Thunderbirds - The Characters

In this section we take a look at some of the models depicting the Thunderbirds characters. We also talk a little about the people they represent in the show.
To date, our favourite figure models are the Konami models of Lady Penelope and Parker.

Virgil Tracy - Vivid Imaginations Doll

Virgil Tracy, the pilot of Thunderbird 2. Virgil is the most active of the Tracy brothers. He's involved in virtually every mission. Whatever the danger, Virgil is usually in the thick of it. He operates many of the machines that he transports in Thunderbird 2 - such as the Mole and the Firefly.
This doll could have been a lot better - but it's by Vivid Imaginations. It has very few joints, and so is very limted in it's play value. The hat is not removable. He trots out a few phrases that don't sound much like Virgil saying them. The doll is constructed with cheapness in mind rather than quality. I don't know why Vivid Imaginations dolls are so inferior compared with other 'action figures' of this size.

Brains - Vivid Imaginations Doll

Brains is International Rescue's scientist and inventor. Not one of the Tracy boys, We never learn his real name. International Rescue is built on this man's ingenious inventions.
This is another Vivid Imaginations doll and has the same limitations, though he doesn't have a hat stuck on his head.

Virgil and Brains

Brains is helping Virgil to prepare for yet another dangerous rescue. Here you can see the International Rescue uniform. One odd feature is the gun and holster which is standard for the I.R. uniform. Why would a rescue organisation carry guns as a matter of course?
The equipment seen was supplied with the Virgil figure.

Lady Penelope Figurine

Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward is International Rescue's London agent. Penelope is possibly the best character in the Thunderbirds series. She stays super-cool in even the most dangerous situations (unless she sees a mouse). She has an arsenal of secret weapons that would make James Bond a little jealous. She also has a stately home and an ocean going yacht.
Lady Penelope was voiced by Sylvia Anderson.
This Lady Penelope figurine is approximately 6 inches tall and is a Carlton product.

Parker - Konami model

Parker is Lady Penelope's butler and chauffeur.
He's also an ex-convict and safe cracking is one of his skills.
This is a Konami model and is about five inches tall.
There's a link to other Konami models at the foot of this page.

The Hood

Every secret agent needs an evil bad guy to contend with. The Hood is the resident bad guy in Thunderbirds.
The Hood likes to collect important secrets so that he can sell them for a high price. He's set his sights on getting hold of the secrets of International Rescue's fantastic vehicles.
Just by chance he happens to have a half brother who works as a servant for Jeff Tracy. Although Kyrano is loyal beyond a shadow of doubt to I.R. he is under some kind of Voodoo spell that enables the Hood to sometimes control him.
This is another six inch Carlton figure featuring the Hood in his ceremonial outfit.

Tin Tin

Tin Tin is the daughter of Kyrano, the Tracy's servant. She is employed by Jeff Tracy as his personal secretary. She sometimes assists in rescue operations and acts as Brain's scientific assistant.
There is some love interest between Alan Tracy and Tin Tin, but it seems that Tin Tin keeps her options open.