Attack of the Tiger

Infobox Television episode
Title = Attack of the Tiger
Series = Joe 90
Season = 1
Episode = 25
Airdate = March 16, 1969
Production = 21
Writer = Tony Barwick
Director = Peter Anderson
Episode list = List of "Joe 90" episodes
Prev = Lone-Handed 90
Next = Viva Cordova

"Attack of the Tiger" is the 25th episode of the Supermarionation television series "Joe 90". It was the 21st episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was March 16, 1969 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by Peter Anderson.

Synopsis

In violation of a disarmament agreement, the Eastern Alliance has built a secret rocket base from which it will launch a nuclear device to hold the world to ransom. Using the brain pattern of a top pilot, Joe must destroy the complex with a heavily-armed fighter-bomber.

Plot

At night in the Far East, WIN Agent 26 examines a cliff-face through binoculars. Suddenly, the wall is mechanically lowered to reveal a rocket base which has secretly been constructed behind it. Agent 26 spots a nuclear device on one of the launch pads, but is forced to flee when the area is lit up by security searchlights. In his panic he leaves his binoculars and moments later alarms ring throughout the complex when an enemy officer sees the equipment on his monitor.

26 is pursued through nearby marshland by a group of soldiers. He falls into one of the quagmires and becomes stuck, but his adversaries fail to notice him. Speaking into his pen recorder, the agent, codenamed "FEZ", informs WIN that work on the enemy installation is complete and that "Operation Tiger" will commence in ten days. Later, 26 arrives at a border checkpoint, but is shot by a sniper before he can disclose any crucial information to officials. However, one of the staff retrieves 26's recorder from the inside of the dead man's jacket.

At WIN Headquarters London, Sam Loover and Shane Weston play back Agent 26's recorded message to Professor McClaine and Joe. Shane says that the communication confirms their worst fears: the Eastern Alliance has built a secret rocket base in violation of a disarmament agreement, and the nuclear device, the "Tiger", will be launched into orbit in ten days' time to hold the world to ransom. The installation must be destroyed for the sake of world peace.

Sam visits a World Air Force base and views the VG 104, the world's most heavily-armed fighter-bomber, in flight. He gives a general a list of modifications to be made to one of the aircraft for the assault on the rocket base. However, when the officer asks for detailed information on the mission to help him select the appropriate pilot, Sam insists that WIN already has one prepared.

Meanwhile, Mac and Joe, in Mac's flying car, wait outside the house of "Fearless" Foley, a top VG 104 pilot. Chasing the airman after he leaves his driveway, the father and son overtake his car and block the road. Foley is furious, but Mac offers to pay for any damage and the pilot allows Joe to record his brain pattern, despite being unsure of the pair's mental stability.

Mac and Joe return to WIN Headquarters, only to be notified by Sam that the VG 104 will not be ready until 24 hours before the nuclear device is scheduled for blastoff. To make matters worse, the entire area has been fortified with ground-to-air missile batteries and armoured vehicles – making this assignment one of Joe's most hazardous to date.

The brain patterns of "Fearless" Foley and an expert on the Eastern Alliance defence systems are transferred to Joe on the BIG RAT. Mac and Joe then travel to the Air Force base for a final briefing on the assault. The general initially cannot believe that Joe has the necessary skills to fly a plane, but when the boy dons his special glasses and displays a deep awareness of military techniques, the officer reluctantly comes to accept Joe's abilities.

Under the codename "Tiger", Joe takes off from the base in the VG 104. After he is refuelled in mid-air by a jet tanker, the boy continues towards the Eastern Alliance base. Flying at low altitude to avoid radar detection, Joe reaches the base at dusk and evades the intense anti-aircraft fire from the opposition's mounted guns. The nuclear device is on its pad ready to lift off, but Joe hits the weapon in one shot and the explosion starts a chain reaction, utterly destroying the rocket base. Triumphant, Joe radios Mac and Sam to say that he will be back in England in time for breakfast.

Cast

Regular voice cast

*Joe McClaine — Len Jones
*Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine — Rupert Davies
*Sam Loover — Keith Alexander
*Shane Weston — David Healy

Guest voice cast

In speaking order:

*Agent 26 ("FEZ") — Gary Files
*Officer — Jeremy Wilkin
*Soldier 1 — Gary Files
*Soldier 2 — Jeremy Wilkin
*Border Lieutenant — Jeremy Wilkin
*Border Private — Gary Files
*General — Jeremy Wilkin
*"Fearless" Foley — Gary Files
*World Air Force Base Control (voice) — Gary Files
*Jet Tanker (voice) — Jeremy Wilkin

Notes

*The World Air Force general makes a reference to a "World President", proving that this office exists in the "Joe 90" series as well as in "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons".

External links

* [http://www.fanderson.org.uk/epguides/joeeg3.html#Episode%20Twenty%20One Fanderson.org.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "Attack of the Tiger"]
* [http://www.bigrat.co.uk/episodes/episode_21.html Bigrat.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "Attack of the Tiger"]
* [http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Joe%2090%20Timeline.htm# Clivebanks.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide]