Thunderbirds Machines

The following is a list of land, air, sea and space vehicles that appear in the 1960s British Supermarionation television series '' Thunderbirds'' or its adaptations. Many of the futuristic craft seen in the productions were designed by ''Thunderbirds'' special effects director Derek Meddings.

The most prominent vehicles are the five principal rescue craft of the International Rescue organisation: the "''Thunderbird'' machines" (after which the series was named). In the fictional world of ''Thunderbirds'', all of the International Rescue vehicles were designed by Brains, the organisation's resident scientist.

International Rescue vehicles

''Thunderbird'' machines

International Rescue's fleet comprises five principal rescue vehicles called the "''Thunderbird'' machines":

''Thunderbird 1''

:''Pilot: Scott Tracy''
''Thunderbird 1'' is a variable-geometry ( swing wing) hypersonic rocket plane, blue and grey in colour, which is used for fast response and rescue zone reconnaissance, and as a mobile control base. It has VTOL capabilities which are demonstrated in many episodes, and its take-off from Tracy Island is usually vertical.

With a maximum speed of , it can reach anywhere on Earth within an hour's flight if a great circle route can be flown. ''Thunderbird 1'' is hangared beneath the main house on Tracy Island and launches vertically from a pad camouflaged by a swimming pool that slides aside.

The aircraft is primarily piloted by Scott Tracy, with Alan taking his place when he is unavailable as ''Thunderbirds 1'' and ''3'' are rarely required on the same mission (such as in " Atlantic Inferno", when Scott takes charge of Tracy Island while Jeff is on holiday). Jeff describes ''Thunderbird 1'' as "sleek, first and fast" at the beginning of '' Thunderbird 6''.

One of the most popular errors noticed amongst ''Thunderbirds'' fans is the pilot's ability to control almost all of the many functions of the rocket simply by moving one of the two control levers forward or back.

''Thunderbird 1'' appears in most episodes of the series; as a reconnaissance craft, it often assesses which vehicles are needed to effect a rescue. It does not appear in " Sun Probe", " The Impostors", "Ricochet" or " Give or Take a Million".

In " The Uninvited", ''Thunderbird 1'' is shot down by the Zombite Fighters and crashes into the desert. Scott is rescued by two explorers.

=In adaptations

=
''Thunderbird 1'' appears in the 2004 film '' Thunderbirds'', where it has an updated look similar to the original: silver-grey, with blue and yellow detailing and red nose cone.

In the remake series ''Thunderbirds Are Go'', ''Thunderbird 1'' retains the role it has in the original. However, like all of the ''Thunderbirds'', it can be piloted remotely through Scott's wrist console. It also possesses an electromagnetic cable that can be fired from the open cargo bay, allowing it to lift or tow objects. The electromagnet at the end of the cable can be swapped for a clip. It also carries a Skypod, a short-range flying capsule that allows Scott to get in close to a target where ''Thunderbird 1''s size would be a disadvantage, as well as several remote-operated drones that can be deployed to search multiple areas or places that cannot be reached by conventional means.

''Thunderbird 2''

:''Pilot: Virgil Tracy''
:''Co-pilot: Gordon Tracy''

''Thunderbird 2'' is International Rescue's heavy-duty transporter aircraft, which carries rescue equipment to the danger zone in one of six pods. It is a large, green VTOL aircraft that is involved in most ground- and sea-based rescue missions. It is piloted by Virgil Tracy, often accompanied by either Scott, Alan, Gordon or Brains, sometimes by Tin-Tin Kyrano, and on at least one occasion by Lady Penelope.

Designer Derek Meddings maintained that the forward-swept wings were a purely aesthetic decision intended to make ''Thunderbird 2'' stand out next to real-life aircraft: "All aircraft have swept-back wings, so I thought I'd sweep mine forward."

The launch sequence begins with ''Thunderbird 2'' taxiing through a concealed hangar door disguised as a cliff face onto a runway flanked with palm trees that fall back to accommodate the large wingspan. The aircraft is then raised on a platform until it is at the correct angle for take-off. A blast shield rises at the rear of the launch ramp, channelling the exhaust of the rear engines through a series of tunnels to the other side of the island. ''Thunderbird 2'' launches from this angle rather than using the VTOL thrusters because it is much more fuel efficient.

