Thunderbirds are go! Building 1/144 scale Thunderbirds. Updated 9th March

[Dan Griffin]

Along with all the POD details in pack four, we also got another POD vehicle, this time in the form of Firefly.

 

This has built up into an absolutely beautiful little model.

 

The main body needed detailing.

 

the details are a very good fit, the were attached with a small amount of glue.

 

the body attached to the treads.

 

the shield was constructed and fitted.

 

Firefly posed inside POD 3.

 

After construction it became apparent that the blade was a very tight fit in the body, as it was supposed to lift up and down like the original on TV, however it was almost breaking when I tried to move it. so I opened up the holes with a 2.5mm drill bit.

 

the blade pins were then coated with a layer of thick superglue and allowed to fully set.

 

once cured it was reassembled and the blade was much more workable and will hold its position.

[Dan Griffin]

And then, in true Thunderbirds style,

 

Calling International rescue.

 

I had a disaster, which has highlighted a problem which could have ruined the entire build had it not shown up when it did.

 

As I was told by some chaps at the beginning of this build, the Revell contacta glue failed, total Cr*p.

 

Whilst I was working on the POD, elevator car 1 rolled off the table onto the floor, and broke along its glued joints into pieces. Nothing broke and I was able to reassemble it, which was just as well. upon further investigation, both recovery vehicles were also weak, and I was able to undo my work, just by gently pulling at the parts.

 

Even the POD superstructure was effected.

 

 

the elevator car in pieces, it was reassembled with ease though, which was lucky,

 

 

these parts were easily pulled off when they had supposedly been glued with contacta!

 

The POD build also came apart with ease. I have checked the other bits I glued and they seem fine for now.

 

I am now using Deluxe materials plastic magic, which is holding as firm as superglue, but with out the white bloom you can get with some brands

 

that's it for now, the next pack contains the excavator and completion of the POD, and also the start of one of my all time favourites, the transmitter truck from 'Sun Probe'.

 

until next time,

 

Keep this frequency clear.

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Good Morning and welcome to a belated update on my build.

 

I have been busy rebuilding most of my sons Lego sets for a few weeks so I had two packs to do when I eventually got time to start. This time the build includes several POD vehicles and some more technical stuff with TB2.

 

First off I started with the Excavator, the chassis and wheels of which I had started previous. there is a lot of small fine detail on the vehicle, and the front excavating parts rotate. its a sturdy purposeful looking model.

 

The main body parts and chassis. Some of the finer detail comes on spurs for you to cut out with a sharp scalpel.

 

The cockpit section was a separate moulding.

 

the detail fitted to the body.

 

The finished Excavator.

 

 

 

Next up was another childhood dream of a machine, the transmitter truck. This model also had a lot of small parts, and im afraid to say I was so engrossed in building this I took no pictures of the actual build!

 

The transmitter truck parts, the colour is spot on.

 

The finished vehicle. the only niggle I have with this is that the front treads are very stiff and hard to move. I may have to look at remedying this in the future.

 

 

 

Also in this build was the outer skin sections, and roof for POD 3. these were glued together and now I have one complete POD. It is awesome. the doors open on both ends and the finish is excellent as is the interior which is loaded with detail.

 

The outer skins were glued to the inner walls.

 

The completed POD. The walls and roof are removable so you can gain easy access to the POD. it also helps when photography vehicles inside the POS.

 

The interior is stunning, even if it does need a dust from being on the shelf!

 

Next up, work started on the working telescopic legs of the main aircraft. The legs are brass and fit over one another. There is a spring and damper inside the legs.

 

 

The leg supports were screwed into the main section of Thunderbird and the legs gentle passed through.

 

 

The body was lifted up to make sure the legs telescoped out as they should. The feet were then screwed to the bottom to complete this leg building section.

 

 

Next another POD vehicle, built exactly the same as the previous two, elevator car number 3 was built. I know have enough to land the Fireflash!

 

 

 

Another POD vehicle followed, and this is tiny! The Thunderiser. its small scale is shown next to the 5p. the wheels are cosmetic on this, as they are so small .

 

 

The last few pictures show the whole progress so far as I am now half way through the build. it is building up into an excellent collection of models, and I cannot fault the quality of the kits.

 

 

 

 

 

This shows the legs extended and with the landing feet attached.

 

 

 

Best regards

 

Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Whilst I was looking into this kit, it seemed that Deagostini had purchased the old Tamara moulding to make it, but unlike the Tamara version that was ready build, this kit doesn't come with the grabs and claws that Thunderbird two had.

 

Below are some screen shots of said grabs, which I am looking at scratch building to complete the build.

 

If anyone can see familiar parts from old airfix kits please let me know, as the model makers were known to kit bash a lot of their models from readily available items.

 

Firstly we have the escape capsule that featured in 'Operation crash dive'.

 

 

 

Then we have the claw grab from Day of Disaster'.

 

 

 

Then there is this three pronged grab which featured in both 'Day of Disaster' and 'Atlantic inferno', although it differed in detail between the two episodes.

