Z is for Zero-X

Zero-X is the first manned spacecraft to land on Mars. It uses two separate lifting bodies as wings whilst in the Earth's atmosphere, allowing the craft to take off and land from a runway like a conventional aircraft. One in the upper atmosphere, these detach and return to Earth, as the ship heads off.

The Martian Exploration Vehicle (MEV) at the front of the craft is the ship's main control centre, which detaches on arrival at Mars, leaving the main body (and one astronaut) in orbit. The MEV then lands, using extendable caterpillar tracks to travel on the rocky surface.

The Zero-X appeared in two Gerry Anderson productions - the 1966 film Thunderbirds Are Go and the 1967 TV series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.

"Zero X launch" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zero_X_launch.jpg#/media/File:Zero_X_launch.jpg

T is for Thunderbird 3

Thunderbird 3 is International Rescue's single stage to orbit (SSTO) space vehicle, which is designed for space rescue, and also for maintaining the systems and crew of the space station (Thunderbird 5). The ship is is 87m long, with a 7m wide body and a 24m span (including engines). It uses chemical rockets for lift-off and boost, an ion drive for propulsion while in space and chemical retro rockets for reverse thrust in space. It could travel from Earth to within range of the Sun in 65 hours.

Thunderbirds was created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, and produced between 1964 and 1966 using marionette puppetry and scale-model effects. Two series of 50-minute TV episodes were filmed. A reimagined CGI series entitled 'Thunderbirds Are Go' has recently aired in 2015, giving us a further 26 20-minute episodes, and a second series is to follow. (Note: in the new series, the three protruding buttresses on Thunderbird 3 can fold out into grappling arms, which can be used to grab onto things in space. Useful! )

I is for Interceptors

The Interceptors form the first line of defence against alien attack towards the Earth. Operating in groups of three and launched from SHADO's Moonbase, these single-pilot interceptors attempt to destroy the alien craft using large nuclear missiles fired from the spacecraft's nose. You only get one shot - so make it count!

UFO was created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson, with Reg Hill. It was the Andersons' first totally live-action TV series, released in 1970, and their first aimed at a more adult market. Sadly, it lasted only one season.

F is for Fireball XL5

The World Space Patrol has a fleet of at least 30 separate patrol ships in this class (an XL30 is referred to one episode), however it is Fireball XL5 that we're most familiar with. When taking off from Earth, the ship uses a mile-long launch rail to build up velocity. It separates from its rocket boosters just as the rail ends with a 40-degree incline, or sky ramp, sending the ship skyward. When arriving at its destination, the main part of the ship remains in orbit, with the winged nose cone (known as Fireball Junior) landing on the planet.

Set in the year 2062, Fireball XL5 was produced in 1962 by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. A black and white TV series, it ran for one season.

Note: initial development of this new show was under the name 'Nova X 100'. Before filming started the name was changed by Anderson, based this time on a popular brand of motor oil — Castrol XL. A change in phonetics created the name 'Fireball XL', with a '5' added for good measure as the name 'seemed a little flat without the numeral'.

E is for Eagle Transporter

Eagle Transporters are modular in design, with various different types of centre section available according to mission requirements (for example, passenger transport, freight, or rescue). Although these ships were never designed for use as a military craft, Eagles used at Moonbase Alpha have been retro-fitted with laser emitters as standard equipment as well as an arsenal of missiles.

These ships are from Space: 1999, the last TV production by the partnership of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The show ran for two seasons between 1975 to 1977.

Stand By For Action!

This blog post has been mulling around in my head for several weeks; in fact, all the way through my recent series of Advent posts. Which is rather appropriate, really.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that Advent was a time of getting yourself ready for Jesus. Either preparing to celebrate his birth - or acknowledging his redeeming work in your life and preparing for what comes next. It was a timely reminder to keep myself focussed. To keep on my toes. And to stand by...

