The Angels: Lady Penelope, 1967

The Angels strip guide - part one

Story One
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Jon Davis. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: The New Lady Penelope issue 53, dated 21 January 1967
Pilot Diane Simms has been flying for ALFA (Airways Light Freight Agency) for six months when owner Charlie Richards tells her the company has to close. Even in the 21st century, the best air jobs still go to male pilots, and Diane's last mission is to fly a package to Italy. At the given map reference, which is merely a hangar without a runway, Diane finds four other girl pilots from similar freight companies around the world, delivering other packages... this is obviously no ordinary assignment!

Part 2: The New Lady Penelope issue 54, dated 28 January 1967
The contents of the packages!
The Chinese flier decides the only way to solve part of the mystery is to open the packages, inside of each is a white and gold flying suit. A voice crackles from a loudspeaker, calling them by their new names: Destiny, Melody, Harmony, Symphony and Rhapsody. The girls have been chosen for their skills, and their anonymous 'controller' - for security reasons - has enrolled into a world-wide security organisation to fight injustice and evil. But for now they will act as an aerial display team called 'The Angels', and five sleek white jets rise from an underground chamber, ready for them...

Part 3: The New Lady Penelope issue 55, dated 04 February 1967
Practice Flight!
Diane, now called Rhapsody, is pack leader for their first test. As the girls get used to their new planes, the 'controller' tells them to set course for Arizona where they are booked to perform in a three day air display. BUT... there will be no questions! But Rhapsody still has one for her 'Angel' pack - why have they accepted all this without blinking an eyelid...

Part 4: The New Lady Penelope issue 56, dated 11 February 1967
Out of Control!
Rhapsody ponders all the mystery as the Angels near San Pascal with all clearance from Ground Controls en route. But at an altitude of twenty thousand over the Atlantic, one of the American pilots, Melody, suddenly finds all her controls have gone crazy and goes into a dive. Rhapsody orders Destiny to follow as she dives after her to attempt a rescue...

Part 5: The New Lady Penelope issue 57, dated 18 February 1967
Rhapsody is angry!
Rhapsody tells Destiny to put her starboard wing tip under Melody's port wing, while she does the same on the other side. Split second manoevres pay off, and the crippled plane is brought down safely. The 'controller' congratulates her on coping with a deadly situation, but Rhapsody is angry at this test of a girl's life. Melody herself is cool about it - after all, they joined for the thrills, but Rhapsody is sure there will be further dangers before they're through...

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 27/1967 to 31/1967
Action 21 issues 8 to 10 (first 3 parts only).
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons issues 1 to 5.

Notes:
• Part 1 would seem to be the only direct reference to the strip being set in the 21st century prior to the advent of Captain Scarlet, bar futuristic aircraft and designs appearing.
• Diane is spelt with one 'n' in this and all further strip references, whereas her later biography in the Captain Scarlet annual would adopt the spelling with two: Dianne.
• Oops - one girl pilot (possibly Destiny, though we don't know at this point) claims to be from Sweden.
• Oops again - the beginning of part 3 says there are six planes for the five girl pilots. A spare, perhaps?

Story One/A (aka Rebel Rhapsody)
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Jon Davis. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: The New Lady Penelope issue 58, dated 25 February 1967
The Angels receive further instructions!
The Angels land at the airfield, and are booked into the Aeropark Motel for their stay. As they relax at the luxurious building, Rhapsody picks up a British newspaper and is astounded to see Charlie Richards may go to jail for the debts caused by the bankrupcy of ALFA Airlines. But as she makes to leave the voice of the 'controller' tells her there will be the gravest consequences if she goes...

The Angels Part 2: The New Lady Penelope issue 59, dated 04 March 1967
Rhapsody disobeys!
Rhapsody cannot leave a friend in need, and departs in her Angel plane. But the 'controller' has mustered the other four Angels, and with Symphony as pack leader, the others set off in pursuit with orders to seek and attack...

