "Trapped In The Sky" as pilot Captain Hanson. He takes that role again in "Operation: Crashdive."
- The sturdy little remote camera from Thunderbird 1 is used again later in "The Edge Of Impact."
- Brains, an orphaned genius, joined International Rescue upon Jeff Tracy's invitation. The plans for Tracy Island included a fully equipped laboratory for him as the resident scientist.
- Passengers in Thunderbird 2 join Virgil via a passenger shoot which departs from the main lounge in the terraced Tracy Villa, the main house on the island.
- There are three living quarters on Tracy Island: the massive Tracy Villa, the distinctive Round House and the ultramodern Cliff House.
- Scott Tracy's handsome good looks were modeled on actor Sean Connery, then starring in the popular James Bond film series.
- The baby-faced Alan was modeled on the image of a young Robert Reed from TV's "The Defenders." (He was later the father on "The Brady Bunch".)
- Since John Tracy has only a few lines in most scripts, voice actor Ray Barrett was kept busy voicing many of the supporting players. He opted to play the character because he liked the look of him.
- Along with their color-coded sashes, each of the Tracy brothers has varying degrees of hair color; no two are the same.
- John Tracy -- International Rescue's ears in the sky -- has no trouble eavesdropping on U.S. Army transmissions, thanks to unique radio equipment, powerful antennae and a geostationary orbit high above the Earth.
- Scott and John are the tallest of the Tracy brothers, but this was achieved by the skills of the clever puppetmakers. Most of the adult male marionettes are exactly the same height.
- Following in his father's footsteps, Scott earned his nerves of steel during his service with the U.S. Air Force.
- An oven timer doubles as an air control meter in the hull of the Sidewinder, just as egg timers work as knobs on its communications panels.
- In addition to his Tracy Island workshop, Brains also has laboratory equipment stored in one of the pods which is then loaded aboard Thunderbird 2. In addition, he has a workshop aboard Thunderbird 5.
- Thunderbird 1, I.R.'s scout ship, most always arrives at the danger zone first, usually followed shortly by the heavy transport vehicle, Thunderbird 2.
- Though Thunderbird 1 appears to be a solo-crew ship, additional seating exists behind a panel; passengers are seen in "Cry Wolf" and "The Uninvited."
- The designs for Thunderbird 5 mirror the Round House on Tracy Island through which Thunderbird 3 launches.
- One of the most popular toys in history, numerous versions of Thunderbird 2 have been sold in the U.K., Japan and throughout Europe and Asia. Some of them even have authentic sounds and feature Virgil's voice commands.
- Scott and Virgil have participated in all of I.R.'s rescues except for one each: Virgil missed out on the state-side events in "Terror In New York City," and Scott remains on Tracy Island during the adventures of "The Perils Of Penelope."
- As will become the habit in future episodes, once John has delivered the rescue information, he is not seen again, by orders of Gerry Anderson. However, in this episode, "Pit Of Peril" and "The Duchess Assignment," to name a few, he can be seen updating Scott and Virgil as they attempt rescues.
3. City Of Fire
A devastating fire breaks out, trapping a family below a raging inferno. Scott and Virgil must face overwhelming odds - including the unknown side-effects of oxyhydnite gas! - to rescue the family before the entire area explodes!
- This episode marks the first appearance of reporter Ned Cook. He will be seen once again in "Terror In New York City."
- Oxyhydnite gas, thought at first to be too dangerous for usage, becomes an important part of I.R. rescue efforts.
- Big brothers Scott and Virgil grow realistic-looking "after five" shadows, unlike their blonde brothers, Alan and John, but Gordon gets to look unshaven too while traveling to New York in "Terror In New York City."
- Quick-witted and clever, Virgil gained a degree in Engineering at the Denver School Of Advanced Technology.
- Making the marionettes "walk" proved to be a difficult task for the puppeteers. After the first few episodes, most movement was shot above the waist of the characters when in transit from one point to another.
- Virgil's slide entrance into Thunderbird 2 has always been a fan favorite. It was even paid homage in a "Wallace And Gromit" film!
- Lady Penelope's Rolls Royce, FAB 1, is equipped with a hidden rifle in the grillwork, skis for snow travel, and can glide on water via the use of hydrofoils.
- In a common 1960s fashion, a woman is portrayed as a maniacally reckless driver. Similarly, Tin-Tin---a woman who possesses a degree in Engineering---is most often relegated to taking dictation and pouring out coffee!
- Blanche Carter later appears as a by-stander at the scene of another rescue (see "The Impostors").
- Small children are key to several Thunderbirds episodes, as in this one. Other such episodes include "Give Or Take A Million," "Cry Wolf" and "Security Hazard."
- The inadequate safety precautions taken by the builders of Thompson Towers underscore the reason Jeff Tracy dreamed of a rescue organization which could protect and save human lives.
- Both this episode and "Brink Of Disaster" highlight the expectations of the reliance on mass transit and monorail services in the 21st Century.
- "City Of Fire" introduces the first rotation of Alan and John Tracy as the Space Monitors of Thunderbird 5; the pair switch their base of operation with each other once per month...unless Alan is on holiday or assignment.
- Accommodations aboard Thunderbird 5 feature soothing, rounded contours as relief for the stress of constant confinement, including a porthole window for a spectacular view of space.
- The athletic Virgil is often his father's tennis partner, though he also enjoys playing chess against Brains.
- Though Jeff doesn't often show the kindly side his emotions, he does have a major soft spot for his eldest son, Scott. Virgil is said to be his favorite son because of his strong resemblance to Jeff's deceased wife, Lucy.
- The Mole makes its second appearance in "City Of Fire," reinforcing its role as key among the I.R. auxiliary equipment.
- Another of the most often used pod vehicles is the mighty Firefly with its rocket cannons and ability to push away several times its weight in debris.
- Virgil again dons his fire-protective gear, as in "Pit Of Peril," but strangely he removes it to enter the fire-heated corridors under Thompson Tower!
- Because Alan requires Scott to accompany him in piloting Thunderbird 3 early on, John, at times, must maintain Thunderbird 5 until Scott is available so that he can be relieved of duty in space.
- The sleek I.R. hover jets are first seen in "City Of Fire;" they are used again in "Attack Of The Alligators," "Vault Of Death," "Cry Wolf" and "The Perils Of Penelope."
- Gordon does not appear in this episode. He will not participate in a rescue until "The Mighty Atom."
- Enhanced by his long stints in space, John appears quiet and solitary once he's home: He's seen looming far in the background as Scott and Tin-Tin discuss the news after the Thompson Tower rescue.
- Despite ample seating in the lounge, Virgil appears to be more comfortable sitting on the coffee table, just as Gordon is often found sitting on the edge of his father's desk!
- The Cliff House, seen briefly at the beginning of the episode, hosts living quarters, a patio and emergency facilities nestled above the hangar of Thunderbird 2.
4. Sunprobe
A research space ship, thrown off-course, is headed for a fiery collision with the sun! As the temperature climbs, Alan and Scott race to the rescue in the space-faring Thunderbird 3. Will Brains's new technology and the pilots' courage be enough to save the probe?
- The launch sequence for Thunderbird 3 is first seen in this episode. The passenger entry to the massive ship is a couch in the main lounge.
- The solarnauts' Sunprobe rocket matches the model of a rocket powered by a hybrid fuel made from water (hydrogen powered?), seen in the later episode "Perils Of Penelope."
- On the romance front, Alan and Tin-Tin become more obviously a couple on screen with this episode, often seen arm in arm or sitting in each other's laps.
- It's been said that Thunderbird 3's design was based on the Russian Soyuz rockets, but the Soyuz was not introduced until 1967, long after the series went into production. You can find a drawing of it as the original "Rescue 3" in Brains's laboratory.
- Alan is less than pleased with Brains's seemingly oblivious attitude, but, as an undercurrent, he is also developing a rivalry with the young scientist (who secretly has a crush on Tin-Tin).
- The usually stern Jeff shows his affection, pride and admiration for Brains and the rest of his intrepid team throughout this episode.
- The references to "Cape Kennedy" were historically correct, at the time; it returned to the name "Cape Canaveral" after the construction of the Kennedy Space Center.
- "Brainman," Brains' early experiment in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), proves to be his only attempt at the emerging science during the series. (You'll often see this misspelled as "Braman" because of his pronunciation).
- The heat and stress resistant metals developed by Brains in "Thunderbirds" are said to be what later makes the vehicles seen in "Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons" and "Fireball XL-5" possible. Though the latter was a previous series, it takes place at a later time in history than "Thunderbirds."
- Unfortunately for British retailers, none of them had anticipated the near-hysteria with which many fans greeted the return of "Thunderbirds" in 1991, hence the toy tie-ins were almost impossible to find in time for Christmas. Sylvia Anderson reported that she was accosted while shopping by a clerk who wanted to know why she couldn't find a Tracy Island playset for her child!
- Jeff Tracy's space construction company, Tracy Industries, built many projects for the U.S. military, including a moon base.
- The bright orange-red Thunderbird 3 is 287 feet/ 87 meters high and is housed in a deep silo under the Round House on Tracy Island.
- Though many of the strings of the marionettes are now clearly visible with the processing for video tape and DVD, they were effectively obscured for the original television broadcasts by a light coating of a powered spray which matched the coloring of the backgrounds.
- The televideo pictures beamed back to Earth in "Sunprobe" would have to have been projected almost 93 million miles/ 1.49669e+08 kilometers from the spaceship, but the view is from another vehicle far outside of the ship, but just as close to the Sun!
- It takes more than a week for the massive Sunprobe rocket to reach the area of the Sun's targeted prominence, yet the speed of Thunderbird 3 allows it to reach the same area in 65 hours.
- The U.K. "Thunderbirds" revival of 1991-92 made the show such a hot item that even CNN devoted time to covering all of the excitement surrounding it, complete with footage of pub patrons acting out their favorite launch sequences from the series.
- Though they have not, to this time, been reported as having been in outer space, government officials assume that International Rescue can effect a rescue of Sunprobe.
- This episode features the only time we get a good look at the Asian-styled sitting room, used as the "war room" for plotting I.R.'s rescue effort.
- As often seen in the series, it is the gregarious Gordon who makes the most sensible rescue suggestion, though he doesn't take part in it.
- Model mix-up: Alan and Scott are accidentally switched on the couch as their miniatures are used to show them transported to Thunderbird 3.
- Alan is seen piloting Thunderbird 3 alone, though as shown in later episodes, he often takes Scott along for guidance.
- Grandma Tracy is not seen in this episode, but is referred to as being there to organize clothing. Her trip to Tracy Island from California will be seen in "Move And You're Dead."
- It is never revealed in the series why Kyrano owes his life to Jeff, but later stories tell of Kyrano rescuing Jeff after his private plane crashed near his Malaysian plantation, obviously before The Hood steals his fortune.
- Brains, Parker, Gordon and Kyrano are all voiced by the talented David Graham; at times during the series, he can be heard handling the dialog for two characters talking to each other.
- Like several other pieces of equipment, the XZ-157 transmitter unit becomes a single-use item during the series.
- In this episode, International Rescue prove to be their own best customers. This theme continues in "The Perils Of Penelope," "The Cham Cham," "Move And You're Dead," "Brink Of Disaster," "The Uninvited" and "Alias Mr. Hackenbacker."
- Pensive, angry and joyful faces abound in this episode, making good use of the multiple heads created for each of the main cast marionettes. Many of the main characters had up to seven separate heads to reflect various emotions.
- Now wouldn't it have made far more sense to project the beam needed to activate the retrorockets on Sunprobe from Thunderbird 5 instead of Thunderbird 2, since the satellite is 2000 miles/ 3219 above the Earth? There would have been no question of interference with the signal from up there, but then, of course, John might have gotten a chance to participate in the rescue!
5. The Uninvited
Scott has been dispatched in Thunderbird 1 to rescue a pair of archaeologists who've become stranded in the desert. Little does he suspect they've stumbled into the secret pyramid lair of the mysterious and hostile Zombites!
- This episode showcases the risks that the Tracy brothers face during their rescue efforts and the impact on the family unit when they are injured or missing.
- As previously seen, shift rotation for the orbiting Thunderbird 5 takes place, with Alan due to cover for John for one month's time. As he's not yet allowed to pilot Thunderbird 3 alone, he must wait for Scott to be well enough to accompany him on the flight.
- A glitch in the script implies that Scott does a "spell of satellite duty," but only John and Alan actually serve as Space Monitors. (Note: Jeff had already told Scott to take Alan up to TB5 upon his return from Tokyo at the beginning of the episode.)
- Brains, Scott and Gordon aid in equipment updates aboard Thunderbird 5 whenever needed.
- The Zombite attackers' "Z" symbol worn on their helmets is shown backwards on the walls of their base!
- Bob Bell was the artist responsible for creating the convincing interior designs for the various Thunderbird ships and many other sets.
- Strangely, the explorers recognize the markings of Thunderbird 1 immediately, even though the organization has always insisted that no photos be taken and published of the rescue vehicles.
- Gerry and Sylvia Anderson once allowed Tom Jones, a big "Thunderbirds" fan, to stay at their villa in Albufeira, Portugal, while he recovered from surgery on his nose. The villa was a few doors down from one owned by Cliff Richard's manager.
- Tin-Tin is seen wearing the same rescue outfit she dons in "Sunprobe," and Brains is dressed as he will be seen in the later episode, "Desperate Intruder."
- During and after the Thunderbirds heyday of the mid-60s, Sylvia Anderson often found herself in the position of being asked by the likes of some of Britain's biggest stars for autographs and to relate tales about her adventures . They all wanted to get to know the "real" Lady Penelope, just like everyone else!
- This episode features I.R.'s first desert adventure. They return to a similar spot in "Desperate Intruder."
- "The Uninvited" marks the first appearance of Grandma Tracy, hence a flurry of pie baking begins!
- This episode features one of the few times in the series when the resident blondes, Alan and John, are seen together aboard Thunderbird 5; this will also be seen in such episodes as "The Mighty Atom" and "The Cham Cham."
- Alan's clothing mysteriously changes from his brown suit to a casual shirt and slacks prior to entering the lift in Thunderbird 3. (Actually, this was due to reused footage from "Sunprobe").
- Toothpaste tube caps can be seen used as knobs on the audio board in Thunderbird 5.
- Alan is usually substituted for John in scripts where there will be repeated interaction with Thunderbird 5, such as this episode and "Operation: Crashdive." Once John trades shifts with Alan, he often disappears inside Tracy Villa.
- Prior to the start of production on the series, the key vehicles merely had rescue designations assigned to them: Rescue 1 through Rescue 5.
- This episode features the only close up view of the boarding tube control center on Thunderbird 5, though John and Alan are shown arriving and departing via the tube in several episodes.
- Virgil is seen reading the same issue of "Kine" magazine that his father was seen with... five episodes prior.
- Mail arrives weekly on Tracy Island via a mail drop from a contracted air mail delivery service.
- Scott returns from space wearing his blue casual outfit, even though he wore a yellow suit when leaving home (the fault of that stock footage again)!
- The scout ship Thunderbird 1, the transport vehicle Thunderbird 2 and FAB 1 are all attacked during the series.
- Though I.R. agents are supposed to maintain extreme secrecy about the organization at all times, most of those they rescue seem to learn their full names before episode's end!
- Only key officials at the White House in Washington D.C. and a few British officials know the identity of International Rescue's key members.
- This episode marks Gordon's first-seen rescue trip. Though he's primarily an aquanaut, he proves himself quite useful on a variety of missions.
- Though all the Tracy boys are good swimmers, John is an expert at skin diving and Gordon is well-versed as a scuba diver and a former member and gold medalist of the U.S. Swim Team.
- The conveyer car seen inside the pyramid of the Zombite's pyramid is later seen operating inside the hangar of Thunderbird 3.
- This episode features one of the few times passengers are seen aboard Thunderbird 1; the Williams brothers ("Cry Wolf") also get a ride aboard the scout ship.
6. The Mighty Atom
The villainous Hood will stop at nothing to learn the secrets of International Rescue - even if that means destroying a nuclear reactor! However, the Mighty Atom he seeks is actually a miniature automatic spy camera cunningly disguised as a tiny rat!
- Once again, The Hood emerges as the world's most dangerous terrorist, seeking plans for an atomic irrigation station in Australia, with a little baiting of International Rescue on the side. A mercenary by trade, he often engages in such schemes to sell his ill-gotten information to the highest bidder.
- The modern fears of a "nuclear winter" and the hazard of migrational radioactive clouds are briefly but eloquently addressed in this episode.
- The title of this episode might confuse viewers in Japan, since in that country the ever-popular character "Astro Boy" is known as "The Mighty Atom."
- Though Lady Penelope and Parker have not been seen since I.R.'s first rescue call -- the Fireflash incident -- they have taken part in numerous rescue attempts involving espionage unseen by viewers.
- By 1966, Lady Penelope had become so popular that she starred in her own magazine. It included a column called "Lady Penelope Investigates" in which she interviewed celebrities.
- Kyrano is responsible for the beautiful flower gardens on the grounds around Tracy Villa. Taking his cue from his father's loyal friend, John has also become an avid horticulturist.
- This episode includes one of the few times John is seen as pilot aboard Thunderbird 3; this again happens in "Danger At Ocean Deep," his only rescue outing shown to viewers.
- Taking his name from astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Alan Tracy is one of the world's youngest galactic travelers with many outer space visits to his credit.
- As with a few other scripts, viewers are made aware of a large passage of time -- nearly 12 months -- within the events of the story.
- Much of the action in "The Mighty Atom" takes place in Australia, as with "Cry Wolf" and "Atlantic Inferno." Australia was the home of many of the series' voice actors.
- The second irrigation plant is situated in a desert area of Africa; the Thunderbirds will return to the area in the movie "Thunderbird 6."
- Thunderbird 4, I.R.'s sea-going rescue vehicle, is well-armed in case of attack. It is equipped with front-loaded missle-firing cannons, a laser beam cutting apparatus and ramming arms with interchangeable features.
- Though Thunderbird 4 is normally transported to the danger zone via Pod 4 aboard Thunderbird 2, it can also travel short distances on land via hover jets placed on its bottom.
- Aquanaut Gordon Tracy was previously a cadet with the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (or WASP), made famous in the series "Stingray." (Does this confirm that the "Stingray" universe exists within the "Thunderbirds" universe? No official correlation has been cited to date, although there are various nods to "Stingray" within the "Thunderbirds" series.)
- Should Thunderbird 2 be out of commission, Thunderbird 4 can leave Tracy Island via a bay hidden within a cave at the back of Tracy Island, by the runway.
- Some of the same military aircraft are seen here that were first used in "Pit Of Peril."
- Reckless and a bit silly, Gordon Tracy luckily escaped death in a serious crash of his speed boat just prior to the launch of International Rescue.
- Several regular "Thunderbirds company players" appear as members of the press and the military in this episode.
- Thunderbird 5 can pick up any broadcasted radio signal within 100 million miles.
- Gordon Tracy was named for ace pilot and astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr.
- Even though the clockwork mouse dubbed "The Mighty Atom" is programmed to photograph the profile of the human face and surrounding objects, it takes full facial shots of Lady Penelope aboard Thunderbird 2, and, at times, shoots pictures of equipment without any human presence.
- Often the jokester, Gordon Tracy enjoys pulling pranks and practical jokes on his brothers and anyone visiting Tracy Island whenever he gets the chance.
- Gordon makes his first underwater rescue aboard Thunderbird 4 in this episode, while Lady Penelope rides along on her only mission with the men of International Rescue.
- Though Thunderbird 1 has an often-heard-of automatic camera detector, it doesn't appear that Thunderbird 2 was ever fitted with one. This is evident both in this episode and again in "Desperate Intruder."
- The stammering genius, Brains, was born in Michigan but raised in England after being orphaned as a young boy.
- Brains's true identity remains a closely guarded secret; he is never referred to by his real name during the series.
- Because Lady Penelope's hands obscure her face in the photographs which The Hood acquires, her secret is safe and her identity protected.
7. The Vault Of Death
A Bank of England employee has become trapped in the world's most secure vault! Time-and the air-is running out! Will the Thunderbird's advanced rescue technology be enough, or will they need to rely on the more traditional skills of ex-safecracker Parker?
- A real human face can be seen when Penny peeks into the security hole in the door of the bank. This is the only time a real face (probably that of Sylvia Anderson) appears in the series.
- Puppeteers watched their performances via a close-circuit TV monitor which projected the image being filmed from the viewfinder mounted on the camera. This, among several other pioneering innovations created by the people of AP Films, was adopted as standard procedure throughout the film and television industry.
- Lady Penelope has many friends in high places, as befits her station as a member of the peerage. Among them are Lord Silton and Sir Jeremy Hodge, later seen in "The Perils Of Penelope."
- Sir Hodge was instrumental in obtaining permits and materials for International Rescue, making him a very trusted confidant of Jeff Tracy.
- Grandma Tracy proves her assets to the team in many ways, not the least of which is historical trivia. Then there's that penchant she has for match-making at which she's no slouch either!
- Despite Jeff's approval of Brains' Oxyhydnite gas as a means of entry through metal barriers as seen in "City Of Fire," Virgil and Alan revert to using their laser pistols in this similar situation.
- Lady Penelope rarely sends messages to Jeff through Thunderbird 5; she normally uses her makeup compact, teapot or FAB 1's radio.
- Parker's former "professions" include safecracking, burglary, car theft and a stint in the entertainment industry.
- Lady Penelope met Parker through her contacts within the underworld. At times, she needs Parker and his knowledge of the shadier side of life to be of aid to the Tracys.
- This is the only episode in which we see Lil, usually referred to as "Cook," in her kitchen. Parker makes plans to make some time with her in the episode "The Impostors." Lil and Parker are the only members of Lady Penelope's household staff seen during the series.
- Virgil Tracy's head was modeled on the same design which created his younger brother Alan's head; it's the artistry of the individual sculptors which made them look distinctive.
- Creighton-Ward Manor and its 2000 acre/ 8.1 square km estate is Lady Penelope's ancestral home in Foxleyheath, Kent, in the south of England.
- Derek Meddings, Supervising Special Effects Director on "Thunderbirds" wrote a book about his experiences working on the Anderson series, called "21st Century Visions."
- Both of Lady Penelope's vehicles -- the Rolls Royce FAB 1 and her yacht, FAB 2 -- have been outfitted by technology created for International Rescue. FAB 3 (her horse) is device-free.
- The main characters from "Thunderbirds" have appeared in numerous television ads, including commercials for Lyon's Maid ice lollies and Kit Kat chocolate bars.
