Gollancz agrees Gemini Force 1 Book Deal

Posted on 28th January 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Following great success to raise funding with a Kickstarter campaign in 2013, Anderson Entertainment has announced a three-book deal for Gemini Force One with publisher Gollancz. Book one will be available to Kickstarter backers in 2014 before going on general release, with books two and three following over the next two years.

The original concept for the books was devised and developed by Gerry Anderson before his death and completed by bestselling author M G Harris with the approval of the Gerry Anderson estate, led by his son Jamie.

Fans who backed the campaign will receive a special and strictly limited edition of GF1, which will first be published by Gollancz in August 2014 and also sold in collaboration with specialist bookseller Goldsboro Books.

An Orion Children’s Books main paperback edition will then be published in spring 2015 with books 2 and 3 to follow in 2015 and 2016.

Jamie said:”In continuing to develop GF1 we’ve been lucky enough to team up with best-selling author MG Harris who really understood the premise of the project and its “Gerry Anderson spirit” from the get-go. Now I’m delighted that we’re able to team up with Orion, who share our passion for GF1, to bring this fantastic book series to a global audience.”

Official Thunderbirds pin badges revealed

Posted on 27th January 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Two classic Thunderbirds pin badges are to be released to mark the upcoming 50th anniversary of the series.

Costing £5.00 each and strictly limited to 1,000 in number, the badges have been produced by Tartan Squirrel, the official licensee for the Royal Air Force. The badges are reproductions of the International Rescue logo (pictured here) and the Thunderbirds series logo.

To find out more about the badges, visit Tartan Squirrel’s website or check out their Facebook page.

Jerome Willis from Space Precinct dies

Posted on 23rd January 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson was saddened to hear of the death of Jerome Willis this week at the age of 85. Willis played a leading role in Gerry Anderson’s Space Precinct as the alien Police Captain, Podley, although his real face was never seen in the series. He also known to fans of Doctor Who for his role as the villainous Stevens in The Green Death, and for his prominent role in ITV’s cold war spy drama, The Sandbaggers.

An obituary will be appear in the next issue of FAB magazine.

Thunderbirds Cars are Go at Andercon!

Posted on 20th January 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Straker's car from UFO

FAB1 and a host of other cars from the series of Gerry Anderson will be on show at the launch of Andercon – the first official convention for fans of the legendary TV and film producer.

The convention will take place between 19th-20th April 2014 at the Park Inn Heathrow hotel, and will feature over 40 guests from the cast and crew of every single Gerry Anderson production.

In addition to FAB1 there should be a number of famous vehicles from other Anderson productions, including the Model T Ford ‘Gabriel’ from the Secret Service, a replica of Straker’s car from UFO (subject to completion on time), a surviving moon buggy from Space: 1999 and Rolls Royce’s specially built ‘FAB1Million’ Ghost (awaiting confirmation).

Andercon looks set to attract Gerry Anderson fans from all over the world. Jamie Anderson, Managing Director of Anderson Entertainment said: “It’s a great chance to meet the cast and crew in person and to see the original props up close. We’ll have exclusive screenings, panels and workshops, Q&A sessions and quizzes and costume competitions with super prizes. We’ll also be showing never-before-seen set reconstructions showing how the Anderson magic happened. Unfortunately, the venue has had to limit the number of people allowed, so I advise anyone who’s interested to secure tickets now while they’re still available.”

Tickets cost £45 per day and are available from www.andercon.co.uk

Fanderson members get half-price tickets at Autographica 2014

Posted on 14th January 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Autographica, the world’s largest autograph event, is once again paying tribute to the works of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.

And this year Fanderson club members can buy day tickets for Autographica 2014 at half the normal price if they quote their membership number when they order! This extremely generous offer is due to the special relationship that has been built between the club and the event in recent years.

What to expect at Autographica 2014

This year’s event is taking place on the 21st – 23rd March 2014 at the Radisson Edwardian, Heathrow, London. This popular event is proving to be an absolute must for Gerry Anderson fans, featuring no less than five guests from different Anderson shows.

Heading the guest list is Sylvia Anderson herself – the other half the creative team behind most of the Anderson shows, and the voice of Lady Penelope. The next big name is Barbara Bain, who played Dr. Helena Russell throughout Space:1999. Bernard Kay, who played the Humanoid in the second season episode New Adam New Eve, will also be attending. Other guests at the event who will be of interest to Anderson fans include:

Christopher Neame (The Protectors – Blockbuster)
Adrienne Corri (UFO – The Square Triangle, and the 1954 film Devil Girl From Mars, which was recently released by Network Video)

The show also has a packed guest list also contains James Bond girls plus other actors and actresses from Dr Who and other TV shows and films; you can even get to meet a real-life astronaut.

To book your tickets go to www.autographica.co.uk or phone the ticket line on 01959 573792, open 9.00am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday