It’s also worth noting that by the next decade (with UFO and Space:1999) the psychologist had either been replaced or changed their views – recommending that the SHADO Interceptor and Space: 1999 Eagle be painted a garish metallic green, when their on-screen counterparts were in fact white! The season has a story arc. Within that there are standalone episodes, but ultimately there’s a pretty incredible story arc – In early March Fanderson was invited to ITV’s offices in Gray’s Inn Road, London to interview the voice cast of Thunderbirds Are Go. In the first of three full-length interviews, we grill the men behind the voices of the Tracy brothers: I’m totally a life-long fan of Thunderbirds. I’ve said this before and it really is the biggest honour to be involved in this series, to be a Tracy brother. It’s completely incredible – they’re rebooting it and I couldn’t wait to be involved. I can’t quite believe it’s happened again.

Thunderbirds Are Go

The star product was undoubtedly the Interactive Tracy Island Playset. The set boasts ‘smart technology’ that enables it to ‘know’ which craft is launching, and play appropriate sound and light effects. But one of the most impressive features of the product is the semi-automated launch sequences. This was demonstrated with Thunderbird 3, and it was fascinating to see the craft being moved up through the roundhouse under its own steam. The set also comes with a wrist controller that activates ‘mission sounds’ from John up in the space station.

The real meaning of FAB in Thunderbirds…

As a foreigner I was told by my agent that I’d been put up for this and not to mess it up! So I did a lot of research, and eventually ended up playing Virgil and Gordon. I heard that supposedly a lot of people loved Virgil in the original series – especially women! I realised that he was the ‘caretaker’ of the group, and is the one that makes sure that everyone’s ok. Then I found out that Gordon is this guy who thinks he’s maybe a bit cooler than he actually is, and gets to head off underwater. Virgil and Gordon are actually together a lot because Thunderbird 2 takes Thunderbird 4 all around the world on missions (I don’t think I’m giving anything away there?!). So the two work together quite well, and that informed how I played both characters.

Vivid Imaginations Are Go Thunderbird 5 Vehicle (Multi-Colour)

The first advert for the range of toys first appeared in the TV21 comic dated 15th January 1966, and the first production Thunderbird 1 arrived in stores shortly after. This was followed by Thunderbirds 3 & 5 in March 1966, and a very impressive Thunderbird 2 in June of the same year. Thunderbird 5 - International Rescue's geo-stationary orbital satellite - monitors radio frequencies, 24/7, for distress signals.Thunderbird 3: a single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft. Piloted alternately by Alan and John, with Scott as co-pilot. There are a few apocryphal tales on this too. A couple of callers to an LBC radio show a few years ago cited these answers:

Thunderbird 5 | Thunderbirds Wiki | Fandom Thunderbird 5 | Thunderbirds Wiki | Fandom

People always want something different so long as it’s the same! That’s the case with everybody. If you were to say that the original Thunderbirds never existed, and this was the first incarnation, we’d hope that people would love it just as much even without the knowledge that there is this lineage. It doffs the hat to everything that’s happened in the past – lots of easter eggs – really well thought out easter eggs. But as the times have changed, so have these characters. We have the original – that exists and isn’t going anywhere – so let’s take the blueprint of that and drive it forward and make it more futuristic. But there’s definitely hints to the old stuff! Thunderbird 5 toys have always been difficult to get hold of. International Rescue’s space station is a difficult shape, and isn’t action oriented, so toy manufacturers have tended to shy away from them. Clearly the Thunderbirds ‘franchise’ continues to be in the very best of hands at Vivid. The company’s long and faithful association with the series was highlighted by the presence of their original Tracy Island toy at the show. The new Tracy Island is bigger, bolder and bristles with lights, sound effects and mechanical features.Are you disappointed with the answer to the often-asked question: What does FAB stand for in Thunderbirds? It’s Gerry Anderson’s official answer and was repeated by many members of the crew who worked on the show at the time. Brains is the genius behind International Rescue, designing all of the vehicles and equipment that make their work possible.