Thunderbirds (1965–1966)
Jeff Tracy, a former astronaut, amasses a colossal fortune and decides that he must use it to benefit others. His answer to this desire is to create International Rescue, a unique private emergency response service equipped with customed designed vehicles and equipment that enable the organization to react to any crisis whether it be in sea, air, land, or space. Jeff's five sons volunteer to operate as the pilots and field agents, as well "Brains" (alias Hiram B. Hackenbaker) as the team engineer. In addition, Jeff's friend, Kyrano and his daughter Tin Tin agree to be the support staff. In addition to the field team, IR also maintains an intelligence network with Lady Penelope and her ex-con chauffer, Parker as the chief agents in this arm. The series depicts this team as they answer various calls for help around and beyond the world while they prevent enemies like the Hood from learning and exploiting their secrets.
Tracy Island
Tracy Island is the home of the Tracy family in the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson 1960s television series Thunderbirds. Located in the South Pacific Ocean, the island's true function as the secret base of the International Rescue organisation and is heavily camouflaged.
Thunderbird 1 launches from a hangar underneath the island's retractable swimming pool, at the foot of the main house. Features such as the outside staircase descending to water, the large windows, and the prominent stone chimney suggest the design was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. The entrance to Thunderbird 2's hangar is concealed by a fake rock-face and leads onto the island's runway. On exiting the hangar, the palm trees lining the runway swing outwards to accommodate Thunderbird 2's wingspan. After taxiing along the runway, Thunderbird 2 takes off from a hydraulic launch platform. Thunderbird 3 launches from
underneath the 'Round House'. While secure jamming equipment preserve the island's security, it proves to be somewhat vulnerable in the pages of TV Century 21 due to the machinations of The Hood. Learning everything about the island by brainwashing the technically minded Brains character and extracting all of his knowledge regarding the island, the Hood launches his greatest attack, destroying several Thunderbird craft and many of their hangars, with the exception of Thunderbirds One and Four. The canonicity of this storyline remains uncertain due to its roots in publication form only. In the 2004 live action movie, North Island in the Seychelles island group (Indian Ocean) was the stand-in for Tracy island, with the buildings added using computer-generated imagery. In the film, the displayed plotted route from Tracy Island to London clearly shows the island as being located in the Atlantic Ocean, whereas in the original series it was located in the Pacific Ocean.
Jeff Tracy
Date of Birth: January 2nd, 2009
Jeff Tracy, the son of a Kansas wheat farmer, was a US Air Force Colonel before transferring to become an astronaut. He has the distinction of being one of the first men on the moon.
Jeff then went into construction engineering and became one of the richest men in the world whilst also raising his five sons after the tragic early death of his wife.
Now 56 years old, his humanity and kindness towards people has led to the creation of International Rescue which he runs from Tracy Island, a secret base located somewhere in the Pacific. He is totally dedicated to the International Rescue team and is rarely found to be enjoying the luxury of time off from his role its leader.
Scott Tracy
Born April 4th, 2039
At 30, Scott is the eldest of the Tracy boys. He was educated at Yale and Oxford Universities and then served with the US Air Force, where he was decorated for valour, before joining International Rescue.
Scott's main job is to fly Thunderbird 1, which means that as the first man to arrive on the disaster scene it's his responsibility to assess the situation and decide on which rescue craft to use. This task is aided by Scott's confidence to make instant decisions, his brains, brawn, daring and drive. A complete lack of arrogance enables him to assist his brothers with the day to day tasks of running International Rescue.
Scott also controls International Rescue whenever his father is off Tracy Island.
Virgil Tracy
Born August 15th, 2041
A graduate of the Denver School of Advanced Technology, 27 year old Virgil possesses the mechanical aptitude to handle the complex machinery that his craft Thunderbird 2 carries.
The most serious of all the Tracy family, Virgil has no sense of fear and his iron nerve makes him one of the bravest pilots. As pilot of Thunderbird 2 he cannot afford to put people at risk by acts of carelessness.
Virgil is also a gifted artist and accomplised pianist.
John Tracy
Born October 8th, 2041
Much of the 25 year old John's time is spent as monitor in Thunderbird 5, International Rescue's space station, and his position is generally first to alert the island of any disaster. His hobby is to study astronomy and his job offers him ample opportunity.
Following in his father's footsteps, John became an astronaut after leaving Harvard University. This experience has become invaluable for when Alan Tracy relieves him at the Space Station, Thunderbird 3 is handed over to John.
John is famed with the discovery of the Tracy quasar system which was a result of his incessant space searching. He has also published 4 books on outer space.
Gordon Tracy
Born February 14th, 2043
Blue eyed Gordon is the aquanaut in charge of Thunderbird 4. Adventure is Gordon's life and he revels in all water sports from skin-diving to water-skiing. At 22 years of age, Gordon is the great joker of the Tracy family.
Gordon is one of the world's fastest freestyle swimmers and is a past Olympic champion at the butterfly stroke. Shortly before joining International Rescue, Gordon was involved in a hydrofoil speedboat crash, when his vessel capsized at 400 knots. The craft was completely destroyed and Gordon spent 4 months in hospital.
This accident taught Gordon respect for the sea - an essential ingredient for anyone who pits his wits against the elements
Alan Tracy
Born March 12th, 2044
Alan, age 19, is responsible for Thunderbird 3 and also assists on Thunderbird 5 when older brother John is on leave from the space station.
After attending college at Colorado University his father decided that astronaut training would give Alan a sense of responsibility, and Alan's ability in space is nothing less than outstanding!
Alan sees his work at International Rescue as a vital service to mankind. However, he is also a bit of a joker and somewhat reckless.Alan has a love of motor racing and was a champion driver but also enjoys exploring the rocks and potholes around Tracy Island.
Brains
Born 14 November, 2040.
Knowing that International Rescue would need a mind of super ability, Jeff found teenage Hiram K. Hackenbacker in Paris, nervously delivering a lecture in a culture hall.
Brains, as he is known to everyone, was orphaned at a young age and adopted by a Cambridge University Professor who recognised the boy's genius and encouraged his education.
25 year old Brains has brain power and inventive genius beyond his age. As the inventor of all the machines used by the organisation, he is never satisfied with what he produces and is constantly working on modifications to his creations.
Lady Penelope
Born December 24th, 2039.
The daughter of Sir Hugh Creighton-Ward and his wife Amelia. Operating from her stately home, Creighton-Ward Mansion, Lady Penelope is the British Agent for International Rescue. Educated by Miss Petherton, her governess, and at Hightower School, Penny led an eventful childhood. Often, though, she was lonely. Her parents lived in India where Sir Hugh was organising an Indian community. For the last six years of her schooling, Lady Penelope was sent to Rowden, the famous boarding school for girls. There, she made many friends and soon learned to live the social life which had, for so long, been denied her. Passing her exams with flying colours and leaving Rowden after being elected 'Head Girl', Penelope went to finishing school in Switzerland where she had a wonderful time ski-skiing and touring. On several occasions she visited other
countries in Europe. She perfected four languages - French, Italian, German and Spanish. These were togreatly assist her role as spy - the profession she was to follow after a dull 'Deb's' social year. Lady Penelope completed many top-secret assignments for various organisations. Then she took over as Supreme Commander of the Federal Agents' Bureau. It was at this juncture in Penelope's career that Jeff Tracy approached her with a business offer. She jumped at the chance to work for International Rescue, the job was more than a challenge, it was one that she would really enjoy. The day Lady Penelope passed Jeff Tracy's gruelling tests and she, together with Parker, her 'safe-cracking' manservant, joined the International Rescue team, was to prove one of the greatest in International Rescue's history.
Parker
Born May 30th, 2013
Aloysius Parker, sometimes known as "Nosey", gave up his criminal life after being caught in the act by the woman he now assists, Lady Penelope.
Parker, believed to be 52 years old, is reputedly to be one of the finest safe-breakers in the world and an excellent mechanic. He is devoted to Lady Penelope and fulfills her every wish. As butler, chauffeur, mechanic and safe breaker, Parker is vital to the International Rescue cause.
Tin Tin Kyrano
Born June 20th, 2043.
Tin Tin, a twenty-two-year-old Malayan girl, is the daughter of Kyrano, Jeff Tacy's faithful servant. She received an education in America and Europe, Jeff Tracy paying all expenses in gratitude for Kyrano's loyal and devoted services.
After completing her studies, Tin Tin joined International Rescue as an active member of the organisation. With her degrees in higher mathematics and advanced technical theory and engineering, she can work closely with Internation Rescue's engineer and scientist, Brains. She checks and re-checks all the Thunderbird machines and organises all maintenance - with her skill and knowledge she has repaid Jeff Tracy over and over again for his generosity in financing her schooling.Feminine and
sweet, and yet highly intelligent, Tin Tin is a true credit to International Rescue, proving that women can be a great asset to such an important organisation. Tin Tin has a definite fondness for Alan Tracy.
Kyrano
Date of birth unknown.
The son of a wealthy Malaysian plantation owner, Kyrano turned his back on material gain after his rightful inheritance was usurped by his evil half-brother, the Hood.
