Gerry Anderson Primer: Thunderbirds

[@GerryAndersonTV]

What's your favourite episode of Thunderbirds? Whose your favourite character? Let us know in the comments!

[@SgtScorpious]

Hmm Terror in New York city always stuck out to me and character would probably be either Virgil or Alan maybe

[@connorjohnson7834]

I always liked operation crash dive

[@thesodorengines]

My favourite episode will always be terror in New York City that it was one of the first Thunderbirds episode I saw and the one I saw most frequently as a kid as I had it on a VHS tape which contained two of the compilation movies

[@GerryAndersonTV]

@@SgtScorpious Great choice :)

[@RubenAssassinRose]

Episode: Trapped in the sky Reason: First ever episode watched after the 2004 movie Favourite character: Virgil Tracey Reason: Pilot of Thunderbird 2 (favourite aircraft), and is the voice of reason within the brothers

[@georgekaplan6451]

My son discovered Thunderbirds in 2006 when he was 4. It says much for the quality of the show that it held up after 40 years and still does. I enjoyed it as a child in the 70's.

[@dennisjansson6239]

I discovered Thunderbirds when i was 4 years old too, in 1994. Sweden, were im from, aired it with swedish voices, split the episodes into two-parter episodes & renamed International Rescue to Thunderbirdpatrullen, wich is swedish for Thunderbird Patrol. Wich i think fits, because of their main vehicles & the name of the tv-series. Its 1 of my favorite tv-shows EVER & DESERVES more attention & be referenced in more movies & tv-shows that are addicted to make references to many things & easter eggs. Its an awsome show & 1 of my favorite science fiction works. FAB! 💙

[@stephenpochly7003]

Thunderbirds maybe over 50 years old,but because of the talent of all who worked on the show,it still holds up today.The effects are as good ,if not better than anything today.

[@WildPhotoShooter]

I can't believe it only ran for 32 episodes, it seemed like it lasted all my young life.

[@TralfazConstruction]

Keen observation. The two movies add to the mythos.

[@blackittysamurai]

No, that was the Vietnam War that lasted all your young life.

[@TralfazConstruction]

@@blackittysamurai My parents would not allow the TV to be on during dinnertime in that era. I remember seeing the statistics of those soldiers of ours lost in that period from, say, 1966 to 1972 or so. I grew up in that period, my formative years. I turned 16 in '72 and the Draft ended in '74 when I turned 18. One thing my mother had told me in, maybe, 1968 was in my concern for the number of our troops being killed was something like, "Don't worry, dear, for every one soldier of ours that falls in battle we get twenty of theirs." It wasn't stated gleefully but rather it was said to allay my fears I believe. What a time to have been a young person.

[@louisokeefe8307]

It was repeated on mass during the 70,s on all the itv channels, London Anglia , Tyne Tees, etc.. probably into the 80,s as well... so it seemed like it never ended, which was great for a kid like me... LOVED IT...

[@tonywilliams8426]

good things often only come in small packages.......

[@mitchellpak1666]

I grew up in the 1970's and this was the coolest show ever. I still remember it very fondly.

[@SiVlog1989]

The Thunderbirds march never fails to make my spine tingle. It was and is superb, Barry Gray at his best, and thanks to fate (the mining accident in Germany that inspired Gerry to come up with the basis of the series) became one of the most successful children's shows of all time. Case in point, my Dad took me, the very first time I went to a cinema (at the tender age of 4 years old), to see a reshowing of Thunderbirds Are Go. He was old enough to remember when the TV series first came out in the 1960's and was passing the torch on to me to enjoy at my leisure. Recently, it came full circle as I introduced my 4 year old Godson to the series (by showing him the episode Sunprobe). Needless to say, he was hooked immediately

[@shadowmoth9158]

Rest in peace to David Graham 🪦🕊️ Thunderbirds will never feel the same again

[@TheMJKnight]

If I could describe Thunderbirds in 1 word it would be - timeless.

[@womble1981]

I mean, it could be, if not for the smoking and jokes about woman drivers.