- Shane Rimmer, who voiced Scott Tracy, later appeared in the pilot for the Gerry Anderson series "Space Police." That show was eventually renamed and sold as "Space Precinct," starring Ted Shackleford and Rob Youngblood.
- FAB 1 is completely bullet-proof -- essential for a spy -- and, at a maximum of 200 mph/ 322 kph. The car is capable of outrunning any land-based pursuer in the show.
- Alan and Virgil do the best "intense" faces of any of the brothers. Virgil's demeanor comes from his rugged determination and concern during the rescues, whereas Alan is usually just being the bratty baby brother!
- Though more often referred to as "Nosey" Parker, Lady Penelope's trusted butler's first name is: Aloysius.
- The popularity of monorail systems in the 21st Century is a recurring theme throughout the series; though not actually seen in this episode, they are responsible for the end of the subways of New York and London.
- Other monorail related episodes are "Brink Of Disaster" and "The Perils Of Penelope."
- Fanderson, the fan club for devotees of the Anderson shows, holds an annual convention in England where fans can get "up close and personal" with former cast members, equipment, puppeteers and some of the marionette stars from the various series.
8. Operation: Crashdive
A second supersonic Fireflash airliner has mysteriously crashed! Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 4 have been dispatched to rescue the crew and investigate the cause. Will Scott, Virgil and Gordon's courage and wits be enough to save the Fireflash program?
- Series note: "AP Films" was so named for Gerry Anderson and co-founder Arthur Provis, the producer of the earliest Anderson projects. Provis later joined Anderson associate Roberta Leigh and launched a rival marionette-driven project called "Space Patrol" (known as "Planet Patrol" in the U.S.).
- One of the few episodes featuring an out-of-uniform John Tracy, he is seen visiting with Tin-Tin and lounging about with his brothers.
- Some enterprising party rental firms in the U.K. now provide flesh and blood Scott or Virgil Tracy characters in full I.R. gear!
- Again the target of sabotage, there are three Fireflash SSTs from the fleet featured in this episode.
- Gordon, seen practicing with targets in the Games Room, is an excellent marksman, a fact which comes in handy during several rescue missions.
- Though not normally equipped or utilized for super-high altitudes or sound-barrier speeds, Thunderbird 2 can still navigate to about 28 miles/ 45 km altitude. (Earth's atmosphere's exosphere extends to roughly 435 miles/ 700 km, where outer space begins.) In the comics, it was made possible to refit it for limited space flight. (Brains is indeed a miracle worker!)
- Hearing double: With the characters aboard Thunderbird 2, voice actor David Graham carries on a conversation as both Brains and Gordon.
- Thunderbird 4 rests on stabilizers within Pod 4, preventing damage when dropped to the waves by Thunderbird 2.
- Because of the incredible speeds at which Thunderbird 1 can fly, Scott Tracy can be anywhere on Earth within roughly two hours.
- The "Light Type" is among a number of clever and resourceful devices created for rescue situations in the series that could have real-world applications.
- By Jeff Tracy's orders, Thunderbirds vehicles are never supposed to be used for anything but official emergency rescue calls... except for when Alan wants to transport his race car or Scott needs a quick vacation!
- The most popular vehicle among a great many Thunderbirds fans is... (drum role, please): Thunderbird 2! FAB 1 also has millions of fans, many of whom have bought model versions of Lady Penelope's famous car.
- Each of the Tracy Boys received numerous proposals of marriage from flesh and blood female suitors during the original run of the series!
- The British girl band (We've Got A) Fuzzbox (And We Know How To Use It) had a hit record with their ode to "Thunderbirds," called "International Rescue." Other songs inspired by the series are "I Want To Marry A Tracy Boy," "S.O.S. Mr. Tracy" and "5-4-3-2-1."
- Two incidents sparked Jeff Tracy's desire to create his elite rescue organization: the tragic death of his young wife, Lucille (Lucy), followed by reports of a disastrous air crash in which lives could have been saved if more efficient means of rescue had been available.
- Jeff's upbringing on a Kansas wheat farm gave him a keen interest in mechanics and machinery; he often tinkered with his father's combine harvester equipment in order to make it more efficient.
- Oven timers and television tubes make for realistic-looking lights and dials in the cockpit panels of the Fireflash ships.
- The character "Lt. Burroughs" was Solarnaut Asher in the episode "Sunprobe."
- The doctor who visited Kyrano in the premiere episode is seen as a member of the International Air Ministry.
- Captain Hanson of the Fireflash crew reprises his role from "Trapped In The Sky" in "Operation: Crashdive."
- The exact whereabouts of Tracy Island are known to only a few; it rests among a small group of islands in the South Pacific.
- Jeff Tracy also owns the two other islands nearest to Tracy Island; International Rescue uses them as storage facilities for fuel and equipment and to maintain the security of Tracy Island.
- Scott's return trip to London Airport marks one of the very few times he's traveled on a mission without Thunderbird 1.
- The EJ-2 seen picking up the saboteur is the same type of jet used in the fake rescue seen in "The Impostors."
- "Operation: Crashdive" marks the highest casualty count of any episode of "Thunderbird" with the loss of over 600 people at sea in the sabotaged Fireflash flight.
- Gordon's nail-biting rescue during the final 1-1/2 minutes of Fireflash's descent actually matches real time!
- The part in Gordon's hair keeps shifting sides as he searches for Fireflash at the bottom of the sea!
- As with the first Fireflash adventure, the dangerous maneuver of winching Gordon into the hull of the ship is used as a means of preventing disaster.
- For a change, it's Gordon who gets the worst of it as his big brothers all have the last laugh at his expense.
- The reporter seen on television is the same one who appeared in "Sunprobe."
- This episode features one of the few times we see the usually quiet and dour John... laughing! He also has a giggle at Alan's expense in "Danger At Ocean Deep."
9. Move... And You're Dead
Alan and Grandma Tracy have been stranded on a bridge alongside a sonice wave generator connected to a time bomb! If they move, they die. Can Brains disable the bomb long distance? And can Scott track down Alan's murderous competitor?
- Though Grandma Tracy has been a fixture on Tracy Island for several episodes, this story shows what it took to get her there!
- Jeff's mother, formerly a Kansas wheat farmer, eventually settled in the California desert and traveled the world during her retirement. She tells Penny during Her Ladyship's visit in "The Mighty Atom."
- Alan Tracy has made many trips to the moon, but he's never played golf there as did the man he was named for, astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. (Shepard played lunar golf during the Apollo 14 mission.)
- Virgil and Scott are seen engaged in one of their favorite pastimes: shooting billiards. Jeff and Gordon are frequent participants as well.
- Intensely proud of her son and grandsons, Grandma Tracy was more than pleased to be asked to join International Rescue and move to Tracy Island to be with her family.
- Apparently still pretty spry, Jeff jumps from behind his desk to sitting on the front of his desk in a matter of seconds as Alan calls in to report his predicament!
- Nothing upsets Grandma Tracy more than when she's out of touch with her grandsons or when she's concerned for their safety. In a later episode, she nearly throttles Jeff when he allows Alan to perform a dangerous repair on an antenna atop a mountain peak at the far end of the island.
- A champion driver, Alan and his mechanic Kenny have won numerous racing events, including the Grand Prix. Alan donates all of his winnings to charitable causes.
- Though it's been obvious to this point that Alan has a crush on Tin-Tin, it's only in this episode that we have a hint at how Virgil feels about her, though he did refer to her as "honey" in "City Of Fire." (Check out that jealous look when she says she'd like to be going along with Alan.)
- "Thunderbirds" was the first show from the West to air in full color in Japan, aiding in its immense following there.
- Both Alan and Gordon seem to have a "need for speed." Like Alan's fascination with race cars, Gordon was a speed boat racing enthusiast... until he crashed his boat and ended up in the hospital for four months!
- The Parola Sands race is covered by a reporter for World Television who, strangely enough, has the same voice as another news personality over at NTBS-TV: Ned Cook.
- Derek Meddings's crew developed ingenious ways to simulate effects expected to be seen in disaster situations. French chalk powder was used to create the look of high-pressure water during a fire-fighting effort, and wood dye assisted in producing a convincing flame for structural fires.
- Though she may appear to be a bit fickle throughout the series, Tin-Tin's tears in this episode prove that her heart really belongs to Alan... most of the time!
- Like John before him, the impulsive Alan became the second of the Tracy brothers to complete an astronaut training program. Jeff, concerned about Alan's lack of discipline, insisted that his youngest son enter the Tracy College, named, of course, for Jeff.
- Though Virgil might be secretly smitten with Tin-Tin, he also seems to have feelings for Lady Penelope, evident any time they are close.
- Alan and Grandma are seen using her favorite china pattern at tea: the traditional and popular Blue Willow. The same tea set shows up in other places throughout the series.
- Since Jeff and his wife Lucy had no daughters, he often acts as surrogate uncle to Tin-Tin, financing her education and her travels. Grandma Tracy also develops a close relationship with her. She spends a great deal of time fostering the romance between Tin-Tin and grandson Alan.
- John Tracy doesn't appear in this episode, so voice actor Ray Barrett is kept busy playing the evil car thief, Gomez.
- Unlike his brothers, John's forehead features a widow's peak. (Maybe wearing the dress hat during extended duty shifts has worn away John's hairline, unlike his brothers who wear the hats during shorter duration missions.
;-)
) - A visit to the Tracy kitchen reveals that they rely on Corningware for their cooking and baking needs.
- Each member of International Rescue is supplied with a personal televideo device to communicate with the base; most units are concealed in their watches.
- The guns carried by the Tracy brothers have interchangeable clips for bullets, stun-gas and laser capabilities.
- John wears a gun at all times while on duty in Thunderbird 5... for no known reason, save that he was alone in Thunderbird 5. (The bigger question is, where on the space station could he safely perform target practice?
;-)
) - Alan is infamous for having created a miniature rocket which, when launched, shattered every window on the campus at Colorado University, where he was a Space Studies major for a time.
- Thunderbird 1's auto-fire rifle is used several times during the series and saves Scott's life in the film "Thunderbird 6."
- A portrait of Lady Penelope is seen as having been added to the lounge near Jeff's desk; like the brothers' portraits, it is used for contact from the I.R. base to Penny and back. In emergency situations, the call from Penny causes the necklace to light up and blink an urgent code.
10. Martian Invasion
A pair of actors are trapped under the collapsed set of a Sci-Fi film. Scott and Virgil in Thunderbords 1 and 2 race to the rescue, unaware that the evil Hood has hypnotically forced faithful Kyrano to disable the photodetector on Thunderbird 1!
- There are, of course, no real Martians featured in "Martian Invasion." International Rescue won't have to deal with anything to do with inhabitants of Mars until the movie "Thunderbirds Are Go."
- Thunderbird 5 can easily pick up distress signals from Mars, or anywhere else in the galaxy, for that matter. The computer on the communications deck can translate words like "help," "rescue," "disaster," or "emergency" from any language into English.
- The dairy farmer from "Operation: Crashdive" can be seen sitting in the background on the Martian film set.
- Marionettes had to weigh in at 7 to 9 pounds each to avoid imposing a strain on the delicate steel control wires; this also made them easier to control for the puppeteers.
- Lady Penelope's facial features were modeled on those of Sylvia Anderson, but Sylvia suggested that the mouth be changed to a shape matching that of production team member Judith Shutt.
- John spends a lot of time learning basic phrases in many languages so that he can glean vital information once a call for help comes through.
- The Hood's ancestral home sits on land which he swindled away from his older half-brother, Kyrano, leaving him with nothing of his birthright. The property had been left to Kyrano by their late father. The Hood's main base of operation is a defunct Malaysian temple.
- Tin-Tin spent a portion of her childhood attending school in France where her father worked as head chef for an elegant Parisian restaurant.
- The palm trees which line the launch strip for Thunderbird 2 are real (in the context of the show), despite their unique ability to bend out of the ship's path. The Tracys planted them in special crates which rest on platforms which pivot backward in unison.
- The Hood is seen driving in the same car he used in an earlier show. However, the car was destroyed at the end of that episode, as it was when the archeologists lost it in "The Uninvited!"
- Always on the cutting edge of 21st Century technology, Brains enjoys utilizing globe-spanning devices such as the radio-facsimile unit. (Way back in the 20th Century, that was known as a fax machine)!
- Tin-Tin usually pilots the Tracy's small private plane, The Ladybird, when she needs to leave the island.
- Sylvia Anderson, responsible for Character Creation and Visualization on the series, developed the unique personalities of each of the main characters, even down to assigning them birthdays to coincide with their behavior patterns (ie. zodiac signs/traits) and the birth order of the Tracy brothers.
- Jeff Tracy gives the go-ahead for using "any means necessary" at any time that International Rescue's secrecy is in jeopardy of being broken. That includes gunplay.
- There are several small planes in the cliffside hangar on Tracy Island: Jeff's blue private jet, the red and white Ladybird, and, eventually the Tiger Moth, dubbed "Thunderbird 6" in the film of the same name.
- Scott Tracy normally sleeps only four hours per night. Must be due to all of that coffee they serve around the base!
- The Tracys often assume that a car or airplane crash automatically means that The Hood's film of their operation has been destroyed...whether there's a fire involved or not.
- Jeff warned his sons at the outset of International Rescue that their uniforms must be worn at all times when on a mission...but Scott and Virgil seem to forget that on the Martian movie set.
- The Thunderbirds cast became pop icons again in the 1980s when they co-starred in the Dire Straits video, "Calling Elvis."
- Japanese toy company Imai has issued hundreds of Thunderbirds replica toys and models since the 1960s, with action figures of the Tracy boys having since been created by Bandai Toys. One of the most prized collector's items are five 6 inch tall figures in the likenesses of the Tracy brothers. A later, less detailed four figure set was issued by Matchbox Toys, but that release eliminated John.
- On the day that Tony Blair was sworn in as Prime Minister of Great Britain, The Band Of Her Majesty's Royal Marines could be heard playing "The March Of The Thunderbirds" outside the Houses Of Parliament.
- Former Prime Minister John Major's detractors often referred to him as "Joe 90," after the bespectacled boy hero of that Gerry Anderson series.
- The ominous-looking rock grinding machine that Virgil uses to drain water from the cavern entrapping the two actors in "Martian Invasion" is called The Excavator.
- Michael Trim was the young artist responsible for the vivid storyboards on the series; he worked closely with Derek Meddings and even created some of the rescue machinery.
- Derek Meddings continued to direct special effects for later Gerry Anderson series. After leaving AP Films, he won an Academy Award for his work on the film "Superman."
11. Brink of Disaster
On Lady Penelope's advice, International Rescue has been investigating a development scam. Now, Jeff Tracy, Brains and Tin-Tin are aboard the crooks' mono-train, which is about to collapse, while the villians break into Lady Penelope's mansion!
- This episode features the FAB1 in full action mode, as driver Lady Penelope defends herself from assailants.
- Lady Penelope's excellent driving skills in "Brink Of Disaster" are in direct contrast to the wild, airheaded manner in which she was shown driving in "Vault Of Death."
- This episode features one of several primarily two-man rescues, with only Virgil and Gordon seeing any immediate action.
- FAB 1 has six tires. It's amazing maneuverability even allows it to drive sideways for short distances.
- The "Thunderbirds" characters first came to print in the pages of the popular Anderson-related magazine, TV Century 21, later known as TV21 and reprinted as Action 21.
- A full-sized replica of FAB 1 was created for the promotional tour of the film "Thunderbirds Are Go." It was showcased at the London premiere.
- Finding the life of an aristocrat to be a rather boring prospect, Lady Penelope began working with the British Secret Service as part of the Federal Agents Bureau (F.B.I.) once she completed her schooling.
- From the "there's a joke in there somewhere" file: The bottom of the telegram that Parker hands Lady Penelope reads in official fashion, "For free repetition of doubtful words, telephone Telegram Inquiry." This line (which actually did appear on British telegrams) became the inspiration for a popular "Monty Python" skit.
- Parker is so efficient that he can manage to prepare tea AND type an official-looking telegram at the same time! (But wouldn't Lady Penelope and Grafton have heard the delivery person ring at the front door?)
- The term "Supermarionation" was coined for the Andersons' animation projects performed through the use of high-tech electronic marionettes, or super-marionette-animation.
- Puppeteer John Brown sculpted a wonderful likeness of baby-faced rocker Cliff Richard Jr. for the film "Thunderbirds Are Go."
- Neil Young's favorite guitarist, Hank B. Marvin of The Shadows, was sculpted to a stunning likeness by artist Terry Curtis.
- Jeff Tracy's wealth came from his successful construction firm and investment schemes he began after the death of his wife, Lucille (Lucy).
- The building of the various hangars and bays under Tracy Island which conceal the Thunderbirds equipment was done piece by piece by diverse contractors, all to make sure that no one outfit knew what was being constructed in total.
- As a testament to the popularity of the Thunderbirds character Lady Penelope, the very popular Dinky Toys created over 2 million FAB 1 replicas.
- Virgil Tracy appeared on the front of boxes of Kellogg's Sugar Smacks cereal in the U.K. shortly after the premiere of the series.
- Brains is seen wearing Scott's blue sweater in this episode... not that there's anything wrong with that.
- Lord Lew Grade of Elstree once stated that of all the stars he'd ever been involved with, his favorite was Lady Penelope. She was less demanding than real actresses! Lord Grade also contribution an introduction to Sylvia Anderson's 1991 autobiography, "Yes, M'Lady: A Personal Memoir."
- Jeff tells Penny that he's "always interested in something that anticipates a disaster and saves (the team) a rescue," yet later on, he tears into Scott for launching the Thunderbirds in just such an instance, in "Atlantic Inferno."
- Dawn and Duncan Fidler of English Classic Porcelains have created porcelain replicas of the "Thunderbirds" marionettes. The highly detailed faces and costumes have the stamp of approval of Sylvia Anderson herself.
- As with many stately homes, Lady Penelope helps to defray the cost of maintenance by hosting visits from coach tours to the Foxleyheath area.
- Brains's blue-rimmed glasses were created from a piece of discarded plastic found on the floor of the model shop.
- The "Thunderbirds" video game for Ninetendo Game Boy (U.K., Australia and New Zealand) allows the player to practice the same types of maneuvers Alan, Virgil, Scott and Gordon use in the series. Directives and mission details are relayed to the player via John in Thunderbird 5.
- FAB 3, Lady Penelope's prize-winning race horse, is a fixture at the Royal Ascot racing meet in England. She's won the Derby several times.
- A similar mono-train to the one in "Brink Of Disaster" is seen in "Perils Of Penelope," but this one operates at sites throughout Europe, unlike Grafton's proposed Pacific-Atlantic Mono-Train.
- Lady Penelope was the first marionette to have her very own couturier, stylist Zena Relph. A favorite with British girls, she also had a series of popular annuals, a novel, comic strip stories and a fashion doll.
- After her experiences in "Brink Of Disaster" and "Trapped In The Sky," Tin-Tin should have learned that mass transit is far too dangerous. She needs to just stay home!
12. The Perils of Penelope
Lady Penelope, investigating the disappearance of an accomplished scientist, has also been kidnapped! How far will the villians go to learn the scientist's secrets? Will Penelope pay the price for his silence? Or will Virgil and Gordon arrive in time?
- The Sun Probe is using a top secret fuel, achieving a thrust of 20 million pounds. The rocket is set to launch at Cape Kennedy. The new fuel utilizes: sea water!
- Every so often, viewers of "Thunderbirds" get a chance to see the raging hormones side of the Tracy brothers' lives -- albeit subtly, of course. In the film "Thunderbirds Are Go," it's Alan's romantic side which drives the subplot, and he also makes his feelings known about a certain English heiress in this episode. Keep an eye out for some "come hither" glances between Penelope and yet another member of International Rescue!
- "Open this door at once -- we're BRITISH!" is one of the true classic lines of the entire series!
- Note that the mono-train cars match the design Warren Grafton was trying to sell Jeff on during the episode, "Brink Of Disaster," with the exception that the European version has attendants... crooked as they may be.
- The center driver's seat, gull wing roof and a myriad of other innovative designs led Rolls Royce to give its stamp of approval to FAB 1.
- Cliff Richard, the singing star of "Thunderbirds Are Go," was seen by millions of fans in the U.K. and overseas onstage at the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebration Concert in February of 2003.
- David Holliday, the voice of Virgil Tracy in the first 26 episodes of the series, was the only American actor in the cast. He recommended Canadian actor Matt Zimmerman for the role of Alan Tracy. They were both stars of the musical stage.
- The old switcheroo: The engine on the first car of the Anderbad-Express keeps changing colors: sometimes it's red, black and white, then in other shots it's the blue and silver lead car from "Brink Of Disaster."
- Gordon Tracy's favorite pastimes are water-skiiing, speedboat racing, fishing, scuba diving, swimming, playing guitar.
- Thunderbird 3 travels at over 25,000 mph/ 40,234 kph as it accelerates to escape Earth's atmosphere, using chemical rockets (lest you think the atomic pile powering some of the craft is used...).
- Gordon Tracy once studied deep sea aquiculture when he commanded a bathyscaphe. He spent a year beneath the waves researching methods of marine farming and studying sea life.
- Gordon is seen playing guitar during the series, while Scott is shown playing in promotional photos. Both Alan and Virgil are seen at the piano.
- John does not appear in this episode as Penny has already made a report of the problem to Jeff. (Why go through the kid when you have a direct line to the head man!)
- Despite Jeff's initial lecture about the boys using their uniforms while aboard the IR ships and his intermittent tirades about always needing them to be available at a moment's notice, he allows Scott to go on vacation... in Thunderbird 1, no less. Riiiiight....
- The center seat in the back of FAB 1 has pull-down armrests with handcuffs and a pull-out chest band... for the discerning captured criminal.
- Since Scott is at home during this rescue sequence, Virgil is given a rare chance to direct a mission onsite; his only other chance in that role is in "The Atlantic Inferno."
- The title is, of course, a tip of the hat to the popular silent film series starring Pearl White, "The Perils Of Pauline."
- Ash blonde-haired John Tracy was the only one of the brothers to change hairstyles during the series. Eventually the boyish quiff he sports in the early stories is brushed flat.
- The doors on FAB 1 fold down and under the car; nice advantage to have when you're dressed like Marie Antoinette! (All will be revealed in the episode.)
- Voice actors David Graham and Ray Barrett worked together on the Anderson series just prior to "Thunderbirds": the submarine tale, "Stingray."
- "Mosey" and "reckon" are Americanisms that the writers assumed would be common to the Tracy family. Such terms are heard quite often during the course of the series.
