Sixty years after the iconic countdown first aired, the pulse-racing excitement of Thunderbirds is being celebrated in a major new London exhibition. The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill is hosting 'Thunderbirds & Space: 1999 - a Celebration of Sci-fi Toys and Collectibles', a nostalgia-packed showcase charting the history of Gerry Anderson's legendary creations through hundreds of rare items.
A Treasure Trove of Supermarionation History
The exhibition is a deep dive into the worlds crafted by producer Gerry Anderson, the creative force behind not just Thunderbirds but also Stingray, Captain Scarlet, and Space: 1999. It features over 400 pieces of memorabilia, many displayed publicly for the first time. Highlights include an original Lady Penelope puppet, die-cast Dinky Toys vehicles still in their packaging, and rare promotional items from confectionery tie-ins.
For collectors, the enduring value of this merchandise is clear. In June, a Dinky Toys Thunderbird 2 sold at auction for £2,570, while a rare complete set of Fairylite Thunderbirds action figures fetched £2,100 in December 2024. The exhibition, created in partnership with Anderson Entertainment, also features cherished annuals, vintage board games, jigsaws, and records that brought these futuristic adventures into family homes.
More Than Just Toys: Connectors to Imaginary Worlds
Jamie Anderson, son of the late creator, emphasised the powerful role of merchandise. "The tangible 'take home' representations of Thunderbirds and Space: 1999 made the series' stories, characters and craft come to life," he said. Exhibition co-curator Alice Kain echoed this sentiment, noting, "These weren't just toys. For children of the 60s and 70s, these objects were the connectors to the Andersons' futuristic worlds."
The show celebrates the pioneering Supermarionation technique, which synchronised puppet speech with mouth movements. While Anderson had early hits with Fireball XL5 and Stingray, it was Thunderbirds—filmed on a trading estate in Slough, Berkshire—that became a cultural phenomenon. It spawned a vast array of merchandise, with the Matchbox Tracy Island playset famously topping Christmas lists nationwide. The 1992 Blue Peter DIY version, made from papier-mâché and toilet rolls, generated 100,000 requests for its instructions.
A Legacy That Endures
The exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of the key figures behind the shows. Gerry Anderson died in 2012 aged 83, and his second wife Sylvia, who voiced Lady Penelope and worked on character design, passed away in 2016. Notably, actor David Graham, who voiced both Parker and Brains, died in September 2024 aged 99.
Superfan and exhibition contributor Malcolm Garrett shared his personal connection: "My earliest memory is watching Supercar when I was five or six... To be able to loan them now to this very special exhibition is something I couldn't have dreamed of."
The original 32 episodes of Thunderbirds, first broadcast on ITV in 1965 and 1966, have been repeated for decades, with a live-action film released in 2004 and a CGI remake airing between 2015 and 2020. This exhibition proves that the appeal of International Rescue and its thrilling missions is truly timeless.
'Thunderbirds & Space: 1999 - a Celebration of Sci-fi Toys and Collectibles' runs at the Museum of Brands in West London until 28 February 2026. General admission tickets cost £11.50 for adults, £8.50 for concessions, and £6.50 for children. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday.