Becoming an expert botanist, Kyrano spent a number of years at Kew Gardens advising on Asian Orchids before being invited to Kennedy Space Centre to help in a project to produce synthetic food from plants. It was here that Kyrano first met Jeff Tracy and the two became firm friends. Later, Kyrano moved to Paris and became head chef at the Paris Hilton, but happily abandoned this prestigious position when he was contacted by Jeff Tracy to help in the running of the Tracy Island domestic chores. This also enabled Kyrano to raise and oversee the education and development of his daughter Tin Tin, who also
resides on Tracy Island. A vital part of the smooth running secret island base, Kyrano's only failing is his susceptibility to the evil influence of his half brother, the Hood, and is often used as an unwitting pawn in the Hood's attempts to learn the secrets of International Rescue and the Thunderbird machines.
The Hood
In every nation, across every ocean, the Hood is known as Public Enemy No.1. The colossal rewards issued and publicised on International Police video services for his arrest make him the most wanted man on Earth. But always the evil Hood manages to evade the lengthy arms of the law. Within his sinister temple, deep in the heart of the Malayan jungle, the 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.
THUNDERBIRD ONE
With a wingspan of 80 feet, a length of 115 feet and a top speed estimated at 15,000 mph, Thunderbird 1 is International Rescue’s vanguard aircraft, arriving first at the danger zone where the pilot, Scott Tracy, assesses the situation and forms a rescue plan.
Thunderbird 1’s well-concealed hangar is located adjacent to the Tracy Villa, and her launchpad is positioned directly beneath the Villa’s swimming pool, which slides aside to permit Thunderbird 1’s exit or entry. Thunderbird 1 is capable of vertical and horizontal flight, is equipped with booster rockets and a VTOL-capable gas turbine hover jet and wings that can expand or retract according to the situation.
THUNDERBIRD TWO
Thunderbird 2 is International Rescue’s workhorse, an airborne freighter that transports equipment to the scene of any rescue zone. 250 feet long and 60 feet high with her wheels on the ground, Thunderbird 2 is housed in a hangar beneath the Tracy Villa, and exits via a concealed cliff-face hangar door.
With an interchangeable central pod section (there are six pods, each holding different types of rescue equipment), Thunderbird 2, piloted by Virgil Tracy, is capable of vertical take-off and landing, and can handle speeds of up to 5,000 mph.
THUNDERBIRD THREE
A 287-foot space-going rocket with a maximum sustained acceleration of 6g, Thunderbird 3 is piloted alternately by both Alan and John Tracy and is housed in a silo hidden beneath the Tracy Villa’s ‘Roundhouse.’
Thunderbird 3 is capable of space rescues, but its primary role is to maintain a physical link between the International Rescue base and Thunderbird 5.
THUNDERBIRD FOUR
30-foot long Thunderbird 4, helmed by Gordon Tracy, might seem small in comparison to the other Thunderbird craft but her size makes her incredibly versatile. She has a maximum operating depth of 30,000 feet, is used for both surface and underwater rescues, and with an underwater top speed of 140 knots is reportedly one of the fastest submarine craft in existence.
THUNDERBIRD FIVE
Maintaining a geostationary orbit 22,400 miles above the Earth, International Rescue’s space station Thunderbird 5 provides communications vital to the operation of the organization. Manned on a one month on, one month off rotational basis by John and Alan Tracy (and occasionally other International Rescue personnel), the station is electronically cloaked to avoid detection from ground based radar or other spacecrafts’ sensor systems. Thunderbird 5 contains, in addition to highly sophisticated communications equipment, an astrodome for observation of space, a medical bay, and living/sleeping quarters for its duty personnel.
FAB 1
Lady Penelope’s ultra-sophisticated, distinctive and bulletproof pink Rolls Royce, FAB 1, is capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph on land – and, thanks to the incorporation of hydrofoils, 50 knots on water. From the car’s unique central driver’s seat design, her ladyship’s chauffeur Parker has at his fingertips a smorgasbord of hidden weaponry: two front and two rear mounted machine guns, one front mounted central machine cannon, 4 rear mounted harpoon launchers, a smokescreen canister, oil slick dispenser and two laser guns.
Firefly
One of International Rescue's primary pod vehicles. Firefly is a fire-proof vehicle used for demolition and fire fighting work, fitted with a large Cahelium Extract-X built blade and armed with a nitroglycerin cannon to fire shells to extinguish fires at their source. A rear gun can also be used to extinguish fires using foam or water. Firefly is often carried in Pod 3 or Pod 6. Appears in "City of Fire" and "Terror In New York City" and is glimpsed in the hangar in "Cry Wolf".
The Mole
A high-speed, manned 30 ton tunnelling machine capable of boring through even the hardest rock to rescue individuals trapped underground. A serial number of "56156" can be seen on the top rear port side of the Mole. Due to an inbuilt thermal-imaging system in its drill bit, the Mole can be operated with acute precision to ensure that buried individuals are not endangered from rockfalls caused by drill movement despite the fact that the drill screw rotates in the wrong direction. The Mole is carried to rescue sites on its trolley, then tilts to commence drilling. Caterpillar tracks on both sides enable it to return to the surface. The vehicle is often carried in Pod 5, and is notable for being one of the few pod vehicles to appear in multiple episodes; it also appears in the closing credit sequence with the five main
Thunderbirds machines and FAB1. It appears in "Pit of Peril", "City of Fire" and "The Duchess Assignment", and is glimpsed in the pod vehicle bay in "Cry Wolf". It is generally regarded as one of the most popular machines of them all and barring Thunderbird 4, has had more replicas made than any other pod vehicle.
Zero-X
The Zero-X was man's first attempt to reach Mars and the first twenty minutes of the Thunderbird feature Thunderbirds are Go was taken up with a homage to spacecraft that wouldn't be equaled until 2001: a Space Odyssey for pure devotion. This gargantuan spacecraft was designed to take off from an airfield using giant radio-controlled booster wings, fly to Mars, explore the planet, and then return to Earth, where the wings would be reattached for landing while in midair.
Fireflash
Not a Thunderbird machine, but an amazing lapse of common sense. When Thunderbirds aired, the British & French governments were developing what would be the only supersonic passenger plane ever to enter service, the Concorde. At the time, such a technological feat was rated as being second only to the Moon landings in significance.
Fireflash was the 21st century's answer to her 20th century sister. She may look like a modern aircraft, aside from the tail-mounted engines, but she's actually a hypersonic jumbo capable of flying at the edge of space. Her flight deck is also housed in the tail (no, I don't know how they see to land), and the wings
contain the first class lounge. Oh, yes, she's nuclear powered with an ablative radiation shield that fails disastrously after a few hours, so waiting on the tarmac results in a lot of white-knuckled passengers worried about losing more than their luggage.
Remote Camera
International Rescue's answer to the UAV. Though in this case, it seems to be more camera than vehicle.
Elevator Cars
The Elevator Cars are built for use at airports to enable stricken aircraft to land safely by way of being manouvred beneath a plane to act as replacement landing gear. The Elevator Cars are capable of matching the speed of most incoming aircraft, with each car having twelve wheels and heavy braking systems. Initially four were built; one master elevator car (with a number one label) and three remote controlled cars (numbered 2-4). However number 3 car was destroyed when it lost control and crashed during the rescue of Fireflash. The Elevator cars were seen in the first episode of Thunderbirds, Trapped in the Sky with their rescue of Fireflash becoming probably the most iconic in the show's history. As such, many models of the cars - though often just the Master Elevator Car - have been issued, though the
Konami pod vehicle range included car number 2. The Konami Fireflash model also containing three miniature in scale Elevator Cars (numbered 1,2 and 4 as per "Trapped In The Sky"). Carried in Pod 3.
Hover Bikes
Small personal transports that hover above the ground, used by all members of IR. These vehicles were also seen in Anderson's earlier series Fireball XL5. They were used to get around the fact that the puppeteers could not make the marionettes walk realistically.
Transmitter Truck
The Transmitter Truck is adapted from a heavy-duty commercial vehicle and uses a Jodrell Six multi-use dish that can transmit tractor beams and safety beams in addition to communications and computer data to inaccessible locations. Its traction and high-performance engine allow it to be used in virtually all terrains, as seen in the episode "Sun Probe" when it is used to project a safety beam to the stricken Thunderbird 3. Many models have been made of the truck, though some of them named the truck either 'Jodrell 6' or 'IR3' due to the nameplate above the cabin. The Transmitter Truck can also be glimpsed in the episode "Cry Wolf" in the pod vehicle hangar.
Jet Air Transporter
The Jet Air Transporter is an air-cushioned vehicle which uses a combination of high-powered vertical turbo fans and anti-gravity technology to allow people jumping from buildings or structures to be caught safely and gently lowered to the ground. A catchment area of 20 feet around the vehicle allows a safety margin for jumpers. The Jet Air Transporter features in the episode "Move And You're Dead". The only model to have been made of this pod vehicle is a miniature model issued by Konami in the pod vehicle range.