- Gordon Tracy is the "Chatty Cathy" of the Tracy brothers, voted "Most Likely To Get His Head Smacked" by his older brothers! Alan was voted "Most Likely To Be Locked In The Closet Until Dad Gets Home"... 15 years running!
- By the end of the series and the movies, everyone gets a vacation... except for John! (Humor: This message courtesy of the John Tracy Liberation Front!)
- The pink perfection Rolls Royce, FAB 1, was actually primarily constructed of... plywood!
- Scott Tracy studied at both Yale and Oxford University prior to his service in the U.S. Air Force.
- A hydraulic jack beneath the platform moved the sofa in the main lounge down through the floor and on it's way to Thunderbird 3.
- Each of the wheels on FAB 1 has a tire-slasher on a rod which can be extended from the hub.
- Thunderbird 2's maximum speed is 5000 mph/ 8,047 kph. Allowing for wind resistance, it can travel from Tracy Island to London in roughly 2-1/2 hours.
13. Terror In New York City
An operation to move the Empire State Building has gone terribly wrong. Two journalists are trapped in a subterranean cavern between the collapsed building and the rising waters of an uncharted underground river! With Thunderbird 2 out of action and Virgil injured, can Scott and Gordon reach the journalists before they meet their final deadline?
- Contrary to the theatrics of the special effects department, bulk-erasing video tape will not cause it to smoke.
- In another view of the normally unseen parts of Tracy Villa, Virgil's room is configured much like Gordon's room, including the shelving around the bed, the concealed television and the room decor.
- The intrepid Virgil has only been seriously injured on one mission: He was fired upon by the Navy in "Terror In New York City" and crash-landed in Thunderbird 2. Strange as it may seem, the crew of the U.S.N. Sentinel never attempt to make radio contact with TB2 prior to shooting it down.
- Thunderbird 5's geostationary orbit allows John to home in on any signal on any given bandwidth. (Humorous suggestion: So all you ham radio operators: play nice!)
- Lord Lew Grade -- then managing director of Associated Television (ATV) -- financed the "Thunderbirds" series. His distribution unit, Incorporated Television Company (ITC) was responsible for changing the series' initial half-hour format to hour-long episodes, unprecedented for what was at the time considered to be a "children's" program.
- Scott's U.S. Air Force pilot training takes over as he directs his younger brother home after the attack; like his father, he is cool under fire, yet his concern and compassion for Virgil and his safety is always evident in his voice, thanks to voice actor Shane Rimmer.
- Sculptor John Brown and puppeteer Wanda Webb fell in love with each other during the making of "Thunderbirds" and, unlike Alan and Tin-Tin, they didn't let International Rescue get in the way of their relationship---they were married during the first season.
- The most requested toy for Christmas of 1992 was the Tracy Island playset which had all of the joys of the "real thing": there were spaces for their respective ships under the pool, beneath the Round House and behind the cliff wall, the landing pad tilted just as on the show, and there were four buttons at the back of the island which created realistic sounds from the series.
- Sylvia Anderson related that once while shopping in late 1992. A clerk stopped her to ask why it was so difficult to find a Tracy Island playset for her son, as if Sylvia could fix things for her!
- Other great collectors' toys from the 1992 revival included a complete set of action figures representing all of the major characters. There were also large-sized recreations of Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 3 in which the pilots could be placed.
- The scheme of moving the Empire State Building was inspired by a situation in Japan in which a large department store was actually moved in a similar manner---while its customers continued to shop.
- Like Jeff, Scott is a workaholic. He finds he must always be involved in one project or another within International Rescue beyond his function as Thunderbird 1 pilot.
- There has been a highly-trained flesh and blood International Rescue Corps in service since the 1980s. These volunteers carry on the work of their marionette mentors, traveling to the scene of emergencies with rescue equipment in tow. They also hold fundraisers to aid in the purchase of much needed machinery for areas in need. Their patron is Richard Branson (the Virgin group), with Gerry Anderson as an honorary member. Their website is: http://www.ps2.com/irc/index.htm
- This episode definitely takes place in the time following "The Duchess Assignment" because the Empire State Building appears in the skyline in that episode.
- Prior to his wife's death, Jeff Tracy was part of the elite Space Agency Project serving as an astronaut; this is the assignment which led him to be one of the moon's earliest visitors.
- Matt Zimmerman's unique tones as he voiced reporter Ned Cook seemed to be exactly what the Andersons wanted, for, in a clear case of "broadcaster-speak," the same voice is heard for nearly every other television reporter in the series, including Eddie Kerr.
- There were initially 26 episodes planned for "Thunderbirds," but the series became so popular that a second season of episodes were requested. Unfortunately, because of a problem in selling the series to a major network in the U.S., the decision was made to cancel "Thunderbirds" after six new episodes were completed. (The U.S. market never caught the 1960s "Thunderbirds" fever, unlike other parts of the world.)
- Century 21 Productions became aware soon after the premiere of "Thunderbirds" that, like it's predecessor "Stingray," many of the show's most ardent fans were adults!
- Most of the marionettes for the series stood about 22 inches high, and each of the major characters had 4 to 5 heads each to allow for the changes in expressions needed in each script.
- The Landing Control Room, housed in the Cliff House on Tracy Island, was only used in this episode. Its main purpose seems only for crash situations, as all other launches and landings are handled from either Jeff's desk or the landing strip.
- Parts of the score for "Thunderbirds" heard in nearly every episode include the drum-ladden melody which introduces the transition to a scene in Thunderbird 5 and the lilting "Tracy Island" theme.
- John and Gordon Tracy look similar because they were created from the same design by Mary Turner (who also designed Lady Penelope). Christine Glanville was responsible for Scott, Alan and Tin-Tin; John Brown sculpted Jeff, The Hood and Virgil (from Christine's design for Alan), and John Blundall designed Parker, Kyrano and Grandma.
- While many of the movements of the marionettes were handled from a gantry 12 feet above the stage, some walking, dancing and arm movements were completed by puppetmasters below the stage using rods to create the action required.
- "Thunderbirds" merchandise has amounted to hundreds of millions of pounds for ITC, its distributor over the years, with more toys and related items being released every year. Most recently, the entire ITC catalog was acquired by Carlton International with its purchase of the Polygram group.
- While serving with the U.S. Air Force, Scott Tracy was decorated for valor and bravery in service to his country.
- It's left to the viewer to figure out how the I.R. clan end up at Ned Cook's show, since their secrecy rule would preclude them from having been sent tickets for the broadcast as a "thank you" gesture! Jeff must have also assumed the world to be safe from disaster, as he emptied the base to allow all the resident I.R. members to attend the show.
14. End Of The Road
Eddie Houseman has risked his life to save his construction company. Too close when he fired explosive charges, his tractor now teeters on the edge of a crumbling mountain trail. One of I.R.'s most difficult operations is made more complicated - Eddie knows the Tracy family personally! If he sees his rescuer's faces, the supersecret identity of the Thunderbirds will be blown forever!
- Alan's jealousy gets the better of him in several episodes, but most especially in this one. Thank goodness for Grandma coming to the rescue!
- For the sake of suspense, Virgil rarely replies to urgent radio calls until the second or third time.
- Thunderbird 1 is the only International Rescue craft which is capable of both vertical and horizontal take off and flight; Thunderbird 2 can manage both types of take offs but flies as a conventional plane does.
- This episode is proof positive that the Tracy boys gossip: John knows all about Eddie Houseman and Tin-Tin... and he's not even at home at the time!
- The ever-contradictory Jeff states that I.R. never turns down any call, yet he jumped all over John about considering the request from Agent Bondson of M.I. 5 (in "The Man From M.I. 5).
- As was common in most animated shows of the day, the voice artists in "Thunderbirds" often played up to four characters each per episode, as needed.
- Over 20 million Dinky Toy models of Thunderbird vehicles were produced and sold; they've become prized collectors items since they rarely survived years of playful usage.
- The original name for "Thunderbirds" was: "International Rescue."
- Voice actors David Graham and Ray Barrett worked together on the series just prior to "Thunderbirds": "Stingray."
- Thunderbird 5 is divided into three levels: the power deck, on the lower level houses the battery units; the center deck contains the communications equipment and living quarters; the upper deck contains a multi-layered astrodome, astral monitoring equipment and video-linked telescopes.
- Other episodes in which Alan's jealousy gets out of control: "The Cham Cham," in which he becomes rivals with a singer; and "Ricochet," in which a D.J. sends Tin-Tin over the moon.
- Though both Bondson and Scott Tracy were modeled on the likeness of Sean Connery, they look dissimilar because they didn't share the same sculptors.
- The toy company Soundtech released not only talking Brains, Scott, Alan and Virgil dolls, but also talking "Thunderbirds" replica crafts. Vivid Imaginations has also released "Thunderbirds" merchandise, including replica crafts.
- Cloaked from discovery by radar from Earth's military bases or from other space vehicles, Thunderbird 5 is undetectable.
- There are several times during the series in which "Operation: Coverup" could have gotten the Tracys into a lot of trouble! On occasion when guests have been visiting the island, the portraits of the boys in casual clothing have reverted to those of them in their I.R. uniforms.
- Once stranded on the cliff side, Eddie Houseman's truck bounces around in position, whether being hit by rocks or not.
- Cell phone face plates are currently available in Britain which feature Parker's face on the back of a pink fascia featuring Lady Penelope.
- Happy Birthdays: Scott's birthday is April 4, Virgil's on August 15, and John's on October 8. Gordon was born on February 14 and Alan on March 12.
- Peter Cook and Dudley Moore performed a madcap send-up of all things Gerry Anderson called "Superthunderstingcar" on their hit '60s TV series, "Not Only But Also."
- Tin-Tin and her father Kyrano have an interesting communication breakdown in the hallway outside of her bedroom: She asks, "Do you like it," referring to her hair, but Kyrano apparently hears "Do you like him," referring to Eddie Houseman.
- The mild-mannered John Tracy and the ill-mannered The Hood were both voiced by the talented Ray Barrett. Because he also voiced many of the supporting players, he regularly found himself speaking for several characters in the same scene, which he did flawlessly, immediately switching from one to another in the same take.
- From the "Everything I Needed To Know, I Learned From Thunderbirds" file:
- There's no piece of equipment that an oven timer can't adorn.
- Coffee cures all ills.
- Any accident you walk away from likely means... you're probably The Hood!
- Rescues are always most urgent at tea time.
- Put the word out that your organization is secret and it guarantees that someone will insist on taking your picture.
- Like the Titanic, everything made to be "indestructible"... isn't. (Except for Gerry Anderson's titular character from "Captain Scarlet" but that's another story.)
- Never get on your rich father's bad side or you could end up alone in a orbiting tin can... for a very long time.
- A mansion is a mansion, but a butler with a rap sheet is an adventure!
- Unlike marionettes, gifts and relationships should have no strings attached.
- He with the fastest ship wins!
15. Day Of Disaster
While being moved to its launch site, a slight miscalculation has dumped the Martian Space Probe Rocket into the Allington River, activating the automatic launch countdown! It's up to Gordon in the submersible Thunderbird 4, and Brains in the Suspension Bridge Control Centre, to clear the debris trapping the rocket and free the engineers trapped inside!
- The rocket featured in this episode -- a Martian Probe -- is one of the earlier steps leading up to the Zero-X mission seen in "Thunderbirds Are Go." The results of that trip to Mars and further expeditions were likely the catalyst for the series "Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons."
- Safety rules: Though the pilot or crew is seatbelted for take-off on Thunderbirds 1 and 3, the same is not true for takeoffs in Thunderbird 2. Quite often, Gordon or Alan are seen standing up next to Virgil as the ship is angled for departure!
- The Hood specializes in ingenious ways to hide his spy camera---in hats, in movie film equipment and even inside a clockwork mouse.
- When Thunderbirds returned to the British airwaves on BBC2 in 1991, it was greeted with an amazingly high amount of viewership: approximately 7 million households tuned in.
- One of the most difficult toys to obtain recently is the talking Thunderbird 5 which features John Tracy announcing rescue calls. Some stores pulled the toy after the events of September 11, 2001 because one of the announcements states, "A missile is heading for New York!"
- Each Tracy son is named for an astronaut from the early U.S. space program; four of them became astronauts, and all five have been into outer space.
- Thunderbird 5 is protected from meteors and has a gel core beneath its tiles to absorb any damage and to seal punctures from meteorites and space debris.
- The perpetually orbiting John Tracy was the first astronaut among the Tracy boys. He is also a noted writer and astronomer (a good sideline, since he's almost always in outer space).
- "Thunderbirds Are Go"---the first theatrical release utilizing Supermarionation---opened with great fanfare at the London Pavilion in December 1966.
- Brains often pairs off with Gordon Tracy for games of checkers and chess.
- A young man who loves "serious" music and art, Virgil is often teased by his giddy younger brothers, Alan and Gordon. He's known to join them in playing tricks on others, showing he's got a good sense of humor.
- Alan's portrait conceals both a map of Tracy Island and the surrounding ocean and a map of the layout of Tracy Villa.
- Lady Penelope makes a point of giving Brains weak tea as a presumed American preference, negating that he's spent half of his life being raised in England.
- The edible transmitter sequence is mainly... filler! No one ever uses them during the run of the series, and Grandma certainly never needs one since she never goes out on a mission.
- The company which owns and operates the Fireflash SST fleet is called Air Terrainean; planes from the fleet appear throughout the series.
- The Hood is only ever referred to by an agent number in the series. No real name is ever revealed, but we can draw an inference by the fact that he and Kyrano share the same father.
- During the series, it's notable that sibling squabbling arises at any time when the Tracy boys have too much time between rescues. In the novel "Thunderbirds Are Go," Jeff angrily reminds them that the rescue operation is not run for "kicks."
- In the hunt for the person who had swallowed the edible transmitter, Jeff orders these young men off to their rooms as if they were errant small children, yet he could have discovered who had ingested it by merely having them step out onto the patio only a few feet away.
- Bill and Frank, the two mission crew members aboard the rocket, are wearing Cape Kennedy patches, in keeping with the NASA space program of the day.
- An unspoken rivalry exists uniting the Tracy brothers and Brains which is evident from time to time. Gordon, Brains and John all want just as much to be thought of as being capable of rendering assistance as Scott, Virgil and Alan are.
- Brains's line, "Listen to me, John," can be heard many times over in the dance mix "5 4 3 2 1," by Twenty65, a hit in clubs throughout the UK and Europe in 2000.
- Gordon, being rather more rambunctious and unconventional than his older brothers, rarely wears his I.R. hat when on a mission, this episode's rescue being an exception.
- Parker was featured as a hip-hop D.J. in a Japanese video featuring a dance mix combination of the theme from "Stingray" and "The March Of The Thunderbirds."
- As seen in the film "Thunderbirds Are Go," it's a sure bet that Alan was having a fit at the thought of Gordon, Scott, Brains and Virgil having a brief holiday with Lady Penelope at her mansion.
- Items found in John's room aboard Thunderbird 5 prior to its remodeling include numerous books and language guides, a globe, a framed photo, a potted plant and his diploma from Harvard University.
- Gordon's rule for releasing rocket capsules is the same as his rule for playing football: when pressed for time, punt!
- Parker's personality was modeled on that of a waiter named Arthur who was once in service to the royal family at Windsor Castle. He spoke with an accent that allowed free use of the letter 'H'. His appearance was fashioned on that of 1950s music hall star Ben Warris.
16. Edge Of Impact
When the Red Arrow fighter plane crashes into its launch site on its test flight, Colonel Tim Casey is removed from the project and pays an unexpected visit to his close friends on Tracy Island. Now a second Red Arrow has crashed into a television relay tower, and International Rescue must find a way to save the operatives in the tower without exposing their secret to Colonel Casey!
- The Hood joins forces with another brand of General (not "General X" this time), the usual mayhem to follow.
- Other than Colonel Tim Casey, Jeff's other current contacts from his Air Force days are Kyrano, who worked with the Space Agency on specialized food preparation for manned space flights, and a worker from the same base, I.R. agent Jeremiah Tuttle.
- An article in a newspaper seen in the movie "Thunderbirds Are Go" announces the finding by the U.S. government of a large undisclosed satellite, apparently a nod to the heavenly Cloud Base of "Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons." Or could it be the "undetectable" Thunderbird 5?
- The later remodeled bedroom on the monitor deck in Thunderbird 5 included a radio unit and microphone just above the bed, for those "after hours" emergency calls!
- Jeff is seen reading the same issue of "Kine" magazine often throughout the series!
- Jeff Tracy is 56 years old during this series, while Lady Penelope is 27.
- The Hood's real name is never revealed throughout the series. In fact, he's never referred to as "The Hood" either; that name was given to him in the TV21 comics series and the "Thunderbirds" record albums and novels.
- The circular copper-colored plasma core surrounding Thunderbird 5 is a baffling device used to deflect meteorites and space particles.
- Speaking of Jeremiah Tuttle: Jeff objects to Scott's notion that he might have told his good friend Tim Casey about International Rescue, yet in "The Impostors" he says that he told Jeremiah all about his plans once his co-worker "guessed" at what he'd planned to do.
- Jeff having Brains go over Colonel Casey's blueprints for the Red Arrow would have to raise this question in Tim's mind: If Tracy Island is nothing more than a paradise retreat for the Tracys, why do they have a resident expert technical engineer who knows all about rocket and airplane engines?
- The International Tele-relay Station's construction is partially based on popular designs of the time for such towers, including that of the Royal Postal Service's communications tower in London, nicknamed "Dishes In The Sky."
- Jeff's abrupt manner was very much in keeping with the ex-military man style of fatherly image of the 1960s. Viewed in current times, his gruff and stern behavior makes Father Day of the "Life With Father" stories look like Santa Claus.
- Alan Tracy is not flying Thunderbird 3 in the opening credits of the show, though the rocket is seen in the background. He's actually at the controls of Thunderbird 2 with the steering wheel turned upside down! (Thunderbird 3 has no wheel.)
- The tiny TB1 flying remote camera used in this episode was first seen in "Pit Of Peril."
- International Rescue agents learn to handle themselves in all sorts of adverse conditions. They have pulled off rescues despite rainstorms, extreme heat, heavy fog, bone-chilling cold... and even hurricanes!
- Awe-struck rescuer: Virgil appears to be struck and knocked backward by a large chunk of falling debris during this adventure...but he gets better!
- The Hood is seen escaping the falling tower disaster in a van for a structural maintenance service, yet he is still wearing his North Pole Laundry uniform. It might have made for an interesting aside to hear him explain this to those pursuing policemen.
- Scott Tracy was named for astronaut Scott Carpenter.
- John Tracy was named for astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth.
- From the "Curiouser And Curiouser" file: While supposedly in "Operation: Coverup" mode during Colonel Casey's visit, somewhere between John's rescue call and the return of the Thunderbirds, the portraits had been changed back to that of the boys in their I.R. uniforms.
- Even more curious: There is none of the usual reverie theme music played during the launches of Thunderbirds 1 and 2, presumably for fear that Colonel Casey might hear it. Later episodes omit the launch music as well.
- The Hood manages to survive car and airplane accidents that would have killed any normal human being -- and, in a very bad example to viewers -- he is never seen wearing a safety belt.
- "Goldeneye," the final film on which Derek Meddings performed his special effects magic, featured a satellite's eye view of Earth which was reminiscent of the ones he used to show John Tracy's view of his home planet from Thunderbird 5.
17. Desperate Intruder
The Hood has learned that Brains and Tin-Tin have joined Professor Blakely on a treasure-hunting expedition, and is determined to steal the treasure! The expedition has not reported in, so Jeff has dispatched Scott, Virgil and Gordon in Thunderbirds 1 and 2 to the scene, where they've all walked into the Hood's hypnotic trap!
- In this episode, The Hood unknowingly plans an attack involving his niece Tin-Tin again, as he did in "Trapped In The Sky," with Kyrano unwittingly aiding him.
- His ever-changing moods: Jeff seems happy to send Brains and Tin-Tin off on a holiday with Thunderbird 2 called on to fly them to the desert. Once they get into trouble, he decides that the trip amounts to "joy riding around on treasure trails" and orders them to come home.
- As Brains isn't wearing his glasses while diving, viewers are left to assume:
- He's wearing contact lens.
- His visor is prescription-strength.
- He's got an endorsement deal with Ray-Ban.
- His eyesight has miraculously improved due to the heat!
- From the "Curiouser And Curiouser" file: Jeff has a full intercom system wired into his desk, but is forever ordering some nearby poor unfortunate to go about the house to find someone else he's in need of!
- In answer to an often asked question, yes, despite all of the varying hair colors, the Tracy boys all have the same parents!
- Virgil appears to take off in Thunderbird 2 alone, yet Gordon turns up with him at the rescue site. The same happens with John in "Danger At Ocean Deep."
- Equipment added to Thunderbird 5 enabled languages to be easily converted to English to aid John or Alan in quickly assessing dangerous situations.
- The Indonesian statue from The Hood's temple turns up in psychiatrist Dr. Korda's office!
- In the classic "Thunderbirds" series, Scott Tracy is 30 years of age, Virgil is 27, John is 25, Gordon is 23 and Alan becomes 21 on his birthday in "Attack Of The Alligators!"
- Strange: The Hood seems surprised to see Thunderbirds 1 and 2 arrive to save Brains and Tin-Tin. What did he think would happen if the team members didn't report in?
- In today's semi-romantic entanglement: Virgil gets to hold Tin-Tin's hand tenderly as he revives her from The Hood's trance. Good job that Alan is up in Thunderbird 5!
- Dr. Korda shares his name with the famous producer Alexander Korda, whose adventure films were a major influence on Gerry Anderson's work. He was married to actress Merle Oberon, a beauty with features similar to... Tin-Tin!
- Even stranger still: Even though they are aware that someone is spying on them and has taken pictures of the Thunderbird crafts, the team turns out the lights to go to sleep!
- Tin-Tin is an experienced pilot who loves to participate in International Rescue missions. She also loves to fly to mainland Japan or to San Francisco for shopping sprees.
- Among Alan's other interests are fishing, music, archaeology, swimming and climbing the many rocky peaks around Tracy Island.
- Brains and The Hood dive about in the lake at the dead of night... with no lighting equipment.
- Still even stranger: Why would The Hood blow up so much of the temple when he still hadn't managed to recover the treasure?
- He-men Scott and Virgil, being the elder sons, are seen to have grown after-fives ("five o'clock shadows") during all-night rescue sessions. Gordon manages to develop a light case of peach-fuzz during the events of "Terror In New York City." Though John is awakened and jolted out of bed in a later episode, he never needs a shave.
