The passenger aircraft Skythrust, conceived by Brains using his real name (Hiram Hackenbacker) as an alias, falls into the hands of fashion criminals who hi-jack the plane to steal a new French design from the renowned François Lemaire.

A malfunctioning solar reflector menaces the Italian coastal village of Monte Bianco, where Lady Penelope and Parker happen to be visiting while on holiday.

While Christmas preparations are underway at both Tracy Island and a local children's hospital, which is expanding to incorporate a new radiotherapy wing, a pair of criminals attempt to burgle a high-tech vault storing gold bullion.