Thunderbirds-inspired original art to go on sale

Posted on 5th February 2016 by 1266 Nick Williams

Gallery and art publisher Blutulip Publishing has commissioned the artist Alberto Martinez to create a collection of Thunderbirds-inspired original art pieces. As you can see below, Alberto, whose studio is based at the JAG Gallery in Brighton, has put great care and thought into these unique, dream-like pieces:

Fabulous Penelope

Alberto:
“I have always incorporated themes that reflect ‘Britishness’ in my paintings as acclimatising to the culture and surroundings since I moved here has greatly influenced my work. So doing so with the Lady Penelope piece was almost a natural progression. The bus, British Bull Dog inside the car, teapot, Leyland truck and architecture are all nods to British culture. You’ll also notice that Parker has a football which acknowledges that the original Thunderbirds series was produced between 1964 and 1966 (the latter year being when England had a historic victory in the World Cup).”

T2 – International Rescue

T2 - International Rescue

Alberto:
“Thunderbird 2 is almost like Noah’s Ark…providing a place of shelter for the animals from the world we live in. There’s a moral undertone here that is saying that mankind are so busy worrying about their own lives and being materialistic, that they have forgotten about the rest of the living things that share the planet.”

You can take a closer look at these inspiring art pieces at www.blutulippublishing.co.uk/thunderbirds

New Thunderbirds Are Go DVDs released in UK

Posted on 28th January 2016 by 1266 Nick Williams

Thunderbirds Are Go volume 2 Thunderbirds Are Go complete series 1 ITV are set to release two new Thunderbirds Are Go DVDs next week in the UK. Following the thrilling climax to the series last weekend on ITV, fans will be able to buy the last 13 episodes on Volume 2, as well as the entire first series, from February 1st. The full series box set retails at £24.99, while Volume 2 costs £14.99.

We’ll be running a competition for all Fanderson member in the next issue of FAB magazine – so keep your eyes peeled!

Corgi and Vivid Thunderbirds toys hit London Toy Fair

Posted on 24th January 2016 by 1266 Nick Williams

Please note: all toys are products are subject to change.

Fanderson paid a visit to The Toy Fair at Kensington Olympia to check out the latest Thunderbirds Are Go and classic Thunderbirds toys from Vivid Imagination and Corgi, coming you way in 2016…

Corgi 60th anniversary Thunderbirds toys

Supersize Thunderbird 3

This massive toy is quite impressive, and features ‘launch smoke technology’ take off, as well as the usual plethora of sound effects.

Thunderbird 5, FAB1 and Thunderbird S toys

Action figures
A possible new look for the Tracy brothers in series 2?

Clips from the upcoming mobile app game, from Miniclip – please note this is early design/footage and the final game might change

Thunderbirds Are Go boardgame

Brian Johnson interviewed in latest Andersonic issue

Posted on 23rd January 2016 by 1266 Nick Williams

Issue 20 - Andersonic Issue 20 of Andersonic is now available for all discerning fans of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson!

The latest issue of the hit Anderson fanzine includes:

Brian Johnson interview – covering his work on Space 1999, Stingray, Thunderbirds, 2001 and the Alien films

Mark Harrison Interview – CG director on New Captain Scarlet and leader of the Scarlet Team, Mark discusses his work on Gerry’s last series

Thunderbirds 1965 – set visit during the filming of ‘The Abominable Snowman’ episode

Anderson Dream Episodes – clever lateral thinking or a feeble cop-out?

Space: 1999 – Another Time, Another Place – Mark Braxton reviews one of the first series’s weirder episodes

Reviews – Alan Shubrook’s new book, CD21 interview CDs and ‘The Lost Worlds of Gerry Anderson’ DVD

Strip Story – the Andersonic time machine goes back to 1965 to dissect the first issue of TV Century 21

Featuring new art by Richard Smith, issue 20 comprises 44 pages with colour inner & outer covers, and is available to purchase from www.andersonic.co.uk

Finishing touches made to Thunderbirds 1965 episodes

Posted on 5th January 2016 by 1266 Nick Williams

Thunderbirds 1965

The Stately Homes Robberies has been screened for the first time at a private event for backers of the Thunderbirds 1965 Kickstarter campaign.

