Thunderbirds merchandise

This is a list of tie-in merchandise and non-televisual media associated with Thunderbirds, a British science-fiction series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, filmed by their production company AP Films between 1964 and 1966, and distributed by ITC Entertainment.

Since the series' first appearance in 1965, more than 3,000 Thunderbirds tie-in products  including children's toys, print media and audio episodes  have been marketed.[1]

Books

Between 1966 and 1967, eight original Thunderbirds novels were written by John William Jennison (four under the pseudonym "John Theydon") and Kevin McGarry;[2] three focus on the character of Lady Penelope. In 1992, Corgi Books published four children's novelisations, all written by Dave Morris. In 2008, Minnesota-based FTL Publications, in association with Diamond Comic Distributors, launched a new series of original novels written by Joan Marie Verba with artwork by Steve Kyte.[3] Verba had attempted to obtain the licence as early as 2004, while Carlton Television was in the process of merging with ITV Granada.[3] After waiting several months, she contacted Granada, and after three years of discussions FTL Publications was finally granted the licence in 2007.[3] It was the first licence for Thunderbirds titles to be given to an American publisher, and the books constitute the first new, official series of Thunderbirds novels to be written since the 1960s.[4] Countdown to Action, published in June 2008, reveals the founding of International Rescue, exploring the establishment of the organisation and the construction of its machines.[3] The other books highlight the individual Tracy brothers, as well as Brains.[3]

Thunderbirds novels and novelisations:

Year Title Writer Publisher ISBN Notes
1966 Thunderbirds "John Theydon"
(John W. Jennison)
Armada Books Unknown
  • When a mysterious meteorite lands in the Gobi Desert, Scott Tracy and the Hood are overpowered by an extraterrestrial intelligence.
  • Re-printed as Thunderbirds 1: Thunderbirds in 1989 (Titan Books, ISBN 978-1-85286-160-5).[2]
1966 Calling Thunderbirds "John Theydon" Armada Books Unknown
  • Lady Penelope and her cousin are kidnapped by a Peruvian explorer and the Hood, who are both seeking to recover ancient Inca treasure.
  • Re-printed as Thunderbirds 2: Calling Thunderbirds in 1990 (Titan Books, ISBN 978-1-85286-161-2).[5]
1966 Thunderbirds: Operation Asteroids John W. Jennison World Distributors Unknown A rescue mission to the Moon is hi-jacked by the Hood; he returns to Earth in Thunderbird 3, holding Lady Penelope, Brains and Tin-Tin hostage and plotting to attack major cities from orbit with nuclear devices.[5][6]
1966 Thunderbirds: Lost World John W. Jennison World Distributors Unknown On New Guinea, Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Tin-Tin are abducted by descendants of a lost but scientifically advanced tribe allied with the Hood, who intends to wreak havoc with the natives' anti-gravity technology.[6][7]
1966 Lady Penelope: Cool for Danger Kevin McGarry World Distributors Unknown Lady Penelope and Parker are embroiled in the initial stages of a coup d'état in the European state of Revonia, in part triggered by Penelope's arch-enemy Mr Steelman's desire for world domination.[7][8]
1966 Lady Penelope: A Gallery of Thieves Kevin McGarry World Distributors Unknown Mr Steelman's latest scheme is to hold the galleries of the world to ransom by stealing unique works of art and replacing them with counterfeits.[8]
1966 Thunderbirds: Ring of Fire "John Theydon" Armada Books Unknown Following a rescue at a disintegrating nuclear power station, Thunderbird 1 is caught in a volcanic eruption; the nuclear explosion has furthermore opened a fissure in the Earth's crust, threatening widespread destruction.[9]
1966 Thunderbirds Are Go Angus P. Allan Armada Books Unknown Novelisation of the film Thunderbirds Are Go (1966)[10]
1967 Lady Penelope: The Albanian Affair "John Theydon" Armada Books
Century 21 Publishing
Unknown Lady Penelope's mission to pursue a reporter who has photographed the Thunderbirds machines is complicated by the involvement of a criminal organisation intent on selling the images to a rogue Balkan state.[11]
1992 Sun Probe Dave Morris Young Corgi ISBN 978-0-552-52765-1 Novelisation of the TV episode "Sun Probe" (1965)
1992 The Uninvited Dave Morris Young Corgi ISBN 978-0-552-52763-7 Novelisation of the TV episode "The Uninvited" (1965)
1992 Brink of Disaster Dave Morris Young Corgi ISBN 978-0-552-52764-4 Novelisation of the TV episode "Brink of Disaster" (1965)
1992 Atlantic Inferno Dave Morris Young Corgi ISBN 978-0-552-52766-8 Novelisation of the TV episode "Atlantic Inferno" (1966)
2008 Countdown To Action! Joan Marie Verba FTL Publications ISBN 978-0-9653575-7-9 The origins of International Rescue. Central character: Jeff Tracy.
2008 Action Alert! Joan Marie Verba FTL Publications ISBN 978-0-9653575-8-6 Central character: Scott Tracy
2009 Deadly Danger! Joan Marie Verba FTL Publications ISBN 978-0-9653575-9-3 Central character: Virgil Tracy
2010 Situation: Critical! Joan Marie Verba FTL Publications ISBN 978-0-9825232-2-3 Central character: John Tracy
2011 Extreme Hazard! Joan Marie Verba FTL Publications ISBN 978-1-936881-01-7 Central character: Gordon Tracy
2012 Danger Zone! Joan Marie Verba FTL Publications ISBN 978-1-936881-08-6 Central character: Alan Tracy
2012 Arctic Adventure Anthony Taylor FTL Publications ISBN 978-0-9825232-5-4 Central character: Brains