[@TheMJKnight]

@@womble1981 it’s a product of its time. They didn’t have the foresight to look decades into the future to see how society would change. I suppose I should have more specific with the context of the way it was produced with the effects the quality of voice acting and good old-fashioned heroism.

[@dennisjansson6239]

Timeless indeed. Thunderbirds still holds up in my opinion. Even though its not perfect i still love it & think Gerry Anderson SHOULD be awarded with a Star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame. He has done so much. 💙

[@davestransportvideos]

A great overview for those who may be unfamiliar with the series. I grew up watching the repeat runs of Thunderbirds on the BBC in the 1990's and early 2000's. My favourite episode has to be Attack of the Alligators because all of the brothers had an active role in the rescue which is something I don't think has happened elsewhere in the series. My least favourite is Security Hazard just because it's a clip show and I feel that it could have worked better as a normal episode. Thunderbirds is still a timeless classic that has aged incredibly well and is something that I will always cherish.

[@not.supermario]

Attack of the Alligators and the episode that followed, The Cham Cham, exceeded their filming budgets and the resulting episode that came next was Security Hazard, which was the clip show since the studio was trying to get money for the following episodes. They substituted the clip show in the place of a regular episode. I agree. Attack of the Alligators is one of the best episodes of the series. I'm such a fan of the series that it's hard to find one episode that I can consider my favorite. My least favorite was the final episode "Give or Take a Million". It didn't involve much of International Rescue and was just a flashback episode. At least with Move and You're Dead, it worked. THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO FOREVER!

[@JagoHazzard]

Gerry Anderson's twenty-first century billionaire astronauts are way better than the billionaire astronauts we actually got.

[@nikolasperez7745]

Don't give Elon any ideas...

[@zombard1966]

Never thought I'd see a @JagoHazzard comment here! Truly a man of culture

[@michaelbrett2760]

Every time I hear the theme tune I am 6 years old again...

[@WildPhotoShooter]

Yes that music is so iconic, it brings back so many memories. We shouldn't forget the other great shows , Stingray, Captain Scarlet, and Fireball XL5 which was my favourite Airfix model.

[@neilwilson5785]

I'm five, but OK.

[@monkeybubblessupperdude1016]

There is a video on KZbin of the band of the royal marines marching to this.theme tune

[@mx472000]

"Thunderbirds" is the reason I ended up working in Visual Effects.

[@skyhigh776]

Hee hee, I also got into TV because of Thunderbirds! I too wanted to work in special effects but ended up as cameraman!

[@TheMJKnight]

Seriously?! Well done to you. Congrats! 👏👍

[@aidansimpson-gray5418]

It's the reason I will get into transport design!

[@Brian_Boru]

How much happiness did Gerry Anderson and his team bring to the world with these creations? ❤

[@louisokeefe8307]

Magical t.v and so beautifully written, from start to finish timeless classic. So many memories of better days. Filled with fun and not a care in the world.... thank you Gerry and Sylvia Anderson you made a young lad very very happy.... We were blessed to have been kids in such a golden special time in children,s t.v.

[@tendo16860]

Besides the unforgettable music theme that caught me when I was about 6 or 7, and I saw my first show in the US around 1967 or so (that was the year my dad bought our first color TV). I was about 6 when I saw the first episode in the afternoons after coming home from school, and in those early days it was a great time to unwind from the stresses of the school day. The launch sequences did engross me, and more subtly, the warmth conveyed by each character was also a draw.

[@wikiuser92]

My parents recorded some episodes of the show for me to watch in the 90s when I was still a child, and I've loved it ever since. My favorite machine is Thunderbird 2.

[@fredf7457]

One of the many things I like about Thunderbird is the theme music.

[@brianhepke7182]

...and the poignant moment as the orchestra banks down at the end on the finishing credits when FAB 1's grill appears...such great timing....(can I say it?..."it's all very British looking and sounding"...😉

[@contessa.adella]

Get the car Parker. We are going for a little drive. Yus m’lady

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

'Ome, M'lady?" "Home, Parker."

