Skybase basics

Skybase was the brainchild of Sir Charles Grey, who at the time was a member of the United Nations Security Development Committee. He imagined a huge and powerful airborne carrier as the headquarters and command ship of an international anti-terrorist security organisation, which could be moved by powerful engines to various strategic positions. This security network became the Spectrum Agency, with Sir Charles as its Supreme Commander.

After the events of Spectrum’s mission to Mars, undertaken by Captain Black and Captain Scarlet, Spectrum became Earth’s main line of defence against the Mysteron threat. Skybase, its nerve centre, received the first deceitful attack after the aliens declared war on Earth. (Instrument of Destruction, Part 1).

330 metres long, Skybase hovers 60,000 feet (18,000 metres) above Earth’s surface. It is kept airborne by six massive fusion-powered main engines, and ten smaller thrusters keep it stabilised. It is these engines that are used to move Skybase into new positions when the need arises.

Control panel, to access security-sensitve areas of Skybase.

Skybase has a fully-sealed, pressurised environment as the air at such height is unbreathable, and the external temperature is between sixty to eighty degrees below zero. Because of the risks of decompression, which would be fatal to crew members and have a disastrous effect on the vessel, Skybase personnel cannot open any external access hatches without permission from Central Control. Personnel assigned to work on Skybase must have undergone basic training for altitude proficiency, as it can take time to adjust to life onboard. It is common for newly-assigned personnel to experience fatigue and nausea, for a short time.

Skybase’s interior is divided into decks, each of which has a specific function (such as Engineering, Kitchen, Accommodation, Health Fitness, Medical Centre, Hangar, etc.). Access to security-sensitive sections requires authorisation either by keypad code, or thumbprint and iris scans. There are also various security check points all around the base, where guards are stationed, ready to offer assistance or intervene where necessary.

Skybase is fully automated and autonomous. All of its power is provided by a nuclear reactor set deep within the huge Engineering area. Access to this area is restricted to authorised personnel only. The main engineering panel control manages all of Skybase's power, and is protected by access codes. As for the nuclear reactor, it is kept in a secure room, within heavy walls and doors that prevent radiation from spreading through Skybase. A security code is also needed to open the door to access the nuclear reactor, should there be any need.

Central control

Close view of the Tower's observation deck. Beyond the windows, Colonel White stands with Captain Scarlet

Two views of Colonel White's offices.

Central Control is located in the highest section of Skybase: a tower, which is situated above the external Flight Deck and is the most important part of the base. It is the most secure area on Skybase, accessible only to personnel with Level 9 Security Clearance or above, as it functions as Spectrum’s nerve centre. It is also the domain of Colonel White, from where he controls not only everything aboard Skybase, but also the Spectrum Agency.

Colonel White's offices is situated in the tower, right next to Central Command. From this vintage point, he also has a view of the Landing Deck, below the Control Tower.

Under Colonel White's exclusive command is a staff of highly specialised experts, who manage and monitor all operations. One such expert is Lieutenant Green, Colonel White’s Chief Executive Officer. Green was instrumental in the design of Spectrum’s Communication and Logistic Systems, and she is unrivalled in understanding Spectrum’s communication technology. As such, she is responsible for overseeing the operation of the Central Control computer systems. Lieutenant Silver shares this responsibility with her, and some shift patterns are divided between them.

Lieutenant Green's Control Centre. The screen is large, transparent and curved, and made of glass. It can be subdivided into as many screens as the user needs or wants. The console is operated by touchscreen technology and digital commands.

Flight deck

View of the Flight deck from above.

The Flight Deck occupies most of Skybase’s upper surface. It is used as an operations platform for Spectrum aircraft. There are a total of four Magna-strip runways on the Flight Deck: Runway 01 and Runway 02 run the entire length of the base, whilst Runways 03 and 04 cross them diagonally. The Angel Squadron’s Falcon Interceptors, which are the spearhead of Skybase’s defence, are launched from these runways, which are also used for other Spectrum air traffic, such as the Swift Passenger Jet.