When thinking about "standing by", the phrase that readily springs to my mind is the opening words to Gerry Anderson's classic SF series, Stingray. The words of Commander Sam Shore ring in my ears...

"Stand By For Action!"

(cue drums)

The show featured the work of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol, and in particular the adventures of Captain Troy Tempest and the crew of the submarine Stingray. I loved this show when I was growing up, and have encouraged my kids to enjoy it too.

But those classic words neatly summarise what God is telling me, in His own way, right now.

Because there's a lot of difference between lots of continual, frantic activity - and keeping yourself ready, standing by for action. I'm quite good at the former; perhaps too good. In fact, on occasion, I've done a little too much. However, I now understand that what I need to do is be more like Troy. Ready for action. Allowing yourself to stand ready is often more useful that just "keeping busy". I've got to remember not to fill up my diary with unending tasks, but to keep it open, and stand by, waiting on God...

And as for "waiting"... I have mentioned in this blog previously about the Hebrew word "קוה" (qavah), which is usually translated in scripture as "wait".

Literally the word means to "gather together" or "bind together", like multiple strands which are drawn together to form a strong rope. No one strand does all the work. The strength comes from combining with others.

Looking back today as part of our worship meeting this morning - looking at my busy 2014 diary - I was gobsmacked at all the different types of activities I had been involved in during the year. And God quietly told me that these were all different coloured strands in my life. Different ministries; working alongside a whole variety of different people. Strands that come together to form a rope... a beautiful, rainbow-coloured rope, ready for use.

With Jesus right in the centre.

I just have to make myself ready. Stand ready. Stay ready.

Wow.

I am so fired up now for 2015. And I am standing ready... how can I be of use for Him in the New Year?

Stand By For Action!

Paving The Way

Isaiah 45: 1-7 (MSG)
God's Message to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand
To give the task of taming the nations, of terrifying their kings—
He gave him free rein, no restrictions:

"I'll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road.
I'll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.
I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables.
Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
It’s because of my dear servant Jacob, Israel my chosen,
That I've singled you out, called you by name, and given you this privileged work.
And you don’t even know me!

I am God, the only God there is. Besides me there are no real gods.
I’m the one who armed you for this work, though you don’t even know me,
So that everyone, from east to west, will know that I have no god-rivals.

I am God, the only God there is.
I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords.
I, God, do all these things."

A magnificent passage, one that really leapt out at me when I stumbled across it the other day. I really got the feeling of power. I pictured the Almighty as a great, unstoppable force - powerful, letting neither mountains or trees get in His way.

My mind went back to my childhood - to episodes of that classic series 'Thunderbirds' where mighty

machines tore across the landscape. One of these was a giant road making machine which quickly dealt with rocks and foliage as it passed over them, leaving in its wake a paved highway right behind it (Gerry Anderson fans should check out the episodes "End of the Road" and "Atlantic Inferno" to see it in action).

The imagery conveys the message powerfully - whether the problem be a natural barrier or man-made 'gates of brass' - the result is still the same.  God knows where the one thing you are looking for is to be found and can lead you right there.It might not be anything that you haven't heard of, yet. But my Father in heaven knows about it. And can lead you right there.

And do I really know Him? I hope so. I really want to...

Rest In Peace, Gerry

I've just heard about the passing of Gerry Anderson, the creator of so many of the TV shows that helped define me as a youngster. Stingray. Thunderbirds. Joe 90. UFO. Space: 1999.
Gerry died earlier today, aged 83. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

In The Nick Of Time

As a person brought up with role models from popular culture, I know all about snatching victory from defeat at the very last second. All my heroes did it, in 'cliffhanger' endings in my favourite shows! There were the Tracy brothers from International Rescue; Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise. All doing their stuff, just in the nick of time.