[@Neil070]

The full size FAB 1, an actual customised and road legal Rolls Royce visited our town to celebrate the opening of a new vehicle showroom, accompanied by Pat Phoenix, star of Coronation Street, who happily posed for a photo taken by 12 year old me! 60's equivalent of a selfie. I was more excited by the car, of course. The showroom closed last year and is due to become a housing development, but every time I passed it, I remembered the "real" FAB 1

[@richardwebb5317]

@@melkiorwiseman5234 Shall we take the direct route?

[@Anlushac11]

One of my earliest memories of childhood was watching Thunderbirds, especially "Trapped In The Sky" where they were trying to drive those vehicles for the aircraft to land on.

[@paulsharp5405]

Childhood memories that last a life time

[@RogueWJL]

It's hard to pick a favourite episode but favourite character is without doubt Lady Penelope and Parker. Lady Penelope had her own magazine at one point. The continued pop cultural impact of this show is quite incredible when you consider everything. It's a gift that keeps on giving

[@Whalewraith]

I have a fond memory of my mother taking me to see Thunderbird 6.

[@michaeldargan7290]

I love all the episode they just don't make any thing like it any more!! I fell sorry for the kids now a days who haven't heard those fames words 5 4 3 2 1 Thunderbirds a GO!! So good

[@revzillo]

Way ahead of its time , best TV series of all 👍

[@paulwilliams9278]

I can't pick a favourite episode there all brilliant

[@FrikInCasualMode]

Almost every episode from Season 1 is my favourite :) And my favourite character? Scott Tracy and Thunderbird 1 hands down. FAB!

[@teto85]

This is my favorite Anderson Supermarionation show. Others might have come later, others might have more episodes, but there is something about Thunderbirds that grabs me.

[@MGSBigBoss77]

I always held Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet neck and neck in my book. They were both incredible shows without question. But T-Birds edges out Captain Scarlet just a little bit moreso because of how family orientated it was. Captain Scarlet had many deaths by comparisons because of the Mysterons being killers of humanity in every episode (The Mysterons had to kill to replace peoples with a Mysteron agent)

[@mrmacc1312]

As soon as you hear the music you know it’s 1pm on a Sunday afternoon in the UK and silence reigned for an hour in the house!

[@ArchieAndy27]

Loving these primers! Thunderbirds was such a classic show and, growing with the repeats and reissues in the 90s, the show was certainly a gateway into the amazing worlds of Anderson. This show has it all - fast paced, edge of your seat action, excitement, incredible vehicles, memorable characters, some fantastic lines and a classic score. Supermarionation perfection!

[@patricksullivan9452]

Love the whole Anderson catalog. Still remember watching Fireball Xl5 as a kid. Always watching something from Gerry. Watching Four Feather Falls and Supercar right now. All these shows are masterpieces.

[@S2000Y]

I can still watch these now 50 years on with equal enthusiasm

[@RooFvIn]

Thanks for the childhood memories . Cliff Richard and the shadows wouldn’t have got were they did without your help. !

[@23rdjune]

The episode with 'Rick O'shay' was brill, so was the sidewinder and the Crablogger. The Hood was the best baddie of all time..those illuminated eyes scared the hell out of me when I was a kid.

[@spooks196]

"Rick (Pshaooooow) ... O'Shay"

[@terrytk9398]

23rdJune Hood with eyes alight :Kirano ... Kirano... (Kirano collapses carrying a tray of drink) Jeff Tracy:looks like we need to get some drinks! Crablogger (Sidewinder) music frightening as hell! And Brains talking into his watch whilst the engineers think he’s crazy .... fantastic!✊

[@tarkas566]

Yeah, Ol' Bright-Eyes is probably the most evil Anderson villain of them all. He's totally motivated by self-interest and greed and doesn't give a damn for anyone else unless they can pay him well for his dubious services. Definitely a villain one loves to hate.

[@markcorrell1388]

What a FANTASTIC SHOW i was glued to the screen growing up, my fav episodes probably the crablocker machine and then the one with the giant crocs in the jungle, but enjoyed them all still do !!!!!🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@MrButtonpresser]

As a 5 year old growing up with Apollo on the TV, watching the Thunderbirds was extra FAB! I always felt sorry for John, in space on his own.

