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This is a list of tie-in merchandise and non-televisual media associated with Thunderbirds, a British science-fiction series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, filmed by their production company AP Films between 1964 and 1966, and distributed by ITC Entertainment.

Books

Between 1966 and 1967, eight original Thunderbirds novels were written by John William Jennison (four under the pseudonym "John Theydon") and Kevin McGarry; three focus on the character of Lady Penelope. In 1992, Corgi Books published four children's novelisations, all written by Dave Morris. In 2008, FTL Publications launched a new series of original novels, written mostly by Joan Marie Verba, and with artwork by Steve Kyte.

Verba had attempted to obtain the licence as early as 2004, while Carlton Television was in the process of merging with ITV Granada. After waiting several months, she contacted Granada, and after three years of discussions FTL Publications was finally granted the licence in 2007. It was the first licence for Thunderbirds titles to be given to an American publisher, and the books constitute the first new, official series of Thunderbirds novels to be written since the 1960s. Countdown To Action, published in June 2008, reveals the founding of International Rescue, exploring the establishment of the organisation and the construction of its machines. The other books highlight the individual Tracy brothers, as well as Brains.

Home video

In the 1980s and 1990s, PolyGram released a limited number of Thunderbirds episodes on home video in the "Super Space Theater" format. Channel 5 Video released 14 volumes of episode pairings in the late 1980s; the final volume, billed as a "special edition", included a black-and-white "making-of" feature that has since been re-published on DVD.

Upon its acquisition of the brand in 1999, Carlton International Media commenced work on re-mastering Thunderbirds for the first Region 2 DVD releases. Dolby 5.1 surround sound was introduced, and the existing picture and mono sound cleaned up with the aid of digital restoration and noise reduction systems. The new mix was enhanced with additional sound effects and background foley (mostly explosions, aircraft and other mechanical noise, as well as vocal echo) inserted on top of the original track at appropriate points. Gerry Anderson, who had received no royalties from the series' distribution since relinquishing his rights in the 1970s, was hired as "re-mastering consultant".

Region 1 DVD counterparts were released by North American distributor A&E Home Video in 2001, with a "Complete Series" box set following in 2002; it was re-released in slim packaging in 2008. Thunderbirds has since been released on Blu-ray Disc: the region-free version marketed in Region B presents episodes in a vertically panned and scanned, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. A Japanese Blu-ray set, released by Geneon Universal in 2013, restores the original 4:3 picture.

Music

The first Thunderbirds-exclusive music record was the mini-album Great Themes from Thunderbirds (MA 116; originally titled Requested Themes from Thunderbirds), published by Century 21 Records in 1967. Two soundtrack albums were released by Silva Screen Records in 2003 and 2004. The 40th-anniversary release The Best of Thunderbirds, a double album featuring music from the first two CDs in addition to three previously un-released tracks and exclusive CD-ROM content, was released in 2005.

All tracks are written by Barry Gray

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic website
Uncut magazine

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic website
Starburst magazine
Uncut magazine

Toys

When Thunderbirds was first broadcast, AP Films Merchandising awarded licences to companies such as Matchbox and Dinky to manufacture plastic and die-cast metal Thunderbirds vehicle toys. The subsidiary issued approximately 120 such licences, even buying a company (J. Rosenthal) to keep up with demand. Among the first items released by Dinky were a blue (rather than green) Thunderbird 2 and a Template:Convert/spell-long FAB 1, of which more than two million were manufactured. By 1966, British commentators had dubbed the end-of-year shopping season "Thunderbirds Christmas", in the light of the series' popularity.

Themed birthday cards for children, for ages 6 to 10, were available in Australia in the mid-1960s. Japanese model kits of the vehicles continued to be marketed into the 1980s. Bandai manufactured toys to coincide with the release of the live-action film in 2004, while fellow Japanese companies Aoshima, Konami and Takara still manufacture Thunderbirds toys today from the original schematics – for example, Takara's Thunderbird 2 (with functioning lights and landing struts).

Matchbox launched a new range of toys to coincide with the BBC's Thunderbirds revival in the early 1990s. Despite poor sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas 1991, after demand overwhelmed supply, by the following December the series had provided manufacturers and retailers with the most successful British tie-in merchandising campaign since Star Wars. Matchbox's Tracy Island playset quickly became the UK's most sought-after toy, resulting in stock shortages, fights between customers in shops, and a rising black market surrounding the item; the story was reported in the national press.