Comics

A comic strip featuring the characters of Lady Penelope and Parker, set prior to their joining International Rescue, debuted in the first weekly issues of AP Films Publishing's children's title TV Century 21 in early 1965, several months prior to the first broadcast of "Trapped in the Sky".[12] A full-length "Thunderbirds" strip debuted in the comic's 51st issue, published in January 1966.[13] Originally written by editor and Thunderbirds TV scriptwriter Alan Fennell, this mostly replaced the "Lady Penelope" strip, which moved to a sister comic of the same name.[12][14] The "Thunderbirds" strip, illustrated by Frank Bellamy, was the centrepiece of TV Century 21 (re-branded TV 21 in January 1968)[13] for 186 issues and 30 serials, until October 1969.[12] At their peak, combined weekly sales of TV Century 21 and Lady Penelope in the 1960s numbered 1.3 million.[13] In 1966, Thunderbirds featured as a strip in the Daily Mail.[15]

A Thunderbirds Annual was published by Century 21 Publishing from 1966 to 1968, and a Lady Penelope version until 1969.[16] Thunderbirds also appeared in the parent TV Century 21/TV 21 annual until 1969; the same year, a joint Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds annual was released.[16] Starting in October 1991, the Bellamy-illustrated strips, as well as some that had first appeared in Lady Penelope, were re-printed in Fleetway Publications' fortnightly Thunderbirds: The Comic.[14][17] Again edited by Fennell, this new title had a 30-month publication run and achieved peak sales of 100,000 copies.[17] Re-prints had previously appeared in Polystyle Publications' Countdown (briefly titled TV Action + Countdown) and Thunderbirds Holiday Special series in the 1970s and 1980s.[12] In 1992, Ravette Books re-printed 13 strips in a graphic album series.[12]

Home video

The 1980s and 1990s saw a number of Thunderbirds VHS releases by PolyGram and its subsidiary, Channel 5 Video Distribution. These proved to be a significant commercial success for Channel 5.[18] Due to rights concerns, not all episodes were released unedited; some were issued in the "Super Space Theater" format, for which pairs of thematically similar episodes had been combined to create double-length compilation films for US broadcast syndication. The compilations were: Thunderbirds to the Rescue (combining "Trapped in the Sky" and "Operation Crash-Dive"), Thunderbirds in Outer Space ("Sun Probe" and "Ricochet") and Countdown to Disaster ("Terror in New York City" and "Atlantic Inferno"). The videos opened with a brief introduction by Parker, informing the viewer of other Gerry Anderson video releases. Volume 12 contained a selection of Lyons Maid advertisements featuring characters from the Anderson productions, and Volume 14 a "Making of Thunderbirds" featurette.

