Thunderbirds

Growing up with Thunderbirds

Posted on by Parker

Dee Anderson is embarking on a tour of the UK, sharing her memories of ‘growing up with Thunderbirds‘

As the daughter of Sylvia and Gerry Anderson, Dee Anderson, lived and breathed the magic of Thunderbirds and all the other Supermarionation programmes as a child. In this show, Dee presents a heartfelt tribute to the boundless imagination and thrilling adventures that defined a generation.

Gerry and Sylvia’s extraordinary legacy comes to life on stage like never before, inviting you into the world of a child who grew up with Thunderbirds. In her words “It was simply FAB!”

Dates/venues being added as confirmed and tickets become available:

London, 12th May Phoenix Arts Club
Pudsey, Yorkshire, 29th June The Old Woollen
New Milton, Hampshire, 30th August Forest Arts Centre
London, 30th November The Cinema Museum

 

Get ready Canada – your FAB Annuals will soon be on their way!

Posted on by Parker

We’re getting FAB Annual 2025 ready to mail to club members in Canada

Fanderson members in Canada will be aware that we chose not to mail their FAB Annuals in December along with everyone else, due to the effects of the postal strike there. Although the strike was resolved a while ago, we were advised to wait until the huge backlog of post had been cleared and services were back to normal. Canada Post suggested that we should steer clear of January, so we’ll start mailing again to Canada in the next few days, and catch up with FAB Annuals to those who are owed them as part of their club membership.

New Thunderbirds toys from Corgi

Posted on by Parker

Thunderbirds are go for Corgi this spring.

Die-cast manufacturer Corgi has announced a new and updated range of Thunderbirds toys to supplement their Stingray, SPV and Angel Interceptor. The new range includes FAB 1, Thunderbirds 1, 2 (with 4) and 3, and Corgi are at pains to stress the work done to ensure these new toys better represent the vehicles as seen on-screen. Corgi’s blog includes comparison shots, showing the reprofiling done on TBs 1 and 3, plus the better paint job on TB2.

Sadly, though much of this work has been appreciated by fans, over-riding comments on social media have been less than complimentary, particularly citing the rather bulbous FAB 1 (resembling more the life-size car made to publicise Thunderbird 6 in 1967) rather than Lady Penelope’s sleek limousine. Attention has also been drawn to Scalextric’s (another Hornby Hobbies brand) FAB 1 last year that largely managed to get the car right!

The new models are available to pre-order now at Corgi’s website.

FAB Annual 2025 on its way in time for Christmas, for most club members

Posted on by Parker

Finally! We can confirm that FAB Annual 2025 has been mailed to Fanderson members today!

Hopefully, this will give enough time for the majority of members to find their annual under the tree this Christmas – certainly those in the UK should and maybe those in parts of Europe too. Unfortunately, due to ongoing industrial action in Canada we’ve been advised not to mail to members there, but we’ll keep your FAB Annuals safe and post them as soon as the action is over and the backlog of mail has cleared.

Together with FAB Express 108, mailed recently, our winter mailing is complete and we can get on with welcoming all the new club members who have been waiting patiently for their membership packages!

[UK] Thunderbirds on TPTV again!

Posted on by Parker

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s 1964 series Thunderbirds is returning to Talking Pictures TV (in the UK) on Sunday, 22nd September at 12:20 as Trapped In The Sky will be on UK television screens again.

Thankfully, this is not a one-off screening as with Terror In New York City recently, as the series continues and is joined by screenings on Thursdays at 5am.

Talking Pictures TV is available in the UK on Freeview/Youview 82, Freesat 306, Sky channel 328 and Virgin 445, with a streaming service at www.tptvencore.co.uk

Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: London 2024

Posted on by Parker

Propstore has released details of lots in their upcoming Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction that will be of interest to fans of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s productions.