Part 3: The New Lady Penelope issue 60, dated 11 March 1967
No turning back!
Over the Atlantic, the four Angels close in on the rebel Rhapsody. Symphony gives her a warning but for Rhapsody there is no going back. The 'controller' orders them to fire, and four strikes hit the Angel plane which spins out of control...

Part 4: The New Lady Penelope issue 61, dated 18 March 1967
Fire!
Rhapsody pulls out of the dive just above sea level, and puts the fire out by skimming the ocean at zero feet. The Angels are impressed as the rebel continues on, but they are ordered to return to the airfield as other measures are being taken. And from a small island, a homing missile is launched...

Part 5: The New Lady Penelope issue 62, dated 25 March 1967
Forced Landing!
The missile closes in on Rhapsody but it flies alongside and takes control of the plane by remote. On the remote island, Rhapsody is told by the voice that Charlie's debts have been taken care of, and he has been hired as a mechanic to the Angels. She is ordered to continue on to England to collect him.

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 32/1967 to 35/1967
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons issues 6 to 10.

Notes:
• The title of this story comes from the 1994 Captain Scarlet comic reprints.
• Rhapsody is amazed the Motel they are staying in has world-wide papers, whereas even now this is fairly commonplace.
• Oops - the newspaper story Rhapsody reads calls Charlie Richards' company Alpha Airlines.
• Speculation: The mini-album Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (also written by Angus Allan) features a male character who tells the Angels their 'chariots' await them - was this supposed to be Charlie Richards?.

Story One/B (aka Eavesdroppers!)
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Jon Davis. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: Lady Penelope issue 63, dated 01 April 1967
Eavesdroppers!
The first day of the Kentucky Air Show, and the Angels give an impressive display. The attention, unfortunately, starts to go further than mere aerobatics, when reporter Joe and his photographer Sam try for interviews and are warned off by security. The two are not deterred, and sneak into the hangar as the Angels disembark and are told by their 'controller' a special assignment is coming...

Part 2: Lady Penelope issue 64, dated 08 April 1967
...A warning!
Joe tells his boss there is a big story here, and when the Angels are next in the hangar, he breaks into their room. The 'controller' warns him to leave, escorted by two security men, but Joe decides it's time to call the police. The Angels are ordered by the 'controller' to take off immediately, and Charlie is are told to leave as well, but in the air a USAF Zero Red fighter is told to intercept them...

Part 3: Lady Penelope issue 65, dated 15 April 1967
Zero Red in trouble!
Seeing the Zero Red, the Angels go into a steep climb to try and lose him. At ever increasing altitudes, the Angels switch to oxygen but then receive a mayday - the oxygen supply of Zero Red has failed. With its pilot unconscious, the plane starts to go into a dive leaving Rhapsody to ponder his fate...

Part 4: Lady Penelope issue 66, dated 22 April 1967
Rhapsody's decision!
Rhapsody is not alone, and the 'controller' tells her to use secret equipment F118 - a magno grapple which connects her Angel to Zero Red and allows her to transfer a supply of oxygen. The pilot recovers and pulls out of the death dive, and is told by the controller' to return to Washington where he will receive orders to forget the Angels. The Angels are concerned about the interest the world has in them, but they are told they are now ready to learn more about the organisation - and their first mission!

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 36/1967 to 39/1967
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons issues 11 to 14.

Notes:
• The title of this story was originally the 'title' of the first part, given as the 'next week' caption from the week before. It was also used in the 1994 reprint.
• The artwork for part 2 is still known to exist in a private collection.

Story Two (aka First Assignment)
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Jon Davis. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: Lady Penelope issue 67, dated 29 April 1967
The mystery voice!
The Angels are instructed to fly to Map reference 2/4 in the Sahara Desert. There, at the El Qadah oasis, they find a helijet piloted by a robot whose passenger is their mysterious controller. He instructs them to escort the helijet to a secret destination. But an international spy organisation is expected to cause trouble, and they must ensure he reaches the base at all costs...