Arriving at the 'nick of time' (at the last propitious moment) is an interesting phrase. Before the 16th century you used to refer to something or someone coming at 'pudding time', a savoury dish served first at medieval mealtimes. If you arrived at pudding time, it was just in time to eat. In Tudor times, when puddings were usually sweet dishes served at the end of a meal, this became 'in the nick', the nick in question referring to a notch or small cut on a 'tally stick', a reference to pin-point precision.

Why share this? Because of a really scary incident of a last-minute reprieve yesterday. Something happened during the day, a personal matter that threatened to scupper my evening plans. A really big deal. So many prayers were said during the course of the day; my wife was wonderful, running around on my behalf to resolve the issue, as I sat in the office at work.

And, yes, those prayers were answered, but literally only 'in the nick of time'. Yesterday's plans went ahead, business as usual. However, it's one thing to watch this sort of thing happening as entertainment, it makes for good viewing. When it happens to you personally, I find it most disconcerting!

I woke up this morning tired, head thumping from what I fear was the onset of a cold, and mind still reeling from the possibilities of what might have been. I like to plan my days, cramming them perhaps too full, but planning as best I can, so that I can more easily deal with those little 'bumps in the road' that come along from time to time. Yesterday evening's bump was a real mountain - and I only just avoided it!

Saved - in the nick of time!

Deep Joy

Ever heard of Professor Stanley Unwin? A comedian and writer, he invented his own bizarre language of "Unwinese". A regular sight on British TV in the Sixties, he appeared in films like 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and even in a little-known Gerry Anderson TV series called 'The Secret Service', speaking his own particular brand of gobbledygook You can find out more about him here.

One phrase that's particularly associated with Unwin is the words 'deep joy'. The words are emotive, capturing a feeling of lasting contentment. That sums up exactly what I've been looking for. The sort of satisfaction that doesn't slip through my fingers before you know it. A lasting assurance that I'm precisely where I need to be.

It came up to the top of the to-do pile yesterday when the following quotation was shared with me - this sums up better than I can where I need to be in my christian walk. Here, the writer is talking on the subject of 'vocation':

‎"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet." — Frederick Buechner, from the book 'Wishful Thinking'.

Buechner concludes that God usually calls you to the kind of work
(a) that you need most to do and
(b) that the world most needs to have done.

I'm drawing out Venn diagrams even as we speak. Where these two aspects meet - that's where I need to be! Or is that gobbledygook to you?

U is for UFO

UFO was another series created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson's Century 21 Productions. However, the show was the first totally live-action TV series for the team, and was aimed at an adult audience. Some really heavy subjects covered here, and the show wasn't scheduled well by ITV so only one series ever got made. The sets and props for a proposed second 'UFO' series eventually became 'Space: 1999', which wasn't quite the same sort of show. Oh well...

F is for Fireball XL5

Fireball XL5 was a SF-themed children's television show produced in 1962 by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, using Supermarionation. Thirty-nine black and white half-hour episodes were made on 35mm film - it is doubtless the fact that this was the last Anderson series made in black & white that the show is rarely repeated. Its successor, Stingray, is still repeated regularly. Oh well - we may see Steve Zodiac, Venus and Robert the Robot again one day...

C is for Captain Scarlet

'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons' was created by Century 21 Productions (Gerry Anderson, John Read, Reg Hill and Sylvia Anderson) between 1967 and 1968, and followed on from the international success of Thunderbirds in 1964-66. Although essentially shot in Supermarionation (a puppet series), this show gives us more than we bargained for. 

Think about it - we have a classic tale of good versus evil, the 'white hats' versus the 'black hats'. The good guys were known as Spectrum - made up from people of all nationalities and colours. Their leader was Colonel White. The person in charge of the enemy forces was Captain Black, a Spectrum agent that had 'fallen from grace' and now led the fight against Spectrum. The main character in the show was a man who had essentially conquered death and could not be killed, and his colour was Scarlet (the colour of blood). And to cap it all, Spectrum had their base in the heavens, protected by their own air force, known as 'Angels'.