The Albatross is Spectrum massive deployment aircraft, equiped with VTOL (vertical take off and landing) capacity. Skybase carries two of these, which are used to carry vehicles - mainly a Rhino - anywhere it is needed around the world.  It can carry the most heavy weight, putting it down or pick it up on any ground, and in almost any conditions.

Even though it is so massive, the Albatross nevertheless has remarkable swiftness in flight. Powerful pivoting twin multi-directional XBurn engines, set on each side of the craft, give it lifting capability, maneuverabilty, and in-flight velocity, even with carrying the heaviest of load.

Controls for launch.

While most craft launch from the Flight Deck, the two Albatross planes stored within Skybase's hangar drop from the base's underside, through a large door situated approximately in the middle of the base (This door can be seen on the picture above, showing the bottom of Skybase).

When needed for launch, the Albatross is lowered down to its launching bay, to rest on massive supports which hold it from under its tail and belly, and from under its nose. The door underneath opens, and the pilot powers up the thrusters.  The Albatross pivoted into V.T.O.L. position. When the craft is ready to take flight, tthe pilot releases the clamps. The Albatross drops  out of the hangar from underneath the belly of Skybase, several meters before the thrust of the engines, acting as reactors, stops its fall. The engines act as reactors and the Albatross is manoeuvred out of the hangar, and finally leaves base to carry on its mission.

Top left: Albatross getting ready for launch. The Rhino is loaded into the Albatross. Note the trap door onto which the craft sits, which leads to the launching bay. Right: Clamps lower down the Albatross into the launching bay. Bottom left: Resting on supports while the engines power up, the doors open beneath the Albatross. Right: Albatross lowering down through the launch bay doors.

The Albatross works on a unique deployment system. The cargo doors under the belly of the craft open, and unfold to form the landing feet. Then, the vehicle it carries is lowered by a lift from the Albatross's cargo, just at its finishes its landing procedure and approach. The Rhino can be deployed at the same second the Albatross makes its landing, and once it is out, the craft can take off immediately.

This 'drop-and-go' deployment, helped by the SlyFOXX anti-detection shielding with which the Albatross is equipped, makes the Aircraft perfect for covert operations.  However, due to its massiveness, it could attract visual attention, and therefore, the sturdy craft has been equipped with anti-missile Acoustic Disruptors - which makes it a hard target to hit, despite his size.

The different phases of the Albatross 'drop-and-go' deployment system

(Sources: Materials from Granada Ventures Limited, Anderson Entertainment Ltd./GAP PLC©, Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet Funfax, Spectrum Agents' Handbook, New Captain Scarlet's Magazine, New Captain Scarlet DVD set and other materials. Special thanks to Dominic Lavery for providing blueprints, sketches, artworks, and other exclusive materials.)