18. 30 Minutes After Noon
The Erdman gang has found an explosive technique for getting what it wants - and it wants plutonium! International Rescue, working with The British Security Service, has to rescue one of the gang's victims from an elevator inferno, and then race against a time bomb to prevent a massive plutonium theft!
- Brains's automaton, Brainman, is back... sort of! This time, there are a group of similar robots used for maximum security at a plutonium plant in the U.K.
- There is use of both live action and Supermarionation in the same scene in one sequence of the show, allowing for a very realistic-looking manner of telling the story.
- Tom Prescott can be heard humming the song "Marina" from the "Stingray" series as he drives along, prior to turning on the radio.
- This episode is a clever paean to Hollywood film noir: note the snoopy janitor and his overly-talkative wife in the apartment across from the Hudson Building, the hardboiled, loud-talking detective whose case this becomes, and the obligatory Irish cops who are clueless as to what's going on!
- Even though this episode takes place in America, a simple difference in the way the calendar is configured in the Commissioner's office tells us that someone from Britain set it: it reads 12/7/65 one day and 13/7/65 the next, just as would be done in the U.K. during the month of July.
- Because the events take place in July of 2065, we know it follows the events in "Attack Of The Alligator" which takes place in March of the same year.
- The imaginative creators and writers of the series managed to predict pink designer cellular telephones and the common usage of fax machines, supersonic air transport, reusable space shuttles and information-sensitive stylus equipment by the 21st Century. However, they over-anticipated the usage of atomic and nuclear energy, two sources which looked to be promising forms of power in the early '60s.
- From the "That just can't happen!" file: With the kind of slow drive-time traffic gridlock in our major cities, there's no way that anyone can manage 30 miles on the streets in 20 minutes' time as Prescott is forced to do!
- From the "Curiouser And Curiouser" file: There are already flames at the bottom of the elevator shaft from a fire that only just started on the 10th floor.
- And curiouser still: John is obviously monitoring the fire situation with Brains in Thunderbird 5, but Jeff bypasses them to have Tin-Tin sit at the radio and monitor the reports and then contact Thunderbirds 1 and 2. It comes off as just an excuse to see Tin-Tin's legs as she sits on the edge of Jeff's desk... and to ignore John, as usual!
- As with the paintings of race car drivers in "Move And You're Dead," the "talking hats" are a clever cost-cutting method of furthering the story and setting up the next sequence of events.
- Reporter Frank Forester just happens to have the same voice as NTBS reporter Ned Cook.
- Did you ever notice?: Why does Scott always tell Virgil to "hurry it along" when he already knows he's going at maximum speed?!
- The most used lines of the series (in no particular order):
10.) "Have some coffee!"
9.) "That's enough, Gordon!"
8.) "Good (or nice) shooting!"
7.) "Come on, baby!"
6.) "Ok, John; keep in touch."
5.) "Tin-Tin, take a letter."
4.) "Yes, M'Lady!"
3.) "Paaaaaaar-ker!"
2.) "Calling International Rescue!"
1.) "Thunderbirds are GO!"
19. The Impostors
Two crooks have posed as International Rescue operatives to steal top secret missile plans, and now I.R. is the subject of an international manhunt! Will the help of undercover operatives Lady Penelope, Parker and the Hillbilly agent Jeremiah Tuttle tip the scales of justice back in the Thunderbirds' favour?
- Episode writer Dennis Spooner, who also wrote "The Mighty Atom" and "End Of The Road," had a real feel for the relationships within the Tracy family and how important that aspect was to the series. Just as with his view of the mischievous side of the Tracy brothers in his earlier episodes, this one reveals how devastated these young heroes are when they are denied a chance to save a life.
- Blanche Carter, the wife from "City Of Fire" just happens to be present at the time of the fake rescue effort; she can be seen standing in the background.
- The Indonesian statue from The Hood's temple turns up in World TV reporter Eddie Kerr's office!
- Though a lot of hard work and effort went into all of the vibrant costuming and set designs, everyone in Britain and the vast majority of people throughout the world watched "Thunderbirds" in black and white.
- The first nine episodes of "Thunderbirds" had already been filmed when the order came to extend them to an hour's length.
- Shane Rimmer, the voice of Scott Tracy, wrote scripts for the Gerry Anderson series "Joe 90" and "The Protectors."
- As Scott announces "Switching to horizontal flight," he is voicing his actions to his father. Jeff handles the talk-back for the pilots on all International Rescue missions, unless he directs one of the boys to do so.
- The bombastic General Lambert must be secretly British! "25 thousand million dollars" is how 25 billion would be described in the U.K.
- Thunderbird 3 is equipped with an Earth-bound escape pod for dangerous space missions.
- Like the Tracy brothers, Tin-Tin was raised by her father from the time she was a small child. Neither mother is mentioned during the series.
- To illustrate the massive search for the Red Arrow 1, scenes of launches of various crafts from other episodes are used in quick succession.
- Seriously bluffing, General Lambert states that International Rescue's "seagoing equipment suggests an island" as a hideout, which makes no sense since Thunderbird 4 is only one of a large number of rescue vehicles known to have been observed by outsiders. He then begins to claim that the weather is a clue to I.R.'s location but wisely stops!
- Chairs and a table from the Cafe Atalante in Paris turn up on the Tracy Villa balcony; they turn up pretty much everywhere during the series!
- The secrecy of International Rescue plays against the plot device: How could the crooks manage to copy the I.R. uniforms so exactly when there have never been published pictures of them?
- It's two, actually: "'International Rescue' is certainly a dirty word around here!" - Eddie Kerr.
- Curiouser and curiouser: Reporters recognized the impostors' jet as an EJ2, which doesn't clue them into the fact that this must be a fraudulent event, even though they are aware that all of the known "fantastic" I.R. craft are unique to their organization.
- Jeremiah consistently pronounces Her Ladyship's name "Pen-e-lope" despite having heard Jeff pronounce it correctly and having never seen it written down. (It's a common dialog trick to make characters sound clueless).
- And still curiouser: If there's no "wind" in space, why is Elliott continually blown backward after the initial rocket-pack boost?
- Lucky for John that he apparently wasn't due to be relieved by Alan anytime soon in this episode, since they could have gone on for quite a while in search of the impostors and unable to launch Thunderbird 3!
- Repeat blooper: That stock footage of the Thunderbird 3 launch causes trouble again as Alan and Scott curiously change casual clothing as soon as they enter the rocket.
- Well-known for keeping her cool in the face of danger, Lady Penelope loses it all and has a nervous breakdown over... mud!
- Scott's lips don't move for his last line, "You can say that again!" (Apparently...he can't! ;)
20. The Man From M.I. 5
Lady Penelope has joined M.I. 5 agent Bondson in a top-secret effort to recover stolen plans to a nuclear weapon! Courageously setting herself out as bait, Penelope has been kidnapped. Will Scott, Virgil and Gordon, using the awesome capabilities of Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 4, be able to free her before her boathouse prison explodes?
- Barry Gray's spy theme fits in beautifully in this episode as it accents the tale of a gang of information thieves.
- Ocean sequences for the series were shot in large tanks with the Special Effects crews walking around the scenes in wading boots to operate equipment.
- From the "Curiouser And Curiouser" file: When Brains is conducting his test, why couldn't Jeff, Tin-Tin or Grandma tell Alan not to get into the pool before he dove in?
- The Hood manages to get a great deal of secret information through his trances over Kyrano, but he never thinks to ask where the Thunderbirds' base is! (But he finally does in the comics.)
- Fireflash and her crew appear once again as they transport Lady Penelope on her trip to the French Riviera. Maybe there's an SST revival going on, since Air France and British Airways suspended supersonic flights way back in 2003!
- It was once reported that Henry Ford was shown episodes of "Thunderbirds" and thought the series was great.
- The heads of the principle cast members of "Thunderbirds" were constructed mainly of molded fiberglass, while the supporting characters were primarily made of less expensive plastic materials.
- "The March Of The Thunderbirds" has been recorded and performed numerous times, most popularly by The Band Of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, who appear at the end of the film "Thunderbirds Are Go."
- Jeff becomes snippy with John about taking a call from Agent Bondson at M.I. 5, reminding him that I.R. does not dabble in politics or police work, yet they do so both in "Perils Of Penelope" and "30 Minutes After Noon."
- There's just something about going on a secret rendezvous in a big, conspicuous pink Rolls Royce...
- The Creighton-Ward ancestral family motto reads: Elegance. Charm. Deadly Danger.
- Barry Humphries, better known as Dame Edna Everage, was at one time a voice actor for the Anderson series.
- A sought-after item among Thunderbirds collectors is a set of eight porcelain plates depicting the members and machines of International Rescue. The complete set is worth in excess of £500.
- As in "Alias Mr. Hackenbacker," Lady Penelope seems only concerned about how much sugar she takes in her tea on the occasions when she must act as a fashion model or chanteuse.
- Lady Penelope later returns to the French Riviera for adventure in "The Duchess Assignment."
- For the first time in the series, the viewer is treated to a complete launch sequence of Thunderbird 4; normally, the pod is simply dropped to the waves!
- It remains unclear just what Penny had hoped to accomplish once she managed to lure Carl, the murderous agent, onto FAB 2. Her plan doesn't seem to make sense to Scott Tracy, either!
- Unlike when she calls in a standard report, when Lady Penelope sends an emergency signal to Tracy Island, the beads on her portrait flash instead of the eyes lighting up.
- Wonky math: It's stated that the bomb aboard FAB 2 is due to go off within one hour, yet, curiously, Thunderbirds 1 and 2 arrive there in time to pull off the rescue...despite earlier episodes in which it was shown that it would take closer to two hours flight time for Thunderbird 1 to reach that part of Europe.
- Ladylike to the last, when Jeff states that he can't hear her through the microphone in her fallen compact, Lady Penelope never considers shouting to him.
- Rarely do elements of the story work out in real time, though it did happen in "Operation: Crashdive." In this episode, 2 minutes go by in a matter of 20 seconds!
- Mere technicalities: Gordon's drilling into the submerged submarine would more than likely cause the hull to breech and make it rupture.
- Between the "Thunderbirds" television series and the second theatrical release, "Thunderbird 6," Lady Penelope loses both FAB 1 and FAB 2!
21. Cry Wolf
Young Tony and Bob Williams have unwittingly called out International Rescue while playing, and the publicity surrounding their "rescue" has brought the attention of the villainous Hood to their father's secret government project. Will International Rescue answer the boys new cries for help, or think they're simply crying wolf?
- Many shots and bits of equipment in this episode were originally seen in "The Impostors." Even Colonel Jameson was last seen then, appearing as General Lambert.
- The prolific and resourceful Barry Gray created the thrilling theme and score for the "Thunderbirds" series and the two theatrical films it spawned.
- Bob Williams has a tiny cameo in the next episode, "Danger At Ocean Deep," seen as a small Scottish boy on the River Clyde.
- Once again, replica International Rescue uniforms are made by someone who should never have seen one, since no photos of the rescues have been published.
- Even little Tony Williams knows the I.R. creed: International Rescue agents maintain secrecy... and please, no photographs!
- Thanks to the talent of Ray Barrett and some skillful puppetry, John's concern for the safety of the children is tangible and touching, made more so by Virgil's teasing him for believing their harrowing tale.
- By the time of the movie "Thunderbird 6," Grandma had developed the strange habit of carrying her purse around the house, as if she were going somewhere!
- Though normally seen in the kitchen in Tracy Villa, Kyrano's expertise is in horticulture and agriculture as it relates to food preservation methods.
- One of the later marionette heads for Scott Tracy had the wrong color of eyes---it had brown eyes, but Scott's eye color is blue.
- A set of wires ran through the heads and hats of the uniformed Tracy brothers to enable the crew to "remove" their hats by moving them up the wire and out of sight of the camera.
- Jeff's ever-changing moods strikes again: He admits that having Tony and Bob on the island for a visit wouldn't cause any harm, yet he has a raving fit at the boys when the stowaway Chip is found in "Security Hazard."
- From the "Curiouser And Curiouser" file: How did the paper get hold of the story about the Williams brothers in remote Charity Springs receiving aid from International Rescue if their father hadn't reported it to anyone?
- The tracking satellite station seen in the episode "The Impostors" is used as the stealth satellite searching the Earth in this story.
- Lieutenant Langfield at satellite headquarters has made numerous appearances; he was last seen in "The Impostors."
- The Hood's desert buggy is as resilient as he is; it turns up again and again, no matter how many cliffs he drives it over.
- It's no surprise that Virgil is seen reading a magazine about jazz; that happens to be his favorite type of music, though he loves classical music as well.
- Weird science: It is never revealed in the series how The Hood makes his eyes light up in that manner. (Maybe the viewers are all being hypnotized into believing that they do that supernaturally.)
- Every so often, a "Britishism" sneaks into the dialog of these American characters. In this episode, John mentions that the boys went in for their "tea," while it would be more common for an American to say "dinner" or "supper."
- As with a few of the later episodes, there's a notable absence of the usual reverie during the launch sequences for the ships.
- Weird science, too: Wouldn't it be more likely that the blow torch would have set the wallpaper on fire and caused a great deal of damage long before The Hood managed to gain entrance into the next room...
- The now familiar hover-jets are seen again here; they are seen in "City Of Fire," "Attack Of The Alligators" and "Perils Of Penelope" as well.
- There's only one natural response to Virgil's line, "11, 18, 32": HIKE!
- Scott should have learned to stay away from barns after his quick stint of servitude as a dairy farmer in "Operation: Crashdive!"
22. Danger At Ocean Deep
Six months after the unexplained destruction of Ocean Pioneer I, Ocean Pioneer II is sailing toward disaster! Mysterious radio blackouts have led Brain to trace the cause to a chemical reaction about to be duplicated! Thunderbirds 1 and 2 race to rescue the ill-fated crewman before their craft explodes!
- Every John Tracy fan loves this episode because it is the only one in which he participates in an actual rescue.
- Unfortunately, John's efforts are overshadowed as Jeff takes him down a few pegs for daring to venture an opinion.
- Ray Barrett said that he was given the job of voicing John Tracy because he'd commented to Gerry Anderson on how much he liked the look of the character.
- Lady Penelope's fellow member of the peerage, Lord Worden, was previously seen as Sir Jeremy Hodge in "Perils Of Penelope."
- The sea-going theme heard during the maiden voyage of Ocean Pioneer I was originally written and used in the series "Stingray." It's called "The March Of The Oysters."
- Bob Williams from "Cry Wolf" is seen next to the reporter on the dock as Ocean Pioneer II launches at Clydeside.
- Both 1993 and 1998 are mentioned as excellent years for vintage champagne during the course of the series; however, in reality, 1993 was a rather lousy year for it. (It's a valid opinion...)
- The largest model version of TB3 stood at 6 feet/ 2 meters tall.
- Alan always becomes a pouty brat:
- Whenever he has to report for duty in Thunderbird 5.
- Whenever he can't go along on a mission.
- Whenever he can't party with the big boys.
- Whenever Tin-Tin isn't speaking to him after he's said something stupid.
- Whenever Tin-Tin is listening to DJ Rick O'Shea.
- Mere Technicality: The heat from Thunderbird 3's three rocket engines should, by rights, vaporize the Round House! (Of course, it is reinforced with materials which protect it).
- Alan keeps track of the exact minute and seconds at which time he started monitor duty aboard Thunderbird 5 and insists on John paying him back in equal measure, despite the fact that he is late relieving John several times during the series.
- As Brains acquires the tape aboard Thunderbird 5, it appears that John is taller than both he and Alan. This is due to two factors: The placement of John's waistband is higher, as is Scott's. Actually, all of the Tracy boys marionettes were 22 inches/ 56cm tall. Brains is a slightly shorter version of the standard male marionette used in the series, as is Jeff Tracy.
- John is normally a shy and introverted type, easily the most quiet of the Tracy brothers. Rather than romp in the games room with his brothers, it's more common to find him reading a book or roaming the hillsides of Tracy Island as he studies the vegetation, a past-time he misses during his stints in Thunderbird 5.
- An avid astral photographer and student of the heavens, John Tracy has written four extensive textbooks on astronomy and is credited with having discovered the Tracy Quasar.
- John's handsome, boyish features were modeled on those of pop singer Adam Faith, with his profile being supplied by movie star Charlton Heston.
- One of the most widely collected pieces of "Thunderbirds" memorabilia are the Dinky Toys made in the image of FAB1; millions of them were sold, but few originals survive today.
- As Alan and John trade off in Thunderbird 5, they've apparently both forgotten about bringing their familiar red kit bags with them! (Guess John's laundry will have to wait...)
- Thunderbird 5 has living quarters for up to six people. This was essential during the construction phase, as most of the needed I.R. fixtures and fittings were put into place after the satellite had been launched into space.
- Seemingly the only reason that John gets to go with Virgil on this mission is that the boys take it upon themselves to leave without direct orders from Jeff. This becomes a more common occurrence during the rest of the series, with the boys choosing the crew and the equipment to be used for the rescues. (Look, Pa -- they're growing up!)
- The events of this episode allow John to show a wider range of personality which seems only brought out when allowed to interact with his brothers. He exhibits a feisty side never before seen while working out details with Virgil and when debating rescue tactics with Scott.
- This episode has to have happened before "Perils Of Penelope" because Scott mentions having been on all of the previous rescues, yet he did not participate in that one.
23. The Duchess Assignment
Lady Penelope's dear friend the Duchess of Royston has been cheated at a casino and is now bankrupt but for a precious painting. Having agreed to rent it to an American collector, she's now been kidnapped by two crooks. Only Lady Penelope's quick thinking - and Scott's fast flying - can save her!
- In this frolic turned serious, John Tracy becomes a dotty old dowager, Jeff goes British on us and Lady Penelope runs smack into the "Partridge Family's" multi-colored bus! Seriously!
- Ray Barrett became the voice of the Duchess only after a frustrating afternoon of watching the female cast members struggle with performing the voice of the elderly dowager. His vocals and mannerisms during the recording session had all of the other cast members in stitches!
- According to his autobiography, Ray's main concern with the troubles that Sylvia and Christine were having with finding a voice for the Duchess was that it was holding himself and Peter Dyneley up from going to the pub that day!
- Jeff Tracy owns a beautiful yacht which is named for his beloved wife, Lucille (Lucy).
- Taking complete leave of her senses, Lady Penelope -- on holiday in Monte Carlo -- allows Parker to call the shots at the Roulette table. Apparently, all is forgiven after the events of "The Man From M.I. 5" in which his gambling tactics cost her FAB 2, her yacht.
- The doctor seen in "Trapped In The Sky" is seen sitting next to the Duchess at the roulette table. (Makes one wonder what he's charging Jeff for those house calls...)
- A real Rolls Royce grill was used in some shots of FAB 1 when the rapid-fire cannon was in use.
- Gordon Tracy was the only of the brothers to not have attended a college or university for any length of time. The easily excitable red-head went straight from high school into the cadet ranks of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol in Marineville (featured in "Stingray").
- This is the only time there's a glimpse of Jeff's bedroom on Tracy Island. Other rooms visited belong to Gordon, Virgil and Tin-Tin. Additionally, Alan's room is seen in "Thunderbirds Are Go," and John's is seen aboard TB5.
- Gordon's best event as an Olympian was the butterfly stroke, at which he won a Gold Medal.
- There was only one complete model of Thunderbird 5 ever made for the series.
- The U.K.'s Prince Charles was a big fan of "Thunderbirds" when it initially aired, but apparently that wasn't true of his sister, Anne, the Princess Royal. When Lady Penelope was used to greet her at a royal garden show many years later, she gasped in disgust and stormed off!
- The Hood can be seen to the right behind Jeff Tracy on the platform as Jeff and Penelope watch the air show. He is wearing the disguise seen in "Martian Invasion" and "The Mighty Atom."
- One of Wilbur Dandridge's gazelle statuettes can be seen in Chip's English bedroom in the episode "Security Hazard."
- Deborah, The Duchess Of Royston, was crafted on the famous British actress, Dame Edith Evans.
- Wilbur Dandridge appears as the sleazy Warren Grafton in the episode "Brink Of Disaster."
- John gets to perform what should have been a more regular function for him as he uses the sensitive receptor equipment aboard Thunderbird 5 to actively aid Scott and Virgil in pinpointing the spot where the Duchess is held captive.
- The Fireflash SST is again used as the preferred method of transport, with Captain Hanson and his co-pilot at the helm and the same air hostess seen in "Trapped In The Sky."
- Like the homing device St. Christopher medal given to the Duchess by Lady Penelope in this episode, she also supplies a similar medal as a precaution to protect a member of the Zero-X team in the film "Thunderbirds Are Go."
- FAB 1 sports four forward tires in aid of supporting its massive engine and the heavy rapid-fire rifle equipment contained behind the grill.
- Though it heightens the drama of the scene, there is no explanation given for why Dandridge's call to Lady Penelope is cut off.
- Ever the gadget freak, Dandridge is seen shaving with an electric razor at his desk!
- Weird science: At the remote hideaway where the Duchess is held captive, the whole house explodes into a fireball with the exception of the basement in which the Duchess is located... where the leaking gas pipe which started the fire happens to be.
- The only one of the Tracy brothers with a known nickname is Virgil; on occasion, his brothers call him "Virg."
- "Desperate Intruder" (the title of an earlier episode) turns up as a horse in the derby, and the Duchess turns up in the same hospital as Professor Blakely -- Brains's associate from the same episode.
24. Attack Of The Alligators
Theramine, a food additive that greatly increases the size of livestock, has been dumped into the Ando River! Now inventor Dr. Orchard and his guests are endangered and only the courage of Alan, Gordon, Scott and Virgil can save them from ravenous giant alligators!
- No real harm comes to the baby Cayman crocodiles used in the making of this episode, though it took a few volts of electricity to keep them moving about, administered by, of all people, a member of the Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals, no less.
- Though not stated, it appears that this episode could have taken place in Louisiana (judging from the Cajun-sounding, Culp, the bayou-like setting and all of the 'gators). This would make it one of the few I.R. stories to transpire in the U.S. However, from the map shown, it may actually take place in South America instead.
- Individual episodes of the series were compiled into several theatrical releases, such as "Thunderbirds In Outer Space" and "Thunderbirds To The Rescue." They became the staple of late night TV movie slots for years and kept the memories of International Rescue alive in the hearts of, by then, grown-up original fans.
- While not featured in the episode "Attack Of The Alligators!," Lady Penelope appeared in some publicity shots for the series featuring the scaly co-stars of that episode. One of them took a liking to her legs: it clamped its teeth around one of them and refused to let go!
