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Thunderbird 1 | ||||||||||
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rom 1964 to 1966, one of the most popular TV programs in the United Kingdom was Thunderbirds. The show consisted of 32 hourlong episodes, which have been airing in syndication somewhere in the world ever since. The series prompted two full-length feature films and a host of merchandise that rivals the Star Wars franchise. Currently, the show is in another revival and is soon to celebrate its 40th year of worldwide popularity. It is no coincidence that the new live-action film of Thunderbirds is slated for release in 2004.
The geniuses behind this immensely popular show, Sylvia and Gerry Anderson, went on to make several other series, many of which used the Supermarionation technique of electronic marionettes. Later, they ventured into live-action shows, but the puppet shows still hold all of their charm even 40 years later, despite, or maybe because of, the visible wires.
While the characters in Thunderbirds were fairly well fleshed out, the true stars of the show were the wonderful ships. Counting down, Thunderbird 5 is a communications space station that monitors distress calls worldwide, Thunderbird 4 is a light versatile submarine, Thunderbird 3 is a large tri-engine space rocket, and Thunderbird 2 is a large cargo carrier that ferries International Rescue's specialized heavy gear to the rescue site, but it's Thunderbird 1 that gets there first. The fastest ship ever invented, it arrives on the scene, where Scott Tracy, its pilot, assesses the danger zone and sets up a mobile command center.
Vivid Imaginations has spent the past few years creating some of the finest Thunderbirds toys since the series' beginning. From small Sound-Tech ships to larger playsets, they have done a wonderful job bringing the true stars of this show to life.
Measuring about 14 inches tall, Vivid Imaginations' Thunderbird 1 is a large, hefty, tough toy meant less for collectors and more for kids, the true target audience for the show. The ship is accurately detailed and includes such features as fold-out wings and actual operating landing gear, a first for Thunderbird 1 toys. The ship includes takeoff, cruising and landing sounds and voice clips from Scott Tracy.
This playset opens up in several ways to reveal play features and spaces, including a miniature figure of Scott Tracy in his pilot seat, a hover-bike used for rescues and a removable mobile control base. Scott's figure has hinges at his hips and knees, allowing him to sit in the pilot's seat, take charge of the hover bike or sit at the mobile control center—everything needed to take charge of the rescue scene.
Collectibles good enough for kids
Unlike many other past collectibles from this series, Vivid Imaginations has taken pains to make its line accessible to kids. This rugged rocket-plane is tough and well constructed. The normally needle-sharp nose cone is made partially of soft, rounded rubber to prevent injury.
A slide-away panel allows Scott to peer out from his cockpit. Another hatch opens up, revealing the entire cockpit interior, including the clever pivoting seat, which keeps Scott upright both during vertical takeoff and horizontal flight.
Another panel opens mid-body, revealing a well-secured red hover-bike (seen in several episodes) and the familiar mobile control center. Each is fairly well detailed and evokes scenes from the series, a boon for kids who love the show.
Two buttons near the bulky rear section trigger sound effects from the series. One button triggers a launching sound that then turns into a cruising drone. The second button is for voice clips: "F.A.B." (code for "all's well") "Stand by, Virgil," "I hope we're not too late, Father," "F.A.B., Virgil," "Mobile control to Thunderbird 2" and "Every second counts."
However, it has to be a large disappointment to fans of the series that the voice of Scott Tracy is not the original, voiced by actor Shane Rimmer. With these voices readily available, it's a mystery why a different voice was used.
Another thing that would have improved the set is the addition of a third button for the cruise sound. This way a kid could launch the ship and have it cruise around at will until it's time to land. As it is, the launch is built into the cruise sound, so it's not quite as realistic.
Another major feature of this beautiful craft, designed by the late special-effects wizard Derek Meddings (of James Bond fame), is the fold-out wings, which allow for controlled horizontal flight. When these wings are opened out, they trigger a retro-jet and landing sound. Also, tucked away underneath the wings are Thunderbird 1's landing gear, which hinge down, supported by struts. The landing pads themselves rotate to point forward, but move back again for stowing.
For true Thunderbirds collectors, accuracy is key, and this ship is slightly less refined in that area, with a blunter nose cone than desired and large sound buttons, but this set has a wealth of play features that rivals anything available, with the exception of Tracy Island, also by Vivid Imaginations, meant to be used with the smaller line of ships. All of these features may make collectors think twice, but for kids it's just about ideal.
Also available are Thunderbird 2, 3 and several other playsets of this general scale, including several smaller, deformed rescue craft from particular episodes of the series.
It's funny that this show, so vastly popular worldwide, is relatively unknown in the United States. For 40 years this show has delighted kids and adults alike, all over the world. But I have one important question—where was all this stuff when I was a kid? — Sean
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