I thought it would be a good idea to feature some of the model displays that I have taken part in over the years, so that you can see what the models actually look like in 'real-life', and so that I can also then remember what I have been doing! Unfortunately I usually spend so much time and effort transporting and setting up the displays that I never seem to have the time to take that many pictures - so my thanks go out to those people that have kindly sent me in theirs.

Planned Future Displays
2020 - June 14th Papplewick Pumping Station Nottingham
June 27th Cromford Mills, near Matlock Bath
To be confirmed - July 5th Smallspace
Sept 26-27th Leicester Space Centre

My models at the 2019 Fanderson display room

The most fun day of the year is the Smallspace event in Hanslope, 2019 was no exception and I was joined here by Tony Freeman, Richard Ashton (of It's an Ashton Models) and Alison Thorn.
A small display as usual featuring my original Eagle and an assorted collection, including my Moonbase Interceptor before it was sent off to it's new home in Italy.

Strangest display ever was in a tent at the historic Papplewick Pumping Station, I only did it because it was so local. It began raining as soon as we set up and kept lashing it down all day! The models and other display items got wet and I said that I would never do it again....... but did.

We have previously displayed at the Space Centre as part of several British Sci-Fi celebrations, but this time the Centre decided to do a themed weekend just about the popular worlds of Gerry Anderson. About twenty of us took part putting on a display that covered most of Gerry's popular programs, with a heavy emphasis on Thunderbirds. I had a nice weekend and spent a fair bit of time chatting to members of the public who visited, as well as those hardcore fans who always support these events with great enthusiasm.

As usual I was enlisted to provide a display for the latest Fanderson convention....just remembered that my first one was Fanderson 1982, boy thats a long time ago! My new Overlander model made it's first public appearance and the Eagle stood on a rather nice landscape set built by professional model maker Chris Trice. (Theres a few more pictures on my Eagle 1 Today webpage.)

It includes interviews with many of the people involved with the creation of the much-loved series, with many behind-the-scenes photographs and pictures from every episode made.

It also includes spin-off items about books, toys, and comics, as well as interviews with other people ......... like me!

Smallspace was bigger than ever this year with a record number of people displaying their models, puppets, and props. I had my latest models, Spacehawk and Fireball XL5, on display together with Eagle 1... which this year was joined by Eagle 2 (top left) courtesy of Andrew Frampton.

Visit the Smallspace website for a full picture report - See LINK

A good weekend in Scarborough for my first public display of 2015 and the BBC's 'One Show' turned up to film some clips for a program about the classic 1960s series Thunderbirds. This short feature was broadcast in early April to tie in with the first showing of the new series 'Thunderbirds Are Go' - yet another poor attempt to bring 'International Rescue' back to life, but this time by using CGI cartoon characters.

During the weekend many attendees were interviewed to explain why they liked Thunderbirds...... and they all ended up on the cutting room floor! My sympathies go out to them all - but I wasn't too surprised having experienced this sort of thing before. I did at least get three models on screen (see above screen grabs), if for only 2-3 seconds each. Still that does now mean that my Thunderbird 2 model has now appeared on BBC1, BBC2, and BBC4, I just need BBC3 to do a program on Gerry Anderson and I will have completed the set!

Photos above: part of the large puppet display, these are mostly restored original items which included three Joe 90s!
Photos below: Our display area, with Phil Rae (far left), Simon Rhodes (centre) and Mamas Pitsillis (right)...... Centre photo courtesy Rob Carson

Andercon 2014 was the first Gerry Anderson Convention from Anderson Entertainment, a weekend dedicated to celebrating the worlds and characters created by the legendary television producer, featuring a variety of prop, puppet, and model displays, as well as a large gathering of special guests.

I managed to display most of my replica models, thanks in part to now having a bigger car! The Zero-X was out for only it's third public display - I'd take it out more often but it's a real pain to lower down from the ceiling and then have to put back up.
While I was there Liz Morgan (voice artist of Destiny, Rhapsody & Harmony Angels) had her publicity photographs taken holding my Angel Interceptor replica. Shane Rimmer (Scott Tracy) posed with TB1 whilst Matt Zimmerman (Alan Tracy) held on tight to Thunderbird 3.