- The exciting stories of International Rescue were continued in the pages of TV21 Magazine for several years during the 1960s. In 2000, a new series of stories began in "Thunderbirds" magazine by Redan Books, sold at news agents throughout Britain.
- Brains created an airship as a means of leisurely travel which was eventually built by the New World Aircraft Corporation. They dubbed it "Skyship One."
- "Thunderbirds" officially premiered on television in Britain in September of 1965; the first film spin-off of it appeared in theaters a year later. The series eventually aired in the U.S. in 1967.
- From conception to fruition: It took roughly two years for Jeff to put together the base and equipment that would become the core of International Rescue.
- Cliff Richard And The Shadows performed two songs for the movie "Thunderbirds Are Go": "Shooting Star" and a lovely instrumental called "Lady Penelope" featuring a great guitar performance by Hank B. Marvin.
- In aid of those without a clue about fashion, beauty and espionage, Lady Penelope has been kind enough to prepare a guide to all the things she's an expert on, called "Lady Penelope's Secrets."
- The aircraft dubbed "Thunderbird 6" started life as a reconditioned Tiger Moth biplane.
- It is said that the likeness of Brains was modeled from pictures of Anthony Perkins of "Psycho" and "Phaedra" fame.
- In many broadcast markets in the U.S., "Thunderbirds" was shown not in complete hour-long episode format but as half-hour segments instead.
- FAB 1 has no rear view mirror. A television screen embedded in the dash board gives the driver the view of the road via a camera mounted in the rear of the car.
- Lady Penelope's crest includes an italicized "P" with a golden crown above it.
- Writer Alan Pattillo effectively used dire predictions about overpopulation and impending food storages to anticipate animal artificial growth experimentation and its effect on the food chain.
- The segment showcasing the communication breakdown between the base and Thunderbird 5 is a perfect display of the differences in priorities between the elder Tracys, Jeff and his mother. While Jeff's primary concern is only regarding the inconvenience to the organization that the blackout causes, Grandma voices earnest concern for the well-being of her grandsons, which their father downplays.
- Oops: There's a reflection of the cameraman in the window as Mrs. Files looks outside early on in the episode.
- Anyone keen on "Thunderbirds" trivia will know that this episode took place on March 11th, 2065, as Tin-Tin gives Alan his birthday gift one day early.
- "Attack Of The Alligators" marked the first time that the production company had attempted to use live wild animals during the filming of the series. Consequently, they went well over budgeted time trying to get it just right!
- The warm studio lights made for just the right climate to put the baby crocodiles... to sleep!
- Rabbit lovers will fret that all of the cast managed to escape the doomed house, but in their haste they left the test bunnies behind! For shame!
- Gordon's expertise at gunplay comes in handy again... just as the alligators are about to have baby brother Alan for lunch. There's a lot of arguement among "Thunderbirds fans" about whether the series takes place in 2026 or 2065. Both Alan Fennell and Gerry Anderson have stated that 2065 is the correct timeline. According to Gerry, "The correct date is 2065. I'm afraid the official Supermarionation book got it wrong."
25. The Cham-Cham
Three U.S. Air Force transporters are shot down, and Alan notices that before each one was attacked, the Cass Carnaby Five were performing live, broadcasting their chart-topping hit "Dangerous Game." Brains listens to the broadcasts in an attempt to unravel the mystery, while Lady Penelope is sent to infiltrate the band.
- As the beautiful chanteuse Wanda L'amour -- Lady Penelope's alter ego at the Paradise Peaks Hotel -- she was meant to be a "provocative singer." The only trouble is that Penny can't carry a tune to save her life!
- "The Cham Cham" is the equivalent of a "girls' night out" escapade, with Tin-Tin and Lady Penelope getting to put their spying skills to good use...while they are cooing over the house band!
- In the "Dangerous Game" sequence at the start of the episode, Scott is seen reading the same map of California that was needed to help aid Alan and Grandma in "Move And You're Dead."
- Good thing Alan wasn't around: Tin-Tin is seen sitting on Gordon's bed as they both rock out to the swinging sounds of the Cass Carnaby Five.
- Writer Alan Pattillo named Wanda L'amour after the lovely Wanda Brown, one of the puppeteers.
- Like many an actress, Tin-Tin was seen crying tears of glycerine during the series.
- The code of the International Rescue Organization: Never give up at any cost!
- In the shot of Alan and John as they prepare to trade off in Thunderbird 5, it's easy to note who does all of the work as John goes about checking the settings from Alan's stint... and Alan yammers on about Tin-Tin!
- Friends In High Places: There's a photograph of the Duchess Of Royston on the wall in Cass Carnaby's dressing room. She must be a big fan of his; she's also seen dancing in the nightclub during the episode.
- With 10 regular cast members in the International Rescue Organization to keep audiences enthralled every week, it was decided that there was no need for a cute pet character for comic relief as there had been in previous series, such as Mitch the monkey ("Supercar") or Zoonie ("Fireball XL5").
- The rockets at the bottom and the back on Thunderbird 2 were fired electrically via the wires running down through the model.
- Curiouser And Curiouser: This is the only time that music blares from the audio speakers behind Jeff's desk. He's usually found viewing the news instead.
- Wonky line of the episode: Tin-Tin states, "(It's) some kind of electronic computer"... as opposed to what? An abacas?
- Lady Penelope points out that Parker suffers from vertigo, yet he is able to manage quite well high atop the cable car and at the top of the cliff fighting off Benito. Riiiiight...
- When John Tracy is at home following his stint on Thunderbird 5, it's unusual to get more than a few words out of him at any given time---but it's not that he's stuck up or impolite. It's just that he's so used to his contemplative life in space that he tends to forget to express himself.
- Jeff's contacts in Washington D.C. (apparently including the President, judging from the events in "Terror In New York City") are aware that he heads International Rescue, yet they conveniently forget all about him in the course of the search in "The Impostors" in which the U.S. government is searching for their base.
- No one loves to play practical jokes more than Gordon and Alan Tracy, especially if they can catch their big brothers in one. While Scott and Virgil have grown used to their antics, their father is not as understanding or tolerant of their behavior.
- Working at showcasing the Cass Carnaby Five was a perfect forerunner for recreating Cliff Richard And The Shadows in marionette form for "Thunderbirds Are Go."
- Brains was recognized as a child prodigy and raised by a professor at Cambridge University after his parents were killed when a hurricane destroyed their home in Michigan. (How a hurricane got to Michigan is anyone's guess!)
- Your Tax Dollars At Work... Not: Presumably from the events presented in this episode, foreign aircraft fighters are known to be attacking U.S. Air Force jets... without being detected entering U.S. air space by NORAD or Strategic Space Command?
- Wake Up Call: Alan is shocked that the cable is loose and that the cable car is running free, right after his father told him that Olsen was busy cutting the cable.
- Each of the Thunderbird ships has an area to store the boys' uniforms, but apparently they also have space for tuxedos, just in case the boys need to rescue femme fatales in swanky hotels and nightclubs.
- Is it, or isn't it: Virgil and Lady Penelope get to exchange "come hither" glances as they relax to the music of a heartsick Cass Carnaby, while Alan and Tin-Tin do the same on the balcony.
- Lucky for Parker he had his brolly with him as he fell hundreds of feet from the top of the cable car. (And we thought that trick only worked for nannies)!
26. Security Hazard
Thunderbirds 1 and 2 sit unguarded in a field while the Tracy boys are helping fight a refinery fire. Chip, a local boy, sneaks aboard Thunderbird 2 and stows away to Tracy Island. Getting Chip home - without compromising International Rescue security - becomes the mission of the day.
- Due to the amount of time it took to film "Attack Of The Alligators" and "The Cham Cham," this episode was suggested because it mainly makes use of footage from four earlier episodes. Because those shows were originally shot as half-hour episodes, it was easy to edit them to retell the tales by merely adding a few new sequences as framework.
- John Tracy is neither seen nor heard in "Security Hazard," but he does rate a mention by big brother Scott.
- Christine Finn and Sylvia Anderson performed the voices of all of the children in the "Thunderbird" series. Interesting that all of the kids involved in the stories were boys!
- Not long after the completion of Thunderbird 5, John began a project with growing food in artificial soil onboard the satellite. This allows him to have a continuous source of fresh vegetables and herbs while in space.
- As was customary for the time, the ships with rockets were lined with Asbestos to avoid them catching fire.
- As Alan could surely tell you, Tin-Tin's name is a Malaysian word for "sweet."
- Some of the rocket launch sounds were recorded at a military airfield near the studio.
- The Hood looks bigger and decidedly menacing compared to the other characters in "Thunderbirds" because he is! His head and hands were made to be bigger than the standard sizes used for the other males.
- Painted vacuum cleaner hoses and HO scale model train tracks can be seen as set decoration in the hangar bays of the various Thunderbird crafts.
- Alan Tracy has no fear of heights or speed, but it's apparent from his remarks about not sharing his life with his lady love that he's afraid of commitment!
- To get an aerial perspective in some scenes, the sets were placed on the floor of the studio and shot from high above on a platform.
- The "Thunderbirds" production unit was divided in two to allow for simultaneous shooting of footage for the program, much like what is done with second unit work all over the film industry.
- A statuette from Wilbur Dandridge's Gazelle Automations is seen on the ledge behind Chip's bed.
- A "rolling sky" was developed to allow for lengthy scenes of the ships flying to their destinations.
- The first character to utter the code phrase "F.A.B." in the series was Lady Penelope in "Trapped In The Sky."
- As with so many other aspects of life, men and women tend to focus on different aspects of "Thunderbirds." Men tend to love the equipment and the big explosions, but while women may enjoy those elements, they also focus heavily on the personal relationships between the characters.
- Gordon must be a rock n' roller: he's quite often seen in blue suede shoes.
- The scene in which Virgil backs Thunderbird 2 into the hangar is relatively rare in this series, as is the fact that there is no background music being played at the time.
- Jeff has a fit about Chip being a security risk and having seen the Tracys' faces, even though he has already invited the Williams brothers to the island and shown them everything on the base.
- "Security Hazard" is a great showcase for the bravery and ingenuity of the Tracy brothers. It gives these heroes a chance to be applauded for the risks they have taken and lives they have saved, and in the process it reminds the viewers that they are suitably proud of their accomplishments.
- Scott's hobbies are reading, all types of sports and games, and playing guitar. When he's able to, he loves to travel, getting a chance to enjoy some of the places where rescue calls have taken him.
- John's head was the first of the brothers to be sculpted and there's a noticeable difference because of that: unlike all of the other marionettes, his eyes do not have obvious, heavy underlids. (They are just barely visible from the right angle and lighting).
- When Scott goes into a Jeff-like rant, he takes on the persona of "Dad Lite!"
- The vision of Alan, Gordon, Scott and Virgil sneaking a peek at their dad through the room divider gives viewers an idea of what they might have been like as children. (Note the hands on each others' shoulders in brotherly fashion).
- The globe in Chip's room is upside down, with the southern tip of Africa pointing north.
- The only pet ever seen on Tracy Island is the pygmie alligator which Tin-Tin gives to Alan. There were pets featured in previous shows that the Anderson's produced, including Mitch The Monkey from "Stingray."
27. Atlantic Inferno
With Jeff on vacation, Scott is left in charge. When a World Navy training exercise goes awry, an offshore gas rig is threatened with destruction and Scott has a series of difficult decisions to make.
- This episode is the first of the "second season" of "Thunderbirds;" the date on the title card changes to "1966." The series was briefly renewed for six episodes before being canceled by Lord Lew Grade. It is said that the lack of sales to the U.S. market caused this, yet "Thunderbirds" wass eventually aired in the U.S. in 1967.
- One of the most popular episodes of the series, "Atlantic Inferno" details the family dynamics within the Tracy household, the core of International Rescue. It allows the "boys" to be themselves and prove that they are truly the men who are the strength of the organization.
- New marionettes made for the film "Thunderbirds Are Go" are seen for the first time in the series. They sport more refined faces and new "civilian" outfits; they are noticeably more baby-faced and youthful-looking than their predecessors.
- Down on Lady Penelope's ranch in Bonga Bonga, Australia, she actually attempts to count her 200,007 sheep... with an electric meter which only displays 5 characters.
- Virgil Tracy must be ambidextrous: He's seen painting with his right hand in this story, while back in "Move And You're Dead" he was seen painting with his left hand.
- Both Gordon and John Tracy are left-handed. Gordon is seen writing with his left hand in "The Uninvited," and John nearly always uses his left hand for holding the microphone or his clipboard and for pushing buttons to operate equipment.
- Lady Penelope's wall portrait and those of the Tracy boys were all changed in the series as of this episode to match the sets from their first theatrical film.
- Scott also stays home for "The Atlantic Inferno," but he is an active participant in organizing the rescue, as Jeff is away on holiday.
- Because voice actor David Holliday was "unavailable" at the time of recording, Jeremy Wilkin became the voice of Virgil Tracy for the final six episodes.
- Poor John puts his foot in it again by suggesting that it was time for Jeff to have a rest! Jeff's grunt in response guarantees that John will be spending a lot of time in space for the foreseeable future...or at least through the end of the series!
- Jeff is seen flying his spiffy private VTOL jet, as in Vertical Take Off and Landing, that is.
- A nervous Scott calls John several times as he takes command of International Rescue in his dad's absence. A surprised John must be wondering if his brother thinks he's suddenly become clairvoyant and can predict the next disaster. Must have been a nice change to have someone call up there merely to inquire about his health, though.
- John loses his handsome boyish curl to a cruel stylist and spends the rest of the series with his hair brushed unattractively flat.
- Thunderbird 5's tranquil blue interior becomes amber and gold in this episode. It also was outfitted with new furniture and a curious-looking free-standing atomic hotdog grill in the middle of the Communications Deck. (Just kidding. There's no official explanation for what that thing is!)
- Also aboard the satellite, John's room was altered completely with a new radio console and microphone placed directly next to his bed... all to insure that he'll never get away from those voices coming from every speaker in the place.
- Lady Penelope obviously anticipates a long and interesting evening: she's seen freshening her make-up as Jeff calls Scott to announce his arrival at Penny's ranch.
- Fresh from the theatrical "Thunderbirds" project, Thunderbird 2's familiar red steering wheel was replaced with a larger white mechanism. Scott's pilot seat in Thunderbird 1 was refitted with a wrap-around microphone and more high-tech details in the cockpit.
- Each of the characters were fitted with mohair wigs (save Lady Penelope, who had a real human hair wig). Unfortunately, the hot lights of the studio eventually caused the original wigs to dry out and disintegrate.
- Jeff chastises Scott by reminding him that I.R. is "not dealing with chances," yet he's previously stated that if he's made aware of a situation which anticipates a disaster, he's all for intervening!
- Deathwish logic: A column slips on the Seascape drilling rig and there are tidal waves washing all around it, so O'Shea and Hooper go down in a diving sphere and are, of course, trapped under the ocean, just as they are due to be airlifted off of the rig anyway.
- South Pacific Java Joint: As seen throughout the series, coffee is apparently the answer to any problem on Tracy Island.
- In episodes like "Atlantic Inferno," there is a marked difference in how missions are led which began as far back as "Danger At Ocean Deep." The boys don't wait to be told what to do, with Scott or Virgil often designating which pod they'll need. Having had a little taste of freedom in this story...they run with it!
- Sylvia's screen credit changes from "Character Visualization" to the more descriptive "Characters Created By...." as was her due.
- While lounging on her patio, Penny is seen reading a suspense novel called "The Day Of The Herbivores!"
- Artist Frank Bellamy drew the enormously popular series of "Thunderbirds" comics of the 1960s, continuing the tales of International Rescue. John Theydon, among others, allowed us to follow their adventures in novel form.
28. Path Of Destruction
The crew of a giant Crablogger is incapacitated by food poisoning, and the massive, nuclear-powered machine is out of control in a Mexican forest, blazing a trail of destruction through the town of San Martino and heading for a nearby dam.
- In a clear case of "science gone too far," the Crablogger -- a super-scary tree chopper on a computerized preprogrammed path for road-clearing -- goes running amok because of the crew's multiple cases of food poisoning. (Montezuma's Revenge, anyone?)
- The Crablogger defoliates all right, but strangely enough tree stumps are seen all along its path, but to either side of the machine!
- This episode teaches a very important lesson: Always inspect the kitchen before ordering the "special!" (It may not be so special after all!)
- In another case of predating popular notions, this story points to concerns about the defoliation of the rain forests of South America long before this became a commonly discussed subject matter.
- By now, viewers should have noticed that practically every piece of engineering in "Thunderbirds" has an atomic reactor!
- The key shots for the launches of the Thunderbirds machines were only filmed once or twice and then reused throughout the series. The editors said they got tired of seeing the same shots over and over, but they later realized that the fans considered the launch sequences to be an essential part of any episode.
- The call to International Rescue in this episode was a case of Ray Barrett talking to... Ray Barrett, as he voiced both John Tracy and Jensen.
- Jeff makes Tin-Tin get up to call the guys instead of using the intercom, just as Scott gets Brains to run about to "call the boys" in "Atlantic Inferno." Why wire the house when every time someone's needed... it involves a walk?
- Lady Penelope, for all of her "cool" and cleverness, seems a bit more calculating delivering a line like "Business or pleasure?" to Jeff!
- In lieu of her compact and her tea pot, Penny can always rely on reaching Jeff through her trusty candelabra!
- It's hard to decide what's scarier: the meal served up at the restaurant and the kitchen it came from, or Brains's test pattern-like sweater!
- As Thunderbird 2 tilts to launch, a flap automatically opens up behind it to catch the afterburn of the engines. This is so not to have the burn visible from the air which would be a tip-off of a large I.R.-type aircraft having used the runway. And, of course, they also do this to protect ruining the runway.
- Presumably, it's Brains who invented the gun Parker uses which shoots a beam that hypnotizes in the same manner that The Hood's eyes do. However, this is again a one-use device which is not seen again.
- We see each pod used at some point during the series, but Pod 3's components change dramatically between usage. This is mainly because it's stock footage being used for the loading sequence. On several occasions, the pod that's dropped at the rescue site has a different number than what was loaded in the pod bay!
- One of the biggest mysteries seen during the course of the series is how the boys manage to keep those hats on in the most hazardous and inclement conditions. And why does John bother wearing his when the only one who ever sees him is Jeff?
- Jensen is seen wearing the exact same blue safari-like outfit that Brains wears in "Desperate Intruder."
- Those al fresco table and chair sets from the Cafe Atalante in Paris make another appearance outside the home of Jim Lucas.
- The Andersons and company knew early on that a large part of their audience were adult viewers; the show was a favorite with families. Bits like Jim Lucas making a pass at Lady Penelope just as she's sending him off to sleep or his being silly enough to mention "that girl in the bedroom" to his wife constitute a clever nod and a wink to the young-at-heart.
- Need For Speed: The runaway Crablogger has far too much of a lead on Scott for him to be able to catch up to it in the Superon tank in two minutes flat, but it's International Rescue, so viewers expect results!
- In a show of the attention to detail, the "live" version of Virgil's hands look as if they've indeed been doing laser carving and a lot of dirty work.
- As Jim Lucas reads the World News, a few other stories pop out at the viewer: "Boy Charged With Murder" and "Jet Lands Minus One Wheel."
- Mrs. Lucas is seen wearing the same violet dressing gown previously seen on Lady Penelope.
- Penny's pink mobile phone predates the common usage of such things today, as does her micro-recorder. Suitably so, there is currently a face plate available for cellular telephones featuring... Lady Penelope and Parker!
- Oops: Neither Virgil nor Brains disconnected the hoses used to pump the Superon fuel into the tanker Scott is driving, so theoretically, it should have been pulled down into the ravine with the Crablogger.
29. Alias Mr. Hackenbacker
Lady Penelope is in Paris to help designer François Lemaire with his latest fashion show. When she discovers that he is being spied on, she suggests that the event move aboard Skythrust, a new plane designed by Brains. But his rivals are ready, and the high-flying show comes to earth with a crash.
- The moniker "Hiram K. Hackenbacker" is not, as is commonly assumed, Brains's real name. It is simply chosen here for its outlandish nature (and it's just fun to say!). His other well-known moniker is "Mr. X" from "Thunderbird 6."
- The footage of the D103 experiencing the undercart failure is from old footage (in the context of the story) and presumably predates the existence of International Rescue.
- Either Brains's sunglasses are Polarized, a style popular around the time of the production of the show, or he's just really sold on those Elton John style frames!
- The state-of-the-art advances which Brains brings to Skythrust help make a name for himself outside of the secrecy of International Rescue. This leads to the expectations of him seen in "Thunderbird 6."
- To get the effect of tiles bolted onto the outside of the various Thunderbirds crafts, a #2 soft lead pencil was used to draw the tiles and then smudged to create the effects of wear.
- Tin-Tin often acts as Brains's assistant in the lab, but on several occasions the two cooperate on field missions as well.
- The puppeteers show a real sense of human qualities in these characters as they consider body language and how that communicates feeling to their viewers. Note Virgil's hand on Tin-Tin's shoulder... hmmmmmm!
- Set designers took great pains to create the convincing-looking rooftops of Paris viewpoint, a luxury that was only affordable due to their expanded budget as the popularity of the series grew.
- Interesting that a Frenchman -- François Lemiere -- mispronounces "ensemble" the first time it appears in the script!
- Unfortunately, no one has managed to copy Monsieur Lemiere's formula for "Penelon" in reality, despite all of the espionage efforts in the story.
- The official International Rescue emblem features an outstretched hand over a view of the Earth with the initials "I.R." featured in red.
- The folding palms on the runway on Tracy Island were made from wood and paper, then painted for effect.
- The two cannisters carried on the belts of each of the Tracy brothers are any of several types of interchangeable clips that fit onto their guns.
- "Diedre" was last seen as the make-up girl on the set of "Martian Invasion."
- Gold-colored telephone units left over from "Thunderbirds Are Go" are seen in use instead of the red video-phone units from earlier in the series.
- Grandma's Blue Willow tea set turns up again, this time at the Cafe Atalante. Funny thing about that, too, because they switch tea pots on us: one with a traditional pattern for long shots, and then the fancier Royal Doulton pattern for the close-ups showing the concealed transmitter. (And they thought we wouldn't notice...)
- Cannisters just like The Hood's auto-bomb can be seen in the control cabin during the inaugural flight of the Skythrust.
- The fashion show, though set 100 years in the future, is perfect for the age of the "jet set" of the 1960s.
- Each of the Tracy boys wears a matching International Rescue hat which sports piping with their unique sash color and an official "I.R." logo patch that is silver lettering on a black oval.
