estimated, Mr. Branley points out that there were more goodies stores in the company's ware-
house in Staining, near Blackpool. Joe has resisted many offers from the United States to
have various items absorbed into private collections and he valiantly staved off attempts to
have the whole exhibition shipped over to America en bloc ! It has been rumoured, though, that
the States are to get their own version of the exhibition from other props and models found
from other sources. Perhaps the fact that 300,000 people per season file through the Blackpool
exhibition has kept the show alive - that's going to be well over the million mark by the end
of 1980 - the fourth season of operation.

The 1980 season has started amidst stories that this MAY be the last year of the "City" show,
but Branley does not give any firm clues as to the future of the exhibition. He did have some
elaborate plans for this year, including hopes of having props from the abortive "Five-Star-
Five" project. This is obviously something that has not come about, but Branley would like to
  Ship Models  see a mock-up of the Tracy House and swimming
pool from "Thunderbirds", complete with the
Thunderbird One craft roaring into view in a
full reproduction of the famous launch set.
Branley blames the fact that there aren't any
Anderson shows being repeated here at the
moment for a possible lack of interest by the
general public. The main show that was being
shown until recently ("Space 1999") features
prominently as a result, though I understand
that more 'Supermarionation' items would be
available if it was decided that it was
necessary. So plans to have 'live' special
effects taking place will have to wait until
the future is more secure. One good sign was
that takings at the beginning of 1980 were
better than the comparable time last year.
So we will begin our conducted tour of the "Space City" as we board the escalator that takes
us up from ground level to the sounds of an enthusiastic countdown into the world of Century
21. The care and effort taken by Joe Branley and his staff is apparent from the outset. The
first person to greet you is 'Brian the Brain', a robot creation from an episode of "Space
1999". Brian sits in a simulated computer annex and moves across the floor as he speaks an
introduction. The setting has been created from "1999" sets, and is quite impressive with the
usual array of flashing lights and dials.

We move on into the exhibition proper, past artwork detailing the latest Anderson creation in
the 'StarCruiser', until we meet a life-sized model of the one-eyed Cyclops, again from "1999".
It's then on to another recent development - the sets from the "Alien Attack" commerical for
Jif, filmed in 'Supermarionation'. Two sets are on show, one detailing the lunar landscape
and the 'Jiffs' being launched from their silos, and the other showing the control room with
  Set for Alien Attack commercial for Jif  the Professor, Man and Woman figures in their
positions. The Professor and Woman puppets are
not the originals, the ones with electronic
heads, as these were stolen from the display
in 1978.

The walls at this point are covered with huge
montages of photographs from the various
Anderson shows, including publicity material
handed out to the networks. We then move on
to a wall cabinet containing pre-production
paintings and actual props - all from "1999".
Keith Wilson, Mike Ford and Emma Porteous were
responsible for these, quite literally, works
of art.

A large tableau opposite shows a control
centre, presumably on Moonbase Alpha, with a
scene depicting a full-size "1999" moon-buggy and astronaut. The set is flanked by two
rotating cylinders which reveal full-size figures of various characters from "1999", including
the Christopher Lee alien character, all in original costume.

The next corner houses a particular favourite - two cases containing original puppets and also
craft from a number of productions, really outstanding are Captain Scarlet and Parker - so
well made as to be almost alive. What I'd give for that Captain Scarlet ! Adjoining is a case
of models - Thunderbirds 1 & 4, Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray (the original - loaned by 		   




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