A long-range craft, ''Thunderbird 2'' is capable of reaching anywhere in the world without refuelling. It has a cruising speed of . It is the most frequently seen of all the ''Thunderbirds'', appearing in all but one episode of the TV series (" The Impostors") and in all three films.

In " Terror in New York City", ''Thunderbird 2'' is fired upon and crippled by the warship USN ''Sentinel'' and remains out of operation for the rest of the episode. The vehicle is subsequently repaired using parts sourced from several different aircraft companies to protect the secrets of the aircraft's design.

=In adaptations

=
In the 2004 film, ''Thunderbird 2'' is given an updated design that does not include a hollowed-out middle to carry any pods; instead, the craft has a solid body that carries several pod vehicles within.

In the remake series ''Thunderbirds Are Go'', ''Thunderbird 2'' features a slightly updated design (with the pods now called "Modules") while retaining its role as the team's workhorse. The craft now features the same electromagnetic cable reels as ''Thunderbird 1''. Like the other ''Thunderbird'' craft, ''Thunderbird 2'' can be piloted remotely through Virgil's wrist device. The contents of ''Thunderbird 2''s Modules differ from the pods of the original series. Module 1 specialises in carrying fire-fighting equipment and contains large speakers and subwoofers topside that are used primarily to emit low-frequency sound waves for use against large fires. It also comes with two under-slung liquid nitrogen cannons. Module 2 contains three "pods", special units that can be converted and customised into several different rescue vehicles such as the Mole. Module 3 contains electromagnetic "grabs", large claws designed to lift objects heavier than the standard electromagnetic cables can handle. The nose of the craft also contains a set of grabs that can hold a set of seats for lifting people. Module 4 contains ''Thunderbird 4'' as Pod 4 did in the original series. Module 5 consists of a fuel pump to refuel other vessels, as well as seats. Module 6, like Module 4, is capable of carrying ''Thunderbird 4'', but is used during space travel.

''Thunderbird 3''

:''Astronaut: Alan Tracy or John Tracy''
:''Co-pilots: Scott Tracy and Tin-Tin Kyrano''

''Thunderbird 3'' is a vertically-launched single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft used for space rescue and maintenance of ''Thunderbird 5''. It is long, with a wide body and a span including the engines. It is red in colour. One source says it is orange.

The craft is used for space rescues in " Sun Probe", "Ricochet", " The Impostors" as well as escorting the ''Zero-X'' in the film '' Thunderbirds Are Go''.

''Thunderbird 3'' is unique among the ''Thunderbird'' craft in having its dimensions quoted in an episode of the series: in " Give or Take a Million" Jeff Tracy states that the spacecraft is tall. However, Brains says in a videotaped interview that ''Thunderbird 3'' is " in height".

The spacecraft uses chemical rockets for lift-off and boost, and an ion drive for propulsion in space. It is hangared beneath the "Round House" on Tracy Island, and is primarily piloted by Alan or John Tracy, with Scott often co-piloting. Since John is usually seen in ''Thunderbird 5'', he is rarely seen piloting the spacecraft (only in " The Mighty Atom" and " Danger at Ocean Deep" and " The Uninvited", and never in a rescue situation). In "Ricochet", ''Thunderbird 3'' is piloted by Virgil.

=In adaptations

=
''Thunderbird 3'' features a slightly different design in the series ''Thunderbirds Are Go''. The three support structures on the engines are now grapple arms that can swing forward, which hold four electromagnetic cables each, and the nose cone of the craft holds a drill. The cockpit area can rotate to keep the pilot orientated "up" in relation to Earth regardless of the orientation of the rest of the craft. Like ''Thunderbird 2'', ''Thunderbird 3'' features a customisable pod vehicle in its cargo bay that is specialised for space rescues. Like the other ''Thunderbirds'', it can be piloted remotely through Alan's wrist device.

