I knew a Flight Test guy who not only looked like Alan Tracy, he walked like him too...
When being briefed on the radio kit before his first Harrier flight, after a fair bit of info' had been discussed, he paused - " and remind me, what is the O.F.F. Mode ? "...
Maybe John Tracy in TB5 had a pervy way of listening in to naughty phone lines, and obviously O bin liner learned all he knows from watching The Hood.
Seems to me someone with a fair bit of aircraft knowledge was involved in Thunderbird vehicle design - is it just me, or does TB1 bear a close resemblance to a cross between the Miles M.52 & the Lightning - and for instance Fireflash I think I'm right in saying is close to some late Barnes Wallis designs - not too sure about the the thrust line with the engines high up on the tail in the Fireflash I grant you.
It did have the advantage of having the crew safely by the tail, letting the punters arrive first !