Part 2: Lady Penelope issue 68, dated 06 May 1967
Introducing Medusa!
As the Angels and helijet set off, in Istanbul, at the secret offices of a spy network known as 'Masterfile', agent Medusa is being briefed by 'Top Man'. Able to supply everyone's secrets to the highest bidder, they now feel the Angels are part of a secret organisation they know nothing about. A crack aerial photographer, Medusa is despatched to take shots when their Algiers agent reports the Angels position. Meanwhile, the controller gives Symphony and Rhapsody an order which must be obeyed without question. They will attack and shoot his helijet down...

Part 3: Lady Penelope issue 69, dated 13 May 1967
The test!
Having learnt it is best to obey, the two Angels peel off and fire - and the missiles explode clear of the helijet. It was a test for a new force-field defence, and the Angels are instructed to fire again. Far above, hidden in the glare of the sun, Medusa and her pilot take photos of the events, but a photo alert sounds in the controller's helijet. But as the force-field is switched off, Symphony accidentally fires - and hits the helijet...

Medusa Part 4: Lady Penelope issue 70, dated 20 May 1967
Medusa gets her pictures!
The force-field was applied again just before impact - preventing destruction but causing stabiliser damage. The helijet is okay, and the Angels are commended for not panicking. Melody is despatched to investigate Medusa's jetcopter, but a jet of greasy fluid bursts from it, hitting the cockpit and 'blinding' her. So Destiny is now sent to tail it...

Part 5: Lady Penelope issue 71, dated 27 May 1967
Medusa won't be beaten!
As her jetcopter moves off, Medusa contacts 'Masterfile' for instructions. They want the film at any cost, and instruct Medusa to head for a couple of small islands near Sardinia. They will be able to land but the Angel plane won't. In a desperate manoeuvre, Destiny flies under the jetcopter, forcing them up. But as she tries again, an air-pocket causes a collision between Angel tailplane and helijet skids...

Part 6: Lady Penelope issue 72, dated 03 June 1967
Captured!
Out of control, the spy jetcopter crash lands, killing pilot Kurt. As the craft burns, Medusa is able to get clear and must get the film to base. Destiny is also in trouble and ejects, only to be captured by two hostile men who tell her all uninvited visitors to Il Lupo are put to death...

Part 7: Lady Penelope issue 73, dated 10 June 1967
Ransom!
Destiny is brought before Il Lupo, a dreaded Sardinian bandit. Having observed the unmarked Angel plane crashing, Il Lupo suspects she may be worth a considerable ransom. Refusing to talk, Destiny is locked up without food or water. But then Medusa is also captured, and believing she will provide the answers he wants, Il Lupo threatens her with a knife. A horrified Destiny watches from her prison...

Part 8: Lady Penelope issue 74, dated 17 June 1967
Medusa talks!
Destiny tries to break her prison door but shortly it is thrown open anyway, and Medusa joins her. The spy is confident, as she told them a pack of lies - they're rich heiress sisters, and Medusa ran away to get married secretly. It is all just a gamble for time, as Medusa has a knife and plans escape. But unknown to her, she has been heard, and Il Lupo sets fire to the prison to burn it to the ground...

Part 9: Lady Penelope issue 75, dated 24 June 1967
Hunted!
Medusa also has a Forward Blast explosive, and uses it to blow a hole in the wall. Her boot, when thrown, bursts into a cloud of orange smoke and the two girls escape in the confusion. They realise that although deadly enemies, with both aircraft wrecked, they must now join forces to get out of the situation alive...

Part 10: Lady Penelope issue 76, dated 01 July 1967
Wounded!
Medusa is ready for a straight fight but first indulges in some 'sneaky tactics' and manages to obtain two rifles from 'a couple of willing bandits'! As the girls open fire, one bandit is hit and Il Lupo sends aother back for a mortar. In the return fire, Medusa is wounded and Destiny hopes for surrender. But Il Lupo is bored with this, and tells his men to shoot them as they move from cover...