''Thunderbird 4''

:''Aquanaut: Gordon Tracy''
Piloted by aquanaut Gordon Tracy, ''Thunderbird 4'' is a yellow utility submersible for underwater rescue. It is long and wide, which makes it the smallest of the ''Thunderbirds'' vehicles but not the smallest of the pod vehicles.

''Thunderbird 4'' is carried aboard ''Thunderbird 2'' – usually in Pod 4, though on one occasion in Pod 6 (" Attack of the Alligators!"). In " Terror in New York City", when ''Thunderbird 2'' is temporarily out of action and ''Thunderbird 4'' is needed, the craft has to be launched by emergency procedure, from the ''Thunderbird 2'' hangar along the island runway, with the runway's overhang lowering itself into the sea as ''Thunderbird 4'' approaches it.

''Thunderbird 4''s slow speed makes it impractical for the craft to travel long distances on its own. In "Terror in New York City", Jeff Tracy contacts the ''Sentinel''the warship responsible for incapacitating ''Thunderbird 2''to pick up ''Thunderbird 4'' and ship it to the danger zone.

The submersible is fitted with an adjustable searchlight which can be raised or lowered to reveal a variety of rescue instruments, such as cutting lasers, electromagnets, demolition rockets and battering rams, which can be extended from the nose section.

''Thunderbird 4'' does not play an active role in the films '' Thunderbirds Are Go'' and '' Thunderbird 6''. It does, however, appear in the title sequence of ''Thunderbirds Are Go''. In ''Thunderbird 6'', Jeff Tracy gives a "run down" on each of the ''Thunderbirds'' machines in which ''Thunderbird 4'' makes a brief appearance.

Theo De Klerk considers ''Thunderbird 4'' to have the least practical design of the fleet, stating that its non-cylindrical shape makes it ill-adapted to extreme underwater pressures. In a list of "Top Ten Cool Sci-Fi Vehicles", syfy.co.uk ranked ''Thunderbird 4'' seventh. The ''Daily Mirror'' questions why the submersible is one of the ''Thunderbirds'' given that it "can't even go anywhere on its own", having to be "carried around" by ''Thunderbird 2'' instead.

=In adaptations

=
The submersible appears in the 2004 film with an updated design, including space for two operators, larger cockpit windows, searchlights and two under-slung claws. It is handled by Alan Tracy rather than Gordon because the latter is unavailable, having been stranded along with his father and brothers in space.

For the remake series ''Thunderbirds Are Go'', ''Thunderbird 4'' features a slightly updated and streamlined design with some new features. It now possesses a pair of deployable grapple arms and two "dry tube" evacuation pods in its stern. Like the rest of the ''Thunderbirds'', it can be piloted remotely through Gordon's wrist device. During a rescue mission on Jupiter's moon Europa in the episode "Deep Search", it is shown that ''Thunderbird 4'' can also be transported in ''Thunderbird 3'', although it has been given new features to cope with the icy conditions on Europa. When not in use, ''Thunderbird 4'' is housed in one of ''Thunderbird 2''s Modules and a water tank, so that it can launch from the island when necessary.

''Thunderbird 5''

:''Space monitor: John Tracy or Alan Tracy''
The largest rescue vehicle in the ''Thunderbirds'' inventory, ''Thunderbird 5'' is an Earth-orbiting space station that monitors all broadcasts around the globe for distress calls and manages communications within International Rescue.

''Thunderbird 5'' is equipped with almost completely automated onboard systems, allowing the entire station to be run by a single crew member. It is primarily commanded by John Tracy, although he is periodically relieved by Alan (according to the storyline, John and Alan swap roles once a month, one piloting ''Thunderbird 3'' and the other monitoring from ''Thunderbird 5'').

''Thunderbird 5'' is located in a geosynchronous orbit above the Pacific Ocean. It is electronically cloaked to avoid detection from ground-based radar or other spacecraft's sensor systems.

Derek Meddings designed ''Thunderbird 5'' after the other machines and based its look on the Tracy Island Roundhouse model (through which ''Thunderbird 3'' launches). According to spaceflight historian Jack Hagerty, the shape of ''Thunderbird 5'' "pays homage to the earlier circular stations of Willy Ley and Wernher von Braun", as well as the space station depicted in the 1955 film '' Conquest of Space''.

