The news story says the artwork was created by Space Models UK, a professional model making company. So not actually Gerry Anderson ? The Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 2 sketches are shown on what appear to be display bases - perhaps these drawings were for desk-top display models ? All the photos and drawings shown in the story depict the vehicles as they appeared on screen, rather than early development drawings. No idea what else was included in the lot, there might still be some interesting items in there.
The sketches don't look sixties to me, according to the article, theres materials from Space 1999 and Joe 90, which are much later. The reserve price is only £400 quid, so they can't be that rare!
The side view and plan drawing of Stingray is/was an original; it was reproduced on the back cover of an issue of Dave Nightingale's "Century 21" magazine -- I think in the 1990s. I have the issue somewhere... It was found at Space Models by a fan named Simon Archer, who visited there -- again in the 1990s, I think. The week before Archer visited, the owners of Space Models had thrown out all the blueprints for the miniatures they had built for the APF/Century 21 series. The "Stingray" drawing survived because it had fallen down the back of the cabinet the drawings had been stored in. No idea about the Thunderbird 4 -- but the black-and-white sketch of TB1 and TB2 standing on plinths look like prototype drawings for the Konami miniatures. I wonder if these are from the collection of Simon Archer (I notice there is a copy of the "FAB FACTS" book he wrote in one of the shots)? Archer was a regular contributor to "Century 21", and interviewed many of the crew. Tragically, he died in a car crash around the time his "FAB FACTS" book was published.
I stand corrected. I see that it is stated in the feature that the material was found in the loft of the flat belonging to one of the former directors of Space Models.
I read Gerry Anderson's own description of Simon Archer's death in his biography. A really tragic thing. If I recall rightly Simon was taking the manuscript or something of Fab Facts to Gerry and crashed on the way there but I may have that wrong. Its years since I read the biog. I remember Gerry saying he was devastated.
Hi Woodsy FYI the link doesn't work
ReplyDeleteSorted. Ta.
DeleteThe news story says the artwork was created by Space Models UK, a professional model making company. So not actually Gerry Anderson ? The Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 2 sketches are shown on what appear to be display bases - perhaps these drawings were for desk-top display models ? All the photos and drawings shown in the story depict the vehicles as they appeared on screen, rather than early development drawings. No idea what else was included in the lot, there might still be some interesting items in there.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know Space Models were contracted by Century 21 to construct some of Gerry's TV show vehicles Paul.
DeleteThe sketches don't look sixties to me, according to the article, theres materials from Space 1999 and Joe 90, which are much later. The reserve price is only £400 quid, so they can't be that rare!
ReplyDeleteThe TB4 blueprint has been in publications years ago, I used it when scratchbuilding mine.
ReplyDeleteThe side view and plan drawing of Stingray is/was an original; it was reproduced on the back cover of an issue of Dave Nightingale's "Century 21" magazine -- I think in the 1990s. I have the issue somewhere... It was found at Space Models by a fan named Simon Archer, who visited there -- again in the 1990s, I think. The week before Archer visited, the owners of Space Models had thrown out all the blueprints for the miniatures they had built for the APF/Century 21 series. The "Stingray" drawing survived because it had fallen down the back of the cabinet the drawings had been stored in. No idea about the Thunderbird 4 -- but the black-and-white sketch of TB1 and TB2 standing on plinths look like prototype drawings for the Konami miniatures. I wonder if these are from the collection of Simon Archer (I notice there is a copy of the "FAB FACTS" book he wrote in one of the shots)? Archer was a regular contributor to "Century 21", and interviewed many of the crew. Tragically, he died in a car crash around the time his "FAB FACTS" book was published.
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected. I see that it is stated in the feature that the material was found in the loft of the flat belonging to one of the former directors of Space Models.
ReplyDeleteI read Gerry Anderson's own description of Simon Archer's death in his biography. A really tragic thing. If I recall rightly Simon was taking the manuscript or something of Fab Facts to Gerry and crashed on the way there but I may have that wrong. Its years since I read the biog. I remember Gerry saying he was devastated.
ReplyDelete