Get ready for Alpha 2014

Posted on 28th July 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Billed as the UK’s biggest Space:1999 convention, Alpha 2014 will play host to a staggering range of guests connected with the making of this iconic series.

Running from 12 – 15 September, Alpha:2014 will be held at the Holiday Inn – Peterborough West. The hotel has excellent facilities including a gym, pool and jacuzzi. Transport links are excellent, with easy access to the A1, A14 and A47 motorways, and by train to Peterborough from London’s Kings Cross.

The guest list includes:

Brian Johnson – special effects wizard
Catherine Schell – Maya the Metamorph
Nick Tate – Chief Eagle Pilot Alan Carter
Anton Phillips – Dr Bob Mathias
Sarah Bullen – Operative Kate
Suzanne Heimer – stand-in for Barbara Bain
Suzanne Roquette – Tanya Alexander
Pam Rose – various roles in Year 2
Paul Weston – security guards and other stunt-related extras
Christopher Penfold – story consultant and script writer
Jamie Anderson – son of Gerry Anderson and head of Anderson Entertainment

There will also be a charity auction with all proceeds donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

For more information check out the Alpha 2014 website or visit their Facebook Page

Fanderson releases sweet cigarette cards books volume 2

Posted on 28th June 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson has released the second volume in its series of Sweet Cigarette Card books. The book covers the sweet cigarettes that were produced to tie in with the original marketing of The Secret Service, UFO and Space:1999 in the 1960s. The book features high resolution scans of the cards, with notes on variations and packaging. The first volume covered Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.

Order your copy now!

Don’t forget: Fanderson merchandise is available exclusively to club members. Find out how to join

Nick Tate interviewed in FAB 77

Posted on 25th March 2014 by 1266 Nick Williams

FAB 77 features an exclusive interview with Nick Tate

FAB 77 will be mailed to all Fanderson members next week – and what an issue we have for you! The 77th edition of the world’s premier Gerry Anderson magazine includes:

Nick Tate – Australian Eagle
The first part of an exclusive interview with Nick Tate. Ian Fryer meets the celebrated and much-loved actor, and hero to millions as Space:1999’s venerable Eagle pilot, Alan Carter.

Space Precinct at 20
Two decades after Brogan transferred from New York to Demeter City, Stephen Baxter looks back with his third eye at Gerry Anderson’s police periodical.

TV Ad Breaks
A rundown of some of the best TV commercial break cards used to buffer the Anderson shows over the years from around the UK.

Thunderbirds – Script to Screen: The Duchess Assignment
We examine the fascinating original shooting script to this vintage Thunderbirds adventure starring Lady Penelope.

Crossroads to Crime
A long-overdue DVD release was all the excuse we needed to celebrate this fascinating, live-action cinematic debut from AP Films.

Recall to Service – Zienia Merton
Main Mission sweetheart Sandra Benes answers your questions!

Timelash: WAM (parts 1 and 2)
Tony Barwick’s two-part story sends Robert Vaughn to Salzburg in this second series slice from Gerry Anderson’s mid ’70s live-action adventure series.

FAB magazine is only available to Fanderson club members. A club membership gives you annual subscription to three beautiful issues.

Find out how to join Fanderson

Andersonic issue 16 is out!

Posted on 15th September 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

Andersonic issue 16

Issue 16 of the Andersonic fanzine is now available to purchase online! With cover art by Rob Caswell, there’s a wealth of material for Gerry Anderson fans to feast on, including:

Tony Stacey interview – a new interview with APF & Century 21’s Chief Projectionist from Stingray up to UFO. Tony talks about his time at the studio and his escapades with Stanley Unwin, alligators, James Bond, Superswish curtain track and filming with John Read.

Gerry Haylock Interview – Countdown’s comic strip artist who drew UFO and Doctor Who for the comic, as well as Land of the Giants for Joe 90: Top Secret and even a few Protectors covers for TV Action. Gerry talks about his work and techniques he used on the comic strips.

Space:1999/ The Exiles – a look at the shooting script of this early Year 2 episode with comparisons to the finished episode. Find out what happened when Koenig decided to open fire on a guest and what links Space:1999 and Hawkwind.

Let’s Get Metaphysical – Amidst all the rumours of remakes and reboots, Robert E Wood takes a look at the heart and soul of Space: 1999 and addresses that old chestnut of scientific plausibility.

UFO/Conflict – we take a look at an underrated UFO episode and find there’s more to it than a load of space junk.

