Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
Whilst not Military Aviation ... Gerry must have inspired many youngsters back in the 60's and 70's to get in to aviation with all his futuristic flying machines ... from Super Car, Fireball XL5 and Thunderbirds along with many more TV21 creations.
Gerry served with the RAF on National Service.
FAB Gerry ...
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 26th Dec 2012 at 17:44.
Gerry Anderson was called up for National Service in 1947 with the RAF and started his time at RAF Wilmslow in Cheshire. He was sent to RAF Cranwell to train as a Radio Operator and on passing out as an LAC, was posted to RAF Manston.
LAC Anderson worked in the VHF/DF section on the south side of the airfield, assisting in bringing in aircraft using QGH procedures. He also spent much time in Air Traffic Control where he monitored one of four radio channels. When talking to him about me writing a newsletter article about his career back in 2006, He could even recall in one of our conversations that the frequency he monitored most was 118.1.
He was promoted to Corporal while at Manston and left the RAF in 1949, returning to work for Gainsborough Pictures.
His brother, Lionel, served as a pilot during WW2 and was killed on his second tour of operations when his Mosquito was shot down over Holland on 27th April 1944. Flight Sergeant Anderson was 22 years old.
When I spoke to Gerry, he had a genuine fondness about his time in the RAF and came over as a complete gentleman.
Bought the complete Thunderbirds on DVD years ago, must dig it out again. Being a bit of a saddo I can't help looking to see which aircraft kits have had parts used in making the futuristic airframes. Funny also, how anything crashing would manage to hit the only building for miles. There is a lot of stuff in them that would be so uncorrect and never seen in anything made these days.
20 years or so ago I went to a special screening at a local "arthouse" cinema of "Thunderbirds are Go" and was shocked to hear that they were screening the ONLY surviving film copy Even then it was badly patched together and broke twice during the performance, requiring instant taping together.
Certainly an inspiration for a generation of us. I was an avid fan of all his productions in my youth and would still happily while away an hour today watching any of them.
I found an episode of Joe 90 on you tube the other day, my 5 year old lad was mesmerised by it; oh the memories of my youth. Last time I took GG jr flying he was convinced he was in TB 2!
Thanks Gerry for being such a huge part if not only my youth, but of my son's too.
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