Thunderbirds

Where it came from

Writer and director Gerry Anderson was inspired by memories of his time in the RAF and named the Tracy brothers after famous astronauts. His wife Sylvia Anderson developed characters and costumes and voiced Lady Penelope.

Where it went next

32 fifty-minute episodes were filmed on a trading estate in Slough between 1964 and 1966. These were broadcast in 66 countries and are still being repeated. Despite its critical and commercial success the series was cancelled because it did not sell in the USA.

Thunderbirds appear in films, books, comics, a Japanese anime series, a new CGI series and as over 3,000 products.

Associated stories

Other Anderson classics include Supercar, Stingray and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.