- Mr. Contradiction: Jeff has stated in the past that I.R. doesn't get involved with politics or police work, yet he sends Thunderbird 2 in after the two noted criminals, Ross and Collins. He just can't make up his mind.
- At London Airport, the now familiar BAOC symbol on the building is reminiscent of the BOAC lettering commonly found at airports of the time. British Overseas Air was a popular carrier in and out of Britain in the '60s.
- While Brains's ingenious method of removing the fuel tank from the plane obviously saves a disaster from happening, the fact that the undercart won't drop would just as likely still cause a major fire (as it did) and possible death and injuries to the plane's passengers. But he's getting there.
- Curiouser And Curiouser: Brains seems to finally be acting on his feelings for Tin-Tin, yet after a year's worth of programs he still can't pronounce her last name. (Maybe he thinks the champagne will help.)
30. Lord Parker's 'Oliday
On holiday in Italy, Lady Penelope and Parker find themselves in a hot spot. The solar dish that provides Monte Bianco with electricity is toppled in an electrical storm -- and its powerful reflector ends up aimed directly at the town. If it can't be moved before sunrise, Monte Bianco will burn down.
- As with earlier episodes, the series again focuses on the exciting New Frontier verve of the early/mid-1960s and projects this 100 years into the future by exploring new methods of acquiring energy, in this case, solar.
- Though the rigid class structure of English society was slowly but surely changing during the '60s, it is very evident in this episode. Lady Penelope visibly bristles with the notion of Parker getting above himself by elevating himself to the title of "Lord."
- Tin-Tin is seen wearing an International Rescue uniform during her first mission in "Sunprobe," but unlike the male agents, her outfit has no sash.
- Along the same lines of class structure, it is always evident that while Parker may know his place as compared to Lady Penelope, he always sees others in servile roles as being beneath him and treats them rather shabbily.
- Again, we see a case of "science gone too far," yet the only person to note this with a real sense of dread is Bruno, whose mantra, "It will be a great disaster" holds true, of course.
- The sashes the Tracy boys wear were made of leather and painted their unique colors.
- Jeff Tracy was modeled on Canadian actor Lorne Greene, famous for his portrayal of patriarch Ben Cartwright on TV's "Bonanza."
- On the window of Thunderbird 5's communications room, the name "International Rescue" reads correctly only from inside; from outside, it would be seen as backward.
- As with their hair color, the Tracy boys are a mix of their father and mother's appearances: Alan, John and Scott's eyes are blue; Virgil and Gordon have brown eyes.
- A difference in the waistlines of the male leads is what accounts for the varying appearance in height among them. Thus, Scott and John are taller than Virgil, Alan and Gordon.
- Gordon and Alan's bodies are built to look more dense than their older brothers; their legs are thicker and their waistlines lower. This is otherwise known as... baby fat!
- In the episode "Vault Of Death," Ray Barrett interpreted the Lovegrove character by voicing him as a likeness of Sir John Gielgud.
- Brains continually hints that he'd like to be in Monte Bianco for the experiment, but Jeff, true to form, ignores him, just as he treats him in "Thunderbird 6" when he refuses to allow him to see the launch of his airship design.
- Built rather more thin and slight compared to his brothers, the lithe and graceful John Tracy is gifted with a sense of poise inherited from his late mother, Lucy.
- Often seen in the series, the London Heliport was made of sections from a set from Marineville as seen in the series "Stingray."
- Each of the Tracy boys wears matching uniforms with distinctive sash colors: blue (Scott), yellow (Virgil), lilac (John), orange (Gordon) and white (Alan).
- Cass Carnaby ("The Cham Cham") is seen playing in the piano lounge in the dining room of the hotel, but apparently he's gone solo as his band are nowhere in sight!
- Alan's feelings about Brains as a member of the team seem to come full-circle from his unkind comment "I just don't dig him" back in "Sunprobe" to a real sense of respect shown toward him here.
- Penny gets a rare chance to use the hydrofoils on FAB 1 in this episode; she was fresh from having used them in "Thunderbirds Are Go."
- Showing a growing sense of respect for the efforts of his son, Jeff gives Virgil the lead role on this rescue, even though he states several times that he has misgivings about the mission.
- Brains was only ever seen in an International Rescue uniform once, during the film "Thunderbird 6." His I.R. sash color is brown.
- Brains's unerring judgment and wisdom in all matters of technology have made him an indispensable member of International Rescue. Unfortunately, that importance to the organization tends to cost him a lot of his freedom.
- There are publicity photos of Jeff Tracy wearing an International Rescue uniform in support of a charity drive, but he never did this during the series. The sash he's seen wearing in the photos belongs to Brains.
- Though he realizes that his function is critical to the team, John Tracy still feels less a true part of things because of his isolation in Thunderbird 5. To his frustration, even Brains has been on more rescue missions than he has. We are told that John has participated in around 12 missions (counting the Ocean Pioneer II rescue), yet that's the only one seen on screen.
31. Ricochet
When a rogue missle is exploded in space, the detonation damanges KLA, a pirate television station. As KLA's orbit deteriorates, its staff broadcasts a plea for help. Unfortunately, Thunderbird 5's sensors are temporarily disabled. Will International Rescue be able to respond in time?
- Alan's easily-raised jealousy picks a new target: the quintessential mile-a-minute talking D.J. of the mid-60s (2060s, that is!)... Mr. Rick O'Shea.
- As they work feverishly on the upgrade to Thunderbird 5, John and Gordon meld into one Tracy: John's mouth moves...but it's Gordon's voice which comes out. This makes John the only character to have three different voice actors: David Graham (in this episode only), Ray Barrett (the rest of the series and "Thunderbirds Are Go") and Keith Alexander ("Thunderbird 6").
- The flaps and underside of Thunderbird 2 feature the number "2" and the designation "T2" on the port wing.
- The song heard at the episode's end, "Flying High," was originally written to be heard over the closing credits during the series, but thankfully the decision was made to use Barry Gray's stirring march instead.
- As a precaution should it be necessary, all of the Tracy boys can pilot all of the main crafts, hence we see Virgil in his one and only outing as an astronaut in Thunderbird 3. He's seen flying into space in the comics of the 1960's, though, in a refitted Thunderbird 2.
- While the famous catch phrase "F.A.B." didn't really mean anything more than "message received," Stingray's phrase "P.W.O.R" meant "Proceeding With Orders Received" and Captain Scarlet's "S.I.G." meant "Spectrum Is Green."
- Earlier Thunderbirds episodes were shot on a budget of around £22,000 each, but with the success of the series the budget shot up to £40,000 per episode.
- Bicycle lamps bought at a local store near the Slough studios were used for the headlights on FAB 1.
- There were two characters in the series with the same name: Richard (Rick) O'Shea in this episode and Richard (Dick) O'Shea in "Atlantic Inferno."
- Lady Penelope's family are famous for the many priceless jewels they have collected over the years, but her ancestors have also been appreciative of fine art and have gathered many rare, museum-quality pieces.
- Some of the lyrics to "Flying High," including "...feeling high as Thunderbird 5..." were too easily interpreted to have a broader, less innocent meaning. Beyond that, the line was rather silly in the context of the series since no one outside of International Rescue was supposed to know that the satellite was even up there!
- Thunderbird 1 is highly identifiable even though no picture has been printed of it. It has the designation "TB1" on all sides of the ship and "Thunderbird 1" stenciled along the top side of the fuselage.
- Also heard on O'Shea's show is a song by Michelle And The Asteroids; it's actually a reworked version of a tune from the episode "The Man From M.I. 5."
- In keeping with the explosive nature of the series, what could be more natural than a falling space projectile and a huge refinery right in its path...?!
- Tin-Tin and Virgil aren't too far apart, musically-speaking. After all, they both loved the tune "Dangerous Game," but just at different tempos.
- The distinctive pink Rolls Royce, FAB 1, sadly meets an untimely end as Skyship One bites the dust, crashing to the ground in "Thunderbird 6."
- Many letters were received by the producers of the series asking when Alan and Tin-Tin were to be wed, but Alan is adamant in "Thunderbird 6" that he wouldn't be down on one knee before Tin-Tin anytime soon.
- This is the only story within the second season of the series in which neither Penelope or Parker appear.
- Station KLA was inspired by the popularity of off-shore pirate radio stations in the U.K., such as Radio Caroline.
- Lady Penelope and Parker had become so popular during the run of the series that they starred off-screen in numerous comics and annuals published in the U.K., Europe and Australia.
- Jeff may sound rather sanctimonious as he rambles on about rogue satellites with his own cloaked ship floating above Earth, but I.R.'s commander-in-chief received official permission to launch his "ears-in-the-sky" and it is registered with International Space Control.
- The set for the ISC building was used in both "Cry Wolf" and "The Impostors" as satellite headquarters.
- Unlike "F.A.B.," Tin-Tin's cute teenage-like hyperbole "minty" does not catch on as the catch-phrase of the "Thunderbirds" generation!
- If there are any bets that Alan doesn't enjoy having trounced the object of Tin-Tin's girlish affections, his expression at the finale is a dead giveaway!
32. Give Or Take A Million
International Rescue is working with the Coralville Children's Hospital to raise money for the hospital's new solartherapy wing. Meanwhile, a pair of bank robbers have decided taking is better than giving or receiving, and Brains is working on a way to give Tracy Island a white Christmas
- Strangely, while the events of earlier episodes were supposed to have transpired in the year 2065, a calendar on Tracy Island in this episode indicates that it's Christmas of 2026. Gerry Anderson and series writer Alan Fennell have both mentioned that this was a mistake; the series takes place in 2065.
- Virgil is meant to be leaving Tracy Island in the dead of night to fly to Coralville, Florida, yet Thunderbird 2 takes off in daylight. (That stock footage gets them every time!)
- There is nothing aerodynamic about the forward slanted wings of Thunderbird 2; they're just angled that way because it looks cool!
- The dreamy, lush, tropical Tracy Island was actually carved from Styrofoam!
- The Mars Explorer Vehicle seen in "Thunderbirds Are Go" is also seen in the series "Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons."
- Like his father, Virgil loves a good cigar, particularly of the Cuban variety. (Apparently there is no embargo against Cuba in 2065.)
- In the film "Thunderbirds Are Go," the voice of Zero X crewman Brad Newman was played by popular British TV game host Bob Monkhouse.
- During its original run, "Thunderbirds" was shown in over 60 countries, including nations throughout Asia, Africa and South America.
- Alan studied space technology at Colorado University. He also served with the World Space Patrol out of Space City on the shuttle missions to the moon bases built 20 years before by his father's team of engineers.
- When Nicky gets his own I.R. uniform, he gets a sash to match Virgil's. That happened to be the same color chosen for the I.R. replica uniforms sold for little rescue agents in Britain during the height of popularity of the show.
- The Thunderbirds crafts were so named in honor of the flying squadron whose airfield neighbored Falcon Field, the one on which Gerry Anderson's elder brother trained with the R.A.F. during World War II.
- Early on, "Thunderbirds" was translated into French and Hindi; it was eventually also translated into Gaelic for Scotland broadcasts.
- Some publicity photos were once circulated with pictures of a miniature Thunderbird 1 posed as if leaving Tracy Island with the wings spread. Any regular viewer knows that Thunderbird 1's wings only open when in horizontal flight -- never on vertical take off. (How else would it clear the pool?)
- Jeff again flip-flops on the security issue, but at least it's for the sake of charity this time.
- Alan's need for speed has helped him to win the Grand Prix several years in a row.
- Imai Toys of Japan have created enough models of the various Thunderbirds vehicles over the years to outfit hundreds of armies of rescue agents!
- Between Tin-Tin and Alan, one rule never fails: The sunglasses get more outrageous as the series goes on!
- Writer Alan Pattillo noticeably went with the American "Merry Christmas" and "Santa Claus" versus "Happy Christmas" and "Father Christmas" more common in Britain.
- Harman's Store carried the latest in popular TV character toys: on the shelves can be seen a plush toy Donald Duck, a Fred Flintstone play set and a Yogi Bear bank.
- Virgil's "angry" face serves a perfect purpose here, to illustrate his determination when it comes to the safety of his family and friends.
- Not to throw a damper on a good ol' fashion Christmas story, but the crooks would have more than likely frozen to death on the rocket ride... that is, if they hadn't suffocated first. The rocket was neither pressurized nor insulated for human passengers. But the g-force knocks them out, so all is forgiven.
- There's a trail of black smoke from an unknown source floating above the rocket as it overflies Coralville.
- While they have everything else going for them, neither Lady Penelope nor the Tracy brothers can sing!
- Gerry Anderson carries a grudge about the John Tracy puppet to this day because Sylvia request it be modeled on her friend, Adam Faith. A recent interview with him revealed that, should he have a chance to produce another "Thunderbirds" series, he would eliminate the character. It is said he detested the marionette so much that he banished him to Thunderbird 5 for the duration of the show.
- Weird science or not: The sight of snow on Tracy Island (in the South Pacific)is cool! And it's a lovely way to end a great series!
- The Tracys lament that they can't have a "White Christmas," but as they live in the South Pacific, even Brains's super-scientific snow won't last long: It's summer there (in the southern hemisphere) in December!
Unofficial episodes: Documentaries
Brains Behind Thunderbirds
Get the inside scoop on "Thunderbirds" from the ultimate authority - Brains. Filled with classic clips and unforgettable moments, this brand-new program introduces the incredible Thunderbirds vehicles, the Tracy family, the other members of the International Rescue team and their nemesis - the evil Hood.
The Making of Thunderbirds
Filmed in 1965, this rearely-seen black and white documentary goes behind the scenes with Gerry Anderson, exposing the secrets of Super-Mationation, getting a close-up look at the mighty Thunderbirds machines and showing how the sensational special effects were accomplished. Exclusive clips and interviws with the production crew make this a fascinating treat for "Thunderbirds" fans.
13.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Movies
Two "Thunderbirds" motion pictures were made in the 1960s by 21st Century Productions, with distribution by MGM/UA.
Feature Movies Release Date Title 12-Dec-1966 Thunderbirds Are Go 29-Jul-1968 Thunderbird 6
Sir Lew Grade of ITC made the suggestion to Gerry Anderson to take "Thunderbirds" to the big screen. The result: "Thunderbirds Are Go!" The production budget was set at 250,000 pounds and began in 1966. The movie premiered at the London Pavilion, Picadilly Circus on Monday, 12 December 1966. The media gave positive reports, primarily citing the technical merits and the special effects. However, despite the glitz and glamour of opening night, the Christmas release date and the positive press, the movie performed poorly at the box office. Gerry Anderson has never been able to understand why the movie failed in such a way.
The film "Thunderbirds Are Go" was not officially released in the U.S. until 30 years after its British premiere; MGM/UA issued it on video. It has, however, had arthouse and Saturday matinee screenings in some cities.
13.1 Thunderbirds Are Go plot synopsis/tidbits
"Thunderbirds Are Go!" told of the first manned space mission to Mars and the perils faced prior to the successful launch of the spacecraft Zero-X, as well as the dangers encountered on Mars and the craft's return to Earth. "STREAK THROUGH UNCHARTED WORLDS OF ADVENTURE!" was one of the marketing taglines. Gerry explains, "Believability was always my aim, no matter how outrageous or bizarre the story lines might appear. At that time, in the Sixties, there was a general feeling that the planets were just within our grasp. And, of all the planets, the one most people thought might possibly sustain life was Mars."
Classic "Thunderbirds" special effects supervisor Derek Meddings also worked on "Thunderbirds Are Go!". Many of the effects were more complex than anything previously produced, including within the TV series. The Zero-X spacecraft model, for example, measured 7 feet/ 2.13 meters in length, weighed 50 lbs./ 23 kg. and took two months to construct. Yet, the destruction sequence took just two days to film. (A Cortex explosive, along with naptha, gunpowder, magnesium and petrol gels, were used to create a convincing fireball.)
13.2 Thunderbird 6 plot synopsis/tidbits
"DOUBLE-CROSS... DOUBLE DANGER... TRIPLE THRILLS!"
"Stand by for another action-packed adventure of the amazing International Rescue team! There's excitement, mystery and thrills ahead as the world-famous electronic puppets are faced with a plot to steal their fabulous fleet of rescue craft."
The trouble begins when Rescue Team member Alan Tracy sets out on a holiday with Lady Penelope, Parker and Tin-Tin. Once aboard Skyship One, they discover that their quarters are bugged. Operation ambush is under way, and Alan soon learns that a phony message has sent Thunderbirds One and Two, piloted by his brothers Scott and Virgil, flying straight into a trap in Casablanca! Back at International Rescue Headquarters, multi-millionaire Jeff Tracy and his assistant, Brains, are trying to develope a new Thunderbird craft to add to their impressive machinery. But this is put on hold when they must come up with a plan to avert disaster - fast! How will they rescue the hostages aboard Skyship One, save the Thunderbirds and bring the criminals to justice? You'll love finding out in every action-packed minute of this thrilling airborne adventure. So buckle up and take-off - with Thunderbird 6!
Despite the disappointment of "Thunderbirds Are Go!" at the box office Lew Grade and United Artists were game to commission a second movie, titled "Thunderbird 6." Production was run in parallel with the "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions" series with Gerry Anderson focusing primarily on the movie but keeping an overview of the production of the TV series. The "Thunderbird 6" script took three months to complete, the dialogue took six days to record, while the actual filming ran for 35 weeks. The best of the original "Thunderbirds" puppets were selected for the movie and given a quick sanding down, a re-paint and, in some cases, a re-wigging to smarten them up. The final budget was 300,000 pounds.
A full size FAB1 was also constructed at a cost of 11,000 pounds for promotion of the film and toured Britain accompanied by Lady Penelope look-alike, Penny Snow.
"Thunderbird 6" premiered on July 29 1968 at the Odeon Cinema, London, but again like the first movie, it performed poorly at the cinema - doing even worse than "Thunderbirds Are Go!" Once again, Gerry Anderson was at a loss to explain why simply saying, "Perhaps, at the time television was television and cinema was cinema. For some reason, we had produced a great success for television, but that success didn't translate to the big screen."
"Thunderbird 6" featured one of the most intricate shots ever produced for the Supermarionation series when Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 6, along with FAB1, travel in convoy. A set was specially constructed and ran the length of the Slough studio floor.
13.3 What happened to the voice of the original Virgil Tracy character within the movies? (Actor David Holliday)
David Holliday had departed from "Thunderbirds" TV production previously and was not asked to participate in the movies. The reason for the departure of voice artist David Holliday from the highly-successful "Thunderbirds" prior to the last six episodes of the series seems to be cloaked in mystery. Gerry Anderson says that Holliday asked that his contract be renegotiated between shooting blocks of "Thunderbirds" and wanted too much money and perks. Holliday admits he asked for his contract to be renegotiated but says it was because he was offered better paying work and wanted his duties restructured.
In any event, Holliday was released from his contract and actor Jeremy Wilkin (who later went on to provide voices in "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions", "Joe 90", and "The Secret Service" plus the Skydiver navigator in "UFO") took over the role of Virgil Tracy for the final block of "Thunderbirds" episodes and the two classic "Thunderbirds" movies. Holliday today is alive and well and living in the U.S., making a living primarily as a stage actor, especially in musicals.
13.4 What kind of craft was Thunderbird 6?
Thunderbird 6 was a yellow-colored Tiger Moth biplane which participated in the rescue mission during "Thunderbird 6." At the end of the film, Brains announces that it is Thunderbird 6. A "6" is seen (painted) on the rear fin.
13.5 Didn't the Thunderbird 6 production experience legal issues?
Yes. A puppet-size model of Thunderbird 6 was made along with several radio controlled models and shots of these were integrated with the actual flying scenes of a real Tiger Moth aircraft. Joan Hughes, an experienced pilot who had flown in many movies prior to "Thunderbird 6" flew the flying sequences. During filming of one sequence on the newly constructed M40, Joan, along with Production Manager Norman Foster, were arrested after she flew under a bridge. Originally she was to taxi under the bridge, but crosswinds meant she had to keep flying just a foot or so above the ground. Gerry Anderson pleaded to the police that as Producer he should be charged instead. In the end, the jury acquitted them on all charges.
13.6 Were there other classic Thunderbirds movies?
Various classic "Thunderbirds" episodes were edited together as films and screened in TV syndication under the "Supermarionation Sci-Fi Theatre" title. The re-edited classic "Thunderbirds" TV movies are "Countdown to Disaster" (1981), "Thunderbirds in Outer Space" (1981) and "Thunderbirds to the Rescue" (1981). These movies are NOT related to "Thunderbirds Are Go" or "Thunderbird 6."
A live-action movie from Working Title and Universal debuts in 2004, too. It is unrelated to the classic Supermarionation-based series, as it uses human actors and represents a divergent "Thunderbirds" universe.
14.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Music
Barry Gray authored the music for "Thunderbirds." (More details forthcoming.)
14.1 Many Anderson shows have a vocal theme of some sort. Wasn't there one planned for Thunderbirds that wasn't used?
Yes. There were actually plans to replace the reprise of the "Thunderbirds" march over the end credits with a song called "Flying High." Cooler heads prevailed at the last minute and the song was not used during the credits. It does, however, make an appearance in the series' final episode, "Ricochet", on the pirate radio station run by deejay Rick O'Shea.
The lyrics to "Flying High", as heard in the episode "Ricochet", are as follows:
When you left me last night
I was low as a lead balloon
But when you rang me this morning
My heart jumped over the moon
So now I'm flying high
Just like those Thunderbirds men
Flying high
Now that we're together again
When you are not in my arms
I'm a long, long way from Heaven
But now you say that you love me
My heart is doing Mach Seven
So now I'm flying high
It's so wonderful to be alive
Flying high
Just as high as Thunderbird 5
What other music scores has John Barry created/conducted?
(Details forthcoming.)
15.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Syndication
In recent years, TechTV (U.S.) has re-broadcast the "Thunderbirds" episodes.
15.1 Why were the 1994 FOX Network (U.S.) airings cut to 30 minute episodes?
The one hour "Thunderbirds" episodes were edited down to 30 minute (half-hour) shows when aired on the FOX Network (U.S.) in 1994. New music, changed credits, and dialog tracks for its 1994 run on the U.S.-based FOX network has created various debates. In a letter widely circulated on USENET and the FAB-L mailing list, ITC claimed a number of reasons why "Thunderbirds" had to be cut down: Pressure from FOX's Standards and Practices to remove unsavory or inappropriate elements (drinking, smoking, subservient minorities, excessive violence); the short attention span of U.S. children made the hour-long format impractical; the sale in the mid-1980s of the ITC music libraries to U.S. pop star Michael Jackson meant the music and vocal tracks had to be edited out and redubbed with new voices and music; the credits after all the edits were made were simply inappropriate to the new show.
