0.56 "Astronaut (uncredited)" is John Levene probably most famous for a run on Dr Who as Sergeant Benton i the John Pertwee era. 0.50 Astronaut credited as John Levene is unknown
Addressing the "why one missile?" question that always comes up. If you watch the interception sequences from the beginning, when SID picks the target up, speed is often quoted as something like "SOL decimal 8". That's 0.8% of the speed of light, which doesn't sound like much but it's still 240000Km per second. The interceptors are using much lower earth-based tech (the aliens are always referred to as being way more technically advanced, they are, after all, crossing interstellar space to get here). The missiles are nuclear warheads and most of the actual missile launches are computer-controlled. In short, the target is going very fast, Moonbase computers calculate whereabouts they will be in a given timeframe and puts a big nuclear detonation in their way. Much like shooting birds in flight with a shotgun. The interceptors only get one shot. If they miss, they just don't have time to reacquire and fire again. The UFO then has to slow to enter Earth's atmosphere and then it becomes Skydiver/ Sky 1's problem. This is why SHADO operates a multi-layer defence system.
Thanks for a very comprehensive answer. But why so much lycra? I would have thought given the susceptibility of sensitive 70's electronics, the risk of static interfering with some of this equipment would be a significant risk to mission success. Personally i still believe the one shot interceptor was a serious design flaw and was never replicated in future attack aircraft.
Interstellar space? I've just binge watched this, great sci fi. But a one billion mile journey was mentioned, and a four month wait for pictures to be beamed back from the alien world. That's within the solar system. Saturn or more likely the moon Titan, with its methane seas and atmosphere. We never see the aliens but it's posited that they may not be like us at all, possibly not corporeal. NASA are now considering the possibility of life on Titan. A probe will be sent out by 2036. Wonder if that's what the writers were thinking? Titans nature was being predicted in the 1970s.
@@rodduncanproductions7407 thank you too. It was the same for me, I'm 62 so, I was at the right age to appreciate UFO for the great series it was, also exciting as it was the first fully live action series from Gerry Anderson. Luckily I grew up in an area of the UK where all of the Anderson series were shown including; Joe 90 and Secret Service, I felt that UFO was adult and serious in content, and as I said, I was at an age at the time to enjoy that part of it. I collected the bubble gum cards (I had a full set), and had all the models from the series, unfortunately these were later lost due to a burglary that I had years later. I have the DVD sets of the series which I watch throughout about once a year.
Yes! Steven Berkoff played ‘Captain Steve Minto’ in 4 episodes. Aside from being a brilliant theater maker, Berkoff had a prolific TV career, starting with a role in the episode "Toys of the Dead" of the 1959 series ‘The Third Man’. In 1994, he would have a guest appearance in another Gerry Anderson creation, ‘Space Precinct’, as ‘Dr. Paul Jorry’.
Aside from the main cast’s pilots, there were at least 15 guest actors who played ‘pilot’ or ‘astronaut’ throughout the series. Gary Myers (Capt. Lew Waterman) was the only actor to play both an interceptor pilot and later, promoted to captain, the commanding officer of Skydiver and pilot of Sky One.
@@rodduncanproductions7407 Thanks for that.. I liked Peter Carlin in Sky 1, but I don't think he ever piloted an interceptor? Can't remember if Foster ever piloted an interceptor either? I remember him being on Moonbase..
You are correct: Col. Foster (Billington) and Capt. Carlin (Gordeno) never flew as interceptor pilots, since this was mostly a ‘Lieutenant’ rank position.
I never understood why the interceptors had an aircraft tail-fin, as there's no air in space. I suppose it could be a radar or antenna though. Still a very cool looking vehicle, though you'd think they'd have more than one missile! I had the Dinky die-cast version when I was a kid, but for some reason they painted it bright green. They did the same with the Eagle Transporter too. (Though the nuclear waste transporter was white). I wish I'd bought the Product Enterprise model set of the Interceptor and UFO when they were available (along with SkyDiver and the SHADO Mobiles... heck I wish I'd bought all the Anderson vehicles) but I just didn't have the disposable income back then. They go for silly money now. I do have the Eagle Transporter though.
@@rodduncanproductions7407 I later noticed the small Century 21 credits at the end of your vid say "astronaut was played by Levene", so who is the astronaut shown before Levene in your video? lol Anyhow, your UFO videos are lovely and fun! ;D
Actually, entering their interceptor crafts by sliding down tubes was perhaps an allusion to Andersons' previous marionettes series ‘Thunderbirds’, which had the characters reaching their craft in similar fashion since it was difficult getting the puppets into a cockpit easily and in a natural way.
I shot one of my teachers at primary school with the interceptor missile (circa 1972) by mistake when I was 4. Luckily all ok and no punishment!!! Great toy and very tough, just a shame I don't have any of my old toys (TB2, Stingray, SHADO truck and interceptor etc.). Such fun times to be a kid.