Neutraliser Tractor
The Neutraliser Tractor is a small tracked mobile device used to disable the radio control systems and electronics of explosive devices through the use of sonic waves. It can also be used to disrupt computer systems by overriding the incoming data signals transmitted by the carrier. The Neutraliser Tractor is seen in action in "Move And You're Dead" and can be seen in the pod in "Sun Probe".
Recovery Vehicles
The Recovery Vehicles are two (one manned, one remote controlled) powerful pulling machines that fire magnetic grapples.
Excavator
The Excavator is a high-powered rock-crushing machine used to clear rough terrain or unblock caves with people trapped inside, often being used for areas affected by landlsides. Similar in design to the DOMO. The Excavator appears in the episode "Martian Invasion" and a diaroma of its use in the episode was re-created by Konami in addition to a standard pod vehicle miniature. Bandai and Takara also issued models of the vehicle.
Laser Cutter Vehicle
The Laser Cutter is a small tracked vehicle with a powerful front-mounted laser that can gain precise and rapid entry to secure buildings such as vaults and bunkers. The laser gun has a number of settings from single beams to pulsed energy bursts as well as an onboard timer and a high powered fan to blow away cuttings. The vehicle is seen in action in the episode "30 Minutes After Noon" but can be seen in the Pod in "Sun Probe".
Thunderiser
The Thunderiser is a small tracked vehicle, similar in design to the Laser Cutter Vehicle, with a front mounted cannon (called a Booster Mortar) which can through computer controlled precision, fire steel-cylinder rescue packs to assist people trapped in tall buildings via upper floor windows. The cylinders contain a variety of equipment such as oxygen tanks, anti-gravity jet packs and hand-held fire fighting tools. If need be, explosive projectiles can be fired. The Thunderiser appears in the episode "Edge Of Impact" and can also be glimpsed in the pod vehicle bay in "Cry Wolf". Takara, Konami and Badai have all issued models of the vehicle.
DOMO
The DOMO (Demolition and Object Moving Operator) is a restraint vehicle with three suction arms that, by using artificial-gravity fields can restrain or lift unstable structures (up to 50 ton in weight) or clear the disaster zone of heavy objects prior to the use of other pod vehicles. Appears in "The Duchess Assignment". Konami produced two models of the Domo (one in a diaroma set from "The Duchess Assignment") and Bandai also produced a die cast model.
Sidewinder
A military walking vehicle which appeared in the episode "Pit of Peril". It resembles a giant lobster. Powered by an atomic reactor, the four-legged Sidewinder has two mechanical arms at the front which are used to uproot trees and move aside other obstructions. The vehicle is operated by a crew of three from the cabin at the front. At 50 m long and weighing over 500 tonnes, the Sidewinder is slow and lumbering, but is capable of crossing terrain inaccessible to other land vehicles. The vehicle was developed to prevent South African "brush fire" wars from escalating into larger conflicts and is equipped with a significant amount of weaponry. The prototype vehicle fell into an unmapped landfill pit during
testing. Due to spontaneous combustion of the rubbish the inside of the pit was extremely hot. Later versions of it were equipped with emergency anti-gravity generators for use in situations like that or if one of its legs has been removed.
Crablogger
This huge yellow tree-felling machine featured in the episode "Path of Destruction". Powered by an atomic reactor, but with a wood processing plant dependent on the chemical fuel 'Superon', the Crablogger was designed by Jim Lucas of Robotics International in England. The machine was equipped with two large arms with a giant central chainsaw which would cut a tree at the base before passing it through an opening at the front. Inside the Crablogger, the tree was reduced to wood pulp which was regularly collected by automated tankers. Designed to clear areas of forestation to make way for road developments, much of the Crablogger's systems were automated, although a crew was required to
monitor these systems. In the episode Path of Destruction the crew were incapacitated, resulting in the machine going out of control.
SkyScraper Mover
Sun Probe
The Sun Probe is a rocket that was sent to collect a sample from the Sun for research purposes. However, the heat from the Sun caused the Sun Probe's retro-rockets to fail, resulting in it going on a collision course with the Sun until Thunderbird 3 was able to activate the rockets by remote. It first featured (briefly) in the episode Perils of Penelope and later the eponoymous Sun Probe.
Mars Probe
Monobrake
A low-slung search and recovery utility vehicle capable of either travelling along monorail tunnels or, by using its front mounted telescopic arm, can be attached to an overhead monorail line for greater speed. Due to its low height, the Monobrake can remain in a monorail tunnel and have a train pass over it without incident. The vehicle has seating for two people. The Monobrake appeared in use in the episode "The Perils of Penelope", is glimpsed in the vehicle hangar in "Cry Wolf" and can be seen in Pod 1 in "Security Hazard". Both Konami and Bandai produced models of the vehicle.
Mobile Crane
A six-wheeled 'cherry picker' vehicle used primarily to lift rescue personnel up to 100 feet into tall structures, transmitter masts, trees and even moving structures. The three seat vehicle features in the episode "Path Of Destruction". Thus far, only Bandai have produced a model of it.
Fire Truck
The Fire Truck is adapted from the same vehicle as the Transmitter Truck. It can fire nitro-glycerine shells to extinguish blazes as well as pumping water and foam onto blazes. Like the Transmitter Truck, the lettering 'IR3' is on a nameplate above the cabin. The Fire Truck appears in the opening sequence of "Security Hazard". Bandai is currently the only company to have manufactured a model of the vehicle.
Unused vehicles
International Rescue has a number of other pod vehicles that were seen in the Thunderbirds series, but not seen in active rescue missions.
Fire Tender
The Fire Tender is another adapted commercial vehicle which serves as a backup to both the Firefly and the Fire Truck. It was bought by International Rescue from a manufacturer of fire-fighting equipment and upgraded.[2] Like the Firefly, it can fire nitroglycerin. The Fire Tender is only seen in the Tracy Island tour of the pod vehicle bay in "Cry Wolf" and is not seen in action. The original commercial vehicle is seen fighting the blaze in the episode "City Of Fire".
Yellow Trailer Truck
The Yellow Trailer truck is seen in the pod vehicle hangar in the Tracy Island tour in "Cry Wolf". It is adapted from a commercial vehicle and as it is not a flatbed truck, is presumably used to transport cylindrical heavy objects to and from disaster zones. The original design on which the vehicle is based can be seen in the episode "Day Of Disaster" transporting the rear of the Martian Space Probe to its destination. As seen in the episode, the vehicle appears to be buoyant in water and thus can presumably be used to transport over land and sea.
Red and Black Truck
The Red and Black Truck is a HGV style front truck section vehicle with single front wheels and double back wheels. It can be seen in the pod vehicle bay in the episode "Cry Wolf". Its use is, presumably, to transport or tow materials around danger zones - or within the pod vehicle bay - possibly in conjunction with the Yellow Trailer Truck.
Red Curved Vehicle
The Red Curved Vehicle is a low to the ground tractorless large front windowed vehicle seen in Pod 1 in the episode "Security Hazard". The interior of the vehicle is similar to the monorail car used within Tracy Island. As the vehicle is seen alongside the Monobrake, a vehicle used for monorail rescue, it is highly likely this vehicle is for monorail rescue too. Whereas the Monobrake can only be used on suspended monorail systems or to travel underneath monorail lines, it appears this vehicle can be used on straddle-beam monorail systems and (from the look of the top structure) suspended monorails.
Pod Devices
Diacetyline Cage
The Diacetyline Cage is a piece of equipment that can be mounted in elevator shafts, allowing a small red cage to be lowered or raised to rescue people trapped in elevator shafts. The cage is fireproof and is capable of spraying diacetylene out of side and base panels in case of the shaft being on fire. Attached to the bottom of the cage is a grab which can be used to haul broken lift compartments back up. The Diacetyline Cage is seen in action in the episode "30 Minutes After Noon" but it is not shown how the cage is transported to a lift shaft or how it is suspended. No models have been issued of this vehicle.
Sealant Device
The Sealant Device is an underwater machine capable of sealing cracks in the sea bed or underwater air pockets. The device is initially buoyant but can be submerged and towed underwater by Thunderbird 4 to a disaster zone. Four steel pins are then activated which cement themselves into the ground whilst the central section acts as the sealant. The Sealant Device is seen in the episode "Atlantic Inferno". No models have been produced of this device.
Electromagnetic Grabs
The Electromagnetic grabs according to the Thunderbird's, Thunderbird 2 Cross Section are housed in all six pods of Thunderbird 2 and are hydraulically lowered from a hatch in the base of the pod. However, in the Haynes Thunderbird's Manual (Agents' Technical Manual) the grabs take up the whole of Pod 2.
The Grabs are used to grab and lift heavy vehicles out of disaster areas and, as seen in "Brink Of Disaster" are strong enough to tear an individual carriage from a monorail out of the whole train. They are also seen in "End Of The Road".
