Bill Ev's Thunderbirds Memories

Hi Woodsy

Reading through your Blog resulted in a cherished memory resurfacing!

When I was a kid, we didn't have much spare cash, and many things from the Gerry Anderson Universe were out of reach of my family pocket.

So one Christmas, I had to make a choice of either Thunderbird 5 or an International Rescue uniform. I chose TB5. But my Grandmother was a very talented and qualified Tailor (in those days women were called Dressmakers) - and surprised me Christmas 1966 with a perfect copy of the uniform, because I understood about the lack of money and had been such a good child.

My Gran (Kittie) had sourced pretty much the exact colour material of the IR uniform, and when it was finished, there was a small amount over, which she put aside for other odd projects.

In 1967/68 I went Zero X mad, and as I had an Action Man, I managed to convince my Gran to make a Zero X uniform for Action Man, as the material was the same colour as the Zero X uniform! - about a week later she produced this really faithful reproduction complete with Nehru Collar. It was designed to fit over one of the red jumpsuits so Action Man looked completely authentic, and ready to pilot Zero X.

Somewhere in the vast collection of photos from my childhood I do have a picture of the Zero X suit worn by my 12 inch high friend...

As regards my own IR uniform... I still have it, and its in pretty good nick, but a tad too small, so no cosplay for me!

FAB!

Bill Ev~