Fireflash is a hypersonic airliner capable of travelling at six times the speed of sound carrying at least 600 persons. Its luxurious interior contains a comfortable lounge in each of its wings, a vehicle garage (as revealed in The Impostors) and a cockpit located in the tail fin. It has been the target of at least two seperate sabotage events that have required the intervention of International Rescue.
Design
Fireflash's nose cone contains landing sensors as well as radar and tracking systems. The main wings begin roughly halfway down the fuselage and sweep back to the very end of the plane. Each one contains a cocktail lounge with Cahelium Extract X strengthened windows that offer panoramic views. The wings have an aileron and a leading edge flap each, and when plane is landing, the ends fold down 90 degrees to deploy the nacelle undercarriage, and then, when it takes off and it is in the air, the undercart is closed and the end of each wing fold back up 90 degrees.
The Cockpit
The tail fin contains the cockpit, allowing the pilot and co-pilot a complete view of the plane.
The Cockpit Controls
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Atomus Engines
The top of the tail fin splits into two branches, each one housing three "Atomus" engines, that give Fireflash a cruising speed of 2800 mph. There are two sets of horizontal stabilising fins: one pair near the front of the fuselage, the other attached to the engines.
Forward Passenger Lounge
The fuselage houses the forward passenger lounge, and has two decks, indicated by the two rows of windows seen in close-ups.
Two rows of windows
Vehicle Garage
The Fireflash is able to carry cars and other cargo in a underside cargo bay. Lady Penelope took her Rolls Royce (FAB 1) with her on her trip to America to trace The Imposters.
Loading is done by a hydraulic lift, that is built into parking bays at Airports.
Size Comparisons
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Technology
While the reactor is capable of running for up to six months, the shielding around the reactor requires servicing at the end of every flight, limiting its flight time to around 3-4 hours before everyone aboard is exposed to lethal levels of radiation.
Technical Data
Flight Deck Crew: At least 1 pilot and 1 co-pilot
Manufacturer: New World Aircraft Corporation
Maximum Operating Altitude: 250,000 feet
Length: 380 feet
Passenger Deck Crew: At least 20
Power Source: Atomic reactor powering six "Atomus" engines; three are in each tail fin
Top Speed: Mach 6 (about 4,567 mph)Wingspan: 180 feet
Weight: 1,806 tons
Appearances
- Trapped In The Sky
- Main article: Fireflash (1)
- Operation Crash Dive
- Main article: Fireflash 3
- Main article: Fireflash 4
- Main article: Fireflash 5
- The Impostors (cameo)
- The Duchess Assignment (cameo)
- The Man From MI.5 (cameo)
- Security Hazard (flashback)
Fireflash Crew
Fireflash 1 was piloted by Captain Hanson. His Co-Pilot was unnamed. Fireflash 3's pilot was unnamed. Fireflash 4's Pilot was unnamed and his co-pilot was Bob. There was a waiter in the cocktail lounge on board Fireflash 1, and also waiter on Fireflash when Lady Penelope flew to Nice in France to meet with British secret agent Jimmy Bondson in the episode The Man From MI.5.
(Trapped in the Sky)
(The Man From MI.5)
History
Fireflash has been subject to a number of sabotage attempts, the first of which was during the maiden flight of the aircraft and was a particularly notable incident due to the fact that the rescue of Fireflash, its crew and passengers introduced International Rescue to the world. The Hood planted a bomb in the undercarriage of Fireflash, inhibiting its ability to land. Early attempts to save the aircraft included the pilots carrying out violent maneuvers to loosen the bomb, but to no avail. The second rescue attempt involved putting a man aboard the plane to remove the bomb. The task was a difficult one and the bomb was just out of reach, resulting in the man falling from the aircraft, opening a parachute and floating to the ground. International Rescue, who had been monitoring the situation, arrived with a rescue plan involving Elevator Cars to act as Fireflash's undercarriage. The rescue was successful, although it resulted in damage to Fireflash's nose as well as a few of International Rescue's Elevator Cars. (Trapped In The Sky)
Fireflashes 3, 4 and 5 were also sabotaged and went missing in the sea. This was because the international gang, Benton Aircraft Espionage, were damaging the elevator power unit. (Operation Crash-Dive)
Technical Data
- Top speed: Mach 5 (3,806 mph)
- Maximum attained altitude: 75,000 feet
Trivia
- Fireflash is distinguished to be the only non-International Rescue machine shown in the closing credits of the TV series, starting with the episode Trapped In The Sky and continuing to the end of the series.
- There was originally going to be a scene in the movie Thunderbirds Are Go showing Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and Parker on board Fireflash flying to the United States, but it was deleted.
- Fans of the show have said Fireflash is the world's unluckiest airliner, given what happens to it in the show.
Gallery
