Weta's Thunderbird is Go!

A scene from the original television series 'Thunderbirds'.

The first Thunderbird from the New Zealand-made animated revival of the clasic 1960s sci-fi show has been revealed.

This picture of Thunderbird 1 from Thunderbirds Are Go! shows that the rocket is maintaining its distinctive silver bullet style from the hit Gerry Anderson series.

The remake is a co-production between ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures in association with Weta Workshop which did the design work on the rocket and the other Thunderbirds.

Thunderbird 1 from the Weta Workshop/Pukeko Pictures/ITV animated series Thunderbirds Are Go!

Pukeko is a children's television company set up by Weta Workshop boss Sir Richard Taylor, his partner Tania Rodger and writer Martin Baynton.

Its previous productions have included The Wotwots and Jane and the Dragon.

Unlike the original Thunderbirds which featured puppet characters using Anderson's "Supermarionation" techniques, the new Thunderbirds series will use CGI animation and live-action model sets.

The programme makers say Thunderbirds are Go!, which is due to hit television screens in 2015, will deliver "a new level of action-adventure animation whilst also paying tribute to the classic 1960's phenomenon."

Among those voicing the characters are former Bond girl Rosamund Pike as Lady Penelope, David Graham, the original voice of Parker, and Game of Thrones star Thomas Brodie-Sangster voicing John, one of the five Tracy brothers who make up the team at International Rescue.

Thunderbirds was last revived in 2004 with a live action children's movie which bombed at the box office.