Gerry Anderson’s classic ‘Supermarionation’ show Stingray, which first aired in 1964, followed the brave crew of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol – or WASP – as they protected the Earth’s oceans from the evil King Titan, ruler of the Aquaphibians. 

But is their submarine, Stingray, enough to stop Titan’s latest schemes? In the new audiobook Stingray: Project Orca by Bob Ayres, released today, the crew find Stingray is set to be replaced by the bigger, more brutal Orca – only for Orca to be stolen! 

2024 is the sixtieth anniversary of Stingray, and Project Orca is part of a celebratory multi-media narrative titled Deadly Uprising. Its story follows on from a previous audiobook, The Titanican Stratagem, which was released last month. 

Stingray: Project Orca has a whopping running time of almost five hours, and is now available to own as a digital download for just £16.99, exclusively here. 

Stingray survives its encounter with moderate damage, necessitating major repairs. Growing increasingly frustrated that Titan is acquiring new allies and fearing that his own position is in jeopardy, X20 hatches a plan to finally impress Titan and regain some of the power he once had. X20 gets into Marineville, disguised, and finds out about a new replacement for Stingray being rushed through the final stages of development, codenamed Orca. 

Unlike Stingray’s role as a patrol and exploration craft, the Orca is a larger submarine designed purely for warfare. It is heavily armed and features a variety of innovative features that make it virtually unstoppable. However, thanks to the growing threat posed by Titan’s alliance, the race to get Orca’s sea-trials underway has inadvertently compromised the vessel's security. 

During test manoeuvres, the Orca is stolen, thanks to information gathered by X20. Troy and crew try to pursue in the hastily repaired Stingray, but are faced with Titan’s alliance – an impossible foe! 

Stingray: Project Orca is narrated by Wayne Forester, a voice actor who has appeared in Big Finish’s Stingray and Thunderbirds audio plays. It is written by three-time BAFTA winner Bob Ayres, who’s previously scripted audio plays for Big Finish’s Doctor Who: The First Doctor Adventures and The Second Doctor Adventures ranges. 

Ayres said: “I jumped at the chance to write a Stingray novel. Wouldn’t anyone? Gerry Anderson shows have such a special place in everyone’s hearts, so I feel privileged to have written part of the Deadly Uprising saga for Stingray’s 60th birthday, and – not going to lie – I also feel a little nervous, now it’s about to be unleashed on the public! 

“In my story, Stingray is replaced by a new, more advanced submarine. Troy Tempest is replaced by a new, blonder Captain. Marineville faces a new technological terror from the sea. Surface Agent X-20 tries on lots of new disguises. And there are big explosions. Those aren’t new. Big explosions are compulsory in a Stingray story. And – of course – Troy, Phones and Marina are at the heart of the action.” 

Producer Andrew Clements added: “How best to sum up Project Orca? Bob Ayres brings us a story that's right at home in the classic Stingray universe, rubbing shoulders with the very best aquatic tales the series has to offer. 

“Not only are listeners introduced to a new character they'll love to hate, but also a new W.A.S.P. super-submarine that threatens to make Stingray obsolete – talk about a drama and a half! Once again Wayne Forester performs each role with gusto in a superb tale that will delight and surprise in equal measure!” 

Stingray: Project Orca is now available to own as a digital download for just £16.99, exclusively here.