In 1993, the BBC children's programme Blue Peter broadcast a "making-of" showing viewers how to build a Tracy Island of their own using – as descrived by the show's publicity – "old newspaper, pipe cleaners, yoghurt pots, cereal packets and bits of sponge". So high was demand for a free instruction sheet detailing the process that the BBC was forced to withdraw its giveaway offer and release Anthea Turner's demonstration, Blue Peter Makes a Thunderbirds Tracy Island, on VHS.

The 1991 Matchbox range included:

Tracy Island Electronic Playset – with electronic sounds and moveable palm trees, swimming pool and Thunderbird 2 launch pad. So rare was the item in the run-up to Christmas 1991 in the UK, that the shortage was reported on BBC News. Electronic Thunderbird 1 – with mechanised opening wings, electronic firing light and sound Electronic Thunderbird 2 – holds two action figures, and with electronic sounds and miniature Thunderbird 4 Die-cast Thunderbirds 1–4 and FAB 1 – available separately, together as a rescue pack, or in commemorative packaging (exclusive to Radio Times)

Pullback-action Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 4 Thunderbird 2 Pod Vehicles – Mole, Firefly and Recovery Vehicle; all compatible with electronic Thunderbird 2 Action figures – Tracy brothers, Jeff Tracy, Brains, Hood, Lady Penelope and Parker (Alan Tracy initially released with cream-coloured sash, later corrected to white) 10-inch dolls – Tracy brothers

Following the success of the Thunderbirds repeats and merchandise, the BBC scheduled Stingray for repeats, for which Matchbox again issued a small toy line. When the BBC revived Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons in the early 2000s, the licence was re-issued to Vivid Imaginations, who later produced a similar range of Thunderbirds toys for the series' second BBC revival in 2000.

The 2000 Vivid Imaginations range included:

Tracy Island Soundtech Electronic Playset – similar to Matchbox design, capable of holding Thunderbirds vehicles, and with 12 sounds Tracy Island Powertech Transforming Playset – miniature containing vehicle hangar interiors with various sounds and features Action Adventure Set – to scale with Thunderbird 2 playset, featuring Mole, Firefly, Hood's submarine (from episode "Desperate Intruder") and six figures

Thunderbirds 1–4 Soundtech Electronic Playsets – with miniature figures and sounds Thunderbirds 1 and 4, FAB 1 and Mole – available separately or together, made of plastic and larger than Matchbox's Thunderbird 5 – withdrawn due to unsuitable electronic sounds, later re-issued but no longer capable of docking with Thunderbird 3 Action figures and dolls

A limited-edition Thunderbird 2 manufactured by Virgin Group was also available, albeit in red as opposed to green. Selected items from this collection were re-released in different packaging for the series' 40th anniversary in 2005, with the Tracy Island playset being advertised as having "new, interactive launch stations". Vivid Imaginations went on to produce toys for Stingray and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, and will market a line for the 2015 Thunderbirds re-make.

Video games

In 1985, a Thunderbirds video game was released for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum; in the game, the player was required to explore an Egyptian-styled labyrinth using Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 2. In 1989, Grandslam Entertainment released a title for the Commodore 64 and Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, MSX and ZX Spectrum; Activision released a NES version the following year. In 1993, a title by Super Famicom, subtitled Kokusou Kyuujotai Shutsudou Seyo!, was released in Japan only.

SCi Games published a Game Boy Color title in 2000. The following year, it released a collection of Microsoft Windows themes and screensavers titled "F.A.B Action Pack", as well as Thunderbirds: International Rescue for Game Boy Advance. In 2004, a second Game Boy Advance title was released by Vivendi Universal Games. A new Thunderbirds video game was released in Europe for the PlayStation 2 in July 2007; the North American release was cancelled.