There is much evidence to the contrary to counter ITC's assertions that these were the reasons "Thunderbirds" was cut: Airings on The SCI-FI Channel (U.S.) cable network of "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions" (one of Anderson's most violent shows) and "Stingray" (where all the characters smoke and drink in several scenes) and the "Thunderbirds" films on the TNT cable network (U.S.), all of which also used the ITC music and vocal tracks, were left reasonably unmarked (cut only for time constraints and commercial breaks); much of the Anderson library, including "Thunderbirds", had run in their original format on the BBC only a year earlier and had been released on laserdisk in Japan, also in their original format; computer technology has made scene-editing to remove undesired elements almost embarrassingly easy, meaning cigarettes and wine glasses could have been looped out without much effort. There has been some debate on USENET and the FAB-L about whether the cutting for time compression of "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterions" and "Stingray" on the SCI-FI Channel does not qualify as "editing", which is why SFC is able to get away with running the episodes with their original tracks, versus FOX's desire for more substantial edits creating "new use" of the footage that meant the vocal tracks had to be removed; much of that debate, however, is pure speculation. More than likely, the decision was a business one, done to maximize profits, and we shall never know the true reasons behind the dramatic editing done to "Thunderbirds."
By the way, the FOX editing was not the last editing done to "Thunderbirds" to "bring it to a new generation," as ITC has repeatedly excused its cuts of the series. A completely reworked version of the FOX edits was made for the "Amazin' Adventures" syndicated package of childrens shows running on affiliates of the U.S.-based United Paramount Network (UPN). The new version, which includes live-action footage of two teens at "Hacker Command" (a.k.a. Thunderbird 5) "controlling" action in "Thunder-World", is called "Turbocharged Thunderbirds" and began running in late 1994 and was withdrawn from syndication in mid-1995. Of considerable interest in the "Turbocharged Thunderbirds" version is the inclusion of some of the footage FOX found objectionable, particularly puppets smoking and some rather violent explosions.
16.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Toys and Merchandise
(Further details are forthcoming.)
Simple High Speed Elevator Car kits were included with Bandai and Imai's standard Thunderbird 2 model kits first available during the 1960s and then reissued in the 1980s and 1990s. A more sophisticated model kit was available as a Furuta Thunderbirds Part 3 candy premium. Toy versions were included with Bandai's recent DX Thunderbird 2, their boxed die cast metal TB2 with 11 pod vehicle gift set, and their "System Up" accessory set for the separately purchased die cast metal TB2.
Imai produced a crude spring powered model kit of the TB2-based Recovery Vehicle in the late 1960s which was later reissued during the 1980s and early 1990s. A tiny kit was included in a three piece Imai TB2 pod vehicle set and also in Imai's TB2 "Full Container" model kit. Another simple Recovery Vehicle kit was included as a sort of premium in one of Imai's larger TB2 model kits. Bandai, Furuta, and Morinaga of Japan produced premium model kits in authentic and deformed varieties which came with their candy products during the early 1990s. Bandai's DX Thunderbird 2 toy came with a small Recovery Vehicle toy and smaller versions came packed with Bandai's die cast TB2 gift set and the "System Up" package. Bandai also did at least one battery operated toy during the 1960s or early 1970s.
The Jet Mole had to be the favorite Thunderbird 2 pod vehicle of the Japanese hobbyists/fans. They call it the Jet Mogura! Several different sized model kits of the Jet Mole were produced in Japan as proper model kits and candy premium model kits over the years by Imai, Bandai, Morinaga, and Furuta. Bandai produced a die cast metal and plastic Jet Mole toy and a great battery operated DX Jet Mole during the early 1990s. Several different die cast metal and plastic Jet Mole toys were made in Japan by Bandai, Popy, and Grip during the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s.
A tiny transmitter truck kit was included in an Imai TB2 pod vehicle set and the same kit was incorporated into their TB2 "Full Container" kit. Bandai also included a small Transmitter Truck toy with their die cast TB2 gift set and the "System Up" accessory set.
A tiny Drilling and Crushing Excavator kit was included with Imai's Special/HGV Thunderbird 2 model kit. An even smaller and cruder version was included in one of Imai's pod vehicle model kit sets and was also in Imai's TB2 "Full Container" kit. A small but highly detailed toy was included in Bandai's die cast TB2 gift set and in the "System Up" accessory set.
Imai produced a very poor quality wind-up model kit of the Firefly. Bandai also provided a small slightly deformed rubber Firefly in their Thunderbirds The Best candy premium series. A tiny version was included in a Bandai TB2 pod vehicle set and also in the TB2 "Full Container" kit. Bandai included a nice little Firefly with their DX TB2 toy and also a much smaller version in their TB2 gift set and "System Up" set.
Many different toys and model kits have been available of TB4 over the years. Imai, Bandai, and Lincoln International did proper model kits during the 1960s, 1980s, and 1990s. Kelloggs, Smith's Crisps, Boots, Gurico, Bandai, Morinaga, and Furuta did premium kits during the 1960s and early 1990s. Bandai, Popy, Grip, J. Rosenthal, and Matchbox, did die cast metal and plastic TB4 toys during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Too many to list!
A small kit of the TB2 Rescue Pack Vehicle was included in an Imai pod vehicle kit and also in the TB2 "Full Container" kit. A small toy was included with Bandai's die cast TB2 gift set and also with their "System Up" accessory set.
Strangely enough, this pod vehicle was produced as a tiny pod vehicle by Imai to fit their standard TB2 kit. It was also included in their TB2 "Full Container" kit. A clockwork powered model was also produced by Imai as well as a larger battery operated version. Both were reissued as late as the early 1990s. A small toy version of the Excavator was included in the Bandai die cast TB2 gift set and also in the "System Up" accessory set. A completely fictional Thunderbirds pod vehicle was dreamed up by Imai in the form of the Thunderbird 7 model kit. This strange looking tracked vehicle appeared to be a missile launching platform. The kit was first produced in the late 1960s but was reissued recently. Another sort-of pod vehicle is the Thunderbird 6 Tigermoth biplane featured in the 1968 Thunderbirds 6 feature film. This was also produced in toy and model kit form in a variety of sizes by Imai and Bandai.
16.1 How popular have classic Thunderbirds toys been?
According to "Science Fiction and Fantasy Modeler" magazine correspondent Marc Frattasio, the popularity of "Thunderbirds" in the U.K. is best illustrated by at least one report in the London newspapers around 1990 that a sexual bribe was offered in return for the privilege of purchasing examples of the Matchbox "Thunderbirds" toys which were then in very limited availability in stores.
In another case, Sylvia Anderson reported that she was accosted while shopping by a clerk who wanted to know why she couldn't find a Tracy Island playset for her child!
In past years, some of the best-selling Christmas holiday presents in the U.K. have been Tracy Island toy set and "Thunderbirds" toy rescue ships. During the Halloween season, "Thunderbirds" character costumes are readily available.
16.2 What toy/model reference guides exist?
For the model builder, there are two modeling magazines that publish material about the Anderson models frequently. To find out more about these magazines, send a SASE or SAE and two IRCs to:
SCIENCE FICTION MODELER
Greg Martin, Publisher
15 Bovey Street
North Mackay, Queensland
4740
Australia
mred@(nospam)ozemail.com.au
SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY MODELER
Mike Recchia, Publisher
57 Lynwood Avenue
Clayton LeMoors
Near Accrington
Lancashire
BB5-5RR
United Kingdom
Japanese merchandising of Andersonalia is extensive. "Science Fiction and Fantasy Modeler" magazine writer Marc J. Frattasio lists the following books (written for the most part in Japanese) as "superb" sources:
- "Gerry Anderson and Thunderbirds" by Asahi-Sonorama
- "Thunderbirds Best Book" by Media Books
- "UFO Superguide" by Byakuya
- "Thunderbirds Superguide" by Byakuya
- "Thunderbirds and ITC Machine Library" by Dainihon
- "ITS Thunderbirds Century Modeling Manual" by Dainihon
- "ITS Thunderbirds Century Perfect Modeling Manual" by Dainihon
- "Thunderbirds The Official Edition" (actually the Japanese version of an English Gerry Anderson episode guide book by Boxtree)
- "Thunderbirds and International Rescue" by Model Art
- "Thunderbirds Entertainment Bible #1" by Bandai
- "Thunderbirds Entertainment Bible #2" by Bandai
- "Thunderbirds Encyclopedia" by Mook
We also recommend: "21st Century Visions: Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5, Supercar, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Secret Service, Joe 90, UFO" by Derek Meddings and Sam Mitchell. (Paperback - Dragon's World (U.K.) - 1993) (See also: Classic Thunderbirds - Current Availability)
17.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Special Appearances
The 1991 Dire Straits music video, "Calling Elvis," featured the "Thunderbirds" puppets and vehicles. Gerry Anderson co-produced the video, using the "Thunderbirds" puppets in non-speaking roles throughout the video--which, like most videos, had very little to do with the actual lyrics of the song.
"Thunderbirds" appeared on MTV in another video in 1990; FAB featuring M.C. Parker brought out a single called "Thunderbirds Are Go!" (Telstar Records/Thunda Music), a remix of the "Thunderbirds" theme and promoted on MTV through a clip using snippets from "Thunderbirds" episodes. In the same year the same company brought out an album called "Power Themes 90" which featured remixed versions of "Thunderbirds", "Joe 90", "UFO", "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons", "Space: 1999" and "Stingray" thrmes, plus those from a couple of non-Anderson related TV series. Other clips along the same lines were made for the "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons" remix ("The Mysterons Rap") and "Stingray" (the "Stingray" theme), but were never shown on MTV. The remixes were mostly done by Rod Anderson (no relation) and Jason Mayo, and both record covers sport imagery from various Anderson series.
One other "Thunderbirds" puppet has made a prominent television appearance in recent years: Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward appeared in a dream sequence in the British comedy "Absolutely Fabulous." Sylvia Anderson provided the voice for the puppet (the actual Lady Penelope puppet from "Thunderbirds Are Go") as a favor to old friend Jennifer Saunders, one of the show's creators and stars.
A 1990s-aired Australian Kit-Kat candy bar commercial features "Thunderbirds" Scott Tracy laying back in the seat of Thunderbird One snacking on a Kit-Kat bar as Jeff Tracy calls for a launch.
In 2002, various original "Thunderbirds" puppets, including Lady Penelope and Parker, were auctioned off. And "Thunderbirds" history was made on May 8, 2003 when the only remaining original head of John Tracy, used for the films "Thunderbirds Are Go" and "Thunderbird 6" sold for a record £37,600. Other puppet heads bought at the auction were an original head of Kyrano and that of pilot Virgil Tracy which sold for £11,750 and£18,800 respectively.
18.0 Classic Thunderbirds - Current Availability
Videos:
At the time of this writing, the following video products were commercially available:
All of the classic "Thunderbirds" episodes are available in DVD and VHS formats. In Region 1 (U.S./Canada), A&E Home Video is the licensee/distributor. In Region 2 (U.K./Europe), Carlton Visual Entertainment Ltd. has DVDs available.
The two movies, "Thunderbird 6" and "Thunderbirds Are Go!" are available on VHS video tape (NTSC format) in Region 1 from MGM/UA Studios. It is also available in the U.K. in both VHS (PAL format) and DVD formats from MGM Home Entertainment.
Television syndication:
In the U.S., the TechTV cable channel began rebroadcasting the show in 2001. In the U.K., from time to time, the BBC rebroadcasts the show. (No other information for other regions is known to the FAQ author.)
Books:
At the time of this writing, the following books were commercially available:
"Thunderbirds (Gerry Anderson) 2004 Calendar" - Slowdazzle (paper wall calendar - June 2003)
"Thunderbirds Secret Files: The Inside Story of International Rescue" - Chris Bentley, Graham Bleathman (Paperback - Carlton Books - September 2003)
"Complete Gerry Anderson" - Chris Bentley (Paperback - Reynolds and Hearn - 31 March 2003)
"The Complete Book of Thunderbirds" - Chris Bentley, Gerry Anderson (Introduction) (Paperback - Carlton Books (U.K.) - 28 July 2000)
"Supermarionation Cross-sections" - Graham Bleathman (Hardcover - Carlton Books - 30 September 2001)
"Thunderbirds FAB Cross-sections" - Graham Bleathman (Hardcover - Carlton Books - 28 July 2000)
"Lady Penelope's Secrets (Thunderbirds)" - Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward (Hardcover - Carlton Books - 14 March 2001)
"Yes, M'lady: A Personal Memoir" - Sylvia Anderson, Lord Grade (Introduction) (Paperback - Smith Gryphon - 4 November 1991)
"Thunderbirds Sticker Book" - (Unknown Binding - Carlton Books - 14 March 2001)
"Thunderbirds Bumper Storybook: The Uninvited / Brink of Disaster / Sun Probe / Atlantic Inferno" -
Dave Morris (Paperback - Carlton Books - January 2002)
"Thunderbirds: Colouring Book" - (Paperback - Carlton Books (U.K.) - 28 July 2000)
"Thunderbirds are Go!" - (Paperback - Pan Macmillan (U.S.) - 31 January 1992)
"Thunderbirds FAB Annual 2003" - Steve Cole (Paperback - Carlton Books - 2003)
"Thunderbirds FAB Annual 2004" - Steve Cole (Paperback - Carlton Books - 5 August 2002)
"Thunderbirds Classic Comics" - Graham Bleathman (Hardcover - Carlton Books - 2002)
"Thunderbirds Bumper Picture Storybook" - Sally Byford (Paperback - Carlton Books - August 2002)
"The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide" - ?? (?? binding - Reynolds & Hearn - April 2003)
"What Made Thunderbirds Go: The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson" - Marcus Hearn (Hardcover - BBC Publications -February 2003)
"Brain's Puzzle Book" - (Paperback - Carlton Books - 28 July 2000)
"21st Century Visions: Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5, Supercar, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Secret Service, Joe 90, UFO" by Derek Meddings and Sam Mitchell. (Paperback - Dragon's World (U.K.) - 1993)
"The Complete Gerry Anderson Episode Guide" - Adam Pirani (Paperback - Titan Books - 30 November 1989)
"Supermarionation Classics" - Dave Rogers, Gerry Anderson (Hardcover - Pan Macmillan - 15 September 1993)>
"Gerry Anderson's Fab Facts: Behind the Scenes of TV's Famous Adventures in the 21st Century" - Simon Archer (Paperback - HarperCollins (U.S.) - June 1994)
"The Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds Files/International Rescue" - John Peel (Textbook Binding - Borgo Pr - July 1986)
Adaptations of classic "Thunderbirds" episodes for children's books [assorted titles] - Sarah Byford (Paperback - Carlton Books - 2000)
Music:
At the time of this writing, the following music scores were commercially available:
"Thunderbirds" - Barry Gray (Audio CD - Silva America (U.S.) - 25 March 2003)
"Thunderbirds" - Barry Gray (Audio CD - Silva Screen (U.K.) - 24 February 2003)
"Thunderbirds & Other Top Sixties TV Themes, Volume 2" - [various] (Audio CD - Sequel (U.K.) - 1 June 1999)
"Theme to 'The Thunderbirds Are Go'" - Barry Gray (Audio CD - 10 August 1992)
"No Strings Attached: Themes from ATV Television Series" (Original Soundtrack Recordings) - Barry Gray (Composer), Joanne Brown (Performer), Sylvia Anderson (Performer) (Audio CD - Castle [Navarre] - 11 June 2002)
"No Strings Attached" - Barry Gray (Vinyl LP record - Cinephile (U.K.) - 1999)
"Thunderbirds Are Go - TV Themes for Grown-Up Kids" - [various] (Audio CD - Pulse - 5 February 1998)
"Gerry Anderson - Evocation" - [various] (Audio CD - Listen for Pleasure (U.K.) - 1 January 1999)
19.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Introduction
"Thunderbirds 2086" is a standalone series from ITC Entertainment Group Ltd. This 1982 television show is more of a tribute to the 1960s television series than a spin off. From the introduction:
"Mankind is ever-expanding the frontiers of technical superiority into areas unknown and uncharted. Each quest promises marvelous discoveries, but each also brings potential danger.
In direct response to the dangers of our advanced technology, we need an organization that is ready to mobilize dramatic survival resources at a moment's notice.
Conceptions in rescue that can challenge the impossible.
The Thunderbirds - five of the finest cadets in the world dedicated to the service of mankind wherever he may be in distress. Combined with a dazzling array of vehicles and equipment designed to specifications in the space-age technology of the 21st Century.
A special rescue squad ready to answer a last-chance distress call, a call that could arrive at any time at any disaster scene on or off this planet.
These are the Thunderbirds 2086!"
Animated and aired in Japan, it was titled "Scientific Rescue Team Technovoyager" (Kagaku kyujotai Technoboyjer), although retitled/dubbed "Thunderbirds 2086" for other regions. In Japan, the series ran April 1982 to September 1982. In the U.S., the series ran on the Showtime cable network and U.S. Prism cable network in 1983. In the U.K., the series debuted in 1986. Each self-contained (no cliffhanger) episode ran 30 minutes. A total of 24 episodes were created, although only 18 episodes aired outside of Japan. The remaining 6 were released on video within Japan.
Aside from the show's title and general set-up, there were no direct references to the original "Thunderbirds" series within "Thunderbirds 2086."
19.1 Who produced the series?
The show's producer was Banjiro Uemura. He was also the head of ITC Japan; ITC owned the original "Thunderbirds" series. The show was sold to ITC in the U.S. The U.S. version was produced by Robert Mandell. With the help of experienced voice director Peter Fernandez ("Speed Racer", "Marine Boy", "Star Blazers season 3"), was dubbed into English and retitled "Thunderbirds 2086."
19.2 Is the music different between U.S./U.K. and Japanese versions?
In the U.S./U.K. versions, some of the original music was removed and replaced with music from Barry Gray. (Gray composed the music for the original "Thunderbirds" series.) The series also featured Noboru Ishiguro as one of the directors and Kentaro Haneda as the series's music composer. Both gentlemen would also participate in the Japanimation sci-fi legend, "Macross."
19.3 When/why was the show canceled?
On 11 September 1982, the episode "Rapid Current - Niagara Dead Fighting!" (called "Star Crusher" in U.S./U.K.) was the last one broadcast in Japan, due to lackluster ratings. The U.S. airings followed in 1983 on the Showtime cable channel and U.S. Prism cable network, although no new episodes were produced. (Interestingly, Showtime had also aired other prior Gerry Anderson productions, such as "Joe 90" during the same period.) "Thunderbirds 2086" was less successful opposite such children-oriented cartoons, as Hasbro's "G.I. Joe" and Filmmation's "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe", when syndicated commercially in 1986 and 1987.
20.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Characters
The characters of "Thunderbirds 2086" were neither related, nor bore any resemblance to the Tracy family. Per the premise, in 2066, the World Federation was formed. Twenty years thereafter, a new rescue team known as the Thunderbirds would be used to combat disasters both on or off the Earth. The Thunderbirds operated under the authority of the International Rescue Organization. The core team is comprised of:
Dr. Warren Simpson (Gerard Simpson in the original Japanese version)
Simpson is the Caucasian, silver-haired commander of the Thunderbirds team. He does not participate in actual missions, akin to Jeff Tracy of the classic "Thunderbirds" series. Simpson orchestrates missions from the International Rescue Organization Arcology, the home base for the Thunderbirds team. His nephew, Skipper, resides on the base.
Dylan Beyda (Raiji Hidaka in the original Japanese version)
The black-haired Asia-Pacifican, Beyda, is the youngest and the most daring member of the Thunderbirds team. His extroverted manner revealed a smart, cocky, competitive exterior, while remaining cool, responsible and rational. Beyda is very loyal to both his friends and his Thunderbirds team members. Beyda possess a sense of chivalry, choosing not to shoot or wound an unequally armed villain. He is always sent to the most dangerous mission. He has a younger brother named Danny; his protege is Skipper Simpson. He is flirtatious with women, although he is attracted to Kallan James. Beyda's primary rescue vehicle is the TB-1 (Thunderbird 1).
Jessie Rigel (Eric Jones in the original Japanese version)
Rigel is a thick-accented, red haired, Caucasian cowboy-type from Houston, Texas. His character embodies a strong sense of duty... and one which respects and obeys authority. [Example: On two separate occasions, Dylan Beyda angers Rigel and caused him to threaten a report to Commander Simpson. However, Rigel values his friendship very much and ends up doing a favor for his friends.] Rigel isn't cocky like Beyda. Like fellow Thunderbirds team members, he acts both rationally and intelligently. On many rescue missions, he is paired up with Jonathon Jordan, Jr. as the "Dynamic Duo." Rigel's primary vehicle is the TB-2 (Thunderbird 2).
Jonathon Jordan Jr. (Sammy Edkins Jr. in the original Japanese version)
Known as "J.J.", Jordan is a Jamaican-accented, black member of the team. Jordan is seen as the most relaxed and optimistic member of the Thunderbirds. Jordan sports an exhibitionistic flare, too, as he surfs on his flying board during emergency calls, dancing in discotheques and listening to loud music. Jordan is always paired up with Jesse Rigel as the "Dynamic Duo" of TB-2. His primary vehicle is the TB-2 (Thunderbird 2).
Gran Hansen (Gran Hanson in the original Japanese version)
The silver-haired Hansen appears to be the oldest member of the Thunderbirds team. He is the Thunderbirds team leader during rescue missions. He acts with a professional and rational attitude, believing that teamwork can solve any issue, no matter the cost or situation. Hansen acts as a father figure; he also appears to have a wife and daughter with whom he is estranged. It is safe to say that he loves his family very much, but sadly his family doesn't know it. In various episodes it was never indicated whether he solved his personal problems or not, although it is implicated that he will solve it. His primary vehicle is the TB-3 (Thunderbird 3).
Kallan James (Catherine Heywood in the original Japanese version)
James is the blonde, femme fatale of the Thunderbirds team. She is also the only female character. Her role includes diplomatic services, given her tactful mannerisms. She is also given the task to supervise various emergency projects, plus being sent to missions which require numerous communications. She's perhaps the most caring and concerned member of the team, especially to Dylan, with whom she loves. Her primary vehicle is the submersible TB-4 (Thunderbird 4).
Skipper Simpson (?? in the original Japanese version)
Skipper Simpson is the young nephew of Commander Simpson. Skipper aspires to join the Thunderbirds squad. He looks up to Dylan Beyda as a role model.
