5. The Mole
One of the most recognisable of the pod vehicles from Thunderbirds, the Mole is International Rescue’s drilling and burrowing machine, and an ever-popular guest of the show. The Mole is used in several of International Rescue’s most daring adventures, often paired up with the Firefly in clearing a path from burning rubble of collapsed buildings and tunnelling below to save those trapped underground. And that design is just to die for.
4. Stingray
Starring vehicle from the show of the same name, Stingray is automatically the best submarine-vehicle featured in Century 21. Stingray was also, arguably, one of the most diverse of the Century 21 vehicles, in that it and its crew constantly faced a huge variety of missions. Whether its a typical Titan rampage, pink ice, volcanoes, ghost ships or mystery agents sent to destroy the W.A.S.Ps, Stingray proves its versatility time and time again. Future Century 21 shows would have specific vehicles for specific situations, but Stingray faced anything and everything, and always came out on top.
3. Thunderbird 2
Whenever you read of Anderson’s shows having a reliance on the machinery, it’s very often this particular machine they’re referring to. Star of the International Rescue fleet, and of many children’s imaginations, Thunderbird 2 acts as a transporter for the specific pod vehicles needed for rescues.
Interestingly, even though Thunderbird 2’s purpose is to get other vehicles to the scene, it’s TB2 itself that became more popular than the smaller vehicles that would often save the day. Fusing a timeless, idiosyncratic design with many James Bond-worthy gadgets and gizmos, if you were a child growing up in the sixties, there were two toys to own – a Dalek and a Thunderbird 2.
2. Cloudbase
Yes reader, Cloudbase counts as a vehicle. The all-in-one HQ of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Cloudbase acts as the Tracy Island/Marineville/Space City of the series. Unlike those static locations however, Cloudbase is a floating fortress, as its name suggests. It remains still throughout most of the series, and it’s only in one episode when it actually moves (Shadow of Fear). But it’s still a beast of a machine.
1. SPV
It’s often written how the one thing Gerry regretted about the SPV from Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was that the driver had to sit with their back to the road and steer via a television screen from within the vehicle. Troubling that may be, it doesn’t stop the Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle being number one on our list.
Surely the most dangerous machine at Spectrum’s disposal, this tank-like monster is to Captain Scarlet what the Batmobile is to the Caped Crusader. Complete with missiles, ejector seats, retracting caterpillars and a stirringly powerful design, the SPV is to Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons what Thunderbird 2 was to Thunderbirds, not just in the success of merchandising, but in the sense of total disbelief that Anderson’s shows encouraged just as strongly as their realistic predictions of the future.
An SPV could only exist in a world constructed by Century 21, as it’s tailor-designed to suit both the gritty back-story of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, as well as its wooden-legged hero at the wheel.
Did you agree with this list? Let us know in the comments section below!
Some interesting ideas and a good selection of Anderson’s vehicle, but how do we go about grading them in what should we say categories.
But what about Gabriel… or maybe not.
Supercar ugly? Nonsense. It’s a classic design that made Supercar a success leading to the rest of the Supermarionation series.