[@marceloribeirobarros]

Thunderbirds forever !!!! Congratulations from Brasil , Rio de Janeiro !!!!

[@iLikeBovril]

I just managed to catch the tail end of the reshowings as a kid some time in the 2000s- I spent many happy hours 'playing' Thunderbirds, which involved me dressing up in my beloved IR costume (with scott tracy's sky blue sash, of course), getting my mum to set up a stepladder in the front room to be my Thunderbird 1 and carrying out daring imaginary rescues while the soundtrack CD played in the background- a testament to the enduring allure of the show and a somewhat relaxed parental attitude towards health and safety! I'm currently watching it again for the first time in years and of course its still an absolute joy.

[@paiulgibson5456]

The music still makes me smile 50 years later

[@markchawner1586]

My ambition then ... As it is now .... Is to pilot Thunderbird 2 .....

[@GerryAndersonTV]

You and many thousands of others Mark :) Fingers crossed for you!

[@lezlezman1843]

If you can get the old Microsoft Flight Simulator X, you can go to this site to get a fully working version of TB2 with the mole inside the pod! library.avsim.net/search.php?SearchTerm=thunderbird&CatID=fsxac&Go=Search

[@TheMJKnight]

you too?

[@gregshamieh6339]

Me too! Corgi toys in the UK made a fully functioning die cast - right down to the hydraulic lifts and a removable pod with working door. It was one of my childhood's most treasured possessions.

[@davidbarnsley8486]

@@gregshamieh6339 I still have my original tb2 but lost TB 4

[@jedidrummerjake]

I couldn't get enough of this fantastic show when I was a kid! I wanted to be a Thunderbird so bad.

[@nicholasforrester8587]

Me too 🧑‍🚀

[@Loopingstar]

Really wish these great Gerry Anderson shows were on Netflix or Amazon Prime

[@cologne2792]

The New Captain Scarlet is on Amazon. I think it's the last TV series that Gerry Anderson made. The motion capture / cgi takes some getting used to but some of the stories, especially Enigma, are quite brilliant.

[@onlyme219]

Thunderbird 2 has always been my fav

[@kickinbackinOC]

Somehow, I became familiar with this wonderful British production as a kid in the 1960s! Its always had a special place in my memory!

[@foxyshabazz]

Thunderbirds, Stingray, Joe 90 and the others were great, but Captain Scarlet was my favourite.

[@kevingreen3781]

32 episodes and I have them all I’m 60 yrs old the theme tune alone makes you want to sit up and watch my favourite is sun probe fantastic they all are and always will be what’s yours

[@matthewjessup8584]

Every man's childhood relived , great series, great plots, superb models and effects, . UFO was ( is) my favourite Gerry Anderson show, but Thunderbirds, nevertheless, brilliant

[@SulliMike23]

My dad loved this show, and I loved it. But we’re both Americans so we watched in syndication. Even so, it was one of the best shows I had the privilege to watch.

[@aboutthemetal8783]

Scott is my favourite, this is cool

[@trainlover16]

This was great, perfect to get people who have never seen or heard of it into the show.

[@thegrandpotato6014]

The Thunderbirds 1965 series was such a huge part of my childhood .... and I was only born in 1999

[@dk5468]

Thunderbird 4 was always my favourite, but it didn't seem to get as much screen time as the other vehicles

[@McGowanForge]

My favorite episode would have to be "trapped in the sky"

[@12mrmajestic]

Thunderbird 1, the original mach buster. Now we have Aurora TR3-B and others! Nothing grander than watching it coming out of that swimming pool.

[@swaggerjagg22]

Thunderbirds the original series is something i watch again and again never get tired of it.

[@paulware4701]

Probably "Trapped in the Sky" for favourite episode and Virgil for favourite character; he was quiet and played the piano, so he reminded me of my dad.

[@derrickgoodman8434]

Damn, brought back good memories. How was it as a 10 year old I had a crush on puppet Lady Penelope? Next please do Supercar.

