JETMOBILE from the 1962 TV Series ‘FIREBALL XL5’ created by Gerry Anderson

This Supermarionation TV show featured futuristic hover-bike like vehicles called Jetmobiles. The Fireball crew would use these planetary excursions where it would be considered too dangerous or too impractical to walk. This is a great bit of ‘world building’ borne out of a desire to minimise seeing the problematic ‘puppet walk’ which Gerry Anderson found so displeasing. The subsequent shows; Stingray, Thunderbirds and to a lesser extent Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons all had a version of a hover-bike or jet-pack to get around this problem, while adding to the cool-factor and still allowing for more direct action than just sitting in their car or spaceship.

The jetmobiles designed for Fireball XL5 are fabulous. They look futuristic, and yet have a familiarity as a sort of Vesper, Lambretta mo-ped.

If Airfix had make a kit it would be nice in 1/12th scale probably about 6 inches long with 6 inch Steve Zodiac. Airfix did a series of figure kits – and the fabulous Bentley Blower – in 1/12th. Silver or white plastic?

Designed by Reg Hill

Watch the video ‘What If… Fantasy Model Kits ‘#14’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4I93Uc1mHw&t=628s