1966 Somportex trading cards

keyring to be obtained in exchange for 24 wrappers

a red tracked vehicle with a light emitting device at the front in a desert environment

the thunderizer

Mainly used for blasting away at heavy obstacles, saving precious minutes when lives are at stake! A dynamic unit produces electrical discharges more powerful than lightning.

a yellow tracked vehicle marked 'Firefly' with a large scoop at the front with a cannon sticking through

the firefly

Capable of piercing solid matter, often saves lives by providing instant air-holes to trapped miners, etc. Atomic neutrons are concentrated into a single cell which, when fired, desintegrates solid matter.

lady Penelope reading a magazine in her garden pavillion

ornamental garden

This beautiful garden arbour lies secluded in the grounds of the magnificent stately home of Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and provides a welcome retreat.

a grey submarine with red striping moving along the seabed

underwater

Submerged in the mysterious murky depths of the Pacific Ocean, the nuclear powered submarine WN 1 is used by the Hood for spying on International Rescue.

a blue tracked vehicle towing a tracked cart marked 'International Resue' with a large dish mounted on it

laser ray

The mobile laser ray I.R.3. unit uses concentrated sun-rays to penetrate the hardest materials. Another fantastic device carried in pod 6 aboard Thunderbird II.

a red tracked vehicle marked 'International Resue' with a dish mounted at the front and an unsheltered driver's position at the back

pathfinder

This eight-wheeled, cater pillar-track driven machine is yet another marvellous invention used by International Rescue. Its primary objective is to locate objects in dense fog, sandstorms, etc., by using its infra-red sonic beam.

Brains studying a little mound of gravel with a magnifying glass, a microscope sitting to his left, a glass of water in front and a rack of test tubes to his right

microscopic inspection

Brains, the bespectacled, scientific genius inventor of the incredible machines and rescue equipment! He is a typical "egg-head", shy and rather hesitant in his speech.

anupward view of a six-wheeled vehicle pointed towards the camera

the global carrier

Globhal Carrier services International Rescue equipment on ground operations. Constantly on the alert, by Video-Phone, it is vital in emergency calls.

frontal view of the Creighton-Ward mansion

the stately home

The country home of Lady Penelope is situated in picturesque countryside and is furnished in exquisite taste, befitting one whose motto is "elegance, charm and deadly danger".

Parker in civilian dress holding a fishing rod an a large suitcase

the angler

Gone fishin'! Parker, who is Lady Penelope's chauffeur and man-servant, is an off-beat Cockney. Although he has a prison record, he is now fully reformed.

medium shot of lady Penelope holding a small gun

near miss

That was a near one! Lady Penelope glanced into the mirror just in time to evade the shot from the shrewd villain, the Hood. Her fingers tighten on her automatic...

lady Penelope subdueing two adversaries with knock-out gas

secret weapon

Lady Penelope, the organization's London-based agent, overcomes an attack by two of the Hood's henchmen by firing her concealed sleeping gas vapour pistol.

medium shot of lady Penelope wearing the Mondriaan dress and matching cap

gear

Lady Penelope possesses an exotic wardrobe and is renowned in international fashion circles for her taste and elegance in beautiful clothes. Here she is on her way to a real swinging party.

view of a large room with cars stacked on a rack on the right and machinery to insert and remove cars on the left

computer parking

Alan's high-powered racing car being lifted into position by the auto car stacker. This automatically parks and recovers automobiles by computer selection at great speed.

Thunderbird 4 stored in Thunderbird 2's pod #4

thunderbird IV

Underwater scout craft, on launching ramp inside pod transported by Thunderbird II. As Thunderbird II hovers over the sea, the pod is lowered, a ramp protrudes and the underwater vehicle emerges from it.

sweet dreams

Alan, probably the most romantic of the sons, pilot of Thunderbird III, sleeps comfortably in his luxurious apartment.

radar screen

Lady Penelope, the organization's elegant, charming, blonde London agent, following the Hood in her supercar fab 1, and keeping track of her enemy on the build-in radar system.

a blue and white monorail train travelling along its single rail

the monorail

Pacific Atlantic monorail solves the problem of fast, save and comfortable communication for earth travellers. Pressurized compartments fully airconditioned make it very popular.

red six-wheeled vehicle marked 'International Rescue' with an elevator crane on the back parked in one of Thunderbird 2's pods

the mobile crane

Highly efficient "Telescopic" arm mobile crane rumbles towards the opning hatch of Pod 6. Specification permits this amazing machine to lift four times its own weight — 50 tons.

