I've often admired the beautiful design of the rare Spacex II Nuclear Freighter and Salvage Craft based on the picture on the backing card (top picture). I can't help noticing the similarity between the Freighter's design and that of the earlier World Air Force Carrier or WOMBAT, which appeared in Thunderbirds and Stingray. The first appearance of the WOMBAT was on TV in the 23rd Thunderbirds episode 'The Duchess Assignment', which aired February 17th 1966 at 7pm. The vehicle was called the 'Carrier Aircraft' (source: Fanderson - no TV still available)
Just over a week later on the 26th February 1966 the vehicle re-appeared in TV21 issue 58 and on the cover of issue 59 (picture one from the bottom and the one above showing a close-up) as part of the Stingray comic strip story 'The Medallion Mystery'. Whilst transporting the Crown Jewels the World Air Force WOMBAT crashes into the sea.
The second to top picture shows a still of a model WOMBAT being observed by Stingray, a shot that was never used (source: GACCH - more information available at this fabulous site).
The wonderful middle shot is a scratchbiult model of the Carrier Aircraft in the Thunderbirds TV show episode 23 'The Duchess Assignment'. The modelling and photography is by the ultra-talented Keith McNeill and the picture appears with his kind permission.
Intrigueingly there is also a 1960's toy based on the WOMBAT (bottom picture), which appears in the seminal Gerry Anderson Memorabilia Guide by Dennis Nicholson: a 40 - 45mm plastic Air Force Jet, which came with Japanese Guriko chocolate. The picture appears with Dennis's kind permission. This is further verified by Marc Frattassio in his excellent research into Gerry Anderson candy premiums.
It would be just great to see the Spacex Nuclear Freighter in the flesh but I would settle for a gander at the Guriko Air Force Jet! At least we have a photo of it!
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