The Impostors

"The Impostors" is an episode of Thunderbirds, a British Supermarionation television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and filmed by their production company AP Films (later Century 21 Productions) for ITC Entertainment. Written by Dennis Spooner and directed by Desmond Saunders, it was first broadcast on 13 January 1966 on ATV Midlands as the 16th episode of Series One. In the official running order, it is the 19th episode. Set in the 2060s, Thunderbirds follows the missions of International Rescue, a secret organisation which uses technologically-advanced rescue vehicles to save human life. The lead characters are ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy, founder of International Rescue, and his five adult sons, who pilot the organisation's main vehicles: the Thunderbird machines. In "The Impostors", International Rescue is framed for the theft of military aircraft plans and becomes the target of a worldwide manhunt. Grounded on Tracy Island, the organisation is faced with a dilemma when a mishap in orbit leaves an astronaut stranded in space, forcing the Tracys to choose between mounting a rescue and giving away their location, or maintaining cover and leaving the man to die. Meanwhile, field agents Lady Penelope and Parker track down the impostors who stole the plans. In 1967, Century 21 released an audio adaptation of "The Impostors" on EP record (International Rescue, catalogue number MA 120), featuring narration by series voice cast member Shane Rimmer as Scott Tracy. The episode had its first UK‑wide network broadcast on 17 January 1992 on BBC2. Plot At the Aeronautical Research Station, a member of International Rescue saves a man from a collapsed well. The pair depart in an aircraft marked as Thunderbird 2. Unknown to onlookers, the men are impostors and the rescue was a front for breaking into the facility and stealing the plans of the AL4, an experimental strategic fighter. Determined to bring International Rescue to justice, General Lambert instigates a worldwide manhunt for the organisation. Before long, military forces are scouring the globe by land, sea and air.