This is a collection of behind the scenes photographs pertaining to the 1966 feature film Thunderbirds Are Go.
Thunderbirds Are Go[]
Derek Meddings' design for the Zero-X, which was previously called ZX-26 - you can see the different name on the side of its tail
"ZX-26" in Mastermodels' Feltham workshop in 1966. Although still known by that name at this particular point, as can be seen on the tail, it would later change.
Zero X
Zero X
Alan Berry (left) and Shaun Whittacker-Cook (right) with Zero X
In foreground: Ron Ashton (standing) and Derek Meddings (on planks above)
Another photo of Ron Ashton and Derek Meddings
And another photo of the two gents...
Ron Ashton with Zero X
In background: Bill Camp (in blue shirt) and Alan Berry
Shaun Whittacker-Cook (far left) and Bill Camp (far right)
Shaun Whittacker-Cook with Zero X
Alan Berry(?) / Bill Camp(?) with Zero X
Bill Camp with Zero X
Alan Perry (left, behind camera). David Lane (centre in dark shirt).
Behind the scenes photo of a deleted scene in which Jeff Tracy gave a televised speech
The behind the scenes set-up for shooting the meeting at the Space Exploration Center
Space Exploration Center set
Alan Perry is the guy next to the camera
Bob Bell with two guitar props. Unlike the smaller one, the larger guitar is incomplete.
A crew member next to the Trans American T.V. Network buildings, which didn't make it into the final film
Mary Turner with Cliff and the band
Parker chases after the Hood
Bill Camp(?) with FAB 1
Puppeteers(?) with Cliff and The Shadows
A puppeteer(?) with Alan Tracy on a space set
David Lane (in foreground) with Alan Tracy
Mel Cross with Alan
Another picture of Mel with Alan
Mel Cross adjusts Lady Penelope
Paddy Seale (right) with FAB 1
David Lane (left) and Ken Turner (right)
FAB 1 ain't what it seems, folks!
The eyesore credits are a bit beyond our control - sorry to you readers! To provide a reason (but in no way, shape, or form, a justification!), this behind the scenes shot appears in the credits of a small doco on a Thunderbird 6 DVD.
Brian Bennett (left) and Hank Marvin (right) on the set of the Swinging Star (space variant)
Derek Meddings visits the Shooting Star - but does that and the Head of Special Effects mix well? We will have to wait and see....
Alan Tracy's bedroom
Space backdrop
Shaun Whittacker-Cook (right) and another technician pour dry ice on the set.
A crew member adjusts some puppets on the set of the The Swinging Star (the Earth variant)
Filming outdoors. Derek Meddings is third on right. To the right-hand side of Meddings towards the background is Roger Dicken.
A behind the scenes shot of lifting body 2 on fire
Puppeteer Judith Shutt (left)
Supervising Visuual Effects Director Derek Meddings (left)
Ron Ashton (left) and Peter Wragg (right)
Preparing to film the live-action part where Alan Tracy carries out maintenance work in Zero X
Alan Berry setting out debris around the written-off Zero X
Zero X Autopsy Crew 1966. L - R (in foreground): Ron Ashton, Derek Meddings, Shaun Whittacker-Cook, Alan Berry, Peter Hitchcock. L-R (in background): Ted Cutlack, Bill Camp
A colour shot of members of the Zero X Autopsy Crew. L - R: Ron Ashton, Derek Meddings, Shaun Whittacker-Cook, Peter Hitchcock
That spacecraft is on fire - get extinguishing, lads!
David Lane - second on left. Immediately to his left on camera is Alan Perry. On far right is Robin McDonald.
Filming the end titles sequence on.... July 2nd, 1966!
David Lane is third right - the guy who is closer to the camera - not the person standing behind him
L - R (in foreground): Barry Gray, Vivian Dunn, Norman Foster
Robin McDonald holding the clapperboard on right
Not counting the guy whose head you can just see behind the guy on left with his back to the camera, Norman Foster and David Lane are second and third on right. On right in foreground, with his left hand in his pocket, is Frank Hollands.
The Trans-America TV Network building (deleted scene)