Part 11: Lady Penelope issue 77, dated 08 July 1967
Tricked!
Seeing the men prepare their weapons, Destiny flings Medusa to the ground as they open fire. The spy tells Destiny to save herself but even though they may be enemies, the Angel is prepared for them to die together. A volley of fire from the sky suddenly wipes out Il Lupo and his men, heralding the arrival of the other Angel planes. Melody lands, and Medusa is given first aid, handing over the film as thanks. In return, even though it is against orders, Destiny and Melody drop Medusa on the mainland.

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 40/1967 to 50/1967
The New Thunderbirds issues 67 to 77.

Notes:
• We see the Spectrum symbol for the first time, on the controller's helijet, in part 1.
• Interestingly, the Controller's helijet is equipped with a Thunderbirds-style photo alert.
• At the end of part 4, Destiny responds "Oui!" - the only indication we have prior to her biography in the Captain Scarlet annual that she is actually French.
• 'Il Lupo' is Italian for 'The Wolf', and the bandit appears to have a pet wolf to make this point.
• Oops! The Angels suddenly gain Spectrum symbols on their helmets from part 3 onwards, as does Destiny's plane from part 5 - unwittingly contradicting the script which describes it as 'unmarked'.
• The Angels also suddenly gain their communication epaulettes, absent from their uniforms to this point, in part 2.
• The New Captain Scarlet episode 'Fallen Angels' features a storyline similar in concept, with Destiny, Harmony and Melody stranded on an island, only to find themselves up against pirates.

Story Three (aka Salvage Men Move In!)
Writer: Unknown. Artist: Jon Davis. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: Lady Penelope issue 78, dated 15 July 1967
Salvage men move in!
At a secret airfield in Italy, Destiny is amazed when she receives a replacement plane. But the controller, from his helijet, has a new mission. Telescanners show a salvage vessel is investigating her crashed plane off Sardinia. The captain of the vessel Ocean Trader, an Australian called Dinger Bell, is amazed at the design, and is sure it will fetch a lot of money. And by the time Destiny arrives, they are already raising the plane from the sea...

Part 2: Lady Penelope issue 79, dated 22 July 1967
Under arrest!
Given orders to offer top salvage value but not to give anything away, Destiny lands her plane on water skids beside the vessel. Recognising the markings as the same on the plane, Dinger is taken with her looks but not Destiny's temper. Rubbed up the wrong way, Dinger threatens her with arrest for threatening a captain at sea...

Part 3: Lady Penelope issue 80, dated 29 July 1967
S.O.S.!
Dinger's crew are wary as Destiny obviously means business and reports in. The Controller orders the other Angels to make a mock attack, and missiles spray the water around the salvage vessel. But Dinger knows the World Navy carrier Valiant is in nearby Cagliari Harbour and sends out an S.O.S he is under attack...

Part 4: Lady Penelope issue 81, dated 05 August 1967
Destiny's desperate plan!
As the Valiant responds, Destiny reports in and is told to pull out. As she attempts to leave, Dinger tries to restrain her, only to be thrown overboard and taken hostage. As the other Angels are ordered out of range, Destiny takes Dinger aboard her craft and is instructed to stop the World Navy finding the salvaged plane at all costs...

Part 5: Lady Penelope issue 82, dated 12 August 1967
The only Chance...
As Destiny takes to the air, Dinger wants to know who they are. The answer - an organisation so secret even the World Navy must not know - makes him laugh, and Destiny's cool handling makes him respect the pilot. But by now the Valiant arrives, and when Destiny tries to warn them off, the Navy Captain is even more determined to get to the bottom of things. A launch heads for Ocean Trader, so Destiny makes a deal with Dinger and tells him to get his vessel away...

