Science fiction-themed children's TV show following the missions of spaceship Fireball XL5, commanded by Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol. The show was created in 1962 by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson under APF for ITC Entertainment. While developing his new show, Anderson thought Castrol XL sounded interesting. "-5" was added to "Fireball XL" since the title seemed flat without it. The show utilized the Andersons' Supermarionation, a kind of puppetry previously seen in Four Feather Falls and Supercar. Fireball XL5 had 39 black-and-white episodes; all future Anderson series were in color. Several Anderson shows have aired in syndication in the US, but Fireball XL5 is the sole network series. From 1963 to 1965, NBC aired the show on Saturday mornings. Space Patrol, produced by Gerry Anderson's ex-business partner and co-founder of AP Films, Arthur Provis, is commonly confused with Fireball XL5.
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Science fiction-themed children's TV show following the missions of spaceship Fireball XL5, commanded by Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol. The show was created in 1962 by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson under APF for ITC Entertainment. While developing his new show, Anderson thought Castrol XL sounded interesting. "-5" was added to "Fireball XL" since the title seemed flat without it. The show utilized the Andersons' Supermarionation, a kind of puppetry previously seen in Four Feather Falls and Supercar. Fireball XL5 had 39 black-and-white episodes; all future Anderson series were in color. Several Anderson shows have aired in syndication in the US, but Fireball XL5 is the sole network series. From 1963 to 1965, NBC aired the show on Saturday mornings. Space Patrol, produced by Gerry Anderson's ex-business partner and co-founder of AP Films, Arthur Provis, is commonly confused with Fireball XL5.
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