The Merchandise GuideMuseum of Brands Thunderbirds Space 1999
Compiled by Martin Willey
The Merchandise GuideThe Museum of Brands is London museum focussed on consumer packaging and design. It was based on the collection of Robert Opie, who created the Museum of Advertising and Packaging in Gloucester from 1984-2001; this museum opened in Notting Hill in 2005. The permanent exhibition is the "time tunnel", a winding corridor with packaging from the Victorian era to the present day.
From 13 September 2025 to 28 February 2026, the Museum had a temporary exhibition "Thunderbirds and Space: 1999 - A Celebration of Sci-fi Toys and Collectables". It celebrated 60 years since Thunderbirds was first broadcast, and 50 years after Space: 1999. It was organised by Anderson Entertainment and designer Malcolm Garrett MBE, and features over 300 items from private collectors.
Exterior of the museum, in Notting Hill, London.
The shop had a range of Anderson Entertainment merchandise including the Moonbase Alpha Technical Manual, the Comic Anthology, The Armageddon Engine by James Swallow, the Super Space Theatre Blu-ray and the Pallet die-cast Eagle
The first room had a screening area, with Graham Bleathman art on the walls (the Alpha art was from Fanderson's FAB annual 2025). On the other side were the main Space 1999 and UFO cases. The film lasted about 21 minutes in a loop, all of which seems to be from Anderson Entertainment YouTube documentaries.
Behind the seats is the 3D-printed Eagle hangar display by Richard Ashton.
On the opposite wall are the Space: 1999 and UFO cabinets.
The Supermarionation shows are in the main room, in cabinets along two walls. There are also cabinets by the entrance; the other wall is mostly non-Anderson (packaging for toilet cleaner, toothpaste, chicken stuffing, hair gel and so on). In the centre are a Thunderbird 3 replica by Dave Jones (for sale), a replica puppet owned by Shane Rimmer, and a vintage fairground Supercar.
Contents copyright Martin Willey
Space: 1999 copyright ITV Studios Global Entertainment