Who were Thunderbirds Tracy brothers Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon and John named after?

The Tracy brothers from the popular TV show Thunderbirds were named after the Mercury Seven astronauts, who were the first group of American astronauts selected by NASA in 1959. The Mercury Seven astronauts were Scott Carpenter, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Alan Shepard, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, and Walter Schirra. The creators of Thunderbirds, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, were inspired by the bravery and pioneering spirit of these real-life astronauts and decided to name the characters after them.

Scott Tracy, the leader of the Thunderbirds team, was named after Scott Carpenter, who was the second American to orbit the Earth. Virgil Tracy, the team's resident artist and engineer, was named after Virgil "Gus" Grissom, who was the second American in space. Alan Tracy, the youngest of the Tracy brothers and the pilot of Thunderbird 3, was named after Alan Shepard, who was the first American in space. Gordon Tracy, the aquanaut of the team, was named after Gordon Cooper, who was the last American to fly in space alone. John Tracy, the communications expert, was named after John Glenn, who was the first American to orbit the Earth.

The Thunderbirds TV show first aired in 1965 and quickly became a cult classic, known for its innovative use of marionette puppetry and its exciting storylines featuring the Tracy brothers and their futuristic vehicles. The show has since spawned multiple spin-offs, movies, and a dedicated fan base that continues to celebrate the legacy of the Thunderbirds franchise.

If you want to learn more about the Mercury Seven astronauts or the history of the Thunderbirds TV show, you can visit the following websites for more information:

• NASA - The Mercury Seven
• Thunderbirds Official Website

So next time you watch an episode of Thunderbirds, remember the real-life heroes that inspired the Tracy brothers and their daring missions to save the world!

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