Author: 1266 Nick Williams

42 guests at Andercon and counting…

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Andercon ticketsThings are hotting up as we approach April – the month of Andercon!

A flurry of exciting new guests have been announced for the event, and the guest list now stands at 42 members of the cast and crew of every single Anderson show from Twizzle to New Captain Scarlet, including members of new project Gemini Force One!

Anderson Entertainment and Network have joined forces to screen some exclusive and never-before-seen transfers and restorations over the weekend – which they’ll be announcing in the coming weeks.

New additions to the line-up also include Andy Rolfe’s beautiful SPV interior recreation and the Model T Ford “Gabriel” as driven by Stanley Unwin in The Secret Service.

Andercon takes place over the weekend of 19th-20th April at the Park Inn Hotel, London Heathrow.

Find out more about the event and book your tickets online at www.andercon.co.uk

Sylvia Anderson interviewed in Andersonic

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Andersonic logoIssue 17 of the popular Gerry Anderson fanzine Andersonic is now available to buy online!

As we have come to expect, the March issue contains the usual high standard of interviews, reviews and articles. Issue 17 features two amazing interviews. The first, with Alan Shubrook, covers his career at Century 21 and is illustrated with some of his rare behind-the-scenes photos. The second is an exclusive interview with Sylvia Anderson, in which she talks about her work in the creating and  casting Lady Penelope, Parker, the Angels and Ed Straker!

Other juicy morsels not to be missed…:

  • Space:1999/ Siren Planet – a look at the original script written by Art Wallace, which was later rewritten by Johnny Byrne to become the series’ second episode ‘Matter of Life and Death’.
  • Thunderbirds/ Desperate Intruder – two writers take opposing views on this desert adventure where Brains finds himself up to his neck in it.
  • UFO/The Long Sleep – we curl up with a tube of Smarties and take a look at one of the weirder UFO episodes. Take a trip with us back to that ruined farmhouse…
  • Home Taping: 1999 – Mark Rosney recalls the days before VHS.
  • Strip Story – we look at an individual comic strip story to see what makes it tick. This issue – Countdown’s UFO story ‘The Final Climb’ drawn by Jon Davis.

Issue 17 also features internal art by Steve Kyte and a cover image by Martin Bower.

Buy your issue today at www.andersonic.co.uk

Space Police screenplay released

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

The cover of the Space Police scriptbookAnderson Entertainment has released the original screenplay from Space Police – the pilot film starring Shane Rimmer that eventually became Space Precinct in 1994/5. Released in both paperback and ebook formats, it features a foreword from Shane Rimmer, as well as a brief introduction from Gerry’s son Jamie. It’s a direct transcription of the original screenplay – including dialogue insertions, scene changes, and hand-written alterations.

It’s available to buy on Amazon now!

A review will appear in FAB 77.

Newly purchased Doppelganger car to be restored

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Anderson Entertainment and private collector Jim Winch have purchased one the three one-off cars produced by Century 21 for Gerry Anderson’s live-action feature film, Doppelganger. This vehicle is in far better condition than its counterparts (which were used as Straker’s car and Foster’s car in UFO). The Doppelganger car will be restored to movie-condition over the coming months! We can’t wait for it to make its first appearance before the fans!

Cosford Flights of Fantasy tickets now on sale

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Cosford logoStop Press >>  Martin Bower, Ken Holt, Robin McDonald and Shane Rimmer will be attending!

From 17-18th May, the RAF Museum Cosford will be hosting one of the largest ever exhibitions of original puppets and memorabilia  from the iconic shows of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The event will feature a wide range of original puppets of iconic characters, including Lady Penelope, Joe 90, Steve Zodiac, Captain Scarlet, Father Unwin and many more.

Many of the puppets are newly discovered and restored and are on public display for the first time, including:

  • the ‘smiler’ Joe 90
  • Rhapsody Angel
  • Fraser from the Captain Scarlet episode Crater 101

There will also be a stunning display of models, costumes, vehicles and sets from Space 1999 and UFO, courtesy of the All Sections Alpha exhibition team. Their largest display ever will include newly discovered original models from UFO,. There will also be a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the original Eagle One and Eagle Two 44″ studio models, amongst many others.

The exhibition will be taking place in the National Cold War Exhibition against a backdrop of aircraft which inspired the look and design of many of Gerry Anderson shows.

The event runs from 10.00AM to 16.30PM, with free admission to the exhibition.

