Jupiter/Behind the Scenes

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Behind the Scenes

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Background Information

Jupiter is a fictional fire engine created by Rob Lee and Brian Anderson. Jupiter's number plate was 999 in Series 1-4.

Jupiter first appeared in the first episode of Fireman Sam, The Kite, which aired in 1987.

In Series 1-4, Jupiter was based off a Bedford TK, As of Series 5, Jupiter was based on a Volvo FL6.

Behind The Scenes

Original Stop-motion models

Jupiter had 3 sized models for the series; a full size model and a medium and small scale model for certain driving scenes. All 3 of Jupiter’s original models were scratch built by Brian Anderson. They were built from balsa wood, plastic and rubber wheels, the lights was powered by the hidden switches from the top of the prop and connected from the battery. The doors and lockers were made to open and close. The key differences between the 3 are; the less pointed blue light on the mid sized model and the small scale model's wheel rim pattern is thicker. The model's last appearance was in Disaster For Dinner.

Jupiter's original model in series 1 to 4

The original Jupiter model's first appearance in The Kite

Medium sized Jupiter model

Jupiter's siren and two tone horns

small-scale Jupiter

Small-scale model of Jupiter

Present day

Jupiter's original medium sized model used to be in storage at Calon TV after the Bumper Films closed down in 2002. The model was given to Calon in order to assist with their updated version of Jupiter. Sometime in 2023, it was found by the company and it was given to East Bristol Auctions and uploaded to their website in 12th December 2023 with a guide price of £1,500GBP. The offer to buy Jupiter's original model ended on 2nd January 2024. Jupiter sold for £2,700 to a private buyer. The prop was seen missing the left door, the bumper, right headlight and the sticker.

Jupiter's original model in 2023

Switches on top of the model

Series 5 Stop-motion model

When HIT Entertainment had bought the “Fireman Sam” franchise and started producing a 5th series, a new model of Jupiter was built, loosely based off the original prop.

The model was again built out of plastic and diescast by Jeff Cliff, just like the original model, the lockers and doors were made to open, and the lights were sourced from bulbs.

Jupiter's series 5 model with Fireman Sam

Jupiter turning on the turntable in the Series 5 intro

The Series 5 Jupiter's first appearance in Danger Falling Sheep

Jupiter with a punctured tire

The Series 5 Jupiter model's last appearance in Let it Snow (Jupiter was in background)

Jupiter with support blocks

Jupiter's rear platform, extended out along with the snorkel and revealing two more outriggers

Jupiter can be seen on the left.

• Series 5
  • Jupiter added extra four wheel side.
  • Jupiter's ladder was replaced by hydraulic platform.

Present day

As of now, the fifth series Jupiter model are presumably in storage with Mattel, beside the original and also fifth series small-scale models of Jupiter.

Close-up model

A close-up model of Jupiter was built for any firefighters (most like Fireman Sam) gets started the fire engine from key and hydraulic platform, however the model was not complete and only cab in theme song. The hydraulic plateform was using on-screen also built it.

A close-up of hydraulic platform model

The hydraulic platform with water cannon

CGI model

In 2008, the series introduced Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) as a replacement for the show's long-standing stop motions. Jupiter was recreated from scratch in CGI by Xing Xing. In the pilot of CGI episode it was based off to American fire truck.

Jupiter in the CGI pilot

Jupiter's CGI model

In during the production of fifteen series, the new CGI model was created by replacing the original iconic Jupiter to be more modern day of the fire engine.

Jupiter's current CGI model