The episode, along with the other two episodes, was shown in a preview screening for backers who had pledged the appropriate amount during the campaign. The rest of us will have to wait just a little longer to see these amazing new productions!

Focus now switches to the production of the rewards for backers, and when the discs will be available for eager fans to watch in the comfort of their own living rooms. Steven La Rivière has revealed that the discs will be accompanied by a number of special extra features, to be confirmed.

An incredible 3,378 backers pledged £218,412 to help make this project a reality, and the delivery of these episodes will be one of the highlights of 2016 for all fans of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s work. We can’t wait to see them!

Make it a Merry Christmas with Fanderson Sales!

Posted on 29th November 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Christmas with Fanderson

Important:

Club members need to get their orders in no later than 10th December in order to receive their delivery before Christmas.

Fanderson club members can make it a Christmas to Remember for friends and loved ones with our fantastic range of sales items. 2015 has been a bumper year for Anderson fans in terms of new merchandise, and Fanderson has certainly played its part!

Gerry Anderson Greetings Cards

We have two sets of cards beautifully designed by Jonathan Baxter. These cards are blank inside, and set 2 is perfect for last-minute Christmas greetings.

Soundtrack CDs

Our marquee sales items for 2015 need little introduction. With the 50th anniversary of the original Thunderbirds this year, we knew it was the perfect time to finally release a comprehensive soundtrack that fans would be proud of. Unsurprisingly, this has turned out to be one of our fastest-ever selling items. If you haven’t got a copy of this sumptuous 4-CD set yet – don’t miss out! As with all our sales items, numbers are strictly limited.

We followed up this release in October with another hugely anticipated soundtrack. Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, which launched at The Future is Fantastic! Both releases come with lavish full-colour booklets containing detailed sleeve notes and souvenir slip cases. We really have tried to do justice to every moment of both series, showcasing Barry Gray’s much-loved cues and arrangements as they are heard in the episodes themselves.

Scarlet fans can also purchase the first in our new range of Captain Scarlet mini albums, which contain unique linking narration recorded by the late Ed Bishop in 1993. Allowing you to experience these classic adventures in a completely new way, the first release in the series features two recordings that have never been released before – Flight 104 and Special Assignment – alongside fans’ favourite, Big Ben Strikes Again.

FAB Book of Gerry Anderson Sweet Cigarette Cards – Vol 3

The third and final of Fanderson’s series of Sweet Cigarette Card guides focuses on cards produced to promote SuperCar, Fireball XL5, Stingray and Joe 90.

The Future is Fantastic convention brochure 2015

A full-colour 20-page book produced for The Future is Fantastic!.

A3 Posters

Four beautiful A3 posters produced especially for Fanderson’s 2015 convention, The Future is Fantastic!

Thunderbirds 50th Anniversary Sticker

Released at Fanderson’s convention, The Future is Fantastic!, this sticker celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original Thunderbirds series.

Sweet Cigarette Card Set

Special set of 50 sweet cigarette cards, released to mark Fanderson’s 2015 convention, The Future is Fantastic!

Remember…!

Club members need to get their orders in no later than 10th December in order to receive their delivery before Christmas.

Thunderbirds Are Go at Brand Licensing Europe

Posted on 17th October 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

ITV Studios Global Entertainment came to Brand Licensing Europe at Olympia, London, this week to show off their latest Thunderbirds Are Go and classic Thunderbirds merchandise.

Some items were familiar to all of us, such as Vivid Imagination’s amazing toys, but… a Meccano Thunderbird 2, anyone?! Also on display were a range of new collections, including wheeled and outdoor (skateboards and bikes), nightwear and domestic (pyjamas, duvets, cushions and bean bags) and books (Thunderbirds guide and annual), plus Thunderbird 2 and 4-shaped rucksacks. We also heard whispers that ‘hero’ toys of FAB 1 and Thunderbird Shadow will be released in 2016 as marketing gears up for the second series of 26 episodes.

