Terrahawks

We’ve popped FAB 97 in the post!

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

We’ve popped FAB 97 in the post to over 1,300 Fanderson members around the world.

We’re sorry that it’s taken longer than usual to get it ready, but included in this issue:

  • David Sisson’s report on the recent auction of models, puppets and more from Terrahawks, Space Police, Dick Spanner and several unfilmed projects
  • Ian Fryer explains his Space:1999 Year One fantasy chronology
  • club members give their views on Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons The Trap in our regular Timelash column, with exclusive Glen Garry Castle cutaway by Graham Bleathman
  • Chris Drake looks back at The Protectors Chase
  • Alistair McGown recalls how he first became aware of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s productions – through Dinky Toys!
  • Virgil Tracy In Tights is the first part of Lorraine Malby’s in-depth look at the stage musical recordings of our favourite puppet voice artistes
  • Jonathan Baxter takes a critical look at The Hood’s exploits to decide whether he’s a criminal mastermind or comic villain
  • the third part of our exclusive Thunderbirds Are Go photo-strip by Jonathan Baxter
  • plus FAB news, FAB Mail and more

This issue is so packed that there’s no room for the next part of Ian Fryer’s look at UFO in Countdown and TV Action comics, so it’ll be back next issue!

With FAB 97 we’ve mailed a little something to kick off our 40th anniversary celebrations. We hope you like it!

As we’re currently running a whole issue of FAB behind schedule, FAB 97 sees the final mailing of our 2020 membership gift – the fantastic Century 21 Complete Puppet Catalogue, which has been mailed to our last batch of renewing members. We will, of course, continue mailing this book to new members until our new 2021/22 membership gift is available (with FAB 98). We’re all working really hard to get FAB back on track, so that we should reach our 100th issue by the end of this, our 40th anniversary year.

If you’re ever worried something we’ve sent might have gone missing in the post, please check our Shipping And Returns page before contacting us.

 

How to get FAB magazine? Join Fanderson!

FAB magazine is available exclusively to Fanderson club members – we publish three times a year, and we do our very best to make each issue a joy to read for every fan – regardless of your favourite series!

Plenty to enjoy on Gerry Anderson anniversary

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

As the anniversary of Gerry Anderson’s birthday (14th April) draws near, broadcasters and streaming services in the UK are planning to celebrate!

On the day itself, BritBox in the UK will offer Gerry Anderson’s Greatest Episodes. This will apparently include Gerry’s favourite ten episodes of his own productions, including linking material by the man himself. The episodes are:

  1. Stingray Pilot
  2. Thunderbirds Trapped In The Sky
  3. Thunderbirds Terror In New York City
  4. Thunderbirds Attack Of The Alligators
  5. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons The Mysterons
  6. Joe 90 The Most Special Agent
  7. UFO A Question Of Priorities
  8. UFO Reflections In The Water
  9. Space:1999 Breakaway
  10. Space:1999 Black Sun

Surprisingly, the selection doesn’t include Gerry and Sylvia’s least known series – The Secret Service – which Gerry had told fans on many occasions was his personal favourite of all his series (and is also available on BritBox). Keen Fanderson members will know that all these episodes have been on BritBox since January, although the linking material will be new to the platform. Normally costing £5.99 per month, if you sign up to BritBox now you get a free 7-day trial.

Network Distributing are offering another of their popular Night In experiences from 14th April via their streaming platform. At just over 4½-hours, Gerry Anderson’s Night In includes Supercar False Alarm, Fireball XL5 A Day In The Life Of A Space General, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons The Inquisition, Joe 90 The Birthday, UFO A Question Of Priorities, Space: 1999 Black Sun, Terrahawks Close Call and New Captain Scarlet Dominion in high-definition (all already available on Blu-ray Disc). Each episode has a special introduction, and special features include “some Supermarionation commercials advertising everything from Sugar Smacks to… er, more Sugar Smacks….”. All for just £4.99 for 7-day access!

The UK’s Forces TV (Freeview/YouView 96, Freesat 165, Sky 181, and Virgin 274) is inviting UFO fans to choose their favourite episode from the pre-selected shortlist of Mindbender, Sub-Smash, A Question Of Priorities, Reflections In The Water and The Cat With Ten Lives. Voting closed on 10th April. The winning episode will be broadcast at 10pm on 14th April (repeated on 17th April at 9pm), accompanied by some “never before seen on TV” footage including Gerry giving a very special introduction to the winning episode. UFO fans immediately expressed their dismay at the seemingly arbitrary episode selection, which would appear to be geared to those for which it was possible to create an introduction by the man himself.

Shout! Factory are also holding a 24-hour marathon of Anderson productions on the day for viewers in territories with the Shout! Factory TV streaming service.