=In adaptations

=
For the series ''Thunderbirds Are Go'', ''Thunderbird 5'' is heavily redesigned. It now features a rotating habitation ring, which uses centrifugal force to provide occupants with artificial gravity. The station has a holographic computer system, also present within the Tracy home as well as the other ''Thunderbirds'', which allows John to have face-to-face conversations with the rest of the team and display information relevant to missions. ''Thunderbird 5'' is also equipped with a space elevator (a rocket-equipped pod on a length of cable), which allows John to travel between the station and Tracy Island without having to rely on ''Thunderbird 3''. The station is also equipped with one configurable pod vehicle. Its surveillance and data technology enable it to access almost any kind of digital information that is not secured.

Starting in the episode "EOS", the station is co-operated by the artificial intelligence EOS, which has access to all of the station's systems. The entity – which was created by accident in the previous episode, "Runaway" – initially has a violent sense of self-preservation which leads to it seizing control of the station and attempting to kill John. After John is able to convince EOS that no one is threatening it, EOS becomes his on-board companion, albeit with a mischievous streak.

Critical response

Graeme Shimmin considers ''Thunderbird 2'' the best aircraft in fiction, as well as the "most iconic" of the ''Thunderbirds''. A ''Daily Mirror'' article describes ''Thunderbird 2'' as "obviously the best ''Thunderbird''. It is huge, it is green, it is a beautiful machine." In contrast, ''Thunderbird 5'' is "the most boring ''Thunderbird'' of all, sat in space 'monitoring transmissions'."

Dr Phillip Atcliffe, an aerospace engineer from the University of Salford, has discussed the real-world feasibility of the ''Thunderbird'' designs. His observations include wings of questionable function or value (in the case of ''Thunderbirds 1'' and ''2'') and a lack of streamlining (''Thunderbirds 1'', ''2'' and ''4''). Atcliffe also queries how ''Thunderbird 3'' would be able to manage its roll and states that International Rescue would probably need other space stations besides ''Thunderbird 5'' to achieve global radio coverage.

According to Theo de Klerk, none of the ''Thunderbirds'' appear to have adequate capacity for large amounts of fuel, or turbo generators to convert the heat from their nuclear reactors. De Klerk also states that both ''Thunderbirds 1'' and ''2'' would be hindered by the drag created by their engine blocks. He adds that the single VTOL rocket in ''Thunderbird 1''s block would provide little stability during lift-off from Tracy Island, and that given ''Thunderbird 2''s shape, weight and short runway, it is debatable whether that craft could achieve enough lift to take off.

On ''Thunderbirds 3'' and ''5'', de Klerk states that with only three main rocket engines, ''Thunderbird 3'' could be unstable in flight, and that International Rescue would need three supporting satellites positioned around the Earth to compensate for ''Thunderbird 5''s radio blind spots. He also notes that the crew of ''Thunderbird 3'' do not appear to lie on their backs for lift-off, despite the increased G-force of space launches, and that while both ''Thunderbirds 3'' and ''5'' produce artificial gravity for their occupants, it is unclear how.

In a discussion of ''Thunderbird 5'', a science article published by the University of Leicester stated that while " ogicallyit would be desirable for this secret space station not to be visible from Earth with the naked eye", the ''Thunderbird'' would be unable to attain the extremely low albedo needed to stay invisible; as a result, observers on Earth would be able to see it.

Others

''Thunderbird 2'' pod vehicles

''Thunderbird 2'' carries specialised rescue vehicles and equipment to disaster sites in one of six interchangeable capsules, called "pods". The "pod vehicles" are stored within the aircraft's cavernous hangar or kept on standby within the pods themselves. In the remake series ''Thunderbirds Are Go'', the vehicles can be converted and customised into many different rescue machines for a range of purposes.

=The Mole

=
The Mole is a tunnelling subterrene that assists in underground rescues. It is carried to rescue sites on a trolley and tilted upwards to begin drilling. Caterpillar tracks on both sides enable it to return to the surface. The Mole is notable for being one of the few pod vehicles to appear in more than one episode, featuring in " Pit of Peril", " City of Fire" and " The Duchess Assignment". It also appears in the closing credits alongside the five ''Thunderbird'' machines, '' Fireflash'' and FAB 1.