Upon its acquisition of the brand in 1999, Carlton International Media commenced work on re-mastering Thunderbirds for the first Region 2 DVD releases.[1] Dolby 5.1 surround sound was added, and the existing picture and mono sound cleaned up with the aid of digital restoration and noise reduction technology.[1] In addition, the original soundtrack was enhanced with the insertion of new sound effects and background foley (mainly explosions, aircraft and other mechanical noise, and vocal echo)[1] Anderson, who had received no royalties from the series' distribution since relinquishing his rights to it in the 1970s,[19] was hired as re-mastering consultant.

Region 1 DVDs were released by North American distributor A&E Home Video in 2001, with a "Complete Series" box set following in 2002; it was re-released in slimmer packaging in 2008. The same year, Thunderbirds was released, both in instalments and as a box set, on Blu-ray Disc in the UK.[20] The region-free version distributed in Region B presents episodes in a vertically panned and scanned, 16:9 aspect ratio; a Japanese set, released by Geneon Universal in 2013, restores the original 4:3 picture.

On June 9th, 2015, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory (through their deal with ITV) released the complete series on DVD and Blu-ray in the US (both formats presented in their original full screen ratio).[21]

Thunderbirds UK home video releases (the following is not an exhaustive list):

Title Format Region
(Non-VHS only)
Release Year No. of Discs
(Non-VHS only)
Picture Format Special Features
Countdown to Disaster VHS N/A 1986 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds in Outer Space VHS N/A 1986 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds to the Rescue VHS N/A 1986 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds  Volume 1 VHS
DVD
Blu-ray
2 (DVD)
B (Blu-ray)
2000 (VHS/DVD)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • Characters FAB Fact File
  • Quiz with behind-the-scenes extra
Thunderbirds  Volume 2 VHS
DVD
Blu-ray
2
B
2000 (VHS/DVD)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • Machines FAB Fact File
  • "Vehicles" featurette
Thunderbirds  Volume 3 VHS
DVD
Blu-ray
2
B
2000 (VHS/DVD)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

Thunderbirds  Volume 4 VHS
DVD
Blu-ray
2
B
1986 (VHS)
2000 (VHS/DVD)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

Thunderbirds  Volume 5 VHS
DVD
Blu-ray
2
B
1987 (VHS)
2000 (DVD)
2001 (VHS)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • TV Century 21 Records and Mini Albums FAB Fact File
  • Making-of featurette
Thunderbirds  Volume 6 VHS
DVD
Blu-ray
2
B
1987 (VHS)
2000 (DVD)
2001 (VHS)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • TV Century 21 Comics FAB Fact File
  • TV advertisements
Thunderbirds  Volume 7 VHS
DVD
2 1987 (VHS)
2000 (DVD)
2001 (VHS)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • Novels FAB Fact File
  • TV advertisements
Thunderbirds  Volume 8 VHS
DVD
2 1987 (VHS)
2000 (DVD)
2001 (VHS)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
1 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • Production Crew FAB Fact File
  • "Secrets" featurette
Thunderbirds  The Complete Series VHS
DVD
Blu-ray
2
Free
2000 (VHS/DVD)
2004 (DVD re-issue)
2005 (DVD 40th-anniversary re-issue)
2008 (Blu-ray)
2015 (DVD and Blu-ray classic re-issue)
9 (DVD)
6 (Blu-ray)
4:3 (VHS/DVD)
16:9 (Blu-ray)

