Quote from: GrahamB on September 30, 2025, 07:50:29 PMUnsure how true it is but I remember my dad telling me that Gerry Anderson had been interviewed by the security services.

It seems the people working on it weren't best pleased seeing their top secret project on a kids programme..............

I think that one might be a bit of an urban myth but it's a great story nevertheless 

Thunderbird 2 was always the one due to it's use of different pods.

But my heart remains with Fireball XL5, blasting down its track on a rocket sled to help thrust it into initial launch. I am in the process of building an N Gauge model..............

Ah yes, good old Fireball XL5. AS it shoots down the launch rail, you can see the shadow of the smoke on the sky backscene!

I am proud to be able to say that my late father in law worked on Thunderbirds in the sound department under John Peverill. Sadly, like a lot of crew he was uncredited. During the early days, Gerry Anderson used a studio on the Slough trading estate for the production of the series and others. Pinewood Studios was used for the production of Space 1999 (which I am rewatching). I believe some of the Space 1999 crew went onto Star Wars. Others worked on Bond films and notably 2001 A Space Oddesy.

Quote from: Adam1701D on September 30, 2025, 03:22:34 PMAt Dapol, we are proud to keep Gerry Anderson's legacy alive by still manufacturing the Kitmaster / Airfix Girder Bridge Kit. 

https://youtu.be/__90Sm0gfYM

Many Airfix parts were used in the making of Thunderbirds. You'll also find parts from the Airfix/Dapol dockside crane:

https://youtu.be/bN77RPBVUjY

Oh I really enjoyed watching these two videos... and then I got drawn into some of his others...

No work will get done today!

Does this count as modelling? Research?

Bob

FAB Steven and Adam!

Quote from: Bob G on October 01, 2025, 10:02:34 AMOh I really enjoyed watching these two videos... and then I got drawn into some of his others...

No work will get done today!

Does this count as modelling? Research?

Bob

Of course it does!

I loved Thunderbirds as a child, more recently I began to reflect on how visionary it was in so many ways - things like video conferencing, aircraft design (including canards - the little wings at the front of aircraft), space technology etc etc...

Am I the only one though, who wondered how TB2 generated it's lift and didn't just flop off the end of it's take-off ramp?

Fireball XL5 - the launches - I used to wonder who went and collected the roller skate it took off on - or was there a big pile of them building at the end of the ramp 

Quote from: Roy L S on October 01, 2025, 10:40:56 AMAm I the only one though, who wondered how TB2 generated it's lift and didn't just flop off the end of it's take-off ramp?

You just need a very high thrust to weight ratio. It was a V/STOL aircraft after all. Like an F35 on steroids.

Quote from: Roy L S on October 01, 2025, 10:40:56 AMFireball XL5 - the launches - I used to wonder who went and collected the roller skate it took off on

That's why skateboards were invented.

Bob

Quote from: Bealman on October 01, 2025, 10:15:47 AM

Quote from: Bob G on October 01, 2025, 10:02:34 AMOh I really enjoyed watching these two videos... and then I got drawn into some of his others...

No work will get done today!

Does this count as modelling? Research?

Bob

Of course it does!

But only if money or SECR locos change hands

Quote from: Newportnobby on October 01, 2025, 11:06:55 AMBut only if money or SECR locos change hands

I've started researching Rhapsody Angel now. I've moved on from pre-grouping locos.

Fancy adding a little TB magic to your layout?

TB1
https://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/products/adventures-in-plastic-thunderbird-1-1-144-plastic-model-kit?utm_source=scalemates&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=marketplace

TB2
https://www.jadlamracingmodels.com/products/adventures-in-plastic-10012-thunderbird-2-w-firefly-1-144-model-kit?utm_source=scalemates&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=marketplace

Heavy prices!

Weren't the Angels hot!

Quote from: Bealman on October 01, 2025, 11:37:11 AMHeavy prices!

Weren't the Angels hot!

Rhapsody Angel was based on sixties IT girl Jean Shrimpton.