THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO

Thunderbirds is a classic children’s science fiction/adventure series. The series created by Gerry Anderson was his most popular. It debuted in 1965 and was the fourth Anderson series that used the Supermarionation process of puppetry. His earlier shows were Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Stingray, they had all been half hour shows but Anderson’s network insisted that the new series be one hour long. The series lasted 2 seasons and is still extremely popular today.


International Rescue is a secret organization started by Jeff Tracy. He is a former astronaut who uses his large fortune to start up IR and his 5 sons do the rescues. The headquarters is at the Tracy private island in the Pacific. Each of the sons has their own rescue vehicle able to go anywhere in or above the world to rescue people in danger.

THUNDERBIRD 1
This plane goes 700 MPH and is based under the pool on the Tracy’s island compound. Scott Tracy, the oldest son, is in charge of this vehicle. Scott is usually in charge of the rescues.

THUNDERBIRD 2
This giant freight plane is designed to carry rescue equipment which is organized into different cargo pods that the plane can quickly pick up and move to the rescue area. Virgil Tracy is the pilot. This plane is also based underground on the Tracy’s island.

THUNDERBIRD 3
This orange spacecraft is piloted by Alan, who is a little more reckless than his older brothers and the family heartthrob. His craft is also based on the island. It comes out from under the balcony of the family home.

THUNDERBIRD 4
An underwater craft, it is in a cargo pod carried to rescues by Thunderbird 2. Gordon pilots the submarine for water rescues. Gordon is the family joker.

THUNDERBIRD FIVE
This is a satellite orbiting the Earth. It keeps an eye on the Earth and transmit data back to the island headquarters. John Tracy is the son who is perpetually stuck on the station relaying information on rescues back to his brothers, who do the actual rescuing. Sometimes International Rescue is contacted directly, but usually John is the one who hears a distress call and calls his father for help. He monitors all communications from his station and only occasionally gets back home.

The Tracy family doesn’t work alone. Lady Penelope is in charge of International Rescue’s England base. She drives a pink Rolls Royce equipped with gadgets that James Bond would envy, including a machine gun behind the front grill. Lady Penelope is driven by loyal chauffeur, Parker, who tries to help in the rescues with limited success.

Brain is the resident engineer who designs all the craft, gadgets and rescue equipment that International Rescues uses on their adventures. He is an amiable and eccentric scientist, devoted to Jeff Tracy and his family.