As noted by other reviewers, in many ways this encapsulates the entire Thunderbirds series. Nice touch that the brave volunteer is called Bob Meddings, a homage to model maker Derek Meddings whose magnificent skills created the Thunderbirds, Stingray, SPV, SPC, UFOs, Shado Mobiles... and later went on to turn a Lotus Esprit into a submarine for James Bond.
The music isn't fully finished as this is the first episode, and Gordon and Alan don't feature much. However the drama is high and there is some killer dialog.
"Aircraft approaching from the South East, speed 7500 Miles per hour...." Voice fading.
"London tower, this is Thunderbird 1, approaching from the South East, speed 7.5 thousand Miles per hour. Fireflash is trouble, I believe we can help."
I was 2 when this first aired, I've just watched it again tonight. As said, the series has a timeless quality and inspired me into a love of technology, music and humanity.