Helijet
Multi-purpose jet-powered VTOL aircraft, Helijets appear in numerous episodes and are widely used by civilian and military organisations. A variety of different designs are seen over the course of the series and were also seen in Anderson's next series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. Some versions seem to be based on the fuselage design of the Kaman HH-43 Huskie helicopter of the early 1960s. It is assumed that the production team modellers modified commercial plastic models (probably the 1/32 scale Hawk kit) of the helicopter for use in the series.
Regular Voice Cast
Jeff Tracy . . . Peter Dyneley
Scott Tracy . . . Shane Rimmer
Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward . . . Sylvia Anderson
Virgil Tracy . . . David Holliday
Alan Tracy . . . Matt Zimmerman
Brains . . . David Graham
Aloysius 'Nosey' Parker . . . David Graham
Tin-Tin Kyrano . . . Christine Finn
Gordon Tracy . . . David Graham
John Tracy . . . Ray Barrett
Kyrano . . . David Graham
Grandma Tracy . . . Christine Finn
The Hood . . . Ray Barrett
Episode List Series 1
S01E01 Trapped In The Sky
Written by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson
Directed by Alan Pattillo
Edited by Len Walter & David Lane
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker,
Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano, The Hood
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), TB5, FAB 1, Fireflash, Elevator Cars, TX 204 Target-carrying Aircraft
Guest Voice Cast:
Commander Norman Peter Dyneley
Captain Hanson David Graham
Fireflash Co-Pilot Ray Barrett
Assistant Controller Ray Barrett
Lieutenant Bob Meddings David Graham
Harris Ray Barrett
TX 204 Pilot (Target One) Ray Barrett
TX 204 Co-Pilot Shane Rimmer
Interceptor One Peter Dyneley
Air Terrainean Guide Sylvia Anderson
Doctor David Graham
Fireflash Passenger David Graham
Through a psychic rapport with his half-brother Kyrano, The Hood learns that International Rescue is ready to begin operations. Plotting to lure the International Rescue craft, he straps a bomb to the landing gear of the atomic-powered airliner Fireflash on its maiden flight from London to Tokyo so that if the crew attempts a landing by conventional means, the bomb will detonate. Although the airliner's atomic motors enable the Fireflash to stay in the air for six months, the passengers and crew will receive fatal doses of radiation when the anti-radiation shield on the reactor fails. On board is Kyrano's daughter Tin-Tin, en route to Tracy Island to join International Rescue. The Fireflash crew attempt to dislodge the bomb with aerobatics, without success. Then an attempt is made to winch a man to the landing gear from a TX 204 target-carrying aircraft, but this also fails, so Jeff dispatches Scott and Virgil in Thunderbirds 1 and 2 to London Airport. International Rescue are in business!
S01E02 Pit Of Peril
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Brains, John
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 5), TB5, Mole, Remote Camera, Recovery Vehicles, Sidewinder, Army Helicopter, Helijet
Guest Voice Cast:
Colonel Sweeney David Graham
Ralph Peter Dyneley
General Peters David Graham
Captain Matt Zimmerman
Lieutenant Mead Ray Barrett
Sergeant Reynolds David Graham
Frank David Graham
Johnny Shane Rimmer
Helijet Pilot Charlie Matt Zimmerman
In the African jungle, the US Army is testing a new all-terrain Sidewinder vehicle when the ground gives way and it falls into a blazing pit with a three man crew trapped inside - 300 feet below ground. Lieutenant Mead, a member of the relief crew, is lowered into the pit from a helijet to assess the situation; he is badly burned but able to report the condition of the vehicle. A second man, Sergeant Reynolds, tries to attach a line to one of the Sidewinder's legs to haul it upright, but he too is badly burned and the line slips off during the attempt. General Peters calls in International Rescue and Scott, Virgil and Brains are soon speeding to the scene in Thunderbirds 1 and 2. Thunderbird 1's remote camera reveals that the pit was once an open-cast mine used as a military equipment dump after World War II. A crust of earth has formed over the top and the International Rescue team realise that they must remove the remainder of the crust before the 500-ton Sidewinder can be dragged up the side of the pit...
S01E03 City Of Fire
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, John
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), TB5, Mole, Firefly, Hoverbikes, Helijet
Guest Voice Cast:
Joe Carter Ray Barrett
Blanche Carter Sylvia Anderson
Tommy Carter Sylvia Anderson
Tower Controller Matt Zimmerman
Tower Control Assistant David Graham
WTV Reporter Matt Zimmerman
Woman Driver Christine Finn
Woman Driver's Husband David Graham
Fire Chief Peter Dyneley
A car crash in the underground parking lot of the newly opened Thompson Tower maxi-mall causes a raging inferno which soon consumes the building when the sprinkler system fails. Unseen by the security cameras, the Carter family - Joe, Blanche and their son Tommy - is trapped by sealed fire doors in the access corridors beneath the Tower. By the time that they are spotted, it is too late to effect a rescue by normal means. The Tower Controller calls International Rescue and Scott and Virgil race to the scene in Thunderbirds 1 and 2, despite having only just recovered from the side-effects of experiments with new cutting equipment fuelled by oxyhydnite gas. As Thunderbird 1 arrives, the Tower collapses, raising doubts as to how long the ceiling of the underground corridor can last before caving in. Scott and Virgil realise that the only way to reach the Carters in time is to cut through the fire doors with the oxyhydnite equipment, whatever the risks from the side-effects...
S01E04 Sun Probe
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by David Lane
Edited by Peter Elliott
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, Kyrano
Major Equipment:
TB2 (Pod 6), TB3, Transmitter Truck, Braman,Sun Probe
Guest Voice Cast:
Colonel Harris Ray Barrett
Solarnaut Asher David Graham
Solarnaut Camp John Tate
Colonel Benson Ray Barrett
Professor Heinz Bodman Peter Dyneley
TV Reporter Matt Zimmerman
Braman David Graham
The Sun Probe, a rocket designed to ferry three solarnauts to the Sun and return with a piece of solar matter, is launched from Cape Kennedy and within a week has arrived at its destination. The mission goes according to plan but as the solarnauts prepare to return to Earth, high radiation levels prevent Sun Probe's control systems from firing the retro rockets and the solarnauts find themselves on a collision course with the Sun. Brains realises that a powerful radio beam is needed to fire Sun Probe's retros and Jeff decides to mount a two-pronged rescue: Thunderbird 3, with Alan, Scott and Tin-Tin on board, is launched into space whilst Virgil and Brains head for Mount Arkan in Thunderbird 2 with a powerful mobile transmitter. But Alan's first attempt to reach Sun Probe with the safety beam fails and he and Scott realise that Thunderbird 3 must go much closer to the Sun than originally planned...
S01E05 The Uninvited
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 6), TB3, TB5, Desert Jeep
Guest Voice Cast:
Wilson Ray Barrett
Lindsey Matt Zimmerman
Zombite Leader David Graham
Zombite Controller Matt Zimmerman
Zombite Guard Ray Barrett
Zombite Flight Leader David Graham
As Scott returns from the scene of a fire in Tokyo, Thunderbird 1 is shot down in the Sahara Desert by three unidentified fighter planes. Scott cracks his head as Thunderbird 1 crashes into the sand dunes, but he is able to open the cabin hatch before passing out. He is found by two archaeologists, Wilson and Lindsey, who administer first aid. They radio International Rescue and Virgil, Brains and Tin-Tin soon arrive in Thunderbird 2. After the International Rescue group return to Tracy Island, the archaeologists continue their search for the lost pyramid of Khamandides, but their supplies trailer breaks loose from their jeep and explodes, leaving the pair stranded without water. Their SOS call is picked up by Alan on Thunderbird 5 and Scott is soon on his way in Thunderbird 1. Meanwhile, Wilson and Lindsey discover the pyramid of Khamandides but the door through which they enter the pyramid swings shut behind them, trapping them inside!
S01E06 The Mighty Atom (#6)
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by David Lane
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano, Grandma, The Hood
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 4), TB3, TB4, TB5, Desert Jeep, TX 204
Guest Voice Cast:
Reactor Controller Wade Ray Barrett
Reactor Controller Collins David Graham
General Speyer Ray Barrett
Professor Holden Peter Dyneley
Reactor Control Assistant Shane Rimmer
Press Officer Matt Zimmerman
Plant Tour Guide David Graham
1st Reporter Peter Dyneley
2nd Reporter Matt Zimmerman
Fire Chief Ray Barrett
Guard Ray Barrett
Attempting to film the secrets of an atomic irrigation plant in Eastern Australia, The Hood accidentally causes a fire which leads to the explosion of the plant's nuclear reactor. The resulting atomic cloud drifts towards Melbourne, but a strong wind blows it away. A year later, The Hood attends a demonstration of a remarkable surveillance device, the Mighty Atom. Disguised as a mouse, the Mighty Atom can photograph control systems by focusing on technicians' faces as they monitor their control panels, so The Hood steals the device and uses it to photograph the control room of a new irrigation plant which has been built in the Sahara Desert. He then sparks a fire similar to the one at the Australian plant, planning to lure International Rescue and use the Mighty Atom to photograph the control cabins of the Thunderbird vehicles...
