The Thunderbird 2 Launch Sequence is featured in all but one episode of Thunderbirds. It allows Virgil Tracy and his co-pilot(s) to take to the skies to save people in grave danger.
Entry Chute[]
When Thunderbird 2 is required for a rescue, pilot Virgil Tracy stands with his back to the painting of a rocket in lounge. The picture tilts and Virgil drops down onto a padded slide, which glides downwards. Virgil slows and stops on a turntable which brings him feet-first into the chute that leads to Thunderbird 2's hangar.
Virgil enters Thunderbird 2's hangar through the retractable covered chute leading to the pilot's cabin. He slips off the end of the padded slide, his feet striking the footplate which automatically folds into a seat releasing the chute from it. The seat slots into its column and the chute retracts from the craft. If anyone else, is joining him (Alan or Gordon, for example), the passenger lift slides down and locks into place where the passenger chute retracted.
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Pod Selection and Launch[]
Virgil selects one of the six pods which carries equipment. As Thunderbird 2 is lowered onto a selected pod, Virgil operates the huge Cliff doors leading to an airstrip and jetty beyond. Palm trees disguising the width of Thunderbird 2 flank both sides of the airstrip. As the craft moves forward, they bend outwards to allow it to pass. Thunderbird 2 comes to a halt and is lifted into launch position by a ramp. A small blast shield lifts behind Thunderbird 2's aft motors. Thunderbird 2 is launched.
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Return to Base[]
Upon returning to base, Thunderbird 2 lands on the runway, taxis up to the Cliff House doors, turns around and reverses into the hangar.
Differences Between Sets[]
Behind the Scenes[]
Derek Meddings (left) and Brian Johnson (right) film the Thunderbird 2 launch sequence
Trivia[]
- The pods on the conveyor belt are too tightly packed together to actually allow Thunderbird 2 to lower; there is no space for its wings. The shots where it lowers over a pod have the pods spaced noticeably further apart than they are in the previous scenes. This detail was corrected in the 2015 series, by having Thunderbird 2's wings folded upwards in this scene, and only clicking into place later in the launch sequence.
- In the classic films and episodes of Thunderbirds it was never shown how the passenger lift for Thunderbird 2 connects with the rest of Tracy Island. However Graham Bleathman's recent crossections of the classic versions of Tracy Island and the Tracy Villa shows that the passenger lift for Thunderbird 2 can be accessed and exited by at least 3 locations; a secret monorail station above Thunderbird 2s hanger, the dining room on the ground floor of Tracy Villa or behind Lady Penelope’s portrait in the lounge on the floor above.