In the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: London 2024, running 14th to 17 November you’ll find:

  • Lot 407: “Slim” puppet, from Thunderbirds Martian Invasion (starting bid £10,000, estimate £20,000 – £40,000)
  • Lot 408: Ambulance model miniature from Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons Winged Assassin (starting bid £10,000, estimate £20,000 – £40,000)
  • Lot 967: Three Derek Meddings drawings from Thunderbird 6 and Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons (starting bid £200, estimate £400 – £800)
  • Lot 1605: Light-up Luxorian Ice Power Source prop from Space Precinct The Power (starting bid £1,000, estimate £2,000 – £4,000)
  • Lot 1773: Thunderbird 4 model built by Martin Bower (starting bid £1,500, estimate £3,000 – £6,000)
  • Lot 1774: Thunderbird 1 model built by Martin Bower (starting bid £1,000, estimate £2,000 – £4,000)
  • Lot 1775: Sylvia Anderson’s Thunderbirds Are Go premiere dress (starting bid £1,000, estimate £2,000 – £4,000)
  • Lot 1799: S.H.A.D.O. Mobile 3 large-scale replica model built by Sean Robinson and Mike Trim (starting bid £1,500, final estimate £3,000 – £6,000)

See the full auction details and catalogue and register for online bidding here.

Special launch offer for exclusive Thunderbirds To The Rescue soundtrack

Posted on by Parker

To celebrate the third in our series of exclusive soundtracks to the Super Space Theater compilation movies, we’ve got a special offer for the rest of October!

Buy all three SST movies and get our Super Space Theater book and art prints half-price!

  • Log on to our website
  • Click here to go to our SST page, then put all three SST soundtracks and the SST book in your basket
  • Add anything else from our Shop that you’d like
  • Click on basket, then apply coupon code SSToct24 before moving on to pay. This will deduct 50% off the price of the book and art prints.

OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (in addition to our standing Ts&Cs)

  • This offer is for Fanderson members only.
  • Members must buy both all three soundtracks and the SST book in the same transaction.
  • Each member can only use the coupon code once.
  • Apply the coupon code SSToct24 before you pay to get the SST book half price.
  • Members must apply the coupon code themselves to get the discount. It cannot be applied after you have paid, and we cannot apply it retroactively.
  • This is an online-only offer. It cannot be redeemed via the post.

David Graham RIP

Posted on by Parker

In tribute to legendary Anderson voice artist David Graham, who died earlier today, Talking Pictures have re-released their mini-documentary about the actor.

Filmed by Fanderson member Jeff Smart, Talking Thunderbirds is a series of documentaries featuring interviews with people involved in making our favourite puppet TV show. In this episode, David Graham discusses his career, where the inspiration for Parker’s voice came from, being the voice of the Daleks, and other varieties of characters he’s voiced!

Encore is a free service – watch via the red button on internet-connected Freeview TVs,  or register to gain access to a wealth of classic television and films.

New exclusive merchandise launched at London:1999!

Posted on by Parker

Fanderson is celebrating Space:1999‘s 50th anniversary with fans at the London:1999 convention this weekend.

As part of our programme of supporting independent conventions and events, we’re talking with fans and taking the opportunity to spread the word about Fanderson – the world’s only Gerry and Sylvia Anderson appreciation society – and to launch two great new pieces of exclusive club merchandise!

Hot on the heels of our soundtrack to the Super Space Theater Alien Attack compilation film, delegates at London:1999 are the first to buy the Destination Moonbase Alpha soundtrack CD! Not only that, but the club has righted a five-decade-long wrong by producing a sweet cigarette card set from Space:1999‘s second series! Both of these items will be available to order soon via the club website – just as soon as we’re home from London:1999.

As already announced, the third in our series of Super Space Theater soundtracks – Thunderbirds To The Rescue – will be launched at the 54321 FAB! Fanderson members’ day on 13th October. Book your place now!

Thunderbirds Memories Weekend

Posted on by Parker

Join author Sam Denham and other Anderson experts at Slough Museum’s Thunderbirds Memories Weekend!

Slough Museum is just round the corner from the former site of the fabled AP Films studios, and as part of their celebration of Thunderbirds‘ upcoming 60th anniversary they’re hosting a special weekend in which fans can share their memories and even bring along photographs and/or prized memorabilia to discuss with on-site experts.

You’ll see the museum’s own Thunderbirds exhibits as well as a special display of collectors’ items, and hear the story of AP Films and Century 21 Productions.

The event is being held on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September, 10:00-16:00 each day, and entry is free! The Museum is located at 72 Buckingham Avenue, Slough SL1 4PN.