Part 6: Lady Penelope issue 83, dated 19 August 1967
Destruction!
Ocean Trader moves off as Destiny buzzes the Navy launch, which infuriates the Navy Captain even further! As the forward guns are armed, Destiny tells Dinger to get his men off the vessel. Just in time, Ocean Trader is abandoned as Navy missiles blow the ship apart. With nothing left of the salvaged plane left for the World Navy to identify, Destiny drops Dinger close to the carrier, with a promise his new ship will be delivered in 24 hours.

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 51/1967 to 04/1968
The New Thunderbirds issues 78 to 83.

Notes:
• The reference to six Angel planes very early on may have been a mistake but it may may explain how a replacement is available so quickly.
• The Angel craft's ability to land on water using skids is interesting, though one never seen in the series.
• Part 4 shows Destiny to be an expert in unarmed combat.

The Angels Go Into Training! (Story Four, aka Return of the Angels)
Writer: Unknown.
Artist: Jon Davis. 1 page, colour.

Part 1: Lady Penelope issue 84, dated 26 August 1967
The Angels go into training!
The Angels are instructed to switch off directional instruments and operate automatic pilot controls. Directed by a radio beam, the five planes are led to a special training centre in an Asian desert. Landing, the girls are amazed to see a futuristic building rise out of the ground, and another voice instructs them to enter. Inside, they are met by a man who introduces himself as Colonel White, and welcomes them to Spectrum...

Part 2: Lady Penelope issue 85, dated 02 September 1967
The Angels learn more!
Colonel White tells them they will be put through the most exacting tests of their careers. Destiny remarks it must be something to do with World Security, to which White replies they are not to talk about the set-up, nor even think about it! As the building sinks back into the ground, Rhapsody is taken to a catapult launcher holding one of the Angel craft and launched to await further orders. But suddenly, a large steel wall springs from the desert straight in her path...

Part 3: Lady Penelope issue 86, dated 09 September 1967
How Rhapsody reacts!
Unable to lift in time, Rhapsody fires a missile and blasts a gap in the wall large enough to fly through. When Symphony remarks she could have been killed, the Colonel remarks they've joined a tough organisation and the next test will be for Symphony herself to eject from an aircraft at fifteen thousand feet - without a parachute...

Part 4: Lady Penelope issue 87, dated 16 September 1967
Symphony falls!
There is an immediate outburst of comments, which Colonel White quietens. All 5 Angels will take off, and they have half an hour before launch to prepare, as the real test is how they work together to save Symphony. Harmony has an idea, and some time later the five girls take to the air. At fifteen thousand feet, Symphony is ordered to eject, and she catchs air currents to slow her descent as Harmony dives after her. But then Harmony's fuel feed jams, and the plane's engine threatens to cut out...

Part 5: Lady Penelope issue 88, dated 23 September 1967
The Verdict!
Unable to effect the rescue, Harmony peels off to land and calls for Melody to take her place. The other Angel dives after Symphony and throws an emergency chute to Symphony, which the girl uses to land safely. Below, Colonel White watches with his lieutenant and mops his brow - the girls will be good for any assignments they throw at them.

Reprinted:
TV2000 - issues 05/1968 to 09/1968
The New Thunderbirds issues 86 to 89.

Notes:
• Colonel White makes his first appearance in the strip, and Spectrum is mentioned for the first time.
• The Spectrum logo is incorporated into the Angels masthead for the first part too.
• Colonel White's rules about Spectrum are interestingly, nearly thirty years earlier, like that of Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club: "Rule One: You don't talk about this set-up... " with Rule Two being "You don't even think about it."
• Rhapsody's personal data indicate she has the fastest reactions, and Symphony's records indicate she has done a lot of sky-diving, hence being chosen for the tests.
• Lieutenant Green also makes his first appearance in the strip, in the last frame of the last part.
• The title of this story was originally the 'title' of the first part, given as the 'next week' caption from the week before. The 'alternative' title comes from the reprint in 1995, which followed a brief break for issues 84 and 85.