Zero launched Jets Gerry Anderson Style

[uk 75]

https://thunderbirds.fandom.com/wiki/Air_Sea_Rescue_BaseI am attach the pics as the links dont always work.
I think he may have seen this image of a Mace missile launch

 

[robunos]

I did read, somewhere, that the guy who was charge of the vehicle and aircraft designs for these shows, not only had worked for BAC, but had access to restricted information while doing so . . . so I think he would be aware of how ZELL systems worked . . .
Also, looking at your first attached picture, those ASR aircraft appear to be modified F-104 models, with new flying surfaces. Indeed, in the image that I've attached, you can see that the fin is just a flat surface, with the control surfaces drawn on . . .

cheers,
Robin.

 

[uk 75]

Robin
thanks for the info. There is a whole site devoted to how the models were sourced
http://lester.demon.nl/superm/technology/sfx/tbirds/models5.htmlProbably known to you but others might find interesting.