References

Footnotes

1. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 109.
2. ^ "NTBS News Flash: Never Give Up ... International Rescue's Motto Pays Off for Thunderbirds Author Joan Marie Verba" (PDF). tracyislandchronicles.com. November–December 2012. pp. 17–18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
3. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 110.
4. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 111.
5. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 112.
6. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 113.
7. Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 114.
8. Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 97.
9. Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 115.
10. ^ Bentley: Episode Guide, p. 117.
11. Peel, John (1993). Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet: The Authorised Programme Guide. London: Virgin Books. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-863697-28-9.
12. Geneon Universal Blu-ray promotion.
13. ^ Bentley: Episode Guide, p. 350.
14. ^ Bentley: Episode Guide, p. 349.
15. ^ Reavley, Morag (2003). "BBC Review". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
16. ^ Eder, Bruce. "AllMusic Entry". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
17. "Silva Screen Records Entry". Silva Screen Records. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
18. "AllMusic Entry". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
19. "Fanderson Sales Entry". Fanderson. 2005. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
20. "Discogs Entry". Discogs. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
21. ^ "Silva Screen Records Entry". Silva Screen Records. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
22. "Fanderson Sales Entry". Fanderson. 2005. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 9 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
23. ^ Phares, Heather. "AllMusic Entry". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
24. "Discogs Entry". Discogs. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
25. ^ "Silva Screen Records Entry". Silva Screen Records. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
26. "Fanderson Sales Entry". Fanderson. 2005. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
27. "Discogs Entry". Discogs. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
28. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 31.
29. Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 95.
30. La Rivière, Stephen (2009). Filmed in Supermarionation: A History of the Future. Neshannock, Pennsylvania: Hermes Press. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-932563-23-8.
31. Archer and Hearn, p. 150.
32. Anderson, Sylvia (2007). Sylvia Anderson: My Fab Years!. Neshannock, Pennsylvania: Hermes Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-932563-91-7.
33. Archer, Simon (2004) . Gerry Anderson's FAB Facts: Behind the Scenes of TV's Famous Adventures in the 21st Century. London: HarperCollins. p. 64e. ISBN 978-0-006382-47-8.
34. Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 37.
35. ^ Archer and Hearn, p. 261.
36. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 124.
37. Cull, Nicholas J. (2009). "Gerry Anderson (1929–)". Fifty Key Figures in Science Fiction. Routledge Key Guides. Bould, Mark; Butler, Andrew M.; Roberts, Adam; Vint, Sherryl. Oxford; New York City: Routledge. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-203874-70-7.
38. Marriott, John (1993). Supermarionation Classics: Stingray, Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. Rogers, Dave; Drake, Chris; Bassett, Graeme. London: Boxtree. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-852839-00-0.
39. Cull, Nicholas J. (2006). "The Man Who Made Thunderbirds: An Interview with Gerry Anderson (19 July 2003, XXth International Association for Media and History Conference)". In Cook, John R.; Wright, Peter (eds.). British Science Fiction Television: A Hitchhiker's Guide. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-845110-48-2.
40. Oliver, Ted (9 November 1992). "Thunderbirds Kids Storm Toy Shops". Daily Mirror. London: Mirror Group Newspapers.
41. ^ Bentley: Thunderbirds, p. 125.
42. Fanderson forum
43. Jeff Simpson (director/producer); Jack Davenport (narrator) (2008). All About Thunderbirds (TV documentary). BBC Wales and Granada International. Archived from the original on 1 November 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2013. {{cite AV media}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 14 November 2011 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
44. EBay listing
45. Thunderbirds Game by Grandslam Entertainment.
46. "Thunderbirds for NES (1990)". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
47. "Thunderbirds for Game Boy Color (2000)". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
48. "Thunderbirds: F.A.B. Action Pack for Windows (2001)". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
49. "Thunderbirds: International Rescue for Game Boy Advance (2001)". MobyGames. 22 November 2006. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
50. "Thunderbirds for Game Boy Advance (2004)". MobyGames. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
51. "Thunderbirds for PS2". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
52. "IGN: Thunderbirds". Ps2.ign.com. Retrieved 17 August 2010.

Bibliography

• Archer, Simon; Hearn, Marcus (2002). What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson. London: BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563534-81-5.
• Bentley, Chris (2005) . The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2 ed.). London: Carlton Books. ISBN 978-1-844424-54-2.
• Bentley, Chris (2008) . The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide (4 ed.). London: Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 978-1-905287-74-1.

External links

• Thunderbirds Comic History

• Merchandise
• Science fiction lists
• Spin-offs
• United Kingdom mass media lists
• Works based on Thunderbirds (TV series)