I can see why the made the camera angle of the pilots more acute because @0.22 you can see the reflection of the left-hand pilot on the top of the chute having come to a standstill. Being the smallest of the trio I doubt it was because he'd got stuck - more likely he'd reached the end of the prop
True that! Captain Lew Waterman (Gary Myers) was initially an interceptor pilot on the Moon (astronaut); he is later promoted to captain, and replaces Peter Carlin (Peter Gordeno) as commanding officer of Skydiver and pilot of Sky One (aquanaut).
@rodduncanproductions7407 no one could replace Peter Godenho (his birth name) later changed to Gordeno for the acting credits. amazing guy, trained as a dancer and as he put it, occasional actor. always love Captain Peter Carlin💖
Derren Nesbitt mancante, missione senza ritorno, 2° episodio 2° serie (Craig Collins pilot module) TV SERIES accreditate : -the danger man - il santo - Doctor Who - the prisoner by Patrick Mc Ghoann And films (Wikipedia)
Totally agree! But I guess it was all about simplistic plot devices that would keep the action moving: if Moonbase were to be 100% effective, not much storytelling would be left to show…
Yes, UFO is a 1970 British 26-episode science fiction TV series about the ongoing covert efforts of a government defense organization to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Thanks for watching!
Memories. Miss this show and that time period.
0.56 "Astronaut (uncredited)" is John Levene probably most famous for a run on Dr Who as Sergeant Benton i the John Pertwee era. 0.50 Astronaut credited as John Levene is unknown
Astronaut credited as John Levine looks like David warbeck.
Addressing the "why one missile?" question that always comes up. If you watch the interception sequences from the beginning, when SID picks the target up, speed is often quoted as something like "SOL decimal 8". That's 0.8% of the speed of light, which doesn't sound like much but it's still 240000Km per second. The interceptors are using much lower earth-based tech (the aliens are always referred to as being way more technically advanced, they are, after all, crossing interstellar space to get here). The missiles are nuclear warheads and most of the actual missile launches are computer-controlled. In short, the target is going very fast, Moonbase computers calculate whereabouts they will be in a given timeframe and puts a big nuclear detonation in their way. Much like shooting birds in flight with a shotgun.
The interceptors only get one shot. If they miss, they just don't have time to reacquire and fire again. The UFO then has to slow to enter Earth's atmosphere and then it becomes Skydiver/ Sky 1's problem.
This is why SHADO operates a multi-layer defence system.
Thanks for a very comprehensive answer. But why so much lycra? I would have thought given the susceptibility of sensitive 70's electronics, the risk of static interfering with some of this equipment would be a significant risk to mission success. Personally i still believe the one shot interceptor was a serious design flaw and was never replicated in future attack aircraft.
Interstellar space? I've just binge watched this, great sci fi.
But a one billion mile journey was mentioned, and a four month wait for pictures to be beamed back from the alien world. That's within the solar system. Saturn or more likely the moon Titan, with its methane seas and atmosphere. We never see the aliens but it's posited that they may not be like us at all, possibly not corporeal.
NASA are now considering the possibility of life on Titan. A probe will be sent out by 2036.
Wonder if that's what the writers were thinking? Titans nature was being predicted in the 1970s.
Captain Stryker, is that you?
Thank you. All great actors.
Glad you enjoyed it
Oh man, after 54 years it still rocks today💖💖💖
Great content, thanks for posting this. UFO was such a great series.
Glad you enjoyed it! UFO was impressive in my childhood.
@@rodduncanproductions7407 thank you too.
It was the same for me, I'm 62 so, I was at the right age to appreciate UFO for the great series it was, also exciting as it was the first fully live action series from Gerry Anderson. Luckily I grew up in an area of the UK where all of the Anderson series were shown including; Joe 90 and Secret Service, I felt that UFO was adult and serious in content, and as I said, I was at an age at the time to enjoy that part of it. I collected the bubble gum cards (I had a full set), and had all the models from the series, unfortunately these were later lost due to a burglary that I had years later. I have the DVD sets of the series which I watch throughout about once a year.
Nice video.brings back alot of memories thank you
@0.32 It's that Goldilocks' moment for Lt. Ellis - One was a little too big - the other too small - but the one in the middle was just right
Excelente video
And for those of you who thinks Gary Myers looks familiar, it's because he was also famous for being (the best) Milk Tray Man.
Hah - thought so!
Steven Berkoff ?!
Yes! Steven Berkoff played ‘Captain Steve Minto’ in 4 episodes.
Aside from being a brilliant theater maker, Berkoff had a prolific TV career, starting with a role in the episode "Toys of the Dead" of the 1959 series ‘The Third Man’.
In 1994, he would have a guest appearance in another Gerry Anderson creation, ‘Space Precinct’, as ‘Dr. Paul Jorry’.