S01E07 Vault Of Death
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Peter Elliott
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 5), TB5, FAB 1, Hoverbikes
Guest Voice Cast:
Lord Silton Peter Dyneley
Lovegrove Ray Barrett
Lambert David Graham
Lil Sylvia Anderson
Light-Fingered Fred David Graham
Taylor David Graham
Carter Shane Rimmer
Moore David Graham
Longman Peter Dyneley
Barrett David Graham
Policeman David Graham
Lady Penelope and Parker are invited to break into the vault of the Bank of England to illustrate that improved security is required. A new vault is fitted which can only be opened with an electronic key carried by the Bank's President, Lord Silton, in a briefcase which, he boasts, never leaves his side. But while Lord Silton dines with Lady Penelope at Creighton-Ward Mansion, the workaholic accountant Lambert is accidentally trapped inside the vault when it is closed for the next two years. The air is automatically pumped out to keep everything sterile, but with no manual shutdown Lambert will soon suffocate. Then Parker discovers that an old cell-mate, 'Light-Fingered' Fred, has just escaped from Parkmoor Scrubs. He recalls Fred's intention to break into the Bank of England when he got out, so when Penelope and Lord Silton learn of the emergency at the bank, Parker sabotages their attempts to get there in the mistaken belief that Fred is responsible...
S01E08 Operation Crash-Dive
Written by Martin Crump
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 4), TB4, TB5, Fireflash, EJ2 Jet
Guest Voice Cast:
Commander Norman Peter Dyneley
Captain Hanson David Graham
Lieutenant Burroughs Ray Barrett
International Air Minister Peter Dyneley
Patterson David Graham
Fireflash Pilot David Graham
Fireflash Co-Pilot Bob Ray Barrett
Fireflash 3 Pilot David Graham
TV Reporter Matt Zimmerman
Seahawk Pilot Matt Zimmerman
Farmer David Graham
Radar Lieutenant Shane Rimmer
Saboteur Ray Barrett
Newsreader David Holliday
Fireflash 3 crashes into the sea soon after taking off from London Airport and Air-sea Rescue can find no trace of the wreckage. A test Fireflash is launched and this too experiences difficulties and crashes into the sea. However, on this occasion, the flight has been monitored by Alan on Thunderbird 5 and he is able to report that the craft is actually some 180 miles north west of the position given by the crew. As Thunderbirds 1 and 2 are launched, the Fireflash sinks and the crew are trapped in the cabin when the emergency exit becomes jammed. In Thunderbird 4, Gordon locates the downed Fireflash and uses a laser cutter to remove the airliner's heavy engines, enabling the Fireflash to float to the surface where the crew escape in Thunderbird 2's rescue capsule. In an attempt to determine the cause of the crashes, Scott joins Captain Hanson during the next Fireflash test, but again the aircraft loses power and goes into a crash-dive...
S01E09 Move - And You're Dead
Written by Alan Pattillo
Directed by Alan Pattillo
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pods 1 and 5), Neutralizer Tractor, Jet Air Transporter, BR2 Racing Car
Guest Voice Cast:
Victor Gomez David Graham
Johnny Gillespie Ray Barrett
Kenny Malone Ray Barrett
Billy Billoxi Matt Zimmerman
Parola Sands Announcer Ray Barrett
Timekeeper David Holliday
Parola Sands Page Sylvia Anderson
Alan and Grandma are trapped high on the girders of a suspension bridge over the San Miguel River with a sonic wave generator positioned nearby. If either of them makes any move, the sonic wave device will register the movement and detonate a bomb attached to the underside of the bridge. Alan manages to use his personal intercall wrist communicator to call Tracy Island and Scott, Virgil and Brains set off in Thunderbirds 1 and 2. Grandma faints and in order to keep Alan from passing out too, Jeff makes him explain how they got into this fix. Alan tells how he took part in the Parola Sands Race to test a new engine designed by Brains and fitted into a BR2 racing car. On arrival at Parola Sands, Alan met his friend, engineer Kenny Malone, and an old race track rival, Victor Gomez, but Gomez and his partner Johnnie Gillespie proved to be desperate for the prize money and prepared to go to any lengths to win the race...
S01E10 Martian Invasion
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Peter Elliott
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano, The Hood
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 5), TB5, Excavator, Hoverbike, Hood's Jeep
Guest Voice Cast:
Goldheimer Ray Barrett
Bletcher David Graham
General Strond Matt Zimmerman
Maguire David Graham
Slim Matt Zimmerman
Martian Pete Peter Dyneley
Martian Ray Ray Barrett
Director of Photography Shane Rimmer
Production Manager David Graham
Make-Up Girl Sylvia Anderson
Brian Ray Barrett
Two policemen, responding to a flying saucer report, find themselves attacked by Martians and trapped in a cave. However, this is just part of a movie script to be filmed by B-movie director Goldheimer under the supervision of The Hood in a devious plan to capture the secrets of International Rescue on film for sale to General Strond. Exerting his psychic control, The Hood forces Kyrano to switch off the automatic camera detector in Thunderbird 1 and then sets his plan in motion. Filming begins in the Nevada Desert using automatic camera equipment. The first scenes involve the two policemen becoming trapped in the cave by the Martians, but The Hood sabotages a pyrotechnic effects sequence and the resulting explosion brings down the whole cliff face. The two actors are trapped inside the cave, which begins to fill up with water from an underground river...
S01E11 Brink Of Disaster
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by David Lane
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, John
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2, TB5, FAB 1, Helijet, Pacific Atlantic Monotrain
Guest Voice Cast:
Warren Grafton David Graham
Harry Malloy David Graham
Doolan Matt Zimmerman
Selsden Ray Barrett
Hugo Peter Dyneley
2nd Investor Ray Barrett
Joe (Patrol 304) Ray Barrett
Stan (Patrol 538) Matt Zimmerman
Patrol Base Matt Zimmerman
Crook with Machine Gun Ray Barrett
Lady Penelope is visited by American businessman Warren Grafton, who explains that he is looking for investors in his Pacific Atlantic Monorail company. Parker suspects a scam when he recognises Grafton's chauffeur as a crook named Harry Malloy, so Penelope puts Grafton in touch with Jeff Tracy, who investigates the operation posing as an interested investor. Grafton takes Jeff, Brains and Tin-Tin for a ride aboard the totally automated Pacific Atlantic monotrain, along the 500 miles of track that have already been completed. Grafton assures them of complete safety, although Jeff spots a number of flaws in the design which could endanger the monotrain passengers. Then a patrolling helijet is struck by lightning in a storm and crashes into a monorail bridge, bringing down part of the bridge and cutting off the automatic signals. The monotrain is out of control and heading for disaster!
S01E12 The Perils Of Penelope
Written by Alan Pattillo
Directed by Alan Pattillo and Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 6), FAB 1, Monobrake, Anderbad Express Monotrain, Sun Probe
Guest Voice Cast:
Sir Jeremy Hodge Peter Dyneley
Professor Borender David Graham
Dr. Godber Ray Barrett
Albert Matt Zimmerman
Roache David Graham
Waiter David Graham
Colonel Benson David Graham
Professor Borender, creator of a new rocket fuel produced from sea water, used to power the Sun Probe on its historic solar flight, disappears from a monotrain during a journey from Paris to Anderbad. International Rescue's Sir Jeremy Hodge calls in Lady Penelope to help find his friend and they meet in a Parisian café where Penelope narrowly avoids drinking poisoned Pernod. The culprit leaves behind a matchbook emblazoned with a heraldic crest, but when they try to locate the crest in the Heraldic Archive, Penelope and Sir Jeremy are trapped in the basement by the evil Dr. Godber as gas is pumped in. Rescued by Parker in FAB 1, Penelope and Sir Jeremy retrace Borender's steps by taking the express monotrain to Anderbad, but Godber arranges a power failure as the train enters the Anderbad Tunnel and kidnaps them both. Taking them to his tunnel hideout, he tries to force Sir Jeremy and Borender to reveal the secret of their process by tying Penelope to a ladder and lowering her into the path of the Anderbad Express!
S01E13 Terror In New York City
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by David Elliott and David Lane
Edited by Peter Elliott
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, Kyrano, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 6), TB4, Firefly, USN Sentinel
Guest Voice Cast:
Ned Cook Matt Zimmerman
Joe David Graham
Sentinel Commander Ray Barrett
First Officer Clayton David Graham
Scanners Shane Rimmer
1st Policeman - Site Control Ray Barrett
2nd Policeman - Site Control David Graham
Police Patrol David Graham
Newsreader Ray Barrett
Washington Shane Rimmer
Garner David Graham
TV Compere Ray Barrett
Returning from a rescue operation at an oil well fire, Thunderbird 2 strays into a Naval test area and is attacked by missiles launched from the USN Sentinel. Virgil pilots the damaged Thunderbird 2 to a crash-landing on Tracy Island and although he is not badly injured, Thunderbird 2 will be out of action for weeks. From his sick bed, Virgil watches a television report from New York on an ingenious operation to move the Empire State Building for redevelopment of the surrounding area. Suddenly, the ground gives way beneath the building and as it comes crashing down, television reporter Ned Cook and his cameraman, Joe, fall into a deep cavern. The Empire State Building collapses over the hole and the men are trapped with water seeping into their hollow from an uncharted underground river. Thunderbird 4 is their only hope of rescue, but with Thunderbird 2 out of commission there seems to be no way to get the submarine to New York in time!
