Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Thunderbird 5

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THUNDERBIRD 5 (R5x32) 5 person Sq.Set Richard Francis Class Of '13
5 person Sq set with 5th person in middle facing 1st person

1- 8 1+2+3+4 dance R&L starting 1+2 and 3+4 while 5th person dances Fig of 8 round 1st and 4th positions, passing 1 RSh to begin
9-16 5+1+3 dance reel of 3 (5 giving RSh to 1 to start)
17-24 5+4+2 dance reel of 3 across (5 giving LSh to 4 to begin)
25-32 5 turns 4 ½ RH, 4 turns 3 ½ RH, 3 turns 2 ½ RH, 2 turns 1½ RH. 1 faces 2. 23451

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)


THUNDERBIRD 5 A reel for 5 people in square set. (5th person in middle facing 1st person)

1-8 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th person dance full rights and lefts, starting 1 with 2 and 3 with 4, while 5th person dances figure of 8 around 1st and 4th positions, passing 1 by right shoulder to begin.
9-16 1st person, 5th person and 3rd person dance reel of 3, 5th person passing 1st person by right shoulder to begin.
17-24 4th person, 5th person and 2nd person dance reel of 3, 5th person passing 4th person by left shoulder to begin.
25-32 5th person ½ right hand turn 4th person, 4th person ½ right hand turn 3rd person, 3rd person ½ right hand turn 2nd person, 2nd person ½ right hand turn 1st person, finish with 1st person in middle facing 1st position ready to begin again.

Repeat replacing centre person each time.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Richard Francis, for the Unit 5 Class at Summer School, July 2013)


Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams


Dance Information

I devised this dance to help in classes when numbers may be limited and gave it this title as Thunderbirds was a favourite TV programme as a child.

(Dance information by the deviser, Richard Francis, 2013)


"Thunderbirds" is a British science fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The show was produced using a technique called "Supermarionation", which involved using marionette puppets with electronic moving parts. The series first aired in 1965 and quickly gained popularity, becoming one of the most iconic and beloved science fiction TV shows of its time.

The series is set in the mid-21st century and revolves around International Rescue, a secret organization founded by the wealthy ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy. International Rescue uses technologically advanced vehicles and equipment to carry out daring and dangerous rescue missions around the world and even in space.

The main characters were:

  • Jeff Tracy: The founder of International Rescue and the father of the Tracy brothers.
  • Scott Tracy: The pilot of Thunderbird 1, a reconnaissance and rapid response vehicle.
  • Virgil Tracy: The pilot of Thunderbird 2, a heavy-duty transport craft that carries specialized rescue equipment.
  • Alan Tracy: The youngest Tracy brother and the pilot of Thunderbird 3, a spacecraft designed for space rescue missions.
  • Gordon Tracy: The aquanaut and pilot of Thunderbird 4, a submersible used for underwater rescues.
  • John Tracy: The space monitor stationed on Thunderbird 5, a space station that monitors for distress signals.
  • Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward: International Rescue's London agent, who is assisted by her chauffeur Parker and her pink Rolls-Royce FAB 1.

The Thunderbirds vehicles, from Thunderbird 1 to Thunderbird 5, are iconic and each serves a specific purpose in various rescue missions. The design of these vehicles, as well as the intricate miniature sets used in the show, contributed to the series' visual appeal.

Thunderbirds consists of 32 episodes, with each episode featuring a new and often perilous rescue mission. The storytelling, combined with the innovative use of puppetry and special effects, captivated audiences and left a lasting impact on the science fiction genre.

Thunderbirds has remained popular over the years and has become a cult classic. Its influence can be seen in various forms of popular culture, and the series has inspired spin-offs, merchandise, and even a feature film in 2004 titled "Thunderbirds".



Published in Class of '13, Richard Francis, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Richard Francis, 2023.

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