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • "The Thunderbirds Companion"
  • FAB Fact Files
  • Printable CD-ROM cross-sections
  • Featurettes, original artwork and memorabilia, TV advertisements
The Brains Behind Thunderbirds VHS N/A 2000 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds  Volume 9 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds  Volume 10 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds  Volume 11 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds  Volume 12 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 Lyons Maid advertisements (PolyGram/Channel 5 release only)
Thunderbirds  Volume 13 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds  Volume 14 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 "Making of Thunderbirds featurette (PolyGram/Channel 5 release only)
Thunderbirds  Volume 15 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds  Volume 16 VHS N/A 2001 N/A 4:3 N/A
Thunderbirds: 40th Anniversary  Episodes 1-3 UMD Unknown 2006 1 Unknown Unknown

Thunderbirds US home video releases (the following is not an exhaustive list):

Title Format Region
(Non-VHS only)
Release Year No. of Discs
(Non-VHS only)
Picture Format Special Features Distributor
Countdown to Disaster VHS N/A N/A N/A 4:3 N/A Family Home Entertainment
Thunderbirds in Outer Space VHS N/A N/A N/A 4:3 N/A Family Home Entertainment
Thunderbirds to the Rescue VHS N/A N/A N/A 4:3 N/A Family Home Entertainment
Thunderbirds  Volume 1 VHS
DVD
1 (DVD) 2001 (VHS/DVD) 2 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • "The Making of Thunderbirds" vintage featurette
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  Volume 2 VHS
DVD
1 2001 (VHS/DVD) 2 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  Set 3 VHS
DVD
1 2001 (VHS/DVD) 2 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • "The Making of Thunderbirds" vintage featurette
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  Set 4 VHS
DVD
1 2001 (VHS/DVD) 2 4:3

(DVD/Blu-ray only)

  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  Set 5 DVD 1 2002 2 4:3
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  Set 6 DVD 1 2002 2 4:3
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
  • "The Brains Behind Thunderbirds" documentary
  • "The Making of Thunderbirds" vintage featurette
  • Character Biographies
  • Gerry Anderson Biography
  • "History of Thunderbirds" text
  • "Thunderbird Stats" vehicle bios
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  Megaset DVD 1 2002 12 4:3
  • 2 "The Making of Thunderbirds" vintage featurettes
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
  • "The Brains Behind Thunderbirds" documentary
  • Character Biographies
  • Gerry Anderson Biography
  • "History of Thunderbirds" text
  • "Thunderbird Stats" vehicle bios
A&E Home Video
The Best of Thunderbirds DVD 1 2004 2 4:3
  • "Before Thunderbirds Were Go: A Profile Of Gerry Anderson" featurette
  • Gerry Anderson Interview
  • Pit of Peril with pop up trivia track
  • "The Story Of Thunderbirds" text
  • Character Autobiographies
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  40th Anniversary Collector's Edition Megaset DVD 1 2008 12 4:3
  • 2 "The Making of Thunderbirds" vintage featurettes
  • Photo Gallery
  • Production Credits
  • Pit of Peril with pop up trivia track
  • Exclusive interview with Gerry Anderson
  • "The Brains Behind Thunderbirds" documentary
A&E Home Video
Thunderbirds  The Complete Series DVD
Blu-ray
1
A (Blu-ray)
2015 (DVD/Blu-ray) 8 (DVD)
6 (Blu-ray)
4:3
  • "Launching Thunderbirds" documentary
  • DVD/BD-ROM Content: Vintage Publicity Brochure
Timeless Media Group/Shout! Factory

Music releases

The first Thunderbirds-exclusive music record was the mini-album Great Themes from Thunderbirds (MA 116; originally titled Requested Themes from Thunderbirds),[22] published by Century 21 Records in 1967.[23] Two soundtrack albums were released by Silva Screen Records, to favourable reviews on the AllMusic website and by Uncut magazine,[24][25][26][27] in 2003 and 2004.[28] A 40th-anniversary release  The Best of Thunderbirds, a double album featuring music from the first two CDs in addition to three previously unreleased tracks and exclusive CD-ROM content[29][30]  was released in 2005.[31][32] In 2015, Fanderson released a four-disc set for its members in celebration of the 50th anniversary; it contains music either written for, or used in, all but one episode (as "Cry Wolf" contains no original music, nor any music that was not used in other episodes, it is not included on the set).[33]