[@laurafishwick6058]

My Favourite episode is The Uninvited. And My favourite is Scott One of the best Anderson shows ever.

[@thomasprestridge6152]

When I discovered this show I was living in Central America and it had been dubbed in Spanish I still watched it! My mother got me a diecast Thunderbird 2 and the pink rolls I think they were made by dinky brand Rolls had rhinestone headlights grill folded down shot a missile, shot out the back where the tail lights were had them for a long time, I just watched the series last week all of them, I'm now 63 years old, love them! Thunderbirds are go!!

[@josephlowry4320]

My dad loves playing with the diecast Thunderbirds toys and especially watching the show as well, F.A.B.

[@Empress_Theresa]

AH! The nostalgia hit me like ton of Marlon Brandos right now! I used to watch Thunderbirds every Saturday morning. Good times.

[@jeffpetrimoulx6806]

I always wondered why it just stopped. Loved every episode. Love the resurgance too.

[@terrytk9398]

And what great music - esp. opening & closing credits with the brilliant rostrum camera work. Simply magnificent.😀

[@APAMVs]

One of my favourite episodes is "30 minutes to noon" the crime scenes combined made it more interesting as well and it's my first ever Thunderbirds episode

[@leejohnstone3051]

My favourite Thunderbird was 3. Shame it wasn't used enough

[@lukegreen5341]

0:05 Happy 55th Birthday Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds The Original Series. 1965 - 2020. 55 Years Of Gerry Anderson Family Fun Action Adventure And Excitement. F.A.B. Thanks Mate. X

[@ZenFox0]

I regret I wasn’t alive yet to enjoy this glorious spectacle during its original run, although echoes reverberated in the culture throughout the 70s and 80s as I was growing up, capped by the release of that great homage “Team America: World Police” (2004). It would have been a dream job to work in the visual effects department of this unique series.

[@jackmessent3490]

My favourite Supermarionation series. Great video!

[@dennisjansson6239]

Thunderbirds is great. 1 of my alltime favorite tv-shows. Gerry Anderson SHOULD be awarded with a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame & he & Thunderbirds SHOULD be inducted in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame on the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. 💙

[@kuddlykraken2157]

Also fun faccct: the voice actor for Scott Tracy has been in more bond movies than any of bonds actors

[@nemosis9449]

I may be wrong but i think he was in the original Star Wars?

[@joeheath1965]

Kuddly Kraken which actor ?....

[@ACtheLegend]

Shane's actually tied with Anthony Chinn, who was also in 4 of them. Neither of them anywhere near Q though, who was in 17 :)

[@donaldwiggins1799]

I like the pilot episode, and Scott Tracy is my favorite character! FAB!

[@AngelHernandez-yj8tj]

I actually got into thunderbirds via the movie then when I was feeling nostalgic I watched the reboot and fell in love with thunderbirds are go. T2 is my fav along with Virgil as favorite character.

[@derrenlodge6502]

You can't beat Lady P and Parker!👍👍👍😎 5...4...3...2..1! Thunderbirds Primer is F....A.....B! Good one👏👏👏😎

[@LordMelbury1953]

Stingray my favourite but Thunderbirds a very very close second. Memories are made of this as the song says. FAB.

[@gerryclark8450]

I got all the thunderbirds toys when I was six years old and build my own fantasyworld! I loved it and it made my youth into a nice one!

[@iandeeley9033]

Best Anderson series EVER! FAB!

[@jakecoare]

❤️❤️ Thunderbirds was my favourite TV show growing up My favourite Thunderbird craft was Thunderbird 2 , Scott was my favourite character. My favourite episode was trapped in the sky

[@evertondave5825]

Now this is a quality TV Show

[@AureusYoutube]

This is the reason I want to become an Aeronautical Engineer!

[@marcusstamps3511]

Pure nostalgic magic!

[@lezlezman1843]

1:55 Good to see that bombs in this era are correctly labelled. "Auto-Bomb Explosive Unit"...otherwise they could easily be mistaken for the non-explosive bombs! I'm also impressed with the development of the Auto-Bomb. So much easier than the ones that had to be operated manually.

