“I WISH I WAS A SPACEMAN THE FASTEST GUY ALIVE, I’D FLY AROUND THE UNIVERSE IN FIREBALL XL5” GERRY ANDERSON R.I.P.

Years ago I heard the creator of Joe Ninety, Miss. Penelope and Fireball XL5 the late great Gerry Anderson being interviewed on radio and he told this charming true story about himself, it sums him up delightfully. He was visiting the Kennedy Space Centre and he went for lunch only to find the place full except for a table with one guy who agreed to share his table with him. Anderson noticed that the guy wore a space centre badge and he asked him what he did and the fellow said he worked there at Kennedy.
Anderson was fascinated and asked him if he had ever seen a launch and he said no he had not, they had a pleasant lunch and the guy gave Anderson his 'card' as he shook hands and left. On the card it said USA Astronaut Commander James Lovelle. Anderson had a good laugh at the great Space legend Jim. Lovelle telling him he had never seen a launch which of course he hadn't as he was up in the nose cone of the space ship on several launches and didn't see anything, he was of course played by Tom Hanks in the thrilling movie Apollo 13 and I believe he also holds the American record for most space miles. They became friends and it is typical of Anderson to relate this story where he was the punch line, a lovely guy who stirred the imagination of millions of kids and some grownups too, I hope he's up there zooming around somewhere.