In a list of "greatest vehicles" in Supermarionation productions, commentator Fred McNamara ranks the Mole fifth, calling it "one of the most recognisable" pod vehicles. The ''Daily Mirror'' describes it as "the best ''Thunderbird'' vehicle that wasn't a ''Thunderbird''". ''Car'' magazine ranks it among the ten best vehicles to appear in Gerry Anderson productions.

=Other pod vehicles

=
*Booster Mortar (a.k.a. the Thunderiser): a tracked vehicle with a cannon that can fire rescue packs through upper-floor windows to assist people trapped in tall buildings. Used in " Edge of Impact".
*DOMO (Demolition and Object Moving Operator): a restraint vehicle with three suction arms that, by using artificial gravity fields can restrain or lift unstable structures or clear the disaster zone of heavy objects prior to the use of other pod vehicles. Used in " The Duchess Assignment", in which it is referred to as the "Restraining Outfit".
*Elevator Cars: built for use at airports to enable stricken aircraft to land safely by way of being manoeuvred beneath a plane to act as a substitute for landing gear. Used in "Trapped in the Sky".
*Excavator: a high-powered rock-crushing machine similar in design to the DOMO. It is used to clear rough terrain or unblock caves with people trapped inside, often being used for areas affected by landslides. Used in " Martian Invasion".
*Fire Tender: an adapted commercial vehicle that serves as a backup to the Firefly and Fire Truck.
*Fire Truck: a fire-fighting vehicle that shoots water, foam and nitroglycerine shells to extinguish blazes. Used in " Security Hazard".
*Firefly: a fireproof vehicle used for demolition and fire-fighting work. Used in " City of Fire" and " Terror in New York City".
*Jet Air Transporter: an air-cushioned vehicle that uses a combination of high-power vertical turbo fans and anti-gravity technology to allow people jumping from buildings or structures to be caught safely and gently lowered to the ground. Used in " Moveand You're Dead".
*Laser Cutter Vehicle: a tracked vehicle similar in design to the Booster Mortar. Equipped with a powerful front-mounted laser that can gain precise and rapid entry to secure buildings such as vaults and bunkers. Used in "30 Minutes After Noon".
*Mobile Crane: a six-wheeled cherry picker vehicle used primarily to lift rescue personnel into tall structures.Bleathman, p. 11. Used in " Path of Destruction".
*Monobrake: a low-slung search and recovery utility vehicle capable of either travelling along monorail tunnels or, by using its front-mounted telescopic arm, can be attached to an overhead monorail line for greater speed. Used in " The Perils of Penelope".
*Neutraliser Tractor: a tracked mobile device used primarily to disable the radio control systems and electronics of explosive devices through the use of sonic waves. Used in " Moveand You're Dead".
*Recovery Vehicles: one manned and one remote-controlled vehicle equipped with magnetic grappling lines to haul large objects out of lakes, rivers or pits. Used in " Pit of Peril".
*''Thunderbird 4'': though a ''Thunderbird'' in its own right, ''Thunderbird 4'' usually transported to rescues in Pod 4 of ''Thunderbird 2''. It is the most frequently seen of the pod vehicles.
*Transmitter Truck: adapted from a heavy-duty commercial vehicle and equipped with a dish that can transmit tractor beams and safety beams as well as communications and computer data to inaccessible locations. Used in " Sun Probe".

''Thunderbird 6''

In the film ''Thunderbird 6'' (1968), Jeff tasks Brains with designing a sixth ''Thunderbird'' vehicle. Brains sees all of his proposals rejected, but after Alan's restored de Havilland Tiger Moth plays a vital role in saving the occupants of the stricken airship ''Skyship One'', he successfully pitches the biplane as the new "''Thunderbird 6''".

