Space toy set, plastic model rocket and space station, in printed cardboard and clear plastic packaging, 'Thunderbirds 3 and 5', made for Vivid Imaginations Ltd, China, 2005.

Clear plastic and printed cardboard packaging containing two plastic spacecraft, Thunderbirds 3 and 5, and a plastic stand for Thunderbird 5. The packaging is in light blue, with the 'Thunderbirds' trademark written in red and grey at the top on a yellow background and with photographs of the original puppets and spacecraft from the TV programme on the right and left side. The 'Thunderbirds' trademark is repeated on the reverse of the packaging, which also includes text about the product in yellow and white and photographs of related 'Thunderbirds' products.

Thunderbird 3 is made from red plastic with grey plastic fins arranged around its centre. It has three rockets attached to its base and by arms further up its hull, each with white and black hoops. There is a white, ridged hoop towards the nose of the rocket, and 'Thunderbird 3' is written along its hull in white text, with a further '3' in black on each rocket. There is a small red button on its base, indicated by a yellow arrow on the packaging, which, when pressed through a circular hole in the packaging, plays a recording of phrases from the TV programme.

The Thunderbird 5 space station is made from beige plastic with details picked out in bronze, red and light blue plastic. The main hull is disc-shaped, with a foot extending underneath and a rectangular pod, with two antennae, on its side. It has a gun mounted on the top of the main hull. The text Thunderbird 5 is written in white text on a black rectangle around its hull, with a further number 5 on the side pod. There is a small beige button on the top of its hull, indicated by a yellow arrow on the packaging, which, when pressed through a circular hole in the packaging, plays a recording of phrases from the TV programme.

The disc-shaped stand, in black with silver stars, has a slot in its centre into which the foot of Thunderbird 5 can be fixed.

Given by Vivid Imaginations

This object was manufactured in China for the toy distributors Vivid Imaginations, who donated it, when new, to the Museum.

It was produced in 2004, as a 40th anniversary set commemorating the first 'Thunderbirds' TV series in 1964, and is part of a set of other 'Thunderbirds' products distributed by Vivid Imaginations.

Made for Vivid Imaginations Ltd. by an unamed manufacturer. Licensed by Granada Ventures with trademark and copyright in Thunderbirds held by ITC Entertainment Group Ltd.

'Thunderbirds' began as a television show, devised by Gerry Anderson, in 1965. It was made by AP Films and used a form of puppetry dubbed 'Supermarionation'. It followed the exploits of International Rescue, an organisation that used technically advanced equipment to help those in need.

Original Thunderbirds toys are now highly sought after by collectors, and the TV series and associated toys have undergone several revivals amongst subsequent generations of children. This set, made from plastic, features Thunderbird 3 and 5. It was produced in China for the toy distributors Vivid Imaginations to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Thunderbirds first appearing on TV. The models include recordings of famous phrases from these original programmes, activated by pressing a button.

B.255-2010