Thunderbirds Vintage Adverts are FAB (but some might make you cringe)

If, like me, you spent your childhood coveting a Thunderbirds Tracy Island playset, then you are probably aware that the minds behind the globally adored TV show for kids (and discerning adults) were not averse to turning the popularity of the characters and settings intro products. The main idea was to drive kids like me into a consumer frenzy (especially around Christmas) and it worked.

What I had forgotten, though, until I watched the video below, is that Thunderbirds were also used to advertise things which weren’t wholly connected to the show.  So, here from the Gerry Anderson channel is a selection of the adverts that you might remember from your childhood.  Although most are aimed at kids – like the Tracy Island playset or the iced lollies, some take full of the intergenerational appeal of the show. So, with tongue firmly in cheek, there are car insurance adverts, not to mention Exchange & Mart if you happened to be looking for a new, used car. Thyere are also riffs on familiar advertising tropes, such as the one for a popular chocolate biscuit brand.

What hits home more than anything is the pretty rampant sexism going on in the ads. Girls are targeted with the first ice lolly made specially for girls (named FAB) because who knew their taste buds were different.  Then there is Lady Penelope taking her pink Rolls Royce out for a spin on Parker’s day off – and needing a little rescue from her insurance company at the end of the day. It’s unlikely these particular adverts (and some of the products) would be made these days unless intended to provoke some kind of furore, but they do shine a certain spotlight onto how things have changed over the years.

Brains doing a breakdance to flog mineral water is now seared onto my brain. 

Thunderbird 4 Takes to the Thames

There have been a few strange things going on in London over the last few days which might make the more nervous denizens of the English capital dial the number for International Rescue.  For a start, the still raging below ground fire in Holborn which saw smoke billowing from the sidewalks and tens of thousands of people evacuated. Little wonder, then, that at least one of the Thunderbirds made an appearance.

Thunderbirds 3 Recreated in Balloons to Celebrate the Show’s 50th Anniversary

Thunderbirds started filming half a century ago this year and although it was not first broadcast until 1965, events are already starting to happen to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.  And how do many choose to do that? Why, with balloons of course!

Image Taylor Herring

Thunderbirds Are.... Eeek!

Image Credit

The Air Demonstration of the US Airforce, The Thunderbirds, do not do things by half.  When they graduate after four years of training they like to put on a bit of a show for the folks.  After all, four years is a long time and you don't really want to be thought of as mere cheerleaders of the skies, as it were.  So to mark their transition from cadets to lieutenants, the men and women of The Thunderbirds put their lives in each others hands and proceed to give everyone on the ground a coronary.

Of course, with the age of Photoshop it is easy to believe that a photograph like this is doctored.  Well, ladies and gentlemen - this is for real!