Gordon Tracy behind the controls of Thunderbird 4

dangerous task

Alan Tracy feels beads of perspiration drip from his face as he wrestles with the controls. The dark goggles are protection against the blinding light of the solar explosions he has been viewing on the solarium.

large airplane taking off over the camera

nite-hawk TX5

Thermo-nuclear bomber of World Air Forces. This massive six-engined long-range bomber is guided to its target by remote control from the ballistic missile early warning system (bmews).

Thunderbird 2 hovering over a lush jungle landscape bordering on a body of water from which a dragon like creature emerges

the monster

Thunderbird II on reconnaisance flight flashes a message back to International Rescue headquarters "This is Thunderbird II" … underwater monster sighted — position: 15.7° Longitude – 9.6° Latitude – 16.45 World Time.

oil rig

Seascape, the six-leg off-shore oilrig, exploits the discovery of an extensive reservoir of oil 7500 feet beneath the North Sea. Estimated yield, 10–50 years supply (10 million barrels).

a red tracked vehicle with three hydralic arms with attached suction cups at the front

domo-dozer

The sucker cups on the control arms produce a tremendously powerful vacuum. This, combined with the hydraulic strength of the arm, enables Domo–Dozer to lift and support great weights.

Alan Tracy at the controls of Thunderbird 3

inside Thunderbird III

Astronaut Alan Tracy at the flight deck of Thunderbird III. From here, the very heart of the machine, all the screens, instruments and controls are in direct link with H.Q.

the chauffeur

Parker, Lady Penelope's chauffeur, drives one of the world's most remarkable cars. The "Shocking Pink" Car, with the number plate FAB 1, has many unusual accessories. A machine gun projects from the famous radiator when required.

the nite-hawk

Nite-Hawx TX5 taxies from the gigantic hangar to begin another long-range mission. Although manned by a crew of six, it is completely computer controlled by laser accelerated spectro beams.

a large ship in a dry dock surrounded by cranes about to be launched

a launching

A new gigantic ocean-going thermo-nuclear oil tanker about to be launched. With a capacity of 150,000 tons, this vessel averages more than 50 knots per hour.

a sleek submarine armoured with missiles floating on the surface

the Nautilus

Anti-Missile missiles mounted forward on the on the World Navy's thermo-nuclear submarine Nautilus. Armaments include 16 Polaris Missiles, which are launched form beneath the sea.

a sleek passssenger jet standing before a building marked 'New York Central', a control tower visible in the background

fireflash

"Fireflash" landing at New York Airport after a maiden round the world flight. The first atomic-powered civil aircraft in commercial use.

top view of a blue airplane flying over a runway

stratospheric spy

This completely revolutionary experimental prototype sonic-jet carries an unmanned "Spyprobe" monojet for launching into the stratosphere to take high altitude photo reconnaisance films. Spyprobe is powered from solar batteries which are recharged by sunlight.

an oil rig going down in flames, Thunderbirds 1 and 2 hovering in the background

disaster at sea

Thunderbird II and Thunderbird I complete a successful rescue operation by airlifting the trapped oilmen from the blazing oil-rig "Seascape" before it sinks beneath the waves.

a dragon like creature surrounded by construction vehicles emerges from the ground

look out!

The workmen have fled in terror as the flame-spitting, fireball-throwing, scale-encrusted monster rises and emerges from the depths of the earth.

3/4 view of Thunderbird 2 in flight, a small airplane diving down from above

thunderbird II

"Freighter" extraordinaire, cruises at 5000 MPH loaded with 25,000 lbs. of priceless rescue devices. Launched by dyno-ramp, or VTO. Lands by retro-rocket thrust.

slate grey airborne vehicle with twin stabilizers, marked '9' at the front, diving down

the hoverjet

World Army Hoverjet projects hyper space video pictures back to the War Room, World Security Headquarters.

monorail station

Atomic powered overhead monorail provides transport facilities many hundreds of feet benetah the ground. This vast complex system provides intercity communication at speeds of 500 MPH.