@@rodduncanproductions7407 He also played General Orloff in the James Bond film Octopussy.
Nice compilation. Never realised that there were so many different pilots?
Aside from the main cast’s pilots, there were at least 15 guest actors who played ‘pilot’ or ‘astronaut’ throughout the series. Gary Myers (Capt. Lew Waterman) was the only actor to play both an interceptor pilot and later, promoted to captain, the commanding officer of Skydiver and pilot of Sky One.
@@rodduncanproductions7407 Thanks for that.. I liked Peter Carlin in Sky 1, but I don't think he ever piloted an interceptor? Can't remember if Foster ever piloted an interceptor either? I remember him being on Moonbase..
You are correct: Col. Foster (Billington) and Capt. Carlin (Gordeno) never flew as interceptor pilots, since this was mostly a ‘Lieutenant’ rank position.
A DAMB GOOD TV SHOW for its time.
True that! Thanks for watching!
I never understood why the interceptors had an aircraft tail-fin, as there's no air in space. I suppose it could be a radar or antenna though. Still a very cool looking vehicle, though you'd think they'd have more than one missile!
I had the Dinky die-cast version when I was a kid, but for some reason they painted it bright green. They did the same with the Eagle Transporter too. (Though the nuclear waste transporter was white).
I wish I'd bought the Product Enterprise model set of the Interceptor and UFO when they were available (along with SkyDiver and the SHADO Mobiles... heck I wish I'd bought all the Anderson vehicles) but I just didn't have the disposable income back then. They go for silly money now. I do have the Eagle Transporter though.
German u-boots had more torpedoes, still love the serie
I can't understand why the UFOs always flew trillions of miles just to go past the moon and get shot down.
same reason why it even has an aerodynamical shape: looks cool
maybe they can even reenter earth atmosphere in emergencies?
The uncredited astronaut looks very much like the chap that used to play Sergeant Benton in Dr Who. IMDB says his name is John Levene. 🚀
You are absolutely correct! Levene played this uncredited part in the UFO episode “Close Up”, aired on December 16, 1970.
@@rodduncanproductions7407
I later noticed the small Century 21 credits at the end of your vid say "astronaut was played by Levene", so who is the astronaut shown before Levene in your video? lol Anyhow, your UFO videos are lovely and fun! ;D
I wonder how the chute led to the cockpit.
One of those Anderson mysteries, like how do you get from TB2's cockpit in the pod...
Actually, entering their interceptor crafts by sliding down tubes was perhaps an allusion to Andersons' previous marionettes series ‘Thunderbirds’, which had the characters reaching their craft in similar fashion since it was difficult getting the puppets into a cockpit easily and in a natural way.
As their 'hangers' were underground, chutes from moonbase to the interceptors cockpits would probably allow access. Just a thought. 😉
would have loved to see the blooper reel where the pilots take the chute and land on a mattress on the other end🤣💖
I shot one of my teachers at primary school with the interceptor missile (circa 1972) by mistake when I was 4. Luckily all ok and no punishment!!! Great toy and very tough, just a shame I don't have any of my old toys (TB2, Stingray, SHADO truck and interceptor etc.). Such fun times to be a kid.
🤣
I can see why the made the camera angle of the pilots more acute because @0.22 you can see the reflection of the left-hand pilot on the top of the chute having come to a standstill.
Being the smallest of the trio I doubt it was because he'd got stuck - more likely he'd reached the end of the prop
Captain Waterman is a aquanaut
True that! Captain Lew Waterman (Gary Myers) was initially an interceptor pilot on the Moon (astronaut); he is later promoted to captain, and replaces Peter Carlin (Peter Gordeno) as commanding officer of Skydiver and pilot of Sky One (aquanaut).
@rodduncanproductions7407 no one could replace Peter Godenho (his birth name) later changed to Gordeno for the acting credits. amazing guy, trained as a dancer and as he put it, occasional actor. always love Captain Peter Carlin💖
Derren Nesbitt mancante, missione senza ritorno, 2° episodio 2° serie
(Craig Collins pilot module)
TV SERIES accreditate :
-the danger man
- il santo
- Doctor Who
- the prisoner by Patrick Mc Ghoann
And films (Wikipedia)
Ok
This doesn't explain how ineffective the Moonbase Interceptors were and why.
Totally agree! But I guess it was all about simplistic plot devices that would keep the action moving: if Moonbase were to be 100% effective, not much storytelling would be left to show…
We saw but a small percentage ot the interceptors interceptions. Though unseen, the larger percentage was doubtlessly more successful. 🤭
🤗👍🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
Never heard of it.....must be British. The background music is SOOO cheesy.
Yes, UFO is a 1970 British 26-episode science fiction TV series about the ongoing covert efforts of a government defense organization to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Thanks for watching!