#BehindTheScenes #Thunderbirds (1965-1966)
International Rescue, a top-secret organization whose ongoing mission is to rescue people trapped in extraordinarily dangerous situations using their advanced Thunderbirds machines.
A few days ago, @MarSolRivas was commenting on the ‘Thunderbirds’ vibe given off by the Renault Projet 900 concept. This is FAB 1, the very pink personal transport of International Rescue’s London Agent, the fragrant Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward. It was usually driven by her faithful chauffeur, Parker. This is the car from the 2004 Thunderbirds film, rather than the one from the 1960s TV series. Pic: #BritishMotorMuseum, 2024
During the engineering work for the supersonic Concorde in England, "Thunderbirds" TV series creator Gerry Anderson was visiting the main facility one day. Someone asked him what he did for a living. Feeling massively outranked by all the engineering talent surrounding him there, he quietly replied that he made children's TV shows. Asked which ones, he mentioned Thunderbirds.
Within minutes he was surrounded by Concorde engineers who wanted to talk to him and shake his hand, many of whom told him it was his shows that had inspired them toward engineering careers, because they wanted to actually build the planes and rockets he had in his series. He was flabbergasted.
The original Star Trek had a similar effect on many career choices.
Now of course, TV mostly inspires people toward careers as lazy bums or crooks.
The Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team will be at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Tacoma this weekend. Caught a glimpse of them as they passed over my house during a practice run this afternoon:
Why does my brain want to say @leo is primarily responsible for bringing #Thunderbirds to the US via TechTV, and it was probably the TechTV rebroadcast that gave Parker and Stone the idea for Team America World Police?
World media watches in adoration as billionaire businessman Jeff Tracy uses his vast wealth to provide a free and international rescue service - including a submarine (known as "4") - for the benefit of anyone needing rescue.
Jeff Tracy's generosity is a beacon to the world, and has meant tax payer dollars have not needed to be spent saving people whose folly has got them into difficulty.