Alan Tracy in International Rescue uniform holding a gun

self defence

Alan has an impetuous nature and is an expert racing driver. Seen here in complete I.R. uniform, he is armed with the latest deadly automatic ray gun.

a small grey and blue jet with red striping making a right turn

condor XL6

Designed by Brains, for the personal use of his chief, Jeff Tracy, the beautiful aera-odynamic lines and variable delta wing design are unique features in ram jet aircraft.

Thunderbird 4 floating on the surface while a capsule is being lifted out of the water while Thunderbird 1 hovers in the background

team-work

The combined resources of International Rescue organization are deployed when Thunderbird I and Thunderbird IV unite in a dangerous sea rescue attempt.

Thunderbird 1 hovering over a yellow tracked vehicle with a large scoop at the front against a backdrop of a mountain range

combined operation

The silver-grey Thunderbird 1, piloted by Scott, contacts Gordon driving Firefly by using ultra-high frequencies. Always first at the scene of rescue, its object is to report from the danger zone what equipment is required.

members of the Tracy family relaxing at the edge of the swimming pool

keeping cool

The Tracy family, enjoying a well-earned rest, relax by their luxurious swimming-pool. Keeping their island headquarters a secret is a vital element in the succes of the organization's activities.

the "chopper"

Gyro-Copter FG-719 is unusual in that it features short clipped wings, twin booms and elevated tail piece. This unique combination offsets instability caused by air turbulence in mountain ranges.

snow patrol

Gyro-Copter FG-719 especially designed for mountain terrain. Note the skis which are an important feature for mountain rescue above the snow line. Now in service with units of World Army.

executive transport

The personal plane of ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy, chief of International Resuce organization. The rear mounted ram jet engine produces speeds in excess of mach 4.

a four-legged grey and blue airborne vehicle with stabilizers at the front and back hovering over a city scape

the helijet

Helijet on routine patrol over the skyline of New York. This wonderful machine is fully equipped with anti-bugging devices.

lady Penelope on stage in disguise as Wanda Lamour, flanked by two members of the Cass Carnaby Five

night life

The swinging Lady Penelope fronts a small beat group at one of London's most exclusive night clubs. With her wonderful voice, she is a smash-hit with the audience, but she is really on duty.

inside thunderbird V

A close-up of the instrument panel aboard Thunderbird V, the ever alert space monitoring station. Brains has "built in" the most advanced technical know-how, a secret formula to assist emergency operations.

a-hunting we wil go

Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward (her correct title) stands beside the Adam Fireplace above which hangs her personal heraldic coat of arms.

lady Penelope working on a painting supported by a painter's eazel

artist at work

Lady Penelope has many hidden talents, one of which is well-known in art circles throughout the world. Besides providing a diverting relaxation it is also useful to her in the role of secret agent.

deep sea security

The aquanauts of World Navy are wearing anti-radiation suits to protect them from the nuclear engines of "Nautilus". One watches the sonarscope, while the other listens to the sonic recorder.

a large yeoolow vehicle with four separate tracks trundling along a mountain road

road builder

This heavy duty, multi-purpose generator is used mainly in the construction of roads in often impassable regions. It not only levels, but automatically surfaces roads.

Alan Tracy in his reclined seat in Thunderbird 3's cockpit

solar storm

Alan operates the lever of his adjustable reclining seat of Thunderbird III. Solar storms erupt almost without warning and it is necessary for him to be strapped into his pilot's seat to avoid possible injury.

lady Penelope in the company of two alligators

the alligators

These alligators involved International Rescue in one of its most fantastic operations ever. A very powerful chemical had been accidentally spilled into the river which turned the alligators into gigantic monsters.

