Brink Of Disaster
Lady Penelope's excellent driving skills in "Brink Of Disaster" are in direct contrast to the wild, airheaded manner in which she was shown driving in "Vault Of Death."
This episode features one of several primarily two-man rescues, with Scott and Virgil seeing the only field action. Jeff being in need of rescue gives John a chance to play "drama queen" to great effect! Bravo to Ray Barrett!
FAB 1 has six tires and a centered steering wheel. Its amazing maneuverability even allows it to drive sideways for short distances.
The Thunderbirds characters first came to print in the pages of the popular Anderson-related magazine, TV Century 21, later known as TV21 and reprinted as Action 21.
A full-sized replica of FAB 1 was created for the promotional tour of the film "Thunderbirds Are Go." It was showcased at the London premiere. FAB 1 (Mach II) was created by Ford Motor Company Of Europe for the 2004 live-action film.
Finding the life of an aristocrat to be a rather boring prospect, Lady Penelope began working with the British Secret Service as part of the Federal Agents Bureau once she completed her schooling.
From the "there's a joke in there somewhere" file: The bottom of the telegram which Parker hands Lady Penelope reads in official fashion, "For free repetition of doubtful words, telephone Telegram Inquiry." This line (which actually did appear on British telegrams) became the inspiration for a popular Monty Python skit.
Parker is so efficient that he can manage to prepare tea AND type an official-looking telegram at the same time! (But wouldn't Lady Penelope and Grafton have heard the delivery person ring at the front door)...?
The term "Supermarionation" was coined for the Andersons' animation projects performed through the use of high-tech electronic marionettes, or super-marionette-animation.
Puppeteer John Brown sculpted a wonderful likeness of baby-faced rocker Cliff Richard Jr. for the film "Thunderbirds Are Go."
Neil Young's favorite guitarist, Hank B. Marvin of The Shadows, was sculpted to a stunning likeness by artist Terry Curtis. Terry has a website dedicated to his work:
Supermarionation By Terry Curtis
Jeff Tracy's wealth came from the successful construction firm (Tracy Industries and Tracy Aerospace) and investment schemes he began after the death of his wife.
The building of the various hangars and bays under Tracy Island which conceal the Thunderbirds equipment was done piece by piece by diverse contractors but outfitted and completed by robot drones and the core IR team, all to make sure that no single outfit knew what was being constructed in total.
As a testament to the popularity of the Thunderbirds character Lady Penelope, the very popular Dinky Toys created over 2 million FAB 1 replicas.
Virgil Tracy appeared on the front of boxes of Kellogg's Sugar Smacks in the UK shortly after the premiere of the series.
Brains is seen wearing Scott's blue sweater in this episode...not that there's anything wrong with that...!
Sir Lew Grade of Elstree once stated that of all the stars he'd ever been involved with, his favorite was Lady Penelope. She was less demanding than real actresses!
Jeff tells Penny that he's "always interested in something that anticipates a disaster and saves (the team) a rescue"---yet later on, he tears into Scott for launching the Thunderbirds in just such an instance, in "Atlantic Inferno."
Dawn and Duncan Fidler of English Classic Porcelains have created porcelain replicas of the Thunderbirds marionettes. The highly detailed faces and costumes have the stamp of approval of Sylvia Anderson herself.
As with many stately homes, Lady Penelope helps to defray the cost of maintenance by hosting visits from coach tours to the Foxleyheath area.
Brains' blue-rimmed glasses were created from a piece of discarded plastic found on the floor of the model shop.
The Thunderbirds video game for Ninetendo Game Boy (UK) allows the player to practice the same types of maneuvers Alan, Virgil, Scott and Gordon use in the series. Directives and mission details are relayed to the player via John in Thunderbird 5.
FAB 3, Lady Penelope's prize-winning race horse, is a fixture at Royal Ascot. She's won the Derby several times.
A similar monotrain to the one in "Brink Of Disaster" is seen in "Perils Of Penelope," but this one operates at sites throughout Europe, unlike Grafton's proposed Pacific-Atlantic MonoTrain.
Lady Penelope was the first marionette to have her very own couturier, stylist Zena Relph. A favorite with British girls, she also had a series of popular annuals, several novels, comic strip stories and a fashion doll.
After her experiences in "Brink Of Disaster" and "Trapped In The Sky," Tin-Tin should have learned that mass transit is far too dangerous. She needs to just stay home!