Fireball XL5

Above, Fireball XL5 on the Space City launcher.

Last night, I was in the mood to revisit an old television show I used to watch on Saturday mornings circa 1963: Fireball XL5.

A few years ago, I picked up the complete series DVD box set and would occasionally take it out and play some of the episodes.

Fireball XL5 is set in the future (2062-63) and was produced in 1962 by the husband and wife team of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson (Supercar, Thunderbirds, Space: 1999). Sylvia Anderson was the voice of XL5's doctor, Venus. Gerry Anderson was the voice of Robert the Robot.

The ship is piloted by Steve Zodiac and navigated and engineered by Professor Matthew Matic. It was based out in the South Pacific at Space City.

The series was filmed in "Supermarionation" (i.e., puppets). It did not purport to be scientifically accurate (the characters are able to do spacewalks sans space suits by taking oxygen pills) and it was aimed at children. It was filmed in black & white.

Even 47 years later, I still find the show entertaining. For more information, go here.