I don't get that. At all. It takes the team to and from Thunderbird 5, and it works for space rescue. Plus, it's got a really cool look.Gerry Anderson was right in saying he should've made TB3 something other than a rocket.![]()
But the vehicle doesn't have to be a Thunderbird.
It's like saying the Mole could've been an International Rescue vehicle or it could have been a Thunderbird. Similarly the vehicle that took them to and from Thunderbird 5 didn't have to be one of the five Thunderbird vehicles.
Gerry Anderson was quoted as saying once the series started they knew early on almost all scripts were earth bound, so TB3 was restricted to ferrying duties as part of a cutaway and not in a rescue (it was only used four times in that capacity).