Thunderbirds episodes are go via fan funds

Fans are helping to fund new, classic-style episodes of iconic UK children’s series Thunderbirds to celebrate the property’s 50th anniversary.

A Kickstarter campaign to raise £75,000 (US$117,000) to fund one episode using the famous ‘supermarionette’ puppet animation technique was launched last month and quickly met its target.

Now, with £174,000 already secured via more than 2,500 donations online, the team behind the campaign is hoping to raise a total of £195,000 by this Sunday to fund two more episodes.

The show follows the globetrotting International Rescue family of heroes, as well as their collection of unusual vehicles, and was created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.

The campaign has the backing of Sylvia Anderson, who said “recreating the 1960s version of Thunderbirds like this is a great idea.”

Producer, director and writer Stephen La Rivière plans to use original voice tracks and audio recordings from five decades ago to create the episodes.

It comes after UK broadcaster ITV recently resurrected the series for modern audiences using a mix of CGI animation and live-action miniatures.

Thunderbirds Are Go! is produced by ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures in association with Weta Workshop and has been sold to broadcasters around the world.