Beyond the TV series, composer Barry Gray's contributions to Thunderbirds included four original songs recorded exclusively for audio release: "Lady Penelope", "Parker", "Parker Well Done" and "The Abominable Snowman", all sung in character by Sylvia Anderson and David Graham.[34]

Thunderbirds soundtrack releases:

Great Themes from Thunderbirds
EP by Barry Gray
Released January 1967[23]
Recorded 1 September 1966
Pye Studios, London[22]
Genre Television soundtrack
Language English
Label Century 21 Records[23]
Century 21 Records chronology
Topo Gigio in London
(MA 115)
[1967][22]
Great Themes from Thunderbirds
(MA 116)
Space Age Nursery Rhymes
(MA 117)
[1967][22]

All songs written and composed by Barry Gray. 

Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack)
Volume 1[25][35]
Soundtrack album by Barry Gray
Released 24 February 2003 (UK)[28]
25 March 2003 (US)[24]
Recorded 8 December 1964 
10 February 1967[36]
Genre Television soundtrack
Length 1:01:25
Language English
Label Silva Screen Records
Producer Tim Mallett and Ralph Titterton
Barry Gray chronology
No Strings Attached: Themes from ATV Television Series
(Original Television Soundtrack)

[2002][24]
Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack)
Volume 1
Captain Scarlet
(Original Television Soundtrack)

[2003][24]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic website[24]
Uncut magazine[25]
Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack)
Volume 2[27][37]
Soundtrack album by Barry Gray
Released 10 August 2004 (US)[26]
Recorded 8 December 1964 
6 November 1965[26][38]
Genre Television soundtrack
Length 1:00:05
Language English
Label Silva Screen Records
Producer Tim Mallett and Ralph Titterton
Barry Gray chronology
Captain Scarlet
(Original Television Soundtrack)

[2003][26]
Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack) Volume 2
The Best of Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack)

[2006][26]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic website[26]
Starburst magazine[27]
Uncut magazine[27]
The Best of Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack)[30][31]
Soundtrack album by Barry Gray
Released 2005 (UK)[32]
7 February 2006 (US)[29]
Genre Television soundtrack
Length 1:33:32
Language English
Label Silva Screen Records
Century 21 Records chronology
Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack) Volume 2

[2004][29]
The Best of Thunderbirds
(Original Television Soundtrack)
Joe 90
(Original Television Soundtrack)

[2006][29]
Thunderbirds
Soundtrack album by Barry Gray
Released 2015
Recorded 1964-65
Genre Television soundtrack
Length 5:06:31
Language English
Label Fanderson
Producer Tim Mallett and Ralph Titterton

Toys

When Thunderbirds was first broadcast, AP Films Merchandising awarded licences to companies such as Matchbox and Dinky to manufacture plastic and die-cast metal Thunderbirds vehicle toys.[39] The subsidiary issued approximately 120 such licences,[39] even buying a company (J. Rosenthal) to keep up with demand.[40][41] Among the first items released by Dinky were a blue (rather than green) Thunderbird 2 and a six-inch-long (15 cm) FAB 1,[42][43] of which more than two million were manufactured.[44] By 1966, British commentators had dubbed the end-of-year shopping season "Thunderbirds Christmas" in the light of the series' popularity.[45] Themed birthday cards for children, for ages 6 to 10, were available in Australia in the mid-1960s.