 

 

 

seen again later in the series looking slightly different.

 

 

 

 

Any help would be great, until the next update.

 

Best regards

 

Dan

 

[BernardTPM]

With their clear bases the Tracy brothers look like they're a set by Merit!

 

[andyram]

Fantastic work.

[Dan Griffin]

Afternoon all,

 

March pack 7 update, first off, yet another POD vehicle, this time its the monobrake, seen in action in 'Perils of Penelope' and it made a cameo in 'security hazard'. Never used to its full potential in the series, its a quirky looking beast. the silver pole down the middle was supposedly so it could hook itself to any monorail and the jet would propel it along.

 

First off the wheels were constructed and added to the chassis. 

 

The main body was attached and the treads added.

 

Finer details like windscreen and jet engine were then added, completing this easy build.

 

The next POD vehicle is the laser cutter, from '30 Minutes after noon'.

 

this is a very small model indeed, very similar to the Thunderiser I built in the last pack. 

 

the many small parts laid out ready for assembly. 

 

a 5 minute build and its complete. the laser canon moves up and down. yet another very nice little model. 

 

The two POD vehicles side by side. 

 

The next instalment will focus on the mechanics that make the legs go up and down. I will try and upload those pics tomorrow. 

 

best regards

 

Dan

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

I have been working on the Thunderbird in the background, as a bit of a prequel to the next lot of pics, here is a video of the legs being tested, as pack 8 had a test circuit board.

 

 

Thoughts?

 

Regards

 

Dan

[MikeTrice]

Shame about the shudder when lowering.

[F-UnitMad]

Looks good to me, but TB2 looks funny with no wings!!

 

Pods with doors at both ends. Properly raising legs. All this is reminding me how utterly inadequate my old Dinky Toys TB2 was back in the '70s. I even had to repaint mine from that metallic blue version!!

[Coppercap]

All this is reminding me how utterly inadequate my old Dinky Toys TB2 was back in the '70s. I even had to repaint mine from that metallic blue version!!

Strange how Dinky used the correct colour on the earlier model, then went for that blue. (Also odd was the colours they used on the UFO Interceptor and Mobile...)

I've still got my much-treasured 1966-ish TB2, with most of it's box, and all its legs! FAB.

[Dan Griffin]

Hello, 

 

time for a belated update, as the glorious weather and work have taken there toll, this up date comes not long before the next new pack should arrive. As you may have seen previously I have a working model now, but that was not all that came with pack 8. 

 

After the leg build and test the next item was a fan favourite, The Mole.

 

first off was chassis and support structure.

 

 

next the wheels, (the same build as previous POD vehicles) were made and the bottom of the chassis glued together.

 

next the support for the drill machine was constructed. the holes on this were too small and had to be opened up with a round file for the pieces to fit. 

 

the support was then attached to the chassis and was tested to ensure that it still operated by tilting forward. 

 

the Mole body comes pre painted and pre printed. one slightly humorous error that is printed on the body side it 'Head hats required' as opposed to Hard required. but the printing is so small it does not detract from the model.

 

the finished result. there were a few small extra details to add to the body and the drill was two parts, only one of which, according to the instructions needed glue, the actual drill should have been loose, but mine was such a loose fit it kept falling off when the model was posed in the drilling position. so I tagged it on with a spot of plastic magic. 

 

Ready for action. 

 

 

Following now are some picture of the leg build, assembling the motor and gear box into the main superstructure of TB2. In the video the model is quite shaky when it lowers, but asking around and looking at other peoples builds it looks like tis a common problem, which is resolved slightly when the rest of the body and wings are in place. I will be coating all the plastic gears in Vaseline before the whole thing is finished. 

 

The completed motor, gear box and leg spring assembly. 

 

 

Also in the build was the start of another POD, POD 4, home of Thunderbird 4. I have skipped the build for this as it is identical for the POD 3 build so far, but this one will have TB4's launch ramp inside, so I will detail that when the time comes. 

 

 

 

Until next time guys, 

 

F A B.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 22, 2018 by Dan Griffin

[Coppercap]

Suggest you use silicone grease on the gears instead of Vaseline. Vaseline is a petroleum-based product and may have an adverse effect on plastic.

[Dan Griffin]

Suggest you use silicone grease on the gears instead of Vaseline. Vaseline is a petroleum-based product and may have an adverse effect on plastic.

 

Thanks, i will keep an eye out for some.

[andyram]

I have been working on the Thunderbird in the background, as a bit of a prequel to the next lot of pics, here is a video of the legs being tested, as pack 8 had a test circuit board.

 

 

Thoughts?

 

Regards

 

Dan

 

 

Love it.

FAB!

[ColinK]

Fab

[caradoc]

What fantastic models, and superbly put together as well. Puts my first Thunderbird in the shade; A TB1 pencil case I was given while in hospital to have my adenoids removed at around 8 years old ! Look forward to ongoing progress.

[Coppercap]

What fantastic models, and superbly put together as well. Puts my first Thunderbird in the shade; A TB1 pencil case I was given while in hospital to have my adenoids removed at around 8 years old ! Look forward to ongoing progress.

