Related TV and FilmThe Day After Tomorrow: Into Infinity
Related TV and FilmThe UN shuttle design was inspired by Thunderbird 2 (from Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds). The model was 25" x 19" x 4" (63cm x 48cm x 10cm).
Below: The model as originally built, photographs by Martin Bower. This was before the "UN" markings had been added.
The shuttle only appears in 3 shots, the first an unusually shaky shot of the shuttle approaching space station Delta. When the Altares leaves Delta, we can see the shuttle still docked.
The model was part of the display at Space City in the late 1970s. Photographs below by Peter Rush, Robin Hill and David Hirsch. One of the four red stripes had been repainted grey.
The model was sold at auction in March 2024 for $13,750; it had lost the distinctive Thunderbirds tail wing, and the engine assemblies on the underside beneath the wing struts, and the refuelling arm on one side.
Copyright Martin Willey.