The illuminated Landing Deck of Skybase, at night.

When an aircraft such as a Falcon Interceptor lands, the magnetic rails of the runway catch the vessel’s ‘shoes’, permitting a tactile landing of the aircraft onto the Flight Deck. It then takes the craft to one of the circular lifts, which are at either end of each of the runways, and the craft can then be lowered down to the Hangar below.

Additionally, a take-off and landing area is allocated for V.T.O.L. (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the Hummingbird helicopter.

Because of the extreme external conditions, it is extremely risky - if not impossible - for anyone to work on the Flight Deck without the proper equipment. For this reason, ‘launch robots’ (nicknamed F.R.E.D.) are used as on-deck air-traffic controllers. They relay flight signals from their human counterparts within the Flight Control section. The Launch Director, a human air-traffic controller, is surrounded by all of the instruments needed to know exactly what is happening on the Flight Deck. He stands in an ‘energy cabin’, and this relays all of his movements and instructions to the robot on-deck.

Left: On-deck view of F.R.E.D., the robotic air-traffic controller which relays his human counterpart's instructions to pilot. Middle: The human air-traffic controller within the energy cabin, which transfers each of his movement to F.R.E.D. Right: A closer view of F.R.E.D.

Hangar

Set in the deck directly beneath the Flight Deck is the Hangar, which runs the full length and breadth of Skybase. The Hangar is the storage and maintenance area for all onboard Spectrum vehicles and aircraft. The Falcon Squadron, a Swift Passenger Jet, two Albatross drop-ships, and several Rhinos and Stallion Raid Bikes are stored in the Hangar.

The lifts from the runways quickly take aircrafts to or from the Hangar. These lifts are in correlation with the Magna-strip runways, and also form an integral part of the unique, and fully-automated, system which re-arms, re-fuels and re-launches any Spectrum aircraft.

When a Falcon Interceptor lands, and its shoes are caught by the magnetic rails of the runway, the craft is brought to a halt on the circular lift, which then descends into the Hangar, while rotating the aircraft 180 degrees to its correct Hangar position.

Once the craft is in the Hangar, robotic arms automatically clamp onto its fuselage. The Falcon is then swiftly moved along a new set of magnetic rails to the other end of the Hangar. At the same time, the robotic servicing arms prepare the craft for its next flight, by cleaning its engines and canopy, re-arming its guns and missiles, and refuelling it. When it reaches the other end of the Hangar, the Falcon is settled onto a new circular lift and released from the robotic arms. It is then rotated through 180 degrees once more, so that it is facing the correct direction for its next take off.

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 Albatross' powerful engines are engaged, and pivoted into V.T.O.L. position. When the craft is ready to take flight, the clamps are released; the engines act as reactors and the Albatross is manoeuvred out of the hangar, carrying within its belly the vehicle (generally a Rhino) needed for the next 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.

Emergency protocols

In order for Skybase to consistently maintain its high levels of efficiency and security, emergency protocols have been established for personnel to follow whenever threatening events happen onboard the carrier. These include the discovery of major system faults, fire, or if a crew member were to fall victim to an accident. The first required action is always to contact Central Control to give the alert, either via personal communicator or one of the base’s integral comlinks, which are available in all strategically important areas. In the unlikely event that voice-communications should fail, all of these comlink panels also include a back-up ‘CenCon Alert’ panic button which any member of the crew can simply push.

In case of attack, or any other situation demanding a swift change in security status to Red Alert (“Spectrum is Red!”), Central Control will trigger the onboard alarm system to advise members of the crew. All personnel should then immediately report to their designated emergency stations. When the threat has been neutralised, Central Control will inform personnel by transmitting the all-clear signal, using the code “Spectrum is Green”.

Brig

As for any military base, Skybase also comes with a brig, where prisoners can be held temporarily, pending investigation and interrogation. The cells are accessible through a 'Brig office', where a guard is posted at a desk, watching over the cell area through various screens and other equipment. Personnel must check in before stepping into the cell area through the security door. Should a problem occur, and in the event that a prisoner should attempt to escape, the on-duty guard can hit a 'panic button' embedded into his desk to set off the alarms and alert Central Control.