General "Star Crusher" (?? in the original Japanese version)
The Thunderbirds' chief antagonist. This evil character is the leader of the Shadow Axis, a group of renegade asteroid miners wishing to break away from Federation control and rule over the entire Solar System. It is theorized that he is either an insane cyborg or extraterrestrial being. (Note his mentions of humans as "Earthmen.")
21.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Vehicles/Base(s) of Operations
Unlike Gerry Anderson's classic "Thunderbirds" team that only used 5 primary rescue vehicles, the "Thunderbirds 2086" team had 17 separate vehicles capable of adapting to almost every environment.
1. TB-1 Advanced Space Shuttle
This ship can fly in both the Earth's atmosphere and outer space. I'm not sure whether it can achieve orbit by itself, or requires help from TB-2. It can combine with TB-2 and TB-3. The TB-1 is Dylan Beyda's primary vehicle.
2. TB-2 Hypersonic Transport
A rocket-shaped ship, with both atmosphere and outer space capabilities. The TB-2 is able to achieve orbit by itself. It can combine with TB-1 and TB-3. The TB-2 is Jesse Rigel's and J.J.'s primary vehicle.
3. TB-3 Ground Operations Vehicle
A giant-sized, yellow-colored rover with hover capabilities. The TB-3 requires the assistance of TB-2 to reach distant places. TB-3 can combine with TB-1 and TB-2 simultaneously, too. The TB-3 is Grant Hansen's primary vehicle.
4. TB-4 Submarine
A large yellow-colored submarine equipped with both periscopes and a windshield (watershield?). It can go as fast as 60 knots under water and into great ocean depths. Only the TB-14 can go deeper than this sub. The TB-4 is Kallan James's primary vehicle.
5. TB-5 Subterranean Vehicle
This vehicle is transported to danger areas using the TB-2. It has a turbo drill which can make a tunnel across a huge mountain very quickly.
6. TB-6 Space Station
This silver-colored space outpost in Earth orbit is described as a floating city. It houses some of the International Rescue space operations vehicles, notably the TB-17. It also houses U.N Space Colonization Program and Weather Control Service.
7. TB-7 Single Seat Jet
A high-speed, dart-like shaped jet. The vehicle is placed inside the wings of TB-1 or inside TB-2's large cargo bay. It has remote control capability which makes this ship act as a drone.
8. TB-8 VTOL Jet
This unit seems to be a single seat VTOL jet. It was shown only in one episode ("Shockwave"). It was placed in the wings of TB-1 and has remote control capability, similar to TB-7.
9. TB-9 Walker
A single seat, mechanical robot. The walker is used in outer space mission for precision maneuvers during rescue operations. It is always stowed inside another ship for transport.
10. TB-10 Small Multi-Personnel Rocket
This rocket can achieve orbit by itself, and strictly use for quick transport in areas between Earth and the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It can achieve speeds up to Mach 176.
11. TB-11 Unknown
This vehicle was never described in any of the 24 episodes. The TB-11 could be the dart-like shaped reusable escape pod used by the Thunderbirds. This escape pod is able to penetrate through hard surface and have backward retro rockets. Another possibility for TB-11 is a single seat motorcycle used in episode "Metal Head."
12. TB-12 Heavy lift/Dozer Vehicle
A small vehicle, which can clear debris and lift heavy objects (such as TB-2), both above and under water.
13. TB-13 Small Submarine
A small submarine that is often stowed inside TB-4 cargo hold. It can reach small places which are unreachable by TB-4. It may have a capability to fly or hover above water at speeds up to Mach 1.
14. TB-14 Deep Sea Bathyscape
This navigable, deep diving vessel is used for underwater rescues at incredible ocean depths. This vehicle has never been shown in any episodes. It was only mentioned in the episode "Child's Play."
15. TB-15 Small Tracked Drill
This tank-tracked vehicle is shaped like the TB-5 from the original "Thunderbirds" show. It was only shown in the episode "Cloudburst." The vehicle is stowed in TB-3, able to bore with a small drill nose, and capable of pulling heavy objects, such as a tanker. It also has drone capability.
16. TB-16 Small Tracked Vehicle
This rescue vehicle was only shown in the episode "Cloudburst." Approximately the same size as TB-15, this tank-tracked machine has multiple sensors for reconnaissance/surveillance operations. It is stowed in TB-3 and able to pull heavy objects. It also has drone capability.
17. TB-17 Interplanetary Space Transport
By far, the largest of all Thunderbirds rescue units. The transport can carry all the other units in its vast cargo hold. It has ion-powered engines and is capable of traveling with an acceleration up to 10 Gs. The TB-17 is docked inside the TB-6.
22.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Costumes
The costumes for the Thunderbirds team consisted of an unknown material with white, black and orange designs, akin to the SDF-1 pilot uniforms seen in "Macross." No specifics about the suits/costumes were shown.
23.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Episode List
Note: The following are Japan episode air dates.
SEASON ONE Ep. # Prod. #/ Original Episode Title Episode Title Prod. Code Air Date (U.K./North America) (Japan) 1. 1-1 03 01-May-1982 Firefall Friendship Of The Space Colony 2. 1-2 09 19-Jun-1982 Computer Madness The Lunar Surface City 3. 1-3 06 29-May-1982 One Of A Kind Rescue The Life Which Burns In The Forest! 4. 1-4 12 17-Jul-1982 Snowbound Large Disaster In The Alps! 5. 1-5 16 28-Aug-1982 Space Warriors Space Chase Of The Prison Escapees 6. 1-6 17 04-Sep-1982 Sunburn Danger! The Planetary Exploration Ship 7. 1-7 10 03-Jul-1982 Fear Factor S.O.S. - Cell Of Fear 8. 1-8 05 15-May-1982 Fault Line Escape From The Sea Of Magma 9. 1-9 08 12-Jun-1982 Shadow Axis Pulverization! Terrestrial Takeover Plan 10. 1-10 18 11-Sep-1982 Star Crusher Rapid Current - Niagara Dead Fighting! 11. 1-11 01 17-Apr-1982 Shockwave TB Takeoff - Rescue The Earth! 12. 1-12 15 14-Aug-1982 Guardian The Spaceship Returns 13. 1-13 UNAIRED Metal Head (This episode was unaired in Japan.) 14. 1-14 02 24-Apr-1982 Cloudburst Bullet Train To The Al Lu Island! 15. 1-15 UNAIRED Kudzilla (This episode was unaired in Japan.) 16. 1-16 UNAIRED Mind Meld (This episode was unaired in Japan.) 17. 1-17 14 31-Jul-1982 Thunderbolt The Airport Reaches For The Sky 18. 1-18 UNAIRED Big Deal (This episode was unaired in Japan.) 19. 1-19 11 10-Jul-1982 Nightmare Puzzle Of The Space Hospital 20. 1-20 UNAIRED Crusader (This episode was unaired in Japan.) 21. 1-21 04 08-May-1982 Stardrive Super Gravity!! The Space Station 22. 1-22 13 24-Jul-1982 Trial Demon Wreck 23. 1-23 07 05-Jun-1982 Child's Play TB-1 - Death Confrontation 24. 1-24 UNAIRED U.F.O. (This episode was unaired in Japan.)
24.0 Thunderbirds 2086 - Current Availability
"Thunderbirds 2086" is not currently available on commercially-licensed VHS or DVD formats. Bootleg versions have been spotted on web sites, such as eBay.com.
25.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Introduction
"(Anyway) our version of Thunderbirds will be entirely live-action, with a Spy Kids meets James Bond kind of vibe." - Jonathan Frakes, Director.
The "Thunderbirds" movie is an adaptation of the classic "Thunderbirds" television series, using the same story basis: The Tracy Family heads International Rescue (I.R.), a secret organization established to make life-saving rescues when all other efforts fail. According to director Jonathan Frakes, "This family, the Tracy family, is called in to save falling bridges and burning buildings that firemen can't save. It's one of those situations where someone calls a hotline, and this family comes to the rescue."
The movie's plot is described as a rite of passage for Alan Tracy, the youngest of the brothers, when a false distress call allows the evil Hood to invade Tracy Island to gain International Rescue's secrets. Alan is accompanied by Tin-Tin and Fermat, Brains's son (named after the 17th century French mathematician Pierre de Fermat). Jeff Tracy and his other four sons are stranded on Thunderbird 5 during this emergency. The movie is seemingly intended as a prequel to the classic series.
The titular Thunderbird rescue craft are prominently featured within the film, although slightly redesigned/modified, such as the cylindrical engine ports on Thunderbird 2 (TB2) replaced by rectangular units. Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 3 are very similar to the original designs, though, while Thunderbirds 4 and 5 are a departure.
The film includes new plot devices: A new character, Fermat, is the son of Brains. (Brains was a teenager in the "Thunderbirds" series.) The elder patriarch, Jeff Tracy, is depicted as significantly younger within the film.
26.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Production Team/Filmmakers
DIRECTION:
Directed by Jonathan Frakes (Director of "Star Trek: First Contact", "Star Trek: Insurrection" and "Clockstoppers.")
1st Assistant Director: Tommy Gormley
2nd Unit 1st Assistant Director: Terry Bamber
WRITING CREDITS:
Based on characters by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson
Script by Michael McCullers and William Osborne (Osbourne's credits include co-writing "The Scorpion King", "Twins", "The Real McCoy", "Ghost in the Machine", and "Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde.")
Bill Paxton: Jeff Tracy
Ben Kingsley: Aristotle Spode (The Hood) (Mr. Kingsley is an Academy Award winning actor for "Gandhi.")
Anthony Edwards: Brains
Sophia Myles: Lady Penelope
Ron Cook: Parker
Philip Winchester: Scott Tracy
Lex Shrapnel: John Tracy
Dominic Colenso: Virgil Tracy
Ben Torgersen: Gordon Tracy
Soren Fulton: Fermat
Vanessa Anne Hudgens: Tin-Tin
Lou Hirsch
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Tim Bevan: Producer
Jo Burn: Co-producer
Eric Fellner: Producer
Mark Huffam: Producer
2nd Unit Production Manager: Terry Bamber
Production Company: Working Title Films
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Director of Photography: Brendan Galvin
Gaffer: John Higgins
Rigging Gaffer: Wayne Leach
Electrician: David Sinfield
Lighting: Lee Lighting Ltd.
Camera Equipment: Panavision [U.K.] Ltd.
Camera Operator/ Camera Operator: "A" Camera: Des Whelan
Camera Operator: "B" Camera: Philip Sindall
Assistant Camera: "A" Camera: Carlos De Carvalho
EDITING:
Film Editing: Martin Walsh
Assistant Editor: Alison Carter
Assistant Editor: Ruth Coulson
PRODUCTION DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION:
Production Design: John Beard
Art Direction: John Frankish
Art Direction: Stephen Morahan
Set Decoration: Joanne Woollard
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT:
Unit Production Manager: Angus More Gordon
ART DEPARTMENT:
Painter: Robert J. Dugdale
Storyboard Artist: John Greaves
Art Director (Useful Companies): John C. Hill
Drapes master: Chris Seddon
Drapesman: Frank Howe
Assistant Art Director: Paul Inglis
Graphic Designer: Carol Kupisz
Concept Artist: Dominic Lavery
MUSIC:
Composer: Elliot Goldenthal
SOUND:
Production Sound Mixer: Peter Lindsay
Production Sound Mixer (Second Unit): Christian Joyce
MAKE-UP AND COSTUMES:
Costume Designer: Marit Allen
Hair Stylist/Make-Up Artist: Jeremy Woodhead
VISUAL EFFECTS:
Visual Effects: Effects Associates Ltd.; Industrial Light and Magic (I.L.M.)
Visual Effects Supervisor: Mark Nelmes
Vehicle Designer: Mike Trim
Special Effects Technician: Gareth Wingrove
Editor/Visual effects: Derek Burgess
Visual Effects Coordinator: Charles Howell
Visual Effects Producer: Lucy Killick
Visual Effects Supervisor: Mike McGee
Digital Artist (Framestore CFC): Matthew Riordan
Digital I/O: Tara Walker
Useful Company
Computer and Video Coordinator: Sara-Jane Valentine
Art Director: John C. Hill
STUNTS:
Stunt Double: Nicola Berwick
Stunts: Ben Cooke
OTHER CREW:
Gaffer: John Higgins
Rigging Gaffer: Wayne Leach
Electrician: David Sinfield
Stand-in: Paul Hornsby
Conforming Editor: Keith Lowes
Clapper Loader: Jennie Paddon
Creative Supervisor (Useful Companies): Simon Staines
Additional Floor Runner (uncredited): Zoe Margolis
2nd Unit Script Supervisor: Sharon Mansfield
LOCATIONS:
Australia; Hawaii, U.S.A.; London, England, U.K.; Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.; New York City, New York, U.S.A.; Portugal; Seychelles Studio: Pinewood Studios, England, U.K.
CASTING:
Casting: Mary Selway
Children Casting: Shaheen Baig
Extras Casting: The Casting Collective Ltd.
Peter Hewitt ("Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey") was originally attached to direct in 1998. During that time, the "Thunderbirds" film would have been distributed by the now-defunct Polygram Filmed Entertainment for release in 1999 or 2000. Actress Kristin Scott Thomas was also announced as having signed to star as Lady Penelope.
At one point, The Guardian (U.K.) reported that model-turned-actress Sophie Dahl was in the running to play Lady Penelope.
The current production company, U.K.-based Working Title Films, has produced "Johnny English", "The Kelly Gang", "Four Weddings and a Funeral", "About a Boy" and "The Italian Job."
26.1 Why live-action actors, and not Supermarionation puppets like the classic "Thunderbirds" series/movies?
An official statement has not clarified this, although it was likely felt that present-day audiences would accept/embrace live actors versus the puppetry of the 1960s. It should be noted that "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker are releasing a major Hollywood studio movie -- using marionation puppets as the stars! -- close to the live-action "Thunderbirds" movie opening date.
26.2 Are Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, Reg Hill or any others from the classic "Thunderbirds" series/movies involved?
No, not to the FAQ author's knowledge.
26.3 What public comments has Gerry Anderson made about the new "Thunderbirds" movie?
[FAQ author's note: We don't know when the actual interviews took place, so discount the publication date of each article, as the actual interview dates aren't known.]
"Because of my friendship with Jonathan Frakes and discussions with Universal, I'm becoming more and more involved with the picture, although I have to make it clear that it is Jonathan Frakes's picture and I wouldn't dream of poking my nose in or making suggestions that might throw him. But certainly if he wants to talk about anything, I will help him out if I can. It's a very nice situtation to be in, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the finished picture. I am currently in discussion with Universal about what my role on the movie will actually be, but everything seems very positive at the moment."
More statements are forthcoming.
26.4 Didn't Jonathan Frakes (new "Thunderbirds" movie director) make an uncomplimentary remark about the classic series?
Yes. While talking with SCI FI Wire (U.S.; 6 September 2002), Frakes stated he didn't know anything about "Thunderbirds" before signing on to direct. He said, "I know a lot about it now," Frakes said in an interview. "It's about a family international rescue team that functions under the radar of the public." He also stated, "This family, the Tracy family, is called in to save falling bridges and burning buildings that firemen can't save. It's one of those situations where someone calls a hotline, and this family comes to the rescue. There's also a wonderful international spy named Lady Penelope, who drives a six-wheel pink Rolls Royce. The original show was done with marionettes, and it was pretty wacko."
Some fans have taken issue with this statement, given the cult status of the property and the desire to see it handed by someone who respects the original source material.
27.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Story/Plot/Tidbits
When their space station, Thunderbird 5, is damaged by a meteor shower, the International Rescue (I.R.) team have to travel into space to repair it. But the station has actually been sabotaged by international master criminal Aristotle Spode (The Hood) who plans to invade Tracy Island and steal the secrets of International Rescue. But he could be about to meet his match in the shape Alan Tracy, Fermat (Brains's son) and Tin-Tin, the youngest members of the I.R. crew.
28.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Characters/Actors
Bill Paxton (Jeff Tracy)
Lex Shrapnel (John Tracy)
Dominic Colenso (Virgil Tracy)
Philip Winchester (Scott Tracy)
Ben Torgersen (Gordon Tracy)
Brady Corbet (Alan Tracy)
Ben Kingsley (Aristotle Spode aka The Hood)
Anthony Edwards (Brains)
Sophia Myles (Lady Penelope)
Ron Cook (Parker)
Soren Fulton (Fermat)
Vanessa Anne Hudgens (Tin-Tin)
According to Fanderson, the movie may stir controversy amongst classic "Thunderbirds" fans with the revelation that John has become the eldest of the Tracy brothers, rather than Scott, as in the television series. The relative ages of the five brothers has been a long-argued topic amongst fans, as the intentions of the series' producers (illustrated by the order in which the brothers appear in the program's title sequence: Scott, John, Virgil, Gordon, Alan) were contradicted by a series of character biographies published in the mid-Sixties British comics magazine TV Century 21 (later used as the basis for information published in several books, magazines and comics published in the 1980s and early 1990s), which suggested that Virgil is older than John. Since 2000, the official character biographies endorsed by Gerry Anderson and the series' owners Carlton International Media have restored the original vision of the "Thunderbirds" chronology. However, in the Working Title "Thunderbirds" film, John is Jeff Tracy's first-born, followed by Virgil, Scott, Gordon and Alan who are all still teenagers.
29.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Vehicles/Equipment
(Details forthcoming.)
30.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Base(s) of Operations
Tracy Island
Thunderbird 5 space station
(Details forthcoming.)
31.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Villains
The main antagonist of the "Thunderbirds" film is Aristotle Spode, aka The Hood, an international evil criminal. The character is played by Academy Award winning actor, Sir Ben Kingsley.
32.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Costumes
The "Thunderbirds" movie features all-new costumes by Marit Allen, who was costumer for "Little Shop Of Horrors" (1986), "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993) and "The Hulk" (2003). As Fanderson, the Official Fan Club of Gerry Anderson, is quick to point out, the uniforms include a simplified version of the International Rescue (I.R.) motif; the word "Thunderbirds" down the left arm; and, bizarrely for an organization whose operatives must remain secret from the world at large, the character's name on the left breast.
33.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Symbols/Terms
(Details forthcoming.)
34.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Music
Composer Elliot Goldenthal, whose credits include "Alien 3" (1992), "Interview With The Vampire" (1994), "Batman Forever" (1995), "Batman And Robin" (1997) and "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" (2001), was signed to score the movie. There is no indication, as of this writing, as to whether he will be incorporating any of Barry Gray's original "Thunderbirds" themes.
35.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Toys/Merchandise
(Details forthcoming.)
36.0 (New) Thunderbirds Movie(s) - Current Availability
"Thunderbirds" is due for release 23 July 2004. The film will compete against the opening of "Mad Max: Fury Road" (the fourth Mel Gibson "Mad Max/Road Warrior" film).
37.0 (New) Thunderbirds TV Show
At the time of this writing, no official statements have been made. The FAQ author understands that there have been explorations in a television series by Carlton (license owner) which utilizes CG, possibly based on the progress of Gerry Anderson's "Captain Scarlet" series for 2005. (That series uses Hypermarionation: CG animation.)
38.0 Final Thoughts
This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document remains a work-in-progress. We hope you've enjoyed the time and energy invested by various, dedicated fans of "Thunderbirds" to present this information to you! The creations inspired by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson live on. FAB!
We remind everyone of our commitment to the Common Creative License (CCL) and Space1999.org's Open Content Model (OCM) for distribution and republishing of this document for non-commercial purposes.
30.0 References
The authors of this document wish to acknowledge the following sources:
Calling International Rescue! (http://www.geocities.com/johntracytb5/Thunderbirds_index.html)
The Gerry Anderson Frequently Asked Questions List (Version 2.1), compiled by Kimberly Murphy-Smith
Fanderson (http://www.fanderson.org.uk/fanderson.html)
FAB1 - A Gerry Anderson Fan Site Featuring THUNDERBIRDS (http://www.fab1.co.nz)
Space1999.org presents Thunderbirds Are GO! http://www.space1999.org/thunderbirds/)
TV Century 21 (http://www.tvcentury21.com)
TV Tome (http://www.tvtome.com)
Thunderbirds 2086 web site (http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/club/8067/tb2086/)
IMDb (Internet Movie Database) web site (http://www.imdb.com)
Articles/research by Marc J. Frattasio
Science Fiction Modeler #10 (magazine)
Science Fiction Modeler #11 (magazine)
SIG #12 (magazine)
"The Files Magazine: Thunderbirds" by Gary Files
DreamWatch Magazine (June 2003; Gerry Anderson interview);
"Complete ANIME Guide: Japanese Animation Film Directory & Resource Guide" by Trish Ledoux & Doug Ranney (Tiger Mountain Press, Issaquah, WA; 1995; paperback; ISBN: 0964954257)
"Gerry Anderson's Fab Facts: Behind the Scenes of Tv's Famous Adventures in the 21st Century" by Simon Archer (Harper-Collins; 1 June 1994; paperback; ISBN 0006382479)
"Thunderbirds FAB Cross-sections" by Graham Bleathman (Carlton Books; 28 July 2000; paperback; ISBN: 1842220918)
"FAB Facts: Behind the Scenes of Gerry Anderson's TV Adventures in the 21st Century " by Simon Archer, foreward by Gerry Anderson (Harper-Collins; 11 October 1993; paperback; ISBN: 0006382479)
"Yes, M'Lady: A Personal Memoir" by Sylvia Anderson, introduction by Lord Grade (Smith Gryphon; 4 November 1991; paperback; ISBN: 1856850110)
"21st Century Visions: Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5, Supercar, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Secret Service, Joe 90, UFO" by Derek Meddings and Sam Mitchell (Dragon's World; 1993; paperback; ISBN: 1850282439)
"Gerry Anderson: Supermarionation" by John Peel (Pioneer Books; 1 October 1991; paperback; ISBN: 9991224904)
"Thunderbirds Are Go" by John Marriott (Boxtree Publishing; 31 January 1992; paperback; ISBN: 1852831642)
"The Gerry Anderson Memorabilia Guide" by Dennis Way Nicholson (Cooee Concepts Pty. Ltd.; 1994; paperback; ISBN: ??)
"Gerry Anderson, The Authorized Biography" by Simon Archer & Stan Nicholls
"Lady Penelope's Secrets" by "Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward"/Carlton Books (Carlton Books; 14 March 2001; hardcover; ISBN: 1842222287)
"The Ultimate Thunderbirds Pop-Up Facts Book" by G. Marks (Boxtree Publishing; 1993; hardcover; ISBN ??)
"The Complete Book Of Thunderbirds" by Chris Bentley
"The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide" by Chris Bentley (Reynolds and Hearn Ltd.; softcover; ISBN: 1903111412)