 Thunderbirds is a British science @-@ fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson , filmed by their production company AP Films ( APF ) and distributed by ITC Entertainment . It was produced between 1964 and 1966 using a form of electronic marionette puppetry ( dubbed " Supermarionation " ) combined with scale model special effects sequences . Two series were filmed , comprising a total of 32 episodes . Production ceased after Lew Grade , the Andersons ' financial backer , failed in his efforts to sell the programme to American network television . 
 Thunderbirds <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>a British science @-@ fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson , filmed by their production company AP Films ( APF ) and distributed by ITC Entertainment . It was produced between 1964 and 1966 using a form of electronic marionette puppetry ( dubbed " Supermarionation " ) combined with scale model special effects sequences . Two series <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> filmed , comprising a total of 32 episodes . Production ceased after Lew Grade , the Andersons <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'</mark></a>financial backer , failed in his efforts to sell the programme to American network television . 
Thunderbirds a British science @-@ fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson , filmed by their production company AP Films ( APF ) and distributed by ITC Entertainment . It was produced between 1964 and 1966 usin a form of electronic marionette puppetry ( dubbed " Supermarionation " ) combined witt scale model special effects sequences . Two series was filmed , comprising a total of 32 episodes . Production ceased after Lew Grade , da Andersons  financial backer , failed in his efforts to sell the programme to American network television .