Brains standing behind an instrument console, his robot Braiman to his right and Jeff Tracy, leaning against the wall looking on from behind

the robot

Brains, the genius responsible for the scientific apparatus, nears the completion of his most daring and fantastic experiment yet. An almost human transistorized robot man.

medium upward shot of the Hood in front of a large Oriental statue

voodoo

The Hood, arch-villain, contemplates another diabolical plot to try to obtain the secrets of the wonder machines of International Rescue organization. He uses strange Voodoo powers to exert influence over his half brother, Kyrano.

top view of an orange and black decorated conference room with a number of people seated around a large table

the conference

The War Room at World Government and Space Empire headquarters. Representatives of earth and its space empire meet to discuss problems once a month.

at home

The living quarters of Jeff Tracy's island home are luxuriously furnished. Here the family relax and entertain their visitors.

lady Penelope at the roulette table, Parker standing behind and slightly to the left of her

a game of chance

Beautiful Lady Penelope, accompanied by faithful manservant Parker, at the gaming tables. On duty, of course!

full frontal view of Scott Tracy in Thunderbird 1's pilot chair

at the controls

Scott, at the controls of Thunderbird I, is the eldest son. Fast-talking and quick-thinking, he can also cope with any emergency and is skilled at organizing rescue operations.

red tracked vehicle with a movable scoop at the front digging into a rock face spewing rock grit out the back

the rock crusher

to reach trapped men quickly, rock dozer, powered by hydrogen engines which operate high speed vibrators, reduces boulders to dust.

in outer space

Thunderbird III, capable of flying into space if necessary, is tracked by huge radio scanners which can show not only where the craft is at any moment, but can also send highpowered signals back to earth.

top view of large green bomber aircraft leaving its hangar

nite-hawk TX5

Aerail view of the world's record-holding long-range bomber, leaving its enormous hangar. Its six massive "Saturn" engines produce enough energy to supply a large town.

3/4 upward view of Thunderbird 2 in its hangar looming over the conveyor belt moving the pods

on tracy island

Hidden from prying eyes, the rescue craft are quartered inside a mountain on a remote island somewhere in the Pacific. Deep inside the rock face, Thunderbird II prepares to load Pod 5 for another dangerous mission.

Brains and Virgil Tracy in the control room of a vehicle, one of the occupants is slumped over a control console, Virgil is checking the pulse of another stretched out on the floor

"doctor" gordon

International Rescue organization to the rescue again! Averting disaster aboard giant passenger plane. Gordon and Brains take over the controls and administer first aid.

black and white oil tanker in the middle of the ocean

atlantis

About to begin its maiden voyage, the 150,000 ton oil tanker cruises at 50 knots per hour. In the interest of safety, the hull is constructed in three separate sections. With a touch of a button, the captain can isolate each component.

Jeff Tracy and lady Penelope sitting in lounge chairs having a drink

off duty

The magnificent modern villa of Jeff Tracy is an elaborate "front" for the H.Q of International Rescue.

a yellow airborne vehicle floating against a jungle background

U.N. patrol

The United Nations rotary jet is widely used in jungle and swamp areas. Beneath the main section powerful hover jets support the craft over swampland or water, enabling rescuers to operate succesfully in difficult conditions.

S.O.S... S.O.S.

A blazing inferno is all that remains of the oil rig, Seascape. S.O.S. S.O.S. S.O.S. But all drillers have been saved by International Rescue.

Brains behind a huge video camera in the Tracy villa living room

the cameraman

Brains focusing the closed circuit television camera for relaying hyper-space video pictures.

a yellow multi-wheeled vehicle with two huge grabbing arms at the front

the pulverizer

Heavy road-making equipment which incorporates twin hydraulic "Crab" grabs for removing heavy obstacles. Sent into action by International Rescue whenever landslides or earthquakes occur.

a sleek red sportscar with a vertical fin speeding down the road

superfast

Red Devil is Alan Tracy's racing car powered by dyno-fan jet-propelled engine giving a topspeed of 650 MPH. The design includes a high rear stabilizing fan necessary for safety at these high speeds.

a red, white and blue airborne vehicle flying in front of an aircraft carrier

the wasp

W.A.S.P. World Aquanaut Security Patrol monojet lands aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier, "John F. Kennedy", of the World Navy

Virgil Tracy at the wheel in Thunderbird 2's cockpit, Brains sitting left of him

on test

Brains, brilliant designer of the wonder machines used by Internation Rescue organization, co-pilots Gordon on important test flight of prototype rescue craft.

1966 Somportex trading cards

wrapper images sourced from the Catawiki website