A few years ago at work, my new manager arrived to meet his new staff, and when he sat down to use his laptop he took out a Thunderbirds pencil tin and put it on the desk! As he was of similar age to most of us (50+) some of us shared the nostalgia for such things, but it was a bit odd considering he came across as a very serious person, unlike his staff! When we stopped for a cuppa (no canteen), I made one for him and used my spare mug - a Thunderbirds one! He looked at it as if to think 'where did that appear from?', but maintaining his seriousness he said nothing. Even when someone slipped in an 'FAB' at some point in conversation, he didn't say anything, but I'm sure he heard. He didn't last long with us, maybe we weren't serious enough for him...

[Classsix T]

A few years ago at work, my new manager arrived to meet his new staff, and when he sat down to use his laptop he took out a Thunderbirds pencil tin and put it on the desk! As he was of similar age to most of us (50+) some of us shared the nostalgia for such things, but it was a bit odd considering he came across as a very serious person, unlike his staff! When we stopped for a cuppa (no canteen), I made one for him and used my spare mug - a Thunderbirds one! He looked at it as if to think 'where did that appear from?', but maintaining his seriousness he said nothing. Even when someone slipped in an 'FAB' at some point in conversation, he didn't say anything, but I'm sure he heard. He didn't last long with us, maybe we weren't serious enough for him...

"Gerald hated his Thunderbirds pencil tin, but begrudgingly kept it as it was a gift from his recently deceased Aunt. "I told her Captain Scarlett", he'd mutter under his breath. "Someone will pay".

Gerald put a long haired white cat on his shopping list.

 

C6T.

[Dan Griffin]

Hello,

 

It has been a long while since any updates due to holidays ect, but here is where the model stands at the moment. Any day now I should be taking delivery of pack 12, the last pack, so within the week TB2 should be finished. (fingers crossed we get the extension that was released last year in Japan, which includes more vehicles and POD 2!) 

 

Anyway first off, more work on POD 4.

 

The base of Thunderbird 4's ramp was put together, this includes a neat little tab on the rear you pull to make it raise up and down.

 

 

This was trial fitted to the POD floor.

 

The top ramp was then built and some small details added. The ladder type ramp slides forwards and backwards.

 

The ramp was then glue into the POD, using the locating lugs on the underside which clipped into the floor.

 

The ramp in the raised position and with the launch ramp deployed.

 

The rest of the POD 4's construction followed the exact same pace as POD 3 previously. After the roof and sides were completed that completed the PODs for the build.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Once POD 4 was completed it meant that finally, after 10 months, Thunderbird 4 had a home!

 

Some pictures on the completed POD with TB4.

 

Ready.....

 

Steady....

 

LAUNCH!

 

I particularly like this shot, very reminiscent of the Programme.

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

a couple more.

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

After completing POD 4 it was time for another rescue vehicle, namely, the DOMO from ' the duchess assignment'.

 

 

This is a similar built to the excavator as the vehicles are practically the same apart from the front end gear.

 

 

Lots of small parts, put together to make the larger cock pit area.

 

Next the familiar chassis arrangement and main body were located and put together.

 

The familiar chassis based from a 1960's tractor toy.

 

The base of the body secured onto the chassis.

 

The cockpit and some small details added.

 

The suction arms were constructed and then glued onto the main body. this completed the DOMO.

 

Ready to go and rescue the Duchess of Royston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Then it was time for small smaller, (much smaller!) POD and rescue vehicles.

 

First up, not a rescue vehicle at all, but Alan's racing car from 'move and your dead.'

 

The was simple to make, and for the first and only time in the kit, water slide transfers had to be applied.

 

the chassis and wheels followed the same construction as FAB 1.

 

The main body of the car was attached after some minor detailing to the inside had been added.

 

The all that was needed was to apply the water slide number 2 to each side of the cars rear.

 

After the car came another tiny rescue vehicle, from the same episode, the Jet air transporter. this was a three piece construction and literally took seconds to make, even including a pre painted Virgil figure.

 

and then something no Thunderbird craft could be without, the jet hover bike. Posed next to Thunderbird 4 for size comparison, this came complete with a Scott  figure and again was a three piece construction.

 

After these were built, it was time to build some more bits on the main Thunderbird 2 craft......

 

[Dan Griffin]

Work now returns to the main craft with the building and fitting of the rear boosters.

 

These are fairly easy to put together, one includes a speaker for the sound effects and both contain red LED's for the lighting effects.

 

Both boosters come in three parts that require clip fitting together, after the relevant wires have been threaded through.

 

This view shows the speaker located to the rear of one of the boosters.

 

Both boosters with the wires for the LED's and speaker sticking out of the top.

 

The rear section was then added to both boosters, this included some very fine mesh that is sandwiched between the rear part and main booster.

 

The boosters come pre painted and the finish, as it has been on all of the models, it excellent.

 

The first booster fitted to the rear of Thunderbird 2.

 

Both Boosters fitted, In the final pack comes the tail fin and wings to complete the main craft.