S01E14 End Of The Road
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by David Lane
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2, TB5, Road Construction Vehicle, Explosives Tractor, Helijet
Guest Voice Cast:
Eddie Houseman Ray Barrett
Bob Gray David Graham
Cheng David Graham
J.B. Lester Ray Barrett
Chuck Taylor Matt Zimmerman
Engineer David Graham
The Gray & Houseman Construction Company are building a road through a mountain range in South-East Asia using an amazing road building vehicle, but they have to complete their contract before the monsoon season. Eddie Houseman successfully blasts a pathway through the mountains but, while he is visiting his old friend Tin-Tin Kyrano on Tracy Island, the mountain range starts to crumble into the pathway and his business partner Bob Gray realises that it will not survive the monsoon. Eddie immediately returns to the site and recklessly sets off in an explosives tractor to plant charges on an unstable peak which will cause it to fall away from the road. With the peak about to collapse, Eddie fires the charges while still too close and the blast leaves his tractor teetering on the edge of the mountain trail. But there's worse to come: he still has a case of unstable nutomic charges aboard and if he goes over the edge, he will be blown sky high!
S01E15 Day Of Disaster
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 4), TB4, TB5, FAB 1, Martian Space Probe
Guest Voice Cast:
Allington Bridge Controller Ray Barrett
Dave Clayton David Graham
Kirby Ray Barrett
Chuck David Graham
Bill Craddock Matt Zimmerman
Frank David Graham
Professor Wingrove Peter Dyneley
NTBS Reporter Peter Dyneley
2nd NTBS Reporter Matt Zimmerman
Policeman David Graham
Dr. R.G. Korda Ray Barrett
Crane Chief Peter Dyneley
A Martian Space Probe rocket is being transported to its launch site over the Allington Suspension Bridge when the suspension cables snap and the bridge collapses, tipping the MSP from its transport vehicle into the Allington River. The rocket lands on the river bed in an upright launch position, covered in debris from the bridge. The impact sets off the automatic launch countdown which will blow the rocket to pieces, killing two engineers who are trapped in the command module. Brains is visiting Lady Penelope and they both watch the disaster taking place on television. They rush to the bridge in FAB 1 and while Lady Penelope and Parker arrange a diversion, Brains makes his way to the bridge control centre. However, the Bridge Controller refuses to acknowledge the need for more sophisticated rescue equipment so Brains contacts John on his personal intercall wrist communicator and directs the International Rescue operation himself...
S01E16 Edge Of Impact
Written by Donald Robertson
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Peter Elliott
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, The Hood
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), Booster Mortar, Low-altitude Escape Harnesses, Remote Camera, Braman, Red Arrow 1, Red Arrow 2, TX 204 Target-carrying Aircraft
Guest Voice Cast:
Colonel Tim Casey David Graham
Commander Norman Peter Dyneley
General Bron David Graham
Goddard Matt Zimmerman
Jim David Graham
Stan Ray Barrett
Race David Graham
Control Tower Lieutenant Ray Barrett
Captain Matt Zimmerman
1st Policeman David Graham
2nd Policeman Ray Barrett
Police Radio Christine Finn
The Hood is hired by General Bron to sabotage the new Red Arrow fighter plane, ensuring that the plane crashes into the launch site on its test flight. World Space Control project supervisor Colonel Tim Casey is replaced for the test programme on Red Arrow 2, so he decides to pay an unexpected call on his old friend Jeff Tracy at Tracy Island. Brains suspects that the Red Arrow was sabotaged and provides Red Arrow 2 pilot Goddard with a diversion detector before he returns to base, but The Hood plants a homing device on an international television relay tower so that when Red Arrow 2 makes its test flight, it is drawn off course. Goddard ejects safely but the Red Arrow crashes into the tower, trapping a pair of operatives, Jim and Stan, in the control cabin. The men call International Rescue as the tower disintegrates, but with Colonel Casey still on the island, Jeff cannot risk launching Thunderbirds 1 and 2...
S01E17 Desperate Intruder
Written by Donald Robertson
Directed by David Lane
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano, Grandma, The Hood
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pods 4 and 5), TB4, Desert Jeep, Transporter Vehicle, 3E Submarine, Hydrostatic Hoist, Helijet
Guest Voice Cast:
Professor Blakely Peter Dyneley
Hassan Ali David Graham
Brains and Tin-Tin mount an expedition to find treasure in a temple on the bed of Lake Anasta in the Middle East, but The Hood learns of their plans through his psychic link with Kyrano. Ferried to the desert in Thunderbird 2, Brains and Tin-Tin make the final leg of their journey in a desert jeep towing a pair of caravans, rendezvousing with archaeologist Professor Blakely before completing the journey. Arriving at Lake Anasta, Brains and Tin-Tin use scuba gear to dive in and take a first look at the lost temple. Brains takes a rock sample from the central column for later examination but The Hood, observing from a mini-submarine hidden in the lake, believes that they have found the treasure already. That night, disguised as a Bedouin tribesman, he steals into the expedition caravans and hypnotises the three team members. The next morning, Brains regains consciousness to find himself buried up to his neck in the desert sand...
S01E18 30 Minutes After Noon
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 5), TB5, FAB 1, Dicetylene Cage, Laser Equipment, Helijet
Guest Voice Cast:
Southern (Tiger Four) Ray Barrett
Sir William Frazer (Two-One) David Graham
Tom Prescott Matt Zimmerman
Commissioner Garfield David Graham
The Leader David Graham
Dempsey Peter Dyneley
Kenyon David Graham
Officer Flanagan Ray Barrett
Officer Jones Peter Dyneley
Stranger Ray Barrett
Sam Saltzman David Graham
Gladys Saltzman Sylvia Anderson
Frank Forrester Matt Zimmerman
BSS Assistant David Graham
Erdman Gang Member Peter Dyneley
Policeman (Police Barrier) Matt Zimmerman
Driving home late at night, Tom Prescott picks up a hitch-hiker who locks a bracelet made of hydrochromatised steel to his wrist. He is told that the key is in his office at the Hudson Building in Spoke City, so Prescott races back to the building and unlocks the bracelet before the explosive device set into it detonates. Unfortunately, he is still descending in the elevator when the device left in his office explodes. The elevator plunges into the basement and Prescott is trapped at the bottom of the lift shaft as fire rages through the building. The local fire department is unable to contain the blaze, so Jeff dispatches Thunderbirds 1 and 2 to the scene. Virgil and Alan descend into the lift shaft in a specially cooled dicetylene cage fitted with grabs, recovering the elevator car and rescuing Prescott. Police Commissioner Garfield suspects that the Erdman gang are behind the incident so he turns the case over to the British Security Service...
S01E19 The Impostors
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Peter Elliott
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John
Major Equipment:
TB3, TB5, FAB 1, Fireflash, EJ2 Jet, Helijet
Guest Voice Cast:
General Lambert Ray Barrett
Elliott David Graham
Eddie Kerr Matt Zimmerman
Jeremiah Tuttle Peter Dyneley
Ma Tuttle Sylvia Anderson
Jenkins Ray Barrett
Carela David Graham
Hale Ray Barrett
Captain Hanson David Graham
Fireflash Co-Pilot Ray Barrett
Fireflash Stewardess Sylvia Anderson
Colonel Ray Barrett
Wakefield Matt Zimmerman
Air Force Officer Peter Dyneley
Air Force Lieutenant Peter Dyneley
Speed Merchant Matt Zimmerman
Helijet Pilot David Graham
Search Control David Graham
Jack David Graham
A fake International Rescue team apparently rescues a man from an underground well, but when it is discovered that they have stolen top secret plans from the nearby Aeronautical Centre, General Lambert launches a worldwide search to track down International Rescue and bring them to justice. The Tracys have no choice but to shut down operations while the hunt is on but Jeff contacts International Rescue agents around the world to help them to find the impostors. Lady Penelope flies to America to interview a reporter who covered the 'rescue' at the well, while hillbilly agent Jeremiah Tuttle finds aircraft tracks in the woods near his shack which lead to an old mine. Meanwhile at the Space Observatory 3 scanning satellite, a technician is stranded in space when his jet pack goes haywire. Only International Rescue can save him, but launching Thunderbird 3 will reveal the organisation's location to Lambert's search team!