Holding cells are small, about a 100 square feet each, and are designed for temporary detainment only. Therefore, each of them is equipped with only the most basic of comforts, affording nothing more than a berth for the prisoner. Access to the cell is gained through the largest wall, which is sealed by vertical laser bars when detaining a prisoner. Command of the bars is by security code, through a control panel set against the wall, near the cell, (out of reach of the prisoner), as well as with the help of a remote control.

Medical centre

Blueprints of Skybase Medical Centre (in its early stage).

The Medical Centre, on Deck Two, is the domain of Doctor Gold, who leads a team of medical experts who are on-call twenty-four hours a day. They can be contacted directly from staff quarters by comlink, or crew members can drop by at the Medical Centre and ask for medical care.

Support is not limited to physical health, as the Medical Centre also includes a Psychology Unit, where qualified counsellors can be met in total confidence.

Fitness suite

Captain Scarlet facing an electronic opponent in a fencing joust.

Open 24 hours a day for anyone who wishes to use it, the Skybase Fitness Suite occupies the midship section of both Accommodation Decks. It offers the most advanced gym and sporting facilities for all sorts of sport activities, ranging from handball to fencing.

The A.I. Arena is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for individuals wishing to hone their hand-to-hand combat skills. Cybernetic opponents can be programmed with the specifications required to meet the competence level of fighting style of any member of the crew, with styles varying from Kung-Fu to kick-boxing.

Angels Stanby Lounge

The Angels Standby Lounge is situated on the lowest deck of the Tower, just under Colonel White's office and Central Control viewing platform. The magnificent view it gives to the Landing Deck below and to the surrounding sky, the Standby Lounge earned the name of 'Viewing Room'.

Fitted with couches and a drinks machine, the on duty pilots can wait there, reading and chatting, until they are called for action. When the tannoy sounds, the Angels pilot rush through the corridor just outside of the Standby Lounge's unique door, and then down to the Hangar, where they will take the helm of their Falcon interceptors, and be ready for take-off.

Access to the Standby Lounge is not limited to the Angel pilots, and more often then not, other personnel can be found there, chatting with the pilots, or enjoying the view.

Living areas

Destiny's quarters.

Personnel live twenty-four hours a day on Skybase, so the carrier needs to provide facilities that see to everyone's needs and comfort. Staff can take their meals at the canteen, where they are provided with healthy and nutritious food, prepared by Skybase's own catering team, working in the kitchen. While it is only to be supposed that, just like any other military carrier, general staff, such as technicians, guards, mechanics, nurses, etc., would share quarters, because of the restricted room, officers are individually allocated a personal space. This allows the officer to take some time to relax on his or her own, or to work quietly.

Outside each of the quarters, near the door, an electronic panel gives information of the occupant, whether or not it is presently occupied, and if the occupant is on duty or not. The entrance to each officer's quarters is set in a small alcove, which gives privacy to the living and sleeping area.

Colonel White's quarters.

The quarters are relatively small, but comfortable. Some officers are lucky enough to even have a window. A bed is provided, of course, with a small kitchenette, where the officer can cook a meal, as well as a bathroom equipped with a shower. Various storage areas are available to the officer, where clothes, books and other personal objects could be stored. A large screen is set at the foot of the bed, providing the opportunity to view films, television and pictures, and also to serve as a communication and working device. Officers are allowed to decorate their living area with personal items, as long as these items do not clutter their quarters.

As commanding officer of Spectrum, Colonel White has the largest quarters, which provide much the same facilities as his officers, as well as a double bed, sofa and computer (as he often works in his quarters). A large window gives him light, and a wonderful view outside. A collection of ancient weapons decorates White's walls. At the entrance of his door is a similar panel as those found at the door of other quarters, but access is much more limited and secure.

(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.)