Vega 4

1 9 6 8 (Australia)
7 x 20 minute episodes

Produced by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) in 1966 but not aired until June and July 1968, this children’s sci-fi series used the same sets and model spaceships as The Interpretaris (1966) and was a sequel/spin-off of sorts to that programme.

Also produced by Artransa Park at their Sydney studios, the series begins when Earth Space Control detects a threat to Earth emanating from Galaxy Five and the President (Ken Fraser) orders the commissioning and immediate launch of the as-yet untested spaceship Vega 4.

As onboard the Interpretaris, a three-person crew is selected for the mission: Captain Phillip Wallace (John Faasen), Lieutenant James Adam (Evan Dunstan) and Ensign Eve Poitier (Julianna Allan).

They are assisted by a computeroid named Henry, which looks exactly the same as the Henry from The Interpretaris.

It is soon revealed that the threat to Earth from Galaxy Five is the handiwork of banished evil scientist turned saboteur, Zodian (Eddie Hepple) who is seeking revenge for being exiled to an asteroid.

Vega 4 also suffered from flimsy sets, poor effects and cheap production values with Melbourne newspaper, The Age, calling it “the worst ABC programme of the year”.

A further spin-off series, Phoenix Five, was produced in 1969, with Redmond Phillips now playing Zodian.

Captain Philip Wallace
John Faasen
Ensign Eve Poitier
Julianna Allan
Lieutenant James Adam
Evan Dunstan
Zodian
Edward Hepple
President 
Ken Fraser
Professor Kendrick
Philip Jay
Magnet Man
Bob Haddow
Nymphaloid
Lucia Duschenski
Tritonian
Roger Ward

Episodes

Mission of Vega 4 | The Forbidden Planet | Double Trouble | Flight of Fate | Dive Into Danger | Zodian’s Day | Day of Destruction