Thunderbirds
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Thunderbirds
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| Episodes: | 32 |
| Year: | 1965-1966 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Seasons: | 2 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 26, (2) 6 |
| Category: | Technology |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Series |
| Company: | AP Films and Associated Television |
| Creator: | Gerry and Sylvia Anderson |
| Run Time (mins): | 50 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | ITV |
| First Aired: | September 30, 1965 |
| Last Aired: | December 25, 1966 |
Summary
Set between 2065 and 2067, Thunderbirds depicts the activities of the Tracy family, led by American industrialist and former astronaut Jeff Tracy. A widower, Jeff is father to five adult sons, Scott, John, Virgil, Gordon, and Alan, who together constitute International Rescue, a covert humanitarian organisation dedicated to saving lives. The group employs a fleet of technologically advanced land, sea, air, and space craft deployed when conventional rescue methods are inadequate. Central to these operations are the five Thunderbird machines, each assigned to one of the Tracy brothers:
Thunderbird 1 — A hypersonic rocket aircraft used for rapid response and reconnaissance in hazardous zones. It is piloted by Scott, International Rescue’s primary mission co‑ordinator.
Thunderbird 2 — A heavy‑lift supersonic transporter that carries specialised vehicles and equipment in interchangeable pods. It is piloted by Virgil.
Thunderbird 3 — A single‑stage‑to‑orbit spacecraft used for space operations. It is crewed alternately by Alan and John, with Scott serving as co‑pilot when required.
Thunderbird 4 — A compact utility submersible designed for underwater rescue. It is piloted by Gordon and typically deployed from Thunderbird 2.
Thunderbird 5 — An Earth‑orbiting communications station responsible for monitoring and relaying distress signals worldwide. It is staffed alternately by John and Alan, acting as “space monitors”.
The Tracy's reside on Tracy Island, a secluded base in the South Pacific Ocean that houses International Rescue’s operational facilities. Their villa is shared with Grandma Tracy; Brains, the organisation’s chief scientist and designer of the Thunderbird craft; Tin‑Tin, Brains’ assistant and Alan’s girlfriend; and Kyrano, Tin‑Tin’s father and the family’s retainer. The island’s isolation protects International Rescue from criminals and espionage groups seeking to obtain its advanced technology.
Although many missions arise from accidents or natural disasters, others are the result of sabotage or criminal negligence. For covert assignments, International Rescue relies on a network of field operatives led by Lady Penelope Creighton‑Ward, an English aristocrat, and her chauffeur Aloysius Parker. Operating from Creighton‑Ward Mansion in Kent, they travel in FAB 1, a customised pink Rolls‑Royce. The organisation’s personnel acknowledge instructions using the expression “FAB”, derived from the 1960s slang term fabulous and spoken as an initialism (“F‑A‑B”).
International Rescue’s principal adversary is The Hood, a master criminal based in a Malaysian temple . Possessing abilities of hypnosis and occult manipulation, The Hood exerts telepathic influence over Kyrano, his estranged half‑brother, and engineers crises that compel International Rescue to intervene. These schemes provide opportunities for him to observe the Thunderbird craft and attempt to profit by selling their secrets.
Cast
The Hood/John Tracy RAY BARRETT, Jeff Tracy PETER DYNELEY, Brains/Kyrano/ Parker/Gordon Tracy DAVID GRAHAM, Lady Penelope SYLVIA ANDERSON, Tin-Tin/Grandma CHRISTINE FINN, Virgil Tracy DAVID HOLLIDAY (1), Scott Tracy SHANE RIMMER, Alan Tracy MATT ZIMMERMAN, Virgil JEREMY WILKIN (2), Other Voices PAUL MAXWELL, JOHN TATE, CHARLES TINGWELL.
Tags: Technology, United Kingdom, 1965, English
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