The reveal of the Tiger Moth as the "sixth" ''Thunderbird'' has drawn negative responses from some commentators. Stephen La Rivière argues that while the plot twist may have been appreciated by adult viewers, it would not have pleased the target audience of children, who had been "waiting for the most fantastic piece of hardware to arrive" only to end up with "an old plane". John Marriott also criticises this story development, commenting that "the big screen was an unsuitable place for the gentle irony of steam-age technology scoring triumphantly over an array of fantasy machines."

''Thunderbird Shadow''

''Thunderbird Shadow'' (or ''Thunderbird S'') is an addition to International Rescue's fleet of vehicles in the remake series '' Thunderbirds Are Go''.

Black in colour, it is a highly agile, VTOL-capable hypersonic stealth aircraft piloted by the organisation's Chief of Security Kayo Kyrano. It is primarily used for covert operations related to protecting International Rescue as well as support for land and air-based rescues. The cockpit section doubles as a high-speed "Shadow Bike" motorcycle which can be dropped to the ground from the craft's fuselage when aerial pursuit becomes impractical while remaining in remote control contact. The ship features a pair of grappling claws in place of traditional landing gear, allowing it to perch on walls, ceilings, and other vehicles. The claws have also been used to carry cargo.

Additionally, ''Thunderbird Shadow'' is equipped with electromagnetic cables, a sonic cannon, and stealth mode "optical camouflage" cloaking technology, allowing it to appear invisible to the naked eye and radar. It can also launch electronic disabling devices onto vehicles to take control of them when in range.

''Thunderbird Shadow''s launch area on Tracy Island is located on a rock outcrop in a hangar shared with ''Thunderbirds 1'', ''3'' and ''4''. Once Kayo is geared up in her flight suit, she ascends to the main body of the ship in the Shadow Bike. The craft is then carried backwards on a turntable and up a wall via a rail. The turntable then rotates 180 degrees so the nose faces up, just as the wall flips round to take the ship outdoors (the exterior is disguised as a rock façade of the island). ''Thunderbird Shadow'' takes off from there.

''Zero-XL''

Introduced in the final episodes of '' Thunderbirds Are Go'', the Zero-XL is a deep-space rescue vessel powered by a "T-Drive" engine. Designed and built by Brains and the Mechanic, its sole purpose is to travel to the Oort cloud to rescue Jeff Tracy. The Zero-XL acts as a carrier for the other ''Thunderbird'' air and space vehicles, comprising multiple docking ports that enable ''Thunderbirds 1'', ''2'', ''3'', ''5'' and ''Shadow'' to be linked to it simultaneously.

Lady Penelope's vehicles

*FAB 1: a six-wheeled Rolls-Royce pink motor car used by Lady Penelope and her chauffeur, Parker. The car has an aircraft-style canopy and is fitted with many gadgets including a machine gun located behind the Rolls-Royce grille.
*''FAB 2'': Penelope's yacht, featured in " The Man from MI.5". Parker loses the vessel by gambling it away in a game of poker. It also makes an appearance in the ''Thunderbirds Are Go'' episode "Upside Down".
*FAB 0: a six-wheeled motor car that appears in the ''Thunderbirds Are Go'' episode "Designated Driver" as the vehicle that precedes ''FAB 1''. It features propellers housed in its wheels for flight.
In the 2004 film, Penelope also owns several pink Ford cars, at least one of which is named "FAB 8".

Miscellaneous

*Hover bikes: small personal transports that hover above the ground, used by all members of International Rescue. These vehicles are also seen in Anderson's earlier series ''Fireball XL5''. They also make an appearance in the 2004 film and the ''Thunderbirds Are Go'' episode "Home on the Range".
*Ladybird Jet: Tin-Tin's jet seen in two episodes of ''Thunderbirds'', and appears as a piece in the ''Thunderbirds'' game "Tracy Island" expansion pack.

Other vehicles

Crablogger

This giant tree-felling machine is featured in " Path of Destruction". It is powered by a nuclear reactor, but its built-in wood processing plant requires the chemical fuel Superon. It was designed by Jim Lucas of Robotics International in England. The machine is equipped with two large grabbing arms and a central chainsaw which cuts trees at the base before feeding them into a processing plant, where they are reduced to wood pulp for collection by tanker trucks.

