Iconic Replicas Ltd

THE GERRY ANDERSON PROP REPLICA COLLECTION

• Authentic Replica of model used in the show
• Replica is displayed in authentic dinorama of Thunderbird 1 hanger
• Complete with clear acrylic display case and etched brass plaque featuring unique edition number
• Certificate of Authenticity individually HAND SIGNED by the creator of Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson
• Original model created by artist Ian Crichton

Beautifully detailed and hand-crafted, these replicas are created using
original plans and reference material of the time to bring to the collector
a unique copy of the models used in the production of this classic show.

TB1 height: 12 inches
Box: 39cm x 35cm x 52cm

WORD FROM THE WORKBENCH

Various casting of Thunderbird 1 parts.
Casting of back wall of TB1 diorama.

TB1 prototype being replicated in exact detail at 5% larger to
allow for shrinkage during production.
Detail of TB1 hanger base.

TB1 reproduced at 5% larger.
Finished replicated model of original TB1 at 5% up.

Side view of original TB1 at 5% up.
Original model under construction (Ian Crichton model maker).

Early stage of TB1 hanger (original model).
Completed 5% scaled up model for casting compared to
original prototype model.

Top View of original prototype model.

Model Makers Comments:
This was a great project to work on. We still can’t believe how lucky we are here at IR to actually be building models of Thunderbird craft for a living!

The challenge with most of the vehicles from the shows of Gerry Anderson is that there are no definitive plans of any of them in existence. Also, as most collectors will be aware, several versions of each model were built for each show. Each one in various scales, and when you study some of them – some are VERY different indeed from each other in shape, detail and colour. (Just how many colour variants were there of TB2?!)

We were very lucky in that we have been supported through out development by Gerry Anderson himself. His inside information, reference and guidance have proved invaluable. Combined with our own “lifetime” of making version of these vehicles and years of accumulated reference, we were confident that we could produce the most faithful reproductions yet seen.

The same issues applied to all of the models – be it FAB 1, Thunderbird 2 or 3. Which 'version' should we reproduce?

The decision was that we incorporate all of our favourite parts into one 'whole' that captured the sprit of the craft and evoked an instantly recognizable image from the show. I think we have achieved that.

It wasn’t all fun for our model makers however – Ian Crichton soon got very frustrated having to create from scratch an exact reproduction of a 1960’s “orange juicer” for the hanger detail of Thunderbird 1, not to mention two toy kaleidoscopes!

This was quite a common fact with many of the original studio models and sets – a great number of household items or model kits of the period were used to create “quick” detail. All well and good, however, trying to find these items 40 years later is just about impossible so we have no option but create them from scratch.

We are looking forward to developing further Replicas from Thunderbirds and would love to go on to produce Thunderbirds 4 and 5 – and a Fireflash would we be a particular favourite! Watch this space.