Month: October 2016

Vivid releases new Thunderbirds Are Go toys in time for Christmas

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Hot on the heels of the launch of the second series of Thunderbirds Are Go, Vivid is gearing up for Christmas with a selection of new toys from the series.

Thunderbirds Are Go TB3 large

The eagerly anticipated Supersize Thunderbird 3 incudes a launch trigger countdown that releases real smoke from the rocket! At 48.5 cm tall, the toy also features rotating drill sounds and extendable grasping arms.

A new Thunderbird 5 toy comes with on-board vehicle and communication sound effects and a button that activates the rotating gravity winch when John’s assistance is needed!

The new TB2 Pod Set can create up to five different Pods, and comes with accessories that can be easily snapped on and off for different rescues.

Thunderbirds Are Go pod set

Finally, there’s a new three-pack Thunderbirds Are Go Vehicle Superset that contains models of Thunderbird S, FAB1 and Thunderbird 5.

With so many Thunderbirds Are Go toys to choose from, Santa is going to need a bigger sack this year…

Thunderbirds Are Go - vehicle super set

Thunderbirds Are Go returns to ITV with series 2

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Thunderbirds Are Go series 2The second series of Thunderbirds Are Go blasted on to television screens on 22nd October, with a double bill of episodes on ITV1.

In its new Saturday afternoon slot, the series launched with Earthbreaker (how did they resist going for the title ‘Groundbreaker’?), an episode that introduces the Mechanic, a ruthless techno-villain with mysterious links to the now-imprisoned Hood, and features a Thunderbird 2 crash landing that  pays tribute to the original Thunderbirds episode, Terror in New York City. Jenna Coleman guest starred in the episode as Baines, the leader of a hapless survey team that ends up being rescued by Scott.

Following a pattern established in the first series, the second story was a space-bound affair. In Ghost Ship, International Rescue explore a spooky abandoned space ship called EDEN, and introduces the X-O Pod, a suit that enables John to undertake his own rescue missions out in space. Sounds like a new toy from Vivid could be in the offing…

Want to talk about series 2?

What did you think of the new episodes? Who is the Mechanic and what is his relationship with the Hood? Will we finally find out what happened to Jeff?!

The Fanderson Forum’s Series 2 episode review section is a great place to tell us your thoughts.

Fanderson releases Ed Bishop audio interviews

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Ed Bishop interviews on CDFanderson is very pleased to announce the release of two fascinating audio interviews with Ed Bishop, the man behind UFO’s Commander Straker!

With his timeless and unique voice, Ed Bishop was one of the key ingredients which made Gerry Anderson’s UFO one of the finest television series ever made. Now, in these two interviews recorded nearly 30 years ago, Ed relates his memories of his role as Commander Straker, his co-stars, working for Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and more importantly the story of THAT wig! Hear also, in his own words the story of his early career, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Doppelganger, The Protectors and much more.

The interviews were recorded on Saturday 18th February 1989 at the Whitgift Film Theatre, Grimsby and on Saturday 7th July 1990 at the Central Library Film Theatre, Scunthorpe.

This is a must for every UFO fan and, for that matter, anyone with a fondness for one of TV’s consummate professionals and all-round nice guys.

The two disc set is available exclusively to Fanderson club members and is priced as follows:

  • UK £9.75
  • E £11.50
  • RW £12.50

Order your copy from Fanderson sales today

Win a copy of Ennio Morricone’s Space:1999 soundtrack!

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Daniele Winkler and Claudio Fuiano

Fanderson is offering a copy of the Italian Space:1999 soundtrack CD to one lucky club member, courtesy of Claudio Fuiano & Daniel Winkler, the guys behind the mastering of the CD (pictured above). To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is answer these three easy questions (hint: all of the answers are in FAB 84) :

1) Who provided the vocals for Ennio Morricone’s end credit theme to Spazio:1999?
2) Which company produced a six-piece Supercar tableware set in the 1960s?
3) Which Fanderson member received a letter from Lady Penelope in 1965?

Email your answers to fabmail@fanderson.org.uk, quoting your fanderson membership number or full name. The closing date is 1st November.

Good luck!

Own a copy of Barry Gray’s Thunderbirds episode score!

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Barry GrayFans of Barry Gray have been given the chance to study the first of a planned set of full episodic scores; beginning with the complete manuscript from the Thunderbirds episode, The Perils of Penelope.

For some two decades The Barry Gray Music Archive has overseen restoration of the work of British composer Barry Gray (1908 – 1984), known for his long association with film and television producer Gerry Anderson – who made Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, Space:1999 and Thunderbirds.

100s of reels of audio tape and 100s of pages of handwritten music manuscript have been digitised and preserved for posterity.

As well as presenting the entire score, meticulously transcribed, each volume also contains detailed study notes, programme commentaries and significant biographical information.

Prices

THUNDERBIRDS – PERILS OF PENELOPE 82p SC A4 £45.00 (plus postage and packing: £3.00 UK, £4.50 Europe, £6.00 Rest of the World)

The manuscript is available exclusively from The Barry Gray Music Archive, 2 Romney Road, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent, TN24 0RW.

Payment can be via cheque to Ralph Titterton, or by direct bank transfer.

E-mail ralph.titterton@sky.com for details.

Ayshea Brough to attend Complete Book of UFO launch event

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Ayshea Brough in UFO UFO book coverThe publication of a new edition of The Complete Book of UFO is to be marked by a launch event in November in London. In a rare opportunity for fans, author Chris Bentley will be interviewing Ayshea Brough, one of the stars of UFO and the host of fondly remembered pop show Lift Off with Ayshea.

There will also be an audience Q&A, a book signing with Chris and Ayshea, and a rare screening of The UFO Documentary, a special programme produced by Fanderson. All attendees will be entitled to an exclusive £5 discount on signed copies of the book.

The evening will be hosted at The Cinema Museum in London on 25th November, with doors opening at 19:00, for a 19:30 start. Refreshments will be available in the Museum’s licensed cafe and bar.

About the book

The Complete Book of UFO is the official guide to the classic series, and is now for the first time available as an expanded, deluxe hardback in full colour. Designed with full access to ITV’s extensive stills archive, the book includes a complete production history, comprehensive episode guides and full details of vehicles and characters. The chapter on promotion and merchandise is expanded with details on UFO-inspired comics, and there is a new section on Andersons’ feature film Doppelgänger, considered by many to be the precursor to UFO.

Tickets for the event

Tickets are priced £5, and advance tickets can be purchased online, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.

Purchase your tickets