This years event was centred mostly on 'Blake's Seven', 'Red Dwarf' and the 'Tomorrow People'... with a bit of 'Doctor Who' too. Darrell Simmonds, Hilton Fitzsimmons, Mark Shaw, Simon Rhodes, Chris Potter, and myself, put on a display of props and models to represent the old Gerry Anderson shows. The display included the full-size 'Moonbase Alpha Command Center' replica set built by Darrell and Hilton, which proved popular with many of the visiting actors, including the 1970s Tomorrow People. Picture above right: Standing left to right- Mike Holoway (Mike), Peter Vaughan-Clarke (Stephen), Misako Koba (Hsui Tai), Sammie Winmill (Carol). While sitting at the front is Nicholas Young (John), the main star of the show who has just appeared in the new remake.

Pictures above; on Sunday the 'Red Dwarf 'cast came over to have a closer look at my models; Danny John-Jules (Cat) wanted a picture taken with him holding Fab 1, whilst Chris Barrie (Rimmer) wanted to hold his favourite Thunderbird. Not to be out-done Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) quickly grabbed a familiar looking model.
Photos courtesy of Darrell Simmonds and Simon Rhodes.

This years event had stars from 'Doctor Who', 'Blakes 7', and 'Red Dwarf', but was dedicated to the late Gerry Anderson; with a number of guests from his past productions there to sign autographs and give talks, lead by his son Jamie Anderson. As a result the event had a separate display area called 'Anderson Alley', which featured many replica & original models, puppets, and props supplied by Mark Shaw, Hilton Fitzsimmons, Darrell Simmonds, Simon Rhodes, Jim Winch, Chris Potter, Chris Trice, Mamas Pitsillis, Duncan Willis, and myself.

A sad time for his fans around the World when Gerry Anderson, creator of Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Space: 1999 and many other fantastic television programs, passed away on the 26th December 2012. His funeral was held two weeks later at Reading Crematorium with a reception afterwards at the Phyllis Court Club, Henley-on-Thames.
It was a Humanist ceremony with tributes and memories provided by Nick Williams (Chairman of Fanderson), Shane Rimmer (voice of Scott Tracy), John Gore (Broadway Producer), Jamie Anderson (Gerry's younger son), and Jeremy Hughes - Chairman of the Alzheimer's Society, an illness that Gerry had been suffering from for many years.

The family had a Parker puppet (a replica by Duncan Willis) to display at the reception but wanted to have a bigger display to more fully represent Gerry's long career, and to provide a talking point for the several hundred invited guests. As a result I was asked to assemble a display with an item, or two, from each of his most famous programs. Further puppets and props were kindly provided by Bob Bailey, Martin Gainsford, Chris Bentley, and Ralph Titterton.

Whilst a sad occasion it was also a time to celebrate Gerry's work and the friendships that had been made over the years. Family, close friends, people from the film industry, and many old-time fans were there to remember and chat over past events.
Above right: A small reunion of Terrahawks staff pose for a group shot. Left to right: Peter Holmes, Terry Adlam, Gary Tomkins, Jan King, Judy Preece, Steven Begg, Richard Gregory, and Peter Tilbe. Insert: The tables were decorated with small floral displays in the shape of many well known craft.
See the BBC Newsnight report here on Youtube

RAF Museum Cosford : 24th-25th November 2012
For one weekend the Museum put on a display of puppets, props, and memorabilia from the iconic science fiction shows of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The event was staged in the National Cold War Exhibition alongside a backdrop of aircraft which inspired the look and design of the shows. I was part of a large group of fans that have collected original props or built replica items, and together we put on one of the largest displays that has been seen for some years. Above: Special Effects Director Brian Johnson was a star guest, here together with the Eagle 1 model again.
The event was organised by Chris King, who's many puppets graced the display, and thanks also to the Museum staff who worked hard to make this event such a success - 3500 visitors approx. Other contributors - Bob & Sue Bailey, Simon Rhodes, Mark Shaw, Hilton Fitzsimmons, Darrell Simmonds, Chris Potter, Graham Farley and Jim Winch.

On Sunday July 1st 2012 a new model show was presented by Mat Irvine and Paul Fitzmaurice at their local Village Hall in Hanslope. Hopefully this will become a regular event and it certainly seemed to be popular ......... well we enjoyed ourselves anyway!
Mat, a well known ex-BBC special effects man and space enthusiast, brought along a number studio props from the famous 'Blakes 7' and 'Doctor Who' television programs. He was joined by fellow effects man Mike Tucker, who also brought along props from 'Doctor Who' and 'Red Dwarf'', including the original big Starbug model - which was good for me as I could place my new Starbug replica against it to check for mistakes (above left), thankfully the only real difference is that I need more 'damage & dirt' on mine!

You can watch a short video here on YouTube