Scale, toy model of a tropical island, with stationary, futuristic air- and spacecraft and "Thunderbirds" title
Matchbox Thunderbirds TV advertisement featuring its Tracy Island toy, which experienced high consumer demand in the UK in the early 1990s when BBC Two repeated the series

Japanese model kits of the vehicles continued to be marketed into the 1980s.[46] In the early 1990s, Matchbox launched a new range of toys to coincide with the BBC's Thunderbirds revival.[47] Despite poor sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas 1991, when demand overwhelmed supply, by the following December the series had provided manufacturers and retailers with the most successful British tie-in merchandising campaign since Star Wars.[14][47][48] Matchbox's Tracy Island playset quickly became the UK's most sought-after toy, resulting in stock shortages, fights between customers in shops,[49] and a rising black market surrounding the item;[47] the story was reported in the national press.[46][50]

The 1991 Matchbox range included:

  • Tracy Island Electronic Playset  with electronic sounds and moveable palm trees, swimming pool and Thunderbird 2 launch pad. So rare was the item in the run-up to Christmas 1991 in the UK, that the shortage was reported on BBC News.[51]
  • Electronic Thunderbird 1  with mechanised opening wings, electronic firing light and sound
  • Electronic Thunderbird 2  holds two action figures, and with electronic sounds and miniature Thunderbird 4
  • Die-cast Thunderbirds 14 and FAB 1  available separately, as a rescue pack, or in commemorative packaging (Radio Times exclusive)
  • Pullback-action Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 4
  • Thunderbird 2 Pod Vehicles  Mole, Firefly and Recovery Vehicle; all compatible with electronic Thunderbird 2
  • Action figures  Tracy brothers, Jeff Tracy, Brains, Hood, Lady Penelope and Parker (Alan initially with cream sash, later white)
  • 10-inch dolls  Tracy brothers

Following the success of the Thunderbirds repeats and merchandise, the BBC scheduled Stingray for repeats, for which Matchbox again issued a small line. In 1993, the children's programme Blue Peter broadcast a "making-of" showing viewers how to build a Tracy Island of their own using  as described by the show's publicity  "old newspaper, pipe cleaners, yoghurt pots, cereal packets and bits of sponge".[46][52] So high was demand for a free instruction sheet detailing the process that the BBC was forced to withdraw its giveaway offer and release Anthea Turner's demonstration, Blue Peter Makes a Thunderbirds Tracy Island, on home video.[52] When the BBC repeated Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons in the early 2000s, the Thunderbirds toy licence was re-issued to Vivid Imaginations, who later produced a similar range of Thunderbirds products for the series' second BBC revival in 2000.[53]

Scale, toy model of a tropical island, with stationary, futuristic air- and spacecraft and "Thunderbirds" and "Carlton" titles
Vivid Imaginations' Tracy Island electronic playset TV advertisement

The 2000 Vivid Imaginations range included:

  • Tracy Island Soundtech Electronic Playset  similar to Matchbox design, capable of holding Thunderbirds vehicles, and with 12 sounds
  • Tracy Island Powertech Transforming Playset  miniature containing vehicle hangar interiors with various sounds and features
  • Action Adventure Set  to scale with Thunderbird 2 playset, featuring Mole, Firefly, Hood's submarine (from episode "Desperate Intruder") and six figures
  • Thunderbirds 14 Soundtech Electronic Playsets  with miniature figures and sounds
  • Thunderbirds 1 and 4, FAB 1 and Mole  available separately or together, made of plastic and larger than Matchbox's
  • Thunderbird 5  withdrawn due to unsuitable electronic sounds, later re-issued but no longer capable of docking with Thunderbird 3
  • Action figures and dolls

A limited-edition Thunderbird 2 by Virgin Group was also available, albeit in red as opposed to green. Some items from the Vivid Imaginations collection were re-released in different packaging for the series' 40th anniversary in 2005, with the Tracy Island playset being advertised as having "new, interactive launch stations".

