Season 1
The year is 2065; former astronaut and millionaire Jeff Tracy forms an secret organization named International Rescue. Its mission is to intervene when human life is at threat and nobody else is able to help.
Based on a small tropical island in the Pacific, its headquarters appear to the entire world as a reclusive millionaire's retreat, complete with luxurious hillside house and swimming pool. Yet, hidden beneath the house and inside a cliff face are various facilities where their equipment is built, maintained and stored.
The equipment, including the specialized Thunderbird vehicles, is designed and assembled by Brains, a brilliant engineer fiercely loyal to Jeff. Supporting the team is Lady Penelope, a famous society figure who secretly acts as their London operative, assisted by her butler, Parker.
The five Thunderbird craft are piloted by each of Jeff's five sons:
- Thunderbird 1 - piloted by Scott. This ramjet-powered plane is their fastest aircraft, always first on the scene to assess the situation and coordinate the rescue.
- Thunderbird 2 - piloted by Virgil. A fan favourite, Thunderbird 2 is the heavy lift air transport, responsible for carrying all manner of large and bulky machinery to rescue sites.
- Thunderbird 3 - piloted by Alan or John, depending on who is on station in Thunderbird 5. 3 is the spaceship for International Rescue.
- Thunderbird 4 - piloted by Gordon, is a mini-submarine usually carried to sites inside Thunderbird 2.
- Thunderbird 5 - piloted by John and Alan on rotating monthly shifts. It's an orbital space platform where all communications around the world can be monitored and issues alerts to Jeff whenever trouble arises.
International Rescue insists on complete secrecy. Their identities aren't known to anyone outside the organization and photography of their equipment is forbidden.
Origins
Gerry Anderson developed the Thunderbirds plot outline quickly while driving to see Lew Grade to review the next Supermarionation series. The show's title derived from a letter written to his family by Anderson's older brother, while he was serving in the United States during World War II. In the letter, he referred to an American airbase called "Thunderbird Field"; years later, Anderson decided to use the name because of its romantic sound.
Many of the crew came directly from APF's previous production Stingray, but for Thunderbirds the crew was expanded, and it was shot in a new and much larger studio facility.