Toys used in Supermarionation: Part 1

Another side of my interest in the Supermarionation side of Gerry Anderson's productions is sourcing some of the more interesting toy cars used in scenes with Derek Meddings' amazing models.  These are now quite hard to find at decent prices, in good condition anyway... so I have bought some in, shall we say rather sad condition...

First off we have the mighty Matchbox Interstate Freighter set.  This set (M9) consists of a cab, two trailers and a connector bogie.  My example of this large toy (truck is about 1/100 scale) is missing the decals and rear doors to both trailers.  I can replace the doors, and I already have replacement decals...

In "Thunderbirds" the lorry was normally seen at airports, fitted with a large blue flashing light on the cab in place of the horns.  I can't bring myself to do that.  Sometimes it was seen with just the one trailer.  Other times the decals were replaced with black markings, the circular section having a white number in it.

Next we have the BP Autotanker, also by Matchbox.  In "Stingray" it was shown in its BP colours, and at other times with a 'skirt' wrapped around the lower section, covering the wheels and giving it a hovertruck appearance.  In "Thunderbirds" it was seen as either the BP version or painted red with a ladder on top.  On at least one occasion it had the rear section cut away to give a different appearance for a fire tender.
Mine is in the middle of being restored, hence the exposed metal.  I will add a Plastruct ladder to the roof, paint it red and have it as a fire tender.  I may get another and restore it to a BP version.

In a couple of episodes of "Thunderbirds" episodes the Husky Citroen Safari ambulance made an appearance, such as falling though the earth as the ground gives way while moving the Empire State Building in "Terror in New York".  Mine needs a bit of a tidy, but it's in decent condition for its age.

Also seen in "Thunderbirds" airport scenes is the Alvis 6x6 Airfield Fire Tender, or the Foamite Fire Tender as Matchbox called their version.  Mine is very ratty... missing the plastic text on the sides and the ladder, but they are fairly easy to replace.  The real vehicle was designed for RAF use.

There are still a few more I need to get so I can start trying to make them screen accurate (where they were altered) or as good as new.  I will update with a part 2 entry when I have enough of them.

As well as die cast toys the SFX team at the studios also used small plastic cars by Triang, as part of their Minix range designed to go with Hornby train sets.  These are quite easy to find, but as they are quite brittle they are very fragile.  These were used sparingly, normally in airport backgrounds.  I can't say if any of the following were used, but certainly the Vauxhall Victor Estate and Simca were (which of course I don't have).

Ford Anglia

Vauxhall Viva HA

Ford Corsair V4

 Ford van

Hillman Minx

Morris 1100

Triumph 2000

Sunbeam Tiger

The cars above are a mix of 1970s and 1960s versions.  Those with silver wheels and bumpers are from the sixties, while those with black wheels and white bumpers are from the seventies, and were normally used as cargo in Hornby train sets.

My intention is to one day carry out some photo shoots using Thunderbird 1 and 2 (and some other kits) to try and replicate a typical scene from "Thunderbirds".  One day...