[@ketchup5344]

Thunderbirds, Stingray, Supercar, Fireball XL5......these are amongst my most cherished memories of childhood. Infact I'd go as far as to say they've shaped me into the man I am today. If Gerry Anderson was still alive I'd sue him 😅

[@richardscanlan3419]

Always loved the musical score.Very catchy.

[@werdna1969]

This video is FAB.

[@JamesCorp]

It seems like Lew Grade has been a thorn in many of Anderson's projects

[@michaelclarke124]

My grandmother used to like Thunderbirds. I have the novels, episodes on audio tape and the whole series on DVD.

[@CrusaderSports250]

Aside from the awesomeness that it is the underlying concept is a group of people who are prepared to put their lives on the line to help others reguardless of race or creed and whilst at great expense to themselves they take nothing in return, not even recognition THIS is for me one thing that puts it so far above anything else before or since be it for children or adults, this is what volunteering is about, its only in later life that I realized how the show watched as a lad in the sixties affected me .

[@leejohnstone3051]

Team America: World Police is Thunderbirds on steroids lol

[@Blaze10523]

all the drugs

[@MrFederation]

My favorite TV show of all time

[@paulwilliams9278]

Thunderbird 1 is my favourite

[@JOHNSMITH-vx5yz]

I wish they still played THUNDERBIRDS , these days,,, on Saturday mornings,,,,,, my day didn't start unless i watched THUNDERBIRDS,,, 😊😊😊😊😊👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@cyberneticinterfacemodular3996]

Seen them all and have the toys still fantastic.At university my friends called me brains.Because of my talent.

[@pierrepinson2906]

My favorite : OPERATION CRASH DIVE /A DAY OF DISASTER.

[@brianmason2378]

Can't pick a favorite episode.. Not without watching them all again on DVD. Currently watching the new series too..

[@hrrproductions553]

Now, I'm going to be really honest here... But "Thinderbirds" was, and still is, one of my all time favourite franchises! I especially loved the classic 60's version of the series and thought that the CGI Remake was quite alright 👍 *THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!* 🧡💚💙❤💛 *F.A.B!* 🤘

[@coffeeguy6673]

Thunderbird 2 was my favourite toy, loved it ! Great design.

[@lukegreen5341]

0:55 Alan Tracy From Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds Thinks He Looks Like Luke Skywalker From Star Wars The Rise Of Skywalker And Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope. Thanks Mate. X

[@rawyld]

I discovered Thunderbirds thanks to a Shrek 2 dvd promo of the Thunderbirds 2004 movie back in 2007 and I became hooked. a decade later I became a nerd.

[@APAMVs]

Please do one for Captain Scarlet!

[@MGSBigBoss77]

^This please!

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

*sings* Captain Scarlet (Captain Scarlet) Foils the Mysterons' plans to... conquer the Earth! (And that's about all I remember... I don't think there was much more to it anyway)

[@brianhepke7182]

I watched the original series as a nine year old back in '65....my friends and I couldn't wait to get home from school on Wednesdays to tune in. And then next day we would talk about the episode the whole day long. It is a mind blowing series... How'd they do all that?.... the explosions???? I mean this was way before CGI and all the trick camera work they do today. Gobsmacking! Thunderbirds was my favourite of all the Gerry Anderson productions..... I liked Stingray and Fireball Xl5 but Thunderbirds was in a league of it's own. Captain Scarlet took marionette ecology to a new level I have to admit but I kinda lost interest later when actors came into the shows. Even to this day I rate Thunderbirds as one of the best TV series ever created. I can watch the episodes over and not get tired of them.

[@gamingninja5196]

Please can we get a world wide distribution of the 3 new episodes. They were great when watching it on Thunderbirds Day last year. And could Jamie please make more episodes in Supermarionation.

[@GerryAndersonTV]

Not up to us, sadly. But we have asked ITV. As for Supermarionation - we have no plans for any Supermarionation stuff, but are working on Ultramarionation and other projects :)

[@darthdmc]

I'd like to see those new episodes too