Today we are looking at the origins of Jeff Tracy’s desk communicator that he uses to speak to the boys on missions.
This tray often appears on Ebay, and sometimes is even described as ‘the same as used on Jeff Tracy’s desk’.
Well, that is wrong. The tray shown above can only be described as ‘similar’. The shape of the base is different to the ones seen on Thunderbirds.
Here is what the correct one should look like.
Also, this is not an Ashtray as is commonly refered to. The main reason is there are no indentations to stop the cigarettes from rolling around.
Secondly this was originally sold and advertised as a ‘Pin Tray’ and was retailed by Woolworths in their stores from 1961.
So its actually meant for pins or paper clips etc.
This tray also appeared in the previous series, Stingray.
You can see it here on the conference table set.
And also here.
The correct shaped pin tray, which is very rare, does come up on Ebay but very occasionally.