Guest talks

There is also the chance to buy tickets for exclusive guest talks at the Museum. Taking place in the bunker style Lecture Theatre, visitors will be treated to an audience with creators, producers, model makers, puppeteers and voice artists, including:

  • Sylvia Anderson; co-creator, producer and the voice of Lady Penelope
  • Brian Johnson; special effects Thunderbirds and Space 1999, 2001, Oscar winner for The Empire Strikes Back
  • Alan Perry; director Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, UFO
  • Alan Shubrook; model maker Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, The Secret Service, UFO.  Alan will be providing an exclusive presentation of his own collection of backstage photos from his days working on the shows
  • Tony Day; model maker Thunderbird 6 and Doppleganger. (provisional)
  • Mary Turner; puppeteer, puppet designer, Supercar through to Secret Service.  Mary sculpted characters such as Steve Zodiac, Troy Tempest, Captain Scarlet and Lady Penelope
  • Judith Shutt; puppet operator Stingray through to Secret Service

* Alan will be providing an exclusive presentation of his own collection of backstage photos from his days working on the shows Tony Day; model maker Thunderbird 6 and Doppleganger.

One day tickets cost £25.00, weekend tickets cost £40.00 and are available to buy online.

The tickets include entry to guest seminars and Free car parking.

Catch The Day After Tomorrow DVD Trailer

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams


Fanderson has produced a special trailer to advertise one of the club’s most successful and enduring DVDs.

Back in 2002 the double release of The Day After Tomorrow (TDAT) and Space Police brought together two of Gerry Anderson’s most underrated pilot productions, allowing many fans to enjoy them for the first time.

Now Fanderson has put together a trailer that showcases the drama and mind-bending science-fiction of TDAT. If you have’t seen this before – then what are you waiting for? Get your copy while stocks last!

The Day After Tomorrow

Starrring Brian Blessed, Joanna Dunham, Nick Tate and Shane Rimmer, TDAT tells the story of the light ship Altares, and its voyage of scientific discovery to Alpha Centauri. Things go badly wrong though when the the Altares hurtles out of control at near light speed, leaving the crew stranded in outer space!

Featuring an amazing combination of live action, animation and puppetry, Space Police – Star Laws, sees Lieutenant Chuck Brogan (Shane Rimmer) leading the fight against organised in Space Police Precinct 44 East,on the planet Zar XL5.

Important – please note: This DVD is available exclusively to members of Fanderson

Join online – Become a member of Fanderson

Buy your copy of the DVD now

Build your own Thunderbird 2!

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Thunderbird 2 press out and build model.

Model-makers and all-round fans of Thunderbirds will be excited to hear that EIGHT Innovation has produced a Thunderbird 2 Press-out & Build book in association with Haynes Publishing and ITV Studios!

EIGHT Innovation have been designing and producing practical gifts for large retailers for many years.

Check out their website for a great video that demonstates how to build the model!

Fanderson supporter Tony Barnes has died

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson was saddened to hear of the loss of our friend and colleague Tony Barnes, who passed away in hospital on 10th February.

Tony has been a friend and supporter of Fanderson for many years. Seven years ago he volunteered to become our Sales Assistant and ever since then has been a truly invaluable member of the team, posting and packaging virtually all our merchandise items to members across the globe.

Tony belonged to a number of clubs, societies and forums and offered help and advice to many people with his model making skills, and all-round knowledge covering a variety of subjects.

Many tributes appeared on Faceboook in the wake of the news, underlining the affection and respect in which Tony was held. If you would like read some of these tributes or add your own, you can do so on this Facebook thread or the Fanderson Forum.

Our heart goes out to his family and many friends.

Donations

Tony’s family has asked that anyone wishing to make a charitable donation in memory of his life is welcome to give money to The Retired Greyhound Trust, an organisation close to Tony’s heart. Donations can be made online to http://www.justgiving.com/anthonybarnes

Funeral arrangements

Tony’s funeral will be held at 10am on Tuesday 25th February at St Thomas church, Chatsworth Road,Brampton, Chesterfield S40 3AW. It will be followed by a private cremation at the Crematorium, Chesterfield Rd Brimington S43 1AU.

Book your tickets for Britscifi 2014!

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

BritScifiLogo-300x99 National_Space_CentreThunderbirds voice artists David Graham, Matt Zimmerman and Shane Rimmer will be attending Britscifi at the Leicester Space Centre from 1st – 2nd March. The voice artists behind three of the Tracy brother (Alan, Gordon, and Scott), as well as Brains and Parker will be rubbing shoulders with stars from ‘old’ and ‘new’ Doctor Who, The Tomorrow People and Red Dwarf.

A few other very special guests to look out are:

  • Phil Ford – New Captain Scarlet chief script writer!
  • M G Harris – the author of Gerry Anderson’s Gemini Force One!
  • Jamie Anderson – Head of Production at Anderson Entertainment!

An event day pass allows you entry to the National Space Centre, including all six galleries, the Rocket Tower and SIM ride. The pass also gives you access to the whole event (some activities will incur an additional charge – autographs, professional photo shoot, some talks and A Dog’s Life).

Book your tickets for Briscifi

Gollancz agrees Gemini Force 1 Book Deal

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Gemini Force One logoFollowing 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.”