S01E20 The Man From MI.5
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by David Lane
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 4), TB4, TB5, FAB 1, FAB 2, Fireflash
Guest Voice Cast:
Bondson Ray Barrett
Carl David Graham
Ritter Ray Barrett
Third Man Matt Zimmerman
MI.5 Agent Tidman David Graham
Fireflash Stewardess Sylvia Anderson
When top secret papers are stolen from Captain Blacker's ship anchored in harbour on the French Riviera, MI.5 agent Bondson contacts International Rescue, warning of the destruction of the world. Penelope agrees to meet Bondson in the Forest of Digne, where he reveals that the stolen papers are plans for a nuclear device. The recovery of the plans is vital so Penelope sets herself up as a target for the thieves, posing as model Gayle Williams, newly arrived on the French Riviera to expose those who blew up Blacker's boat. Penelope decides to give Parker the night off so she is alone on her luxury yacht FAB 2 when Carl, the leader of the crooks, kidnaps her. She is tied up in a lonely boathouse where Carl plants a radio-controlled bomb, explaining that the explosion will create a diversion for the harbour patrol, thereby enabling Carl and his cronies to escape into the open sea in their mini-submarine...
S01E21 Cry Wolf
Written by Dennis Spooner
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Grandma, The Hood
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2, TB3, TB5, Hoverbikes, Hood's Jeep, Mole, Firefly, Transmitter Truck, Excavator, Monobrake
Guest Voice Cast:
Williams Ray Barrett
Bob Williams Sylvia Anderson
Tony Williams Christine Finn
Colonel Jameson David Graham
Lieutenant Lansfield Matt Zimmerman
Sergeant David Graham
Two young boys, Tony and Bob Williams, unwittingly call out International Rescue on their walkie-talkies while playing in the Australian desert near their home at Charity Springs in the Northern Territory. To explain how their games are dangerous to International Rescue, Scott takes the boys back to Tracy Island for a guided tour, but the story makes headlines in the local newspapers which worries their father: under the guise of a weather station, he runs a satellite tracking station and is engaged in top security research for the military. Realising the true nature of the weather station, The Hood encourages Tony and Bob to play in the old Charity Springs tin mine at Dunsley Hill. Once the boys are inside, he fires a grenade into the mine entrance, causing a cave-in and trapping the boys. Tony and Bob call International Rescue on their walkie-talkies but their rescue plea is assumed to be another of the boys' games, and no action is taken...
S01E22 Danger At Ocean Deep
Written by Donald Robertson
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), TB3, TB5, FAB 1, Ocean Pioneer I, Ocean Pioneer II
Additional Voice Cast:
Lord Worden Peter Dyneley
Captain, Ocean Pioneer II John Tate
No. 2, Ocean Pioneer II David Graham
Lieutenant Jensen Matt Zimmerman
Captain Johnson Ray Barrett
Collins David Graham
Stevens John Tate
Commander, Ocean Pioneer I John Tate
Sir Arthur Ray Barrett
TV Reporter Ray Barrett
Scottish Onlooker John Tate
Pioneer Base, Port London Ray Barrett
Ocean Pioneer I, an automated tanker carrying liquid alsterene, sails into a mysterious sea mist and explodes. Six months later, Lady Penelope launches Ocean Pioneer II, having thoroughly searched the ship beforehand for signs of sabotage. Meanwhile, International Rescue respond to a distress call from Oahu in the Pacific which has been hit by a typhoon, but suddenly all radio transmissions are blacked out leaving the organisation blind and deaf. Brains traces the cause of the interference to a reaction between OD60, a sea fungus used in the production of dog food, and liquid alsterene fuel in close proximity: bringing them even closer together results in a huge explosion. Jeff realises that this reaction must be the cause of the destruction of Ocean Pioneer I. Then Lady Penelope learns that there are large deposits of active OD60 in the Mediterranean and Ocean Pioneer II is heading straight for the area loaded with liquid alsterene!
S01E23 The Duchess Assignment
Written by Martin Crump
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Parker, Tin-Tin, John, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), TB5, FAB 1, Mole, Domo, Fireflash, Carrier Aircraft
Guest Voice Cast:
Deborah, Duchess of Royston Ray Barrett
Wilbur Dandridge III David Graham
Chandler Peter Dyneley
Brophy Ray Barrett
Captain Hanson David Graham
Mrs. Godolphin Sylvia Anderson
Casino Owner Peter Dyneley
1st Croupier Peter Dyneley
2nd Croupier Matt Zimmerman
Fireflash Co-Pilot Ray Barrett
Hendricks Matt Zimmerman
Percy David Graham
Percy's Friend Ray Barrett
Customs Officer David Graham
Air Terrainean Hostess Sylvia Anderson
Grand Hotel Receptionist Christine Finn
Elevator David Graham
Lady Penelope finds her old friend Deborah, the Duchess of Royston, playing roulette in a French casino. When the Duchess tells Penelope that she has lost everything except for her precious Braquasso painting 'Portrait Of A Gazelle', their conversation is overheard by a pair of gangsters, Chandler and Brophy. Penelope realises that the roulette table is fixed but she and Parker are unable to prevent the crooked casino owner from escaping with Deborah's money. Later, Penelope learns that the Duchess has been forced to put her home up for sale so, to help her, she and Jeff arrange a meeting with Wilbur Dandridge III, head of Gazelle Automations Inc. in New York. Deborah agrees to loan the Braquasso painting to Dandridge on a rental basis, taking the picture to New York herself. But on her arrival in America, the Duchess is kidnapped by Chandler and Brophy who steal the painting and leave her tied up in the basement of an old house...
S01E24 Attack Of The Alligators!
Written by Alan Pattillo
Directed by David Lane
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 6), TB4, TB5, Hoverbikes
Guest Voice Cast:
Dr. Orchard Ray Barrett
Culp David Graham
Blackmer John Tate
Hector McGill Matt Zimmerman
Mrs. Files Sylvia Anderson
Blackmer visits Dr Orchard and his assistant Hector McGill at a lonely house on the Ambro River to see the effects of a new food additive called theramine, developed by Orchard from a rare plant that only grows in this area. Theramine greatly increases the size of animals fed with it, offering a solution to the world food shortage and even greater financial potential. These revelations are overheard by the boatman Culp, who later steals a sample of theramine from the laboratory, accidentally spilling some of the drug into the sink. He washes the spillage away into the river where it immediately affects the growth of three alligators. When Culp ferries Blackmer down the river the next morning, they are attacked by one of the alligators, now grown to enormous size. Blackmer is rescued by McGill but when they take refuge in the house with Orchard and his housekeeper Mrs. Files, they are surrounded by all three of the giant creatures...
S01E22 The Cham-Cham
Written by Alan Pattillo
Directed by Alan Pattillo
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2, TB3, TB5, Ladybird Jet, Braman, RTL2 Transporter
Guest Voice Cast:
Cass Carnaby Ray Barrett
Olsen David Graham
Commander, Matthews Field Ray Barrett
Maxie John Tate
Banino Matt Zimmerman
Captain Savidge David Graham
Scheiler John Tate
Hitchins David Graham
Macklin Matt Zimmerman
Foreign Colonel John Tate
Foreign Lieutenant Matt Zimmerman
Radio Maxwell DJ Ray Barrett
An RTL2 transporter plane is attacked and shot down by three enemy fighter jets while on a secret missile delivery mission. This is the third such attack and Alan has noticed that each time a transporter is shot down, the Cass Carnaby Five have been giving a live performance of their hit tune 'Dangerous Game', broadcast by Radio Maxwell. The group are currently performing at Paradise Peaks, a deluxe hotel in the Alps, so Jeff sends Penelope to investigate, posing as torch singer Wanda Lamour. Penelope is joined by Tin-Tin and they secretly film the band's manager Olsen working at a complex computer board. Brains realises that Olsen is using a Cham-Cham, a device that is sensitive to ultrasonic harmonics and microtones, to encode information about the rocket transporters into the broadcast musical arrangements of 'Dangerous Game'. Only Penelope's next performance with the band can prevent the destruction of another transporter plane!
S01E26 Security Hazard
Written by Alan Pattillo
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 1 and 2), TB3, TB4, FAB 1, Fireflash, Fire Truck, Elevator Cars, Magnetic Grabs, Sun Probe, Road Construction Vehicle, Explosives Tractor, Martian Space Probe
Guest Voice Cast:
Chip Morrison Sylvia Anderson
Morrison David Graham
Eddie Houseman Ray Barrett
Bob Gray David Graham
J.B. Lester Ray Barrett
Colonel Harris Ray Barrett
Solarnaut Asher David Graham
Solarnaut Camp John Tate
TV Reporter Matt Zimmerman
Commander Norman Peter Dyneley
Captain Hanson David Graham
Fireflash Co-Pilot Ray Barrett
Assistant Controller Ray Barrett
Bill Craddock Matt Zimmerman
Frank David Graham
Allington Bridge Controller Ray Barrett
Dave Clayton David Graham
While Scott, Virgil and Alan are fighting a fire in an English mine, young Chip Morrison stows away inside Thunderbird 2 Pod 1. When Thunderbird 2 arrives back at Tracy Island, the intruder alert goes off and the Tracys find themselves with a security hazard on their hands. While Jeff tries to think of a solution to their problem, Chip is looked after by each of the brothers in turn. The boy exhibits a rare talent for encouraging the brothers to expose International Rescue secrets, as each recalls past rescues which highlight the importance of their individual rescue vehicles. Realising too late what they have all done, the brothers are concerned about what their father will say when he finds out, but they are surprised to discover Jeff giving Chip a full run-down of the importance of his own position in the organisation! Somehow they must prevent Chip from innocently leaking the secrets of International Rescue...
