Jimbo and the Jet Set

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Jimbo and the Jet Set
Jimbo
Format	Animated series
Created by	Peter Maddocks
Starring	Peter Hawkins Susan Sheridan
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	25
Production
Executive producer(s)	Maddocks Cartoon Productions
Running time	5 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	BBC1
Original run	1985 – 1986
Chronology
Related shows	Penny Crayon The Family-Ness
External links
IMDb profile

Jimbo and the Jet Set (often shortened to simply Jimbo) was a British animated cartoon series in the 1980s, featuring the adventures of the eponymous Jimbo, a talking aeroplane. Created by Maddocks Cartoon Productions, it originally ran for 25 episodes between 1985 and 1986.

The proviso to the cartoon is that Jimbo was originally intended to be a Jumbo Jet, but his designer couldn't tell the difference between inches and centimetres, resulting in his diminutive size.

The television series featured various talking airport-type ground vehicles (Tommy Tow-Truck, Claude Catering, Amanda Baggage, Phil the Fuel Truck, Sammy Steps, etc), and Harry Helicopter. Other plane characters appear from time to time, such as Old Timer, a Vickers Wellington bomber who gets into the story while flying to or from an airshow. The story is based at a fictional "London Airport", under the command of an irate controller who frequently ends episodes screaming "I want words with you, Jimbo!".

Some printed material and toy merchandise featured Gloria Gatwick, a female counterpart to Jimbo, but she did not appear in a speaking role within the TV episodes (save for one brief appearance in one episode, where she can be clearly seen from a top-viewed angle).

[edit] Credits

Created, Written and Produced by: Peter Maddocks
Music: Roger Greenaway, Gavin Greenaway
Series Animation by: Clive Dawson, Julian Gibbs, Neil Salmon, William Mobberley
Backgrounds: Kevin Smith
Camera: Chris Williams
Editing: Keith Learner
Trace & Paint: Guy Maddocks, Vivienne Dempsey, Simon Maddocks
Directed by: Keith Learner

[edit] Episode Listing

The Little Big Problem	The origin of how Jimbo came to be starts out at the Aircraft Factory, where the technicians use centimetres instead of inches, resulting in "half a Jumbo"! NOTE: The first appearances of Jimbo, the Chief, Tommy Towtruck, and Amanda Baggage.
The Old Timer	One misty day, Jimbo comes across a Wellington bomber plane (the Old Timer) who has lost his way in the fog. Jimbo offers to guide him home but weather (rain, snow, fog) constantly causes the pair to be diverted to one airfield after another. NOTES: The first appearance of The Old Timer. This episode seems to be played out of order as the Old Timer seems to remember Jimbo long before "The Bermuda Triangle". The Scottish Chief looks remarkably like McToot from The Family Ness, also created by Peter Maddocks.
The Bermuda Triangle	Jimbo is to escort the Old Timer to a wartime convention in Florida, but ends up becoming trapped in the mysterious Bermuda Triangle.
Jimbo and the Whale	Jimbo's engines are acting up as he flies over the North Pole, causing him to become stranded. But he gets airborne again with help from a whale. NOTE: The first appearance of The Flying Doctor.
Jungle Jimbo	The African airfields begin using computer technology to keep their airport running. Jimbo realises how useful computers and elephants are when he helps to put out a forest fire.
Jimbo and the Astronaut	Flying a little too high, Jimbo finds himself out in far space where he helps a stranded astronaut back to Earth. NOTE: The first appearance of Freddy Firetruck, who, unusually, is not properly introduced until "April Fools Day".
Jimbo Down Under	Jimbo, tired and weary after a long flight, accidentally lands in the middle of the Australian outback. However, he is rescued by a fellow Australian and a herd of kangaroos. NOTE: The Australian that helps Jimbo is obviously characterised to look and sound like Rolf Harris.
Quiet Please	A little old lady who lives near the runways is complaining about the noise, which means that Jimbo's engines are constantly muffled. However, the Chief realises his mistake when he does some investigating: the noise nuisance came from a radio-controlled model plane.
The Chief Gets a Rocket	Jimbo is sent on a Top Secret mission to help with the launching of a rocket. The Chief, Control Tower and all, are also sent to launch it, but they end up launching the Control Tower by mistake! NOTE: The first appearance of Sammy Steps.
The Controller's Apprentice	The Chief brings along his nephew to teach him how to be a proper airfield chief, much to Jimbo's dismay. but the apprentice's cockiness becomes his downfall...
Jinglebell Jimbo	When Father Christmas's sleigh is stolen, Jimbo is sent to help deliver presents all over the world in time for Christmas.
The Penn and Inca Story	Jimbo sets off with a tropical explorer to find an ancient ink well that writes with pure gold. However, the result isn't entirely successful...
The Great Air Race	A round-the-world air race is set and Jimbo wishes he could take part. He gets his chance when he has to hurry the race judge to the finishing line when he arrives at the start by mistake! Low on fuel, Jimbo relies on rocket power to get to the finish in time. NOTE: The only appearance of Sammy Shuttle.
The Little Red Devil	A special display of Red Devil Planes are prepared for a retiring Admiral, but when one of them is unavailable, Tommy Towtruck tries to masquerade Jimbo to look like one of them. However, the paint is not entirely waterproof when a storm breaks...
Chinese Panda-monium	Jimbo is sent, along with an animal trainer, to try and capture a rare panda from China. Much to his embarrassment he is disgused a a panda as camouflage, but the Chief ends up laughing on the other side of his face when Jimbo returns with a live Chinese dragon...
The Computer Clanger	The Airfield Administration decide to build another "Jimbo" for their fleet. To avert another mishap, the Aircraft Factory decide to build the new plane using computers - only this time, they mistake centimetres for yards!
The Royal Visitors	The Chief flies everyone in a blind panic when he hears word that royal visitors are due to arrive at the airfield. Unfortunately for him, the visitors aren't as royal as he was expecting...
First Time Flyers	Jimbo is to take a class of children on their first ever flight. Despite the Chief's warnings to behave, Jimbo gives the kids a ride they'll never forget - much to their poor teacher's displeasure!
Holiday Weather	Fed up with the cold and wet in Britain, Jimbo flies to Hawaii for his holiday for some fun in the sun. All is well until a volcano really heats things up! NOTE: This marks the only appearance of Gloria Gatwick. Although she only appears in this episode, she was merchandised with many other Jimbo memorabilia.
Jet Lag	Poor Jimbo suffers jet lag after an uncomfortable flight. The Flying Doctor has to get Jimbo to gain his confidence in order to fly again; but when all his methods fail, Tommy Towtruck suggests a bold solution...
Every Silver Lining has a Cloud	Jimbo is low on fuel and wants to get home but finds himself in a "queue" with other planes waiting to land. With help from a large cloud, Jimbo pretends to be Concorde in order to slip in quietly, which causes great confusion on terra firma...
Trouble at Sea	Out at sea, Jimbo comes across a ship in distress and frantically does all he can to gather help to save it.
Winter Wonderland	Jimbo is sent to take champion skiers to Switzerland for an important championship and even shows off a few of his own winter sports!
April Fool's Day	Today is the Chief's birthday which, ironically, is on April Fools Day. He has a bit of fun with Jimbo whilst testing out fire safety with Captain Squirt of the Fire Department, but Jimbo gets the last laugh. NOTE: This is Freddy Firetruck's proper debut episode.
The UFO	One stormy night, Jimbo claims to have seen a flying saucer hovering above London Airport. The Chief thinks he is playing another joke until he experiences a Close Encounter... NOTE: The last episode of the series.