Three new episodes of classic Thunderbirds are going to be produced to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary.

The official Gerry Anderson website has announced plans to make the episodes, based on the audio-only ‘mini albums’ released in the 1960s.

The project is going ahead with the blessing of the Gerry Anderson estate, Sylvia Anderson and ITV.

Titled Thunderbirds 1965, it’s the brainchild of Stephen La Riviere, who directed last year’s critically acclaimed Filmed in Supermarionation documentary.

Rivière commented: “For Filmed In Supermarionation, we shot new sequences with the puppets using the old fashioned techniques. Whilst many of the methods used seem a little archaic and time-consuming by today’s standards, we thought that it would be very special to do a one-off project bringing Thunderbirds back to life 1960s style. Sadly, many of the original voice cast have passed away since 1965. However, thanks to the original audio footage we’ve rediscovered, we have new, authentic stories that have never been adapted for screen. This means that these old-new episodes should be the most authentic recreation of the 1960s experience as it’s possible to get.”

The project will launch on crowdfunding website Kickstarter on Friday 10 July. Fans who back the project will receive a DVD or Blu-ray of the finished production and the opportunity to receive other exclusive rewards including a commemorative photo-book featuring rare and previously unpublished stills from the original series and an exclusive ‘Thunderbirds Experience’.

The Thunderbirds 1965 campaign aims to raise £75,000 to fund the first of the three special episodes.

CITV’s new Thunderbirds are Go series began airing earlier this year and will continue this autumn.