Episode List Series 2
s02e01 Atlantic Inferno
Written by Alan Fennell
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 4), TB4, TB5, FAB 1, Magnetic Grabs, Sealing Device, Seascape, Atom Sub Reaper, Road Construction Vehicle, Desert Jeep, Jeff's Jet
Guest Voice Cast:
Frank Hooper John Tate
Dick O'Shea Jeremy Wilkin
World Navy Commander Peter Dyneley
Atlantic Captain David Graham
Sir Harry John Tate
Atom Sub Reaper Captain Ray Barrett
Atom Sub Reaper Lieutenant Matt Zimmerman
Cravitz Jeremy Wilkin
TV Reporter Ray Barrett
Jeff reluctantly accepts an invitation to holiday with Lady Penelope at her farm in Bonga Bonga, Australia, leaving Scott in temporary command of International Rescue. Meanwhile, the World Navy is testing gyropedoes in the Atlantic but one of their missiles goes wild, exploding on the sea-bed and igniting a gas field beneath the crust, throwing up a huge column of fire which endangers the crew of the drilling rig Seascape. Scott dispatches Gordon in Thunderbird 4 to cap the escaping gas with a sealing device, putting out the flame, but Jeff is furious as he does not believe that the situation warranted International Rescue's involvement. However, the gas field remains ignited beneath the sea-bed and another burst fractures one of the rig's legs. Crewmen Hooper and O'Shea submerge in a diving bell to check the damage, but a third explosion causes the the rig to slip further and the diving bell crashes to the sea-bed trapping Hooper and O'Shea inside!
s02e02 Path Of Destruction
Written by Donald Robertson
Directed by David Elliott
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, John
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), TB5, FAB 1, Crablogger 1, Desert Jeep, Mobile Crane, Hover Packs
Additional Voice Cast:
Jansen Ray Barrett
Simms David Graham
McColl John Tate
Jim Lucas David Graham
Peterson Jeremy Wilkin
Franklin Matt Zimmerman
Sanchos David Graham
Maria Sylvia Anderson
Gutierrez Matt Zimmerman
Manuel David Graham
Security Guard Ray Barrett
Mrs. Lucas Christine Finn
Crablogger One, a huge tree-felling machine, arrives at base camp in South America in preparation for its first mission. The base commander, Jansen, takes the crew for a meal at a local restaurant in nearby San Martino and all but Jansen have the 'special'. The next morning, when the Crablogger sets off from the camp, both of the two-man crew collapse, victims of food poisoning, and the Crablogger veers off course, heading straight for San Martino. To make matters worse, the vehicle has to be constantly relieved of the supplies of wood pulp that it produces whilst in motion, for if the machinery jams the resulting explosion of the Superon-fuelled atomic reactor would lay waste to everything within a 50-mile radius. The only way to stop the huge machine is to activate the secret reactor shut-down procedure from inside the control cabin, which can only be accessed through the roof of the vehicle. Jansen calls International Rescue...
s02e03 Alias Mr. Hackenbacker
Written by Alan Pattillo
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Tin-Tin, Gordon
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), FAB 1, Skythrust, D103
Guest Voice Cast:
Captain Ashton Paul Maxwell
Francois Lemaire Ray Barrett
Commander Norman Peter Dyneley
Madeline Sylvia Anderson
Mason Jeremy Wilkin
Dierdre Christine Finn
Captain Saville Ray Barrett
Skythrust Co-Pilot David Graham
Control Tower Lieutenant Ray Barrett
D103 Pilot Jeremy Wilkin
1st Reporter Jeremy Wilkin
2nd Reporter Paul Maxwell
Officer, London Airport David Graham
Saville's Secretary Christine Finn
Telephone Operator Sylvia Anderson
Waiter David Graham
1st Fashion Buyer David Graham
2nd Fashion Buyer David Graham
Ross David Graham
Co-Conspirator Ray Barrett
Using the alias Hiram K. Hackenbacker, Brains has designed a revolutionary new airliner for Atlantic Airlines, the Skythrust, which incorporates a top secret design feature to make it the safest craft in the skies. Penelope believes that the vehicle's maiden flight from Paris to London will be ideal for the unveiling of a new fashion collection designed by her friend Francois Lemaire. Lemaire has developed an incredible new fibre, Penelon, which can fold up so compactly that a complete outfit will fit into a cigarette box without creasing, but the secret formula for Penelon is highly sought-after by his competitors. Skythrust takes off, the fashion show begins and Penelon is a huge success with the invited guests, but Lemaire' assistant Madeline hi-jacks the plane, giving Captain Ashton instructions to head for the Sahara Desert. Assisted by her co-conspirator Mason, Madeline plans to steal Lemaire's entire collection!
s02e04 Lord Parker's 'Oliday
Written by Tony Barwick
Directed by Brian Burgess
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Parker, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB1, TB2 (Pod 3), FAB 1, Magno-Grip
Guest Voice Cast:
Professor Lungren Peter Dyneley
Mitchell Charles Tingwell
Senor Faccini Jeremy Wilkin
Bruno Charles Tingwell
Party Goer David Graham
Professor Lungren has developed a solar generator which will, as its first test, power the sleepy Mediterranean town of Monte Bianco from a vantage point on a mountain overlooking the town. Penelope and Parker are among the invited guests at the hotel to witness this historic event, which all goes according to plan until a violent storm hits the surrounding area. The solar reflector dish is repeatedly struck by lightning and eventually buckles, crashing down the mountainside and lodging half-way with the reflector pointing directly at the village. The village is plunged into darkness as the solar power cuts off but then, as the storm clears, Monte Bianco is bathed in moonlight reflected by the huge dish. Everyone enjoys the spectacle, but Penelope suddenly realises the potential disaster: as the sun rises in the morning, the sunlight will be magnified and reflected on to the town, which will burn under the intense heat!
s02e05 Ricochet
Written by Tony Barwick
Directed by Brian Burgess
Edited by Harry Ledger
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB2 (Pod 3), TB3, TB5, KLA Satellite, Telsat 4
Guest Voice Cast:
Rick O'Shea Ray Barrett
Loman David Graham
Professor Mitchell Sylvia Anderson
Power Jeremy Wilkin
International Space Control Charles Tingwell
DJ Tom Jeremy Wilkin
Sentinel Base Computer David Graham
Telsat 4 is launched from Sentinel Base, but the second stage fails to separate, even under manual control. International Space Control are contacted to allocate safe co-ordinates for the destruction of the rocket but, unknown to ISC, the co-ordinates they provide are dangerously close to those of unlicensed pirate television satellite KLA with DJ Rick O'Shea and his engineer Loman on board. The explosion of the rocket damages the satellite and Loman realises that they are headed for re-entry. Then he discovers that the breaking parachutes will not operate, so he goes outside to assess the damage but becomes trapped in the airlock when the inner door fails to open on his return. Unfortunately, Thunderbird 5 is non-operational as Gordon and John are fitting a new component, so when O'Shea uses the KLA transmitter to signal for help, his call goes unheard on the International Rescue space station...
s02e06 Give Or Take A Million
Written by Alan Pattillo
Directed by Desmond Saunders
Edited by Harry MacDonald
Regular Cast:
Jeff, Scott, Penelope, Virgil, Alan, Brains, Tin-Tin, Gordon, John, Kyrano, Grandma
Major Equipment:
TB2 (Pod 3), TB3, TB5, Container Rocket, Ladybird Jet
Guest Voice Cast:
Nicky Sylvia Anderson
Scobie Ray Barrett
Straker David Graham
Dr. Pringle Jeremy Wilkin
Dr. Lang Charles Tingwell
Nurse Nimmo Sylvia Anderson
Harman Ray Barrett
Saunders Jeremy Wilkin
TV Reporter Jeremy Wilkin
1st Santa Jeremy Wilkin
2nd Santa (Leo) David Graham
Tanner Charles Tingwell
Preston Peter Dyneley
Security Chief Joe Ray Barrett
In conjunction with Harman's Department Store, the directors of the Coralville Children's Hospital arrange for a container full of presents to be launched by rocket from the roof of the store and dropped in the hospital grounds on Christmas Day. By arrangement with Jeff, one of the gift boxes will contain an invitation for one of the Coralville children to visit Tracy Island and spend Christmas with International Rescue. As the rocket is being packed with presents on Christmas Eve, two crooks, Scobie and Straker, break into the Second National Bank from the toy department of Harman's, which is just next door. Using a harness on a pulley to lift him clear of the touch-sensitive vault floor, Scobie steals the gold reserves stacked on the shelves of the vault, but he accidentally dislodges a pencil from a table and it falls on to the floor, setting off the alarm. The two crooks hide in the container of toys, just as it is loaded on to the rocket...