Bandai manufactured toys to coincide with the release of the live-action film in 2004, and fellow Japanese companies Aoshima, Konami and Takara continue to manufacture Thunderbirds toys today from the original schematics  for example, Takara's Thunderbird 2 (with functioning lights and landing struts). Vivid Imaginations will market a line for the series' 2015 re-make.[53]

Video games

In 1985, the first Thunderbirds video game was released for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum; the title required the player to pilot Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 2 and explore an Egyptian-style labyrinth.[54] In 1989, Grandslam Entertainment released a title for the Commodore 64 and Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, MSX and ZX Spectrum;[55] Activision released a NES version the following year.[56] In 1993, a title by Super Famicom, subtitled Kokusou Kyuujotai Shutsudou Seyo!, was released in Japan only. SCi Games published a Game Boy Color title in 2000.[57] The following year, it released a collection of Microsoft Windows themes and screensavers titled "F.A.B Action Pack",[58] as well as Thunderbirds: International Rescue for Game Boy Advance.[59] In 2004, a second Game Boy Advance title was released by Vivendi Universal Games.[60] A new Thunderbirds video game was released in Europe for the PlayStation 2 in July 2007;[61] the North American release was cancelled.[62]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bentley 2008, p. 117.
  2. 1 2 Bentley 2005, p. 109.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "NTBS News Flash: Never Give Up ... International Rescue's Motto Pays Off for Thunderbirds Author Joan Marie Verba" (PDF). tracyislandchronicles.com. NTBS News Flash. November–December 2012. pp. 17–18. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2013.
  4. Raugust, Karen (3 April 2008). "Licensing Hotline: April 2008". Publishers Weekly (PWxyz). Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 Bentley 2005, p. 110.
  6. 1 2 Bentley 2005, p. 111.
  7. 1 2 Bentley 2005, p. 112.
  8. 1 2 Bentley 2005, p. 113.
  9. Bentley 2005, p. 114.
  10. Bentley 2005, p. 97.
  11. Bentley 2005, p. 115.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Bentley 2005, p. 104.
  13. 1 2 3 Archer and Hearn, p. 135.
  14. 1 2 3 Marriott, John (1993). Supermarionation Classics: Stingray, Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. Rogers, Dave; Drake, Chris; Bassett, Graeme. London: Boxtree. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-85283-900-0.
  15. Archer, Simon (2004) [1993]. Gerry Anderson's FAB Facts: Behind the Scenes of TV's Famous Adventures in the 21st Century. London: HarperCollins. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-00-638247-8.
  16. 1 2 Bentley 2005, p. 108.
  17. 1 2 Archer and Hearn, p. 260.
  18. Bentley 2005, p. 117.
  19. Peel, John (1993). Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet: The Authorised Programme Guide. London: Virgin Books. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-86369-728-9.
  20. Foster, Dave (17 September 2008). "Thunderbirds (UK BD) in September". film.thedigitalfix.com. Poisonous Monkey. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013.
  21. https://www.shoutfactory.com/kids/kids-action-adventure/thunderbirds-the-complete-series
  22. 1 2 3 4 Bentley 2008, p. 350.
  23. 1 2 3 Bentley 2008, p. 349.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Phares, Heather. "Thunderbirds: Volume 1 AllMusic Entry". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  25. 1 2 3 "Thunderbirds: Volume 1 Silva Screen Records Entry". Silva Screen Records. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Eder, Bruce. "Thunderbirds: Volume 2 AllMusic Entry". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  27. 1 2 3 4 "Thunderbirds: Volume 2 Silva Screen Records Entry". Silva Screen Records. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  28. 1 2 Reavley, Morag (2003). "Thunderbirds: Volume 1 BBC Review". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  29. 1 2 3 4 "The Best of Thunderbirds AllMusic Entry". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  30. 1 2 "The Best of Thunderbirds Fanderson Sales Entry". Fanderson. 2005. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  31. 1 2 "The Best of Thunderbirds Silva Screen Records Entry". Silva Screen Records. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  32. 1 2 "The Best of Thunderbirds Discogs Entry". Discogs. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  33. "Thunderbirds 50th anniversary soundtrack CD now on sale!". fanderson.org.uk. Fanderson. 14 February 2015. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
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Bibliography

  • Archer, Simon; Hearn, Marcus (2002). What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson. London: BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-53481-5. 
  • Bentley, Chris (2005) [2000]. The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2nd ed.). London: Carlton Books. ISBN 978-1-84442-454-2. 
  • Bentley, Chris (2008) [2001]. The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide (4th ed.). London: Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 978-1-905287-74-1. 

External links

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