Could Thunderbirds really fly?
TALES of their daring rescue missions have captivated generations of youngsters, but now a leading academic is seeing if Thunderbirds holds up to scientific scrutiny. Dr Phillip Atcliffe, from Salford University, has been analysing the iconic space vehicles from the 1970s show to see if their designs could have worked in the real world.
Dr Phillip Atcliffe, from Salford University, has been analysing the iconic space vehicles from the 1970s show to see if their designs could have worked in the real world.
The aerospace engineer has assessed the vehicles for practicality and space and airworthiness.
And he's done it all in the hope that his work will help to encourage others to share his interest in science and technology.
"It's all about having fun with engineering for me," said Dr Atcliffe, who is based in the university's school of computing, science and engineering.
"I grew up with these TV series and I know they helped many people take an interest, and even go on to work, in engineering and science.
"What I'm doing is taking that to the next level and providing a way in which ordinary people can gain an understanding of how aircraft and spaceships work.
"While some of the features of the machines on TV or in films are dreadful from an engineering standpoint, others are very far-sighted - often in the same craft."
Dr Atcliffe allows fans of series like Thunderbirds, Stingray and Star Trek to post him scientific questions on e-forums.
He has spoken at schools and science fiction conventions. And he has even helped with official Thunderbirds books and artwork.
Of the five Thunderbirds vehicles he has considered, he says there is one that appears to strike a particular chord with viewers.
"The most common question I get asked is would Thunderbird 2 actually fly?" he said.
Anything can fly
"The answer is yes, because anything can fly. The question is would it fly well? Could it really do its job? And what is that job anyway? That's when it gets interesting."
According to Dr Atcliffe, Thunderbird 2 would use body lift to keep itself up at high speeds. He believes it could be improved with better streamlining to prevent temperature problems and suggests the wings are actually of dubious value.
However he admits that when it comes to the design of science-fiction vehicles, there may be other factors - as well as the science - that are important.
"There's a lot of history in these vehicles - fashions and influences from the times and the state of the art in design and engineering when they were created - and yet they manage to look remarkably futuristic, even 40 years later," said Dr Atcliffe.
"But overall, it's important to remember what a member of one forum said were the three key things about designing a vehicle for TV - it must look cool, look a bit like it might work, and look very cool."
Dr Atcliffe's verdict on the various machines:
Thunderbird 1: The ultimate aerial hot-rod. Nothing can go much faster and stay in the atmosphere - assuming it doesn`t melt itself. The model is rather too short and stubby for what it's supposed to do, and has too many lumps and bumps. I'm also not sure it really needs those wings.
Thunderbird 2: The Big Green Beast. Will use body lift to keep itself up at high speeds, so again those little wings are of dubious value. Could do with some better streamlining, lest it too have temperature problems. Not very aerodynamic once it's dropped the pod.
Thunderbird 3: It's a rocket, and a kind of visual pun on the number 3. Will have problems if an engine is damaged. Not much else to say, though I'm still trying to work out what it uses for roll control.
Thunderbird 4: The Floating Ford Capri van. Not very streamlined. Keep it underwater because it'll be instant seasickness on the surface. Could also do with more visible means of control.
Thunderbird 5: Big space station with loads of communications gear. Probably need a couple of others, presumably unmanned, to listen to the entire world. Would appear to have artificial gravity, which none of the others do, so the generator must be quite big and bulky.