Finally, it was revealed that ITVS GE will be partnering with Minclip to develop and distribute a free-to-play Thunderbirds Are Go mobile game for iOS and Android platform early next year.

Start saving those pennies for Christmas presents… for big and normal-sized kids!

New books from Fanderson now on sale!

Posted on 13th October 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Two new high-quality books launched by Fanderson at The Future is Fantastic! are now available for all club members to buy online.

The Future is Fantastic convention brochure 2015

If you couldn’t make it to Fanderson’s first full weekend convention in five years, or if you just feel like bagging yourself an extra copy, you can now buy our wonderful convention brochure. Featuring an introduction by Commander Sam Shore and exclusive interviews by NTBS reporter Ned Cook, the book celebrates the wonders of the 21st century across different fields, from the architectural feats of the Thompson Tower and the London Car-Vu, to the aviation revolution created by the atomic-powered Fireflash.

FAB Book of Gerry Anderson Sweet Cigarette Cards – Vol 3

The third and final of Fanderson’s series of Sweet Cigarette Card guides focuses on cards produced to promote SuperCar, Fireball XL5, Stingray and Joe 90. The book features high resolution scans of the cards with notes on variations and packaging, A5, full colour.

Buy these titles and other books from Fanderson Sales

***** IMPORTANT: FANDERSON SALES ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE TO FANDERSON MEMBERS ONLY. *****

Thunderbirds Mystery Box leads to exclusive competition

Posted on 13th October 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Thunderbirds, Zavvi.com is launching a Thunderbirds mystery box in conjunction with The ZBOX.

The Box contains 8 fully licensed Thunderbirds collector’s items, including 4 exclusive items. Piced at £29.99 and limited to 1,000 copies, the Box is now available to pre-order online.

Fans should hurry, as there are only 100 boxes remaining! The box begins shipping on Tuesday 15th December, just in time for Christmas.

Pre-order your copy here

New Century 21 FX book launched at The Future is Fantastic!

Posted on 2nd October 2015 by 1266 Nick Williams

Alan Shubrook Century 21 FX Update Century 21 FX Update, Alan Shubrook’s new book charting his emotional return to Stirling Road on the Slough Trading, premieres at The Future is Fantastic! this weekend. Should fans buy it? In one word – yes! Here’s why…

The book opens with Alan taking the reader on a personal tour of Century 21’s Studios on the Slough Trading Estate. It’s a great vehicle for Alan’s wonderful memories and photos.

In fact, it’s fair to say that at times it’s a poignant, slightly uncanny reading experience. Alan explains that, even after 45 years, many tiny details that betray the building’s illustrious past have survived, and are still recognisable. There’s the original toilet and broom cupboard that was turned into a shower for the special effect unit to use – much needed after a hard day’s work blowing things up! There are markings of camera pits on the floor – now filled in with concrete – which were dug so that effects could be filmed at ground level. There’s even a trip to Gerry Anderson’s old office.

The book is also full of fascinating and slightly sad ‘then and now’ pictures that demonstrate how the building has been transformed from one of Britain’s most sophisticated film studios in the 1960s to today’s more mundane function.

Special effects director Bill Camp is a major contributor to the book. Being a long-term friend of Alan’s, he gives an exclusive interview where he talks for the first time in nearly 50 years about his memories of working at Century 21, including his work on The Secret Service and the eventual closure of the studios.

The book also works well as a visual and accessible guide to behind the scenes trivia. The ‘Who’s Who of Puppets’ explains who was responsible for creating the expressions of some our favourite characters. Top 5 biggest Bangs showcases the preparation work for some of Alan’s most dramatic explosions, including the fiery climaxes of both Thunderbirds feature films….but which one is number 1?

We defy any fan not to be excited or taken aback by some of the never-before-seen-photos on show here. It’s 80 pages of pure joy, and is a worthy ‘update’ to Alan’s hugely successful Century 21 FX book. Grab yourself a copy while you can!

Alan will be presenting his amazing photographs at The Future is Fantastic! this weekend, and will be selling copies of his book.

Alternatively, you can buy your copy of the book online at www.century21fxupdate.com