Designed to clear areas of forest to make way for road developments, much of the Crablogger's systems are automated, although a crew is needed to monitor these systems. In "Path of Destruction", the crew are incapacitated by food poisoning, resulting in the machine going out of control.

Commentator Fred McNamara describes the Crablogger as "a perfect encapsulation of the world in which ''Thunderbirds'' Century 21 series">AP_Films.html" ;"title="nd other AP Films">Century 21 serieswere set", being an example of how those productions "used man's expansion of technological dreams in a future world as a platform for adventures filled with danger and excitement."

''Fireflash''

The ''Fireflash'', a hypersonic airliner, appears in "Trapped in the Sky", "Operation Crash-Dive", " The Impostors", " The Man from MI.5" and " The Duchess Assignment", as well as in a flashback sequence in " Security Hazard". It has six atomic motors that enable it to stay in the air for a maximum of six months; however, its radiation shielding must be maintained frequently, or the passengers can spend a maximum of only three hours in the aircraft before suffering fatal radiation sickness.

''Fireflash'' has two decks, but also features luxury facilities such as a cocktail lounge housed within glazed sections of the wings' leading edges.

''Fireflash'' was commissioned by Air Terrainean (a.k.a. Terrainean Airways).

Helijets

Multi-purpose jet-powered VTOL aircraft, called "helijets", appear in various episodes. They are used by both civilian and military organisations. A range of designs are seen over the course of the series. Helijets also appear in subsequent Anderson puppet productions.

Sidewinder

A United States Army walking vehicle that appeared in " Pit of Peril". It resembles a giant beetle. Powered by an atomic reactor, the four-legged Sidewinder has two mechanical arms at the front which are used to uproot trees and remove other obstructions. The vehicle is operated by a crew of three from the cabin at the front.

At long and weighing over 500 tons, the Sidewinder is slow and lumbering, but is capable of crossing terrain inaccessible to other land vehicles. The vehicle was developed to prevent African " brushfire wars" from escalating into larger conflicts and is equipped with a significant amount of weaponry.

During testing, the prototype vehicle falls into an unmapped landfill pit. Due to spontaneous combustion of the waste, the inside of the pit is extremely hot. Using the ''Thunderbird 2'' Recovery Vehicles, International Rescue retrieves the Sidewinder and rescues its crew.

The look of the Sidewinder was devised by episode director Desmond Saunders. The filming model was built from wood and card, with chains of cake tins forming the arms. The model was held up on wires and incorporated an under-floor "scissor mechanism" for its leg movements. According to effects director Derek Meddings, these elements made the model very difficult to film.

Tom Fox of ''Starburst'' described the Sidewinder as a "great but hilariously awkward invention". Nick Ottens, of webzine ''Never Was'', describes the Sidewinder as ''Thunderbirds'' "weirdest" vehicle.

''Sun Probe''

The ''Sun Probe'' is a rocket sent to collect a sample from the Sun for research purposes. However, the radiation from the Sun causes the retrorockets to fail, resulting in it going on a collision course with the Sun until ''Thunderbird 3'' is able to activate the rockets by remote.

It first appears in the eponymous " Sun Probe" and (briefly) in the later-produced episode " The Perils of Penelope".

''Zero-X''

A metallic-blue spacecraft that made the first crewed landing on Mars. ''Zero-X'' first appeared in the ''Thunderbirds'' feature film, '' Thunderbirds Are Go'', and later in the first episode of ''Captain Scarlet''. It is assembled hours before launch and consists of five parts: the Martian Excursion Vehicle (MEV; later renamed the Martian ''Exploration'' Vehicle); the main fuselage; Lifting Body 1 and 2, two wing-like structures that are loaded with thruster packs and incorporate landing gear at the ends; and a reflective nose cone, which attaches to the MEV.

References

Works cited

*
*
*

Further reading

*
*
* – ''Thunderbird 5''.
*

External links

Gerry Anderson's "Stars"
verview of the miniature models of the Anderson series, including ''Thunderbirds'' (archived 15 January 2008)

{{Thunderbirds
Thunderbirds vehicles, List of
Thunderbirds vehicles, List of
Vehicles