FAB 2

FAB 2
Type	Yacht
Affiliation	Creighton Ward Family International Rescue
Top Speed	60 knots
Main Operator	Parker

FAB 2 is the latest in a succession of vessels owned by Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward. Fitted out to the highest standard, FAB 2 is moored at an exclusive private marina on the south coast of England. The yacht was specially built for Lady Penelope by International Engineering, a company of which Jeff Tracy is a major shareholder. FAB 2 can be operated by either one person or up to six, depending on the duties to be performed. The yacht is mainly used for social functions when Lady Penelope is traveling, although when required, it can also function as a floating operations control centre for International Rescue. FAB 2 has a garage for transporting FAB 1. Docking clamps with built-in shock absorbers prevent FAB 1 from moving and getting damaged in adverse weather conditions. The waterproof garage door doubles as a ramp; utilising its hydrofoils, FAB 1 steers into the garage and once clamped into position, the door is closed. FAB 1's hydrofoils retract whilst water is removed from the garage.

In the episode The Man From MI.5, Parker lost the yacht after staking it in a game of poker.

FAB 2 at night

Lady Penelope's Cabin

Gallery

Carl raids Fab 2

Appearances

• The Man From MI.5
• The Great Silver Robbery!
• The Assassination Threat
• Ring of Fire
• "Lady Penelope Story 14"
• "Lady Penelope Story 18"
• "Lady Penelope Story 20"
• "Lady Penelope Story 25"
• Lady Penelope Versus the Fox
• Duel in the Jungle
• Sabotage at Sea
• Rescue the Rescuers
• Pleasure Cruise
• Whirlpool

Technical Data

Specifications

• Length: 110 feet
• Beam: 30 feet
• Draught: 8 feet
• Overall height: 42 feet
• Displacement: 300 tons of water
• Long-range cruising speed: 25 knots
• Maximum speed: 60 knots
• Power source: 2 gas turbines driving magneto-hydro-dynamic aquajets

Gadgets

• Lifeboats, a satellite communications array that links with Thunderbird 5, video cameras to monitor activity below the yacht, a forward searchlight, and some solar panels.

Armament(s)

• Torpedoes

Cross-sections

Graham Bleathman has produced at least four cross-sections of FAB 2. The first appeared in a Fleetway comic, the second appeared in a Redan comic, the third appeared in World of Thunderbirds, and the fourth appeared in the Haynes Thunderbirds manual.

(1) Fleetway edition

(2) Redan comic

(4) Haynes manual

Trivia

• In her first TV Century 21 comic adventure, Penelope made use of a yacht called Seabird 1. It was destroyed in an attack by robot master criminal Mr. Steelman.
  • Its successor vessel, Seabird II, appeared in the comic book story Ice Bound.

Seabird I

Seabird II

• FAB 2 was equipped with a small motorboat for traveling to and from shore. This was used by Parker in The Man From MI5, when Lady Penelope ordered him to take the night off.

Parker goes ashore in the motorboat

Puppet-size model

The puppet-size model of the speedboat was previously seen in Stingray

• The miniature model appeared somewhat modified as the Party Yacht in Lord Parker's 'Oliday.

In Lord Parker's 'Oliday

• A competition to rename FAB 2 was held in issue 12 of Lady Penelope magazine, with the explanation being given that the current name was causing confusion with naval communications. The winning order of the short-list ended up being Sea Sprite, Albatross, Atlanta, The Saucy Kipper, Ocean Queen, and Her Ladyship, as printed in issue 20.

Gallery

FAB 2 mock-up (r.)