As promised there was a large number of guests who’d appeared in the original series, so much so that it was nigh on impossible to see every guest panel running throughout the weekend as well as my usual catch up with all the exhibitors displaying original props and models.
There was even a ‘work in progress’ full size Eagle Cockpit, built by Darrell Simmonds, who I should add had lots of help from others, including his sons.
This was a popular exhibit and lots of people, including myself got the chance to get behind the controls of Eagle 6!
Here’s Nick Tate, who played Eagle Pilot, Captain Alan Carter being helped into his spacesuit by Darrell, and pointing to that sneaky paparazzi looking for a scoop!
Here's Nick, back in the Eagle cockpit.
Samira couldn’t resist a spell in the Eagle cockpit, and really got into the spirit of it, admitting that it took her right back to being a seven year old again.
Space:1999 Special effects wizard, and Eagle designer, Brian Johnson was in attendance, He signed autographs, and took part in a question and answer session.
As it’s coming up to fifty years since the series first aired on UK TV, unsurprisingly some of the guests aren’t as young as they once were. Let’s be honest, none of us are! But in spite of that, they thankfully still took the enormous effort to appear.
Here's Clifton with Suzanne Heimer-Peterson. Suzanne was Barbera Bain's stand-in, and appeared briefly in the series.
A time for reunions!
Yasuko Nagazumi played Yasko, a data analyst in Moonbase Alpha Command Centre
Dee Anderson, Sylvia Anderson’s daughter. During her panel Dee gave the audience a vivid mental picture recalling her time growing up in the sixties and early seventies as part of the Anderson family, visiting the sets and meeting some of the people who put the series together.
Gianni Garko played Captain Tony Cellini in the first season episode, Dragon’s Domain.
Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan played Cantar in the second season episode, The Exiles.
John Hugg played Eagle pilot, Bill Fraser during the second season.
Jack McKenzie , seen here with Nick Tate appeared as a technician in Breakaway, Black Sun, Earthbound and The Last Sunset.
Jack an his wife, Rosemary, a former casting assistant.
I should add there was many more guests in attendance, meeting fans and signing, but I'm afraid to say I just didn’t have the time to catch them all.
And before I go, here's yours truly at the controls of Eagle 6!
Excellent report. Those set recreations are brilliant. I really wish I had the space to make that kind of thing!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly an ambitious set, Kev, Darrell and his helpers started putting it together on the Friday, and worked late into the night
DeleteThanks, I loved this. What an envy. I was broke and couldn’t travel to London this time, but hope you and others enjoyed. Bachir, Portugal
ReplyDeleteIt was a great event, Bachir, sorry you couldn't make it.
DeleteGreat shots Scoop, but my, haven't they aged !
ReplyDelete( I mean obviously they have, but without seeing most of them much, if at all, in between then and now, its far more apparent somehow ).
Tempus fugit, Mish! It's ten year's since I last saw some of them, and the years' are naturally showing, but in-spite of that they managed to make it. Prentis Hancock was due to appear too but, sadly health problems meant he had to cancel at the last minute, so my best wishes to him.
DeleteI can't imagine we'll see another big Space:1999 Convention in the UK anytime soon. There are plans to do another one in Burbank, California next year, which will presumably allow Barbera Bain to attend, but whether that takes place I don't know.
Looks fantastic Scoop; what an amazing job the organiser has done getting all these cast members and personnel in one place just one weekend. Really special and thanks for sharing your superb portraits of them. I like the one at the end! The new Eagle pilot!
ReplyDeleteAs it was so ambitious, I , along with a few others had doubts as to whether it would take place, but all power to main man, Warren Friedrich and his fellow organisers for putting together a fabulous weekend!
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