RIP Gerry Anderson.

Post by **inflatable dalek** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:43 pm

If you're British he probably defined a large part of your childhood. Many kids properties have enjoyed long life through reinvention and remakes but Thunderbirds must be just about unique in having the same show run three times to three different generations with equal success.

I was more of a Captain Scarlet man myself. Though the episode of Thunderbirds with the collapsing Empire State and destruction of Thunderbird 2 is probably my favorite individual episode. Stingray is good fun as well, but not because Marina was worryingly sexy and anyone who says otherwise is a liar.

It's probably time to forgive him for Space Precinct.

Heinrad · Post by **Heinrad** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:08 am

I got introduced to Anderson's work through Terrahawks. I'm trying to remember Space Precinct.

He created some great shows.

borg72 · Post by **borg72** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:57 am

Shame. I was one of the lucky ones who got the Tracey Island THAT year. Huge fan of Thunderbirds, Captain scarlet, Stingray, Joe 90, Space 1999, UFO, even Space Precinct. Always found Terrorhawks a bit scary as a child, and I missed out on Supercar, but still.

Summerhayes · Post by **Summerhayes** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:04 am

Real sad news. Nobody else has done anything similar. Loved thunderbirds and captain scarlet as a kid. One of my earliest memories is swimming in a pool, pretending to be Thunderbird 4.

Cliffjumper · Post by **Cliffjumper** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:13 am

Mr_Hi_n_Mitey · Post by **Mr_Hi_n_Mitey** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 7:23 pm

inflatable dalek wrote:If you're British he probably defined a large part of your childhood. Many kids properties have enjoyed long life through reinvention and remakes but Thunderbirds must be just about unique in having the same show run three times to three different generations with equal success.

I was more of a Captain Scarlet man myself. Though the episode of Thunderbirds with the collapsing Empire State and destruction of Thunderbird 2 is probably my favorite individual episode. Stingray is good fun as well, but not because Marina was worryingly sexy and anyone who says otherwise is a liar.

It's probably time to forgive him for Space Precinct.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Anderson. Even though THE THUNDERBIRDS was not my favorite show, I still enjoyed watching it nonetheless.

Terome · Post by **Terome** » Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:01 pm

I remember reading once that Thunderbird-mania held Japan in a particularly savage grip and it was local companies trying to one-up the Anderson designs that led to the first transforming vehicles. Or did I just make that up?

Post by **inflatable dalek** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 3:47 am

Apparently so. For a TF related hint of it, find the original Japanese closing credits to Superlink on Youtube, they totally rip off the Thunderbirds "zoom out" ones. Plus Prime in that show badly wants to be Thunderbird 2, and even has the Mole as one of his rescue vehicles.

Cliffjumper · Post by **Cliffjumper** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 5:01 am

Terome wrote:I remember reading once that Thunderbird-mania held Japan in a particularly savage grip and it was local companies trying to one-up the Anderson designs that led to the first transforming vehicles. Or did I just make that up?

Chain goes like this: -

- Dinky import Thunderbirds. It bombs due to high prices (shipping heavy toys over) but inspires Popy to dump tin and vinyl in favour of diecast.

- Popy make Popynica (vehicles) and then Chogokin (robots).

- Latter soon involves Raideen (first known transforming toy); gradual evolution leads to the Macross Valkyrie (the first toy with an actual 'disguise'-style mode that isn't just a robot folded up, and first with some semblance of realism in vehicle mode). Popynica would, incidentally, later include Popy-designed TB toys.

- Takara are one of several companies trying to cash in on the robot craze. However, they're unable to spring for any licences due to being a two-bit operation; instead they make up Microman, which later evolves into Diaclone and Microchange (AFAIK the first lines to simply take common vehicles and turn them into robots; for general objects they're behind Lightan).

Terome · Post by **Terome** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:21 pm

Hey thanks Cliffjumper, that is a bit more complicated and interesting than the impression I had.

Cyberstrike nTo · Post by **Cyberstrike nTo** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:15 pm

I have seen a few Space: 1999 episodes and I was very impressed with that series casting, special effects, characters, and stories (even if the concept of the moon being blown out of the solar system does seem a fit far-fetched to me) but still it's a damn good series.

TFARCHIVE FORUMS

RIP Gerry Anderson.

RIP Gerry Anderson.

Rest In Peace Gerry Anderson.