Gerry & Sylvia Anderson’s,
Stingray has always been my favourite Supermarionation TV
series, closely followed by Fireball XL5.
2024
is the anniversary year for the first 1964 screenings of Stingray in
the UK, although in spite of that fact I always feel 1965 as being
more relevant to my own personal memories of the Super Sub.
However,
I can still remember my local TV station, Granada broadcasting
the first episode precisely sixty years ago on Wednesday, 30th
December, 1964 at 6.06 pm, after being called downstairs by my Dad
just prior to it starting.
Just
over three weeks later, on Tuesday, 19th January, 1965, TV
Century 21 comic appeared at my corner newsagent, featuring a large
colour photo of Stingray being pursued by a mechanical fish. I
spotted it, and persuaded my parents to place a regular order.
I
vividly remember getting the Giant 48-Page TV Century 21 Stingray
Special, which appeared
during May , and featured a couple of fabric Stingray stick-on
badges, which fitted fine on my school jumper. However, in spite of
their aquatic nature I should have remembered to remove them before
they went into the weekly wash!
Around
this time Stingray merchandise was beginning to become available. My
brother and I both got a pair of Fairylite friction drive Stingray
toys. To my young eyes, I thought it was just like the real thing.
Actually, to my much older eyes, I still think it looks great!
Competition
prizes in TV Century 21, especially during it’s first year, also
doubled as clever adverts for usually lower cost items that birthday
money or holiday treats would cover.
The
Fairylite Stingray water pistol and Lone-Star cap gun were sought
after.
July
saw the release of the first TV Century 21 Summer Extra featuring
Fireball XL5 on the cover. Inside amongst the usual comic strips are
adverts for the forthcoming Stingray and TV Century 21 annuals, plus
a Lady Penelope Investigates feature on A.P. Film, and a mention of
the upcoming Thunderbirds TV series.
July
also saw adverts painted by Ron Embleton for the Golden Wonder
Stingray inflatable offer.
I
never did send away for one, or buy the other aquatic item of
merchandise, the Stingray Arm Fins . However, that might have been a
good thing, as it seems the promotion was quickly withdrawn the
following month over safety concerns. A similar fate seemed to have
befallen the Stingray Arm Fins!
A
shame really, as the memorable advertising artwork from Ron Embleton
and Rab Hamilton was very good.
One
of the Stingray merchandise highlights for 1965 was the Lyon’s Maid
Stingray kit, and adverts for this exclusive mail-away appeared in TV
Century 21 from issues dated July 21st until September
4th.
I
do remember sending
away for one at the time, or rather my parents did. All that was
required was three Sea Jet ice lolly wrappers, and a
6/- postal order.
September,
and the end of the school holidays. The month also saw the premier of
Thunderbirds on
TV, although my local TV Station, Granada, began to screen it the
following month.
Stingray
was still getting some attention, though with World Distributors did
publishing a Stingray
Fun Book. (as well as a Supercar edition)
In
October, I was pleased to see the TV Century 21 International Extra
appear with Stingray gracing the front cover.
The
first of the two Armada Stingray paperbacks were published in
November. I must have seen it, and maybe read a friends copy, but I
don’t remember owning a copy at the time.
Stand
by for tooth decay as I collected the Cadet sweet cigarette cards
throughout the year.
Christmas
1965, and, in amongst my presents I remember getting the Lincoln
International Stingray, the Chad Valley give-a-show projector, and
the first TV Century 21 annual.
With
the New Year just round the corner, and the juggernaut that was
Thunderbirds, already being broadcast, this meant Stingray and all
the fun merchandise that came in it’s wake would be taking a back
seat in favour of the Tracy brothers and their incredible vehicles
during 1966.
