sonic screwdriver Dr who

:eek

That's... incredible. :lol

I don't know what to say. Where's Greatwazoo42? :D

All I can say is the timeline is right... "Thunderbirds are Go" was 1966, the sonic screwdriver made its first appearance in the Doctor Who serial "Fury from the Deep" in 1968. I haven't seen that serial tho so I don't know if the screwdriver in that episode looks like the same prop.

But that "Thunderbirds" tool looks SO MUCH EXACTLY like the sonic screwdriver, I think there are only two possibilities:

1) the prop was custom made for Thunderbirds and Doctor Who "inherited" it, or

2) the prop is a found object of some kind and both productions used it. (if it really does function as a screwdriver, could it be some kind of ratchet tool with interchangable bits...?)

In any case, FANTASTIC discovery, Jim. :D

Note especially the red markings on the grip ring... we were wondering if those were accurate or not... :lol

SS_in_ThunderbirdsAreGoVSdw.jpg


- k
 
Originally posted by phase pistol@Apr 18 2006, 09:44 AM
2) the prop is a found object of some kind and both productions used it. (if it really does function as a screwdriver, could it be some kind of ratchet tool with interchangable  bits...?)
[snapback]1228330[/snapback]​
Click to expand...
After watching Thunderbirds last night (this part over and over) I really think that this may have been an off the shelf ratchet tool with interchangeable bits, it just works exactly like one in the film, perhaps it was some Ronco-like novelty tool that could be bought in stores like the kind of stuff you find on end of the register isle during the holiday shopping season.

Jim
 
The theory of it being a store bought item that was slightly modded for use on the show is a vaild theory and one that I have supported for many many years. That also supports my thoery I have held that the Base of the prop is the same and only certain little things have changed over time. Plus it would fit right in with the low budget of the BBC.. The big issue now is finding one. I will say this... if we should find one, I will sign on as the HMFIC of replicating it for the board as long as I can get one myself to fully dimension out.

Rob
 
definitely not the same thing...but on the right track? (especially the bottom one?)....

...am i the only one who thinks that this is right up there with the graflex in finding the item used to make a prop?...skott (who is very very excited about this possibility)
 
Originally posted by phase pistol@Apr 18 2006, 11:47 AM
You know... it almost looks as tho there's LETTERING on the grip of the Thunderbirds prop...

SS_in_Thunderbirds_writing.jpg


- k
[snapback]1228413[/snapback]​
Click to expand...
Yeah, IÂ’m glad you noticed that too.

ItÂ’s almost like a manufacturers name was removed from the tool or that wrap around piece was added and the lettering is showing through.

Jim
 
OK...I'm email conversant with Barry Letts who, most of you no doubt know, was the producer of Who during the Pertwee years and into the Tom Baker years. I asked him about the sonic screwdriver and got a reply very quickly. I WILL NOT BE GIVING OUT HIS CONTACT INFO SO DON'T EVEN THINK OF ASKING. Here's what Barry had to say:

Subject: Re: A question on Sonic Screwdrivers
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 16:34:07 +0100

Hi Ron,

Good to hear that you're still in there fighting. But I don't think I can help you on the sonic screwdriver front. I haven't a clue how it started as a concept, let alone where the actual gizmo came from. Like a lot of things in Dr Who, it was a very flexible idea. Its powers were apt to vary according to the demands of the story. And now Russell has expanded its boundaries even further.

Good luck with your researches. I hope you're enjoying the new Who (presuming it's been shown over there). I certainly am.

All the best to you both,

Barry



I've replied asking him that if anything comes to mind to let me know and gone on to other conversation.

What we've found here so far is fantastic work and I'm anxious to see what else can be found. Has anyone hit up imdb and seen if Thunderbirds and Who had any people in common? There's a few fan collector sites that have details as well. I'm doing some research on my front and I'll share what I find.
 
Criminy.

Folks in Britain, show the Thunderbirds pic to your mechanically-minded dad or granddad, and ask if they ever had anything like it in their toolbox, circa late '60s/eary '70s... :D

- k
 
Originally posted by phase pistol@Apr 18 2006, 07:47 AM
You know... it almost looks as tho there's LETTERING on the grip of the Thunderbirds prop...

SS_in_Thunderbirds_writing.jpg


- k
[snapback]1228413[/snapback]​
Click to expand...

Send tat photo to the folks on CSI. They can de-blur anything.

-cris
 
Can't... quite... make... out....

If only I had the DVD so I could do the grabs myself... :unsure

SS_in_ThunderbirdsMarkings.jpg


- k
 
here's a couple more similar ones. There's now an explanation for the endcap. The bits are stored in the handle.

MFsdr100.jpg


a0_1_b.JPG


-cris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Kris Abel
Magic Tricks & Props, Making A “Working” Sonic Screwdriver
Replies
2
Views
963
Robot Monster
Robot Monster
LeoCor Replicas
3D-Printed 8th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver replica (File by Hydrate_Or_Diedrate on Thingiverse)
Replies
0
Views
172
LeoCor Replicas
LeoCor Replicas
inquisitorprops
What is the Definitive 9th/10th sonic variant?
Replies
4
Views
1,666
HerrJohnssen
HerrJohnssen
Dapuma
10th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver
Replies
6
Views
3,254
Dapuma
Dapuma
Reidydog
15th Doctor's Sonic Reveal
2
Replies
33
Views
6,543
NakedMoleRat
NakedMoleRat
Back
Top