Space: 1999/ War Games – Mark Braxton looks at this well-regarded episode and finds a lot of Hawks but a total lack of Doves.

Strip Story – we look at an individual comic strip story to see what makes it tick. This issue – Countdown’s epic Thunderbirds strip ‘UN Rescue Ltd’.

To order your copy of Andersonic issue 16 online or by post check out andersonic.co.uk

Space:1999 stars at Autographica

Posted on 27th June 2013 by 1266 Nick Williams

Autographica, the world’s largest autograph event, is yet again paying tribute to Gerry Anderson’s Space:1999, which is taking place on the 21st-22nd of September 2013 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, NEC. This popular event is proving to be an absolute must for Space:1999 fans, featuring no less than eight guests from the series.

Heading the guest list is the Moonbase Alpha Eagle Pilot himself, Nick Tate, while the roster also contains Year One Main mission operative Lee Oswald played by Loftus Burton and a Technician played by Robert Atiko. They are joined by Year Two starring guests Peter Duncan who played Cantar in the episode The Exiles, John Standing (was Pasc in The Mark of the Archanon), Sarah Douglas (“B” in The AB Chrysalis), Greg De Polnay (Peter Garforth in The Lambda Factor) and Nick Hobbs (a Security Guard in Space Warp).

Another guest at the event who will be of interest to Anderson fans is actor George Little who had a small part in the Gerry Anderson series The Protectors. A packed guest list also contains James Bond girls plus other actors and actresses from Dr Who and other TV shows and films. You can even get to meet a real-life astronaut!

To book your tickets go to www.autographica.co.uk or phone the ticketline on 01959 573792, open 9.00am to 9.00 pm seven days a week.

3,000 attend Cosford Flights of Fantasy

Posted on 28th November 2012 by 1266 Nick Williams

RAF Cosford Flights of Fantasy

Photo credit: Dalek Sram

Nearly 3,000 people descended on Cosford Flights of Fantasy over the weekend of 24th – 25th November to see an incredible exhibition of Gerry Anderson puppets and memorabilia at the .

Among the many highlights of an amazing model and props display at RAF Museum Cosford were vehicles and sets from Space:1999 and the original Captain Black and Steve Zodiac puppets.

Matt Zimmerman, David Graham and Shane Rimmer were also in attendance, and were interviewed in the Museum’s atmospheric underground theatre by Chris Bentley about their time on Thunderbirds and other aspects of their careers. The trio – fans’ favourites from many past conventions – provided great comic entertainment, showing they have lost none of their ability to perform before an audience.

Effects guru Brian Johnson also appeared as a surprise guest. Brian, who became famous for his work on Thunderbirds and as Head of Special Effects on Space 1999, also spoke about his involvement in two very different cult science fiction films, The Day the Earth Caught Fire and 2001 – A Space Odyssey.

Fanderson ran a sales table over both days of the event, selling new memberships and exclusive merchandise to existing members. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello!

Share your memories, comments and photos of the event on the Fanderson Forum

Captain Black takes over RAF Museum Cosford

Posted on 8th October 2012 by 1266 Nick Williams

Over the weekend of 24th – 25th November the RAF Museum in Cosford will be hosting an amazing exhibition of rare puppets and memorabilia from the worlds of Gerry Anderson. For many fans a number of rarely seen puppets – including the original Captain Black – will be the star attractions of the weekend. For others, it will be the appearance of special guests David Graham, Shane Rimmer and Matt Zimmerman. For others it will be a chance to catch up and have a friendly chat with members of the Fanderson Committee!

The event will feature puppets from Thunderbirds, Joe 90, Fireball XL5 and Captain Scarlet, as well as a fascinating range of models, costumes, full-sized vehicles and sets from the classic live action shows Space 1999 and UFO.

The exhibition will be a first for the RAF Museum Cosford and will be taking place in the National Cold War Exhibition alongside a backdrop of aircraft which inspired the look and design of the shows. There will also be a number of trade stands with associated merchandise.

Admission to the display is free and will be open from 10.00 to 16.30.

Shane Rimmer, David Graham and Matt Zimmerman will be attending on the Saturday and will be interviewed in the morning in the museum’s atmospheric bunker-style lecture theatre before participating in a question and answer session in the afternoon. Tickets for both sessions are now on general sale priced £15.00, and include a parking pass and a signed photo of the Thunderbirds puppets at Cosford.

Fanderson will be manning a table at the event and will have a range of merchandise available for members to buy. If you are planning to attend please feel free to stop by and say hello!

Read about the event on the RAF Museum website