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

[Dan Griffin]

Next up a POD vehicle that spent the best part of about 20 seconds on screen the entire series, the Fire Truck.

 

The familiar chassis make a return and this was constructed with the same ease as all the others.

 

The cab and small details where then added. The television model was clearly a rebuild of the Houseman truck, which was a rebuild of the transmitter truck.

 

The front tracks were built, these are stiff and do not turn very easily, but look good.

 

The main body was then attached to the chassis.

 

The fire fighting turret was built up from small parts, and then added to the rear of the main body. this turns around and pivots up and down.

 

The completed fire truck.

 

 

After the Fire Truck came the fourth and final elevator car, construction was detailed on page 1.

 

 

 

Then there was time for a quick pose of the three newest POD vehicles before starting something different.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Out of all the vehicles provided with the kit, this is the only one that is really out of scale with everything else, but having said that, I honestly cannot see how they'd have made it work if it were made any smaller, without it just being a static model.

 

This vehicle is the Desert track.

 

Seen in various forms throughout the series in differing forms, as The Hoods vehicle and as an explorers truck in 'The Uninvited'. This model depicts it as Brains and Tin-Tin's vehicle from 'Desperate Intruder', it even has 'Anasta expedition' on the sides.

 

The chassis, again, constructed the same as for The Mole, Firefly, Domo etc...

 

The body plate fixed to the chassis.

 

The front was then built up using small parts and attached to the rear chassis.

 

Here it is posed with a figure along side to show the difference in scale with the particular vehicle. This will then be finished when the rest of the parts arrive in Pack 12.

 

The next build instalment will be the last until they release the extension packs in the UK.

Edited September 7, 2018 by Dan Griffin

[Dan Griffin]

Just to end this epic update, a quick picture I found on the hard drive taken in march this year, showing Scott and Thunderbird 1 on a mission in the Arctic!

 

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Good morning,

 

The last (for now) pack has arrived with all the parts needed to complete this built, including the remote control.

 

I have completed the Half track now, and will then complete the last POD vehicle and then finish off and test Thunderbird 2.

 

Before starting the rest of the half track, I had a bit of a disaster.

 

It seemed at the end of the last part, some glue had stuck one of the front wheels, so I tried to free it up and snap! the front axel broke in half. After that gutting feeling had passed, I got the hub cap and drilled out the old axel, I also then cut the rest of the axel off and drilled a small hole where it was.

 

I searched for a suitable replacement, and found that a cocktail stick was the right diameter, so I cut it to size a gently sanded it smooth, then using small amounts of gorilla glue, it was reassembled and, Phew! it seems to have worked and as it stands now its all fixed. Judge for yourself, but apart from the left hand (from the front) wheels being at a slight angle, its not noticeable.

 

Now to finish the half track.

 

The small detail parts laid out, not much work left to finish this vehicle off.

 

The steering wheel and dash board were added, along with he bench seats.

 

the backboard was added, however this had to be removed and lowered as the half circle glazing part wouldn't fit correctly over, about a mm was taken off the bottom and test fitted and all seemed ok.

 

The front headlight unit was added, along with the bonnet handrails. this is a well detailed little kit.

 

Next up the back details were added, Jerry cans, wooden boxes and folded tents.

 

The rear canvas looking cover was added to the rear. and this completed this Half track. it has a purposeful look about it. My only criticism is that it is just that bit over scale.

 

A view from the front. the front wheels closest to the camera is the one that's been repaired.

 

Head on view, the slight pitch on the left hand wheel is noticeable here, but not when the model is viewed from normal angles.

 

The half track posed on POD 3. It looks so large, and is bigger than the mole.

 

This is a similar Jeep, indeed I believe the same model bash in the series next to FAB 1, the FAB1 supplied in this kit will fit in the back of the Half track!!

 

Compare this image to the model POD and this one looks quite a bit smaller than the model.

(above two images courtesy of Thunderbirdswikia. http://thunderbirds.wikia.com/wiki/Field_Mission_Half-Track )

 

However, it is another well detailed and welcome model. Next up the mobile crane which also did a cameo on Captain Scarlet.

Edited September 15, 2018 by Dan Griffin

[Dan Griffin]

Good evening.

 

Time for another POD vehicle, this time, the Mobile crane, the only POD vehicle seen in the short lived series 2 of Thunderbirds. The model of this vehicle also appeared in the Captain Scarlet episode 'seek and destroy' as a fire tender.

 

the first task was to cut out all the hubs from the sprues and gather up all of the wheels.

 

The hubs were glued together and the wheels assembled ready for the axels.

 

The main chassis was a big piece this time and the axels were threaded through and the wheels pushed on.

 

the front warning bumper was a separate piece which needed fitting, the correct way up.

 

the crane arm was constructed from some small parts, the rescue basket being glued on last.

 

Other small details were then made up, these parts fit onto he main body.

 

Next up was the cabin, this one piece part just clipped snugly into place.

 

The International rescue signs and rear support were added.

 

The completed crane arm was clipped into its support and the flood light added. headlights were also added.

 

That completed the build, this is a large model and very free running, also bitter sweet as being the last POD vehicle of the build. (until (if) the extension is made available).

 

the last two vehicles of the build.

 

The detail on these models is excellent. next up, work on the main Thunderbird, final testing and completion of this fantastic build.

Below is the crane with two of the Tracey brothers posed on the rescue platform.

Edited September 18, 2018 by Dan Griffin

[Dan Griffin]

Work now focuses on finishing the main Thunderbird craft.

 

We start by building up the ram jets and air intakes for the tail fin.

 

The base and rear ram jets ready for putting together.

 

the rear ram jets were a simple glue together excercise.

 

these were glued onto the bottom of the tail fin.

 

the air intakes were slightly more tme consuming, all the sprues shown needed cutting,

 

until all the silver fins were cut out.

 

the air intakes then had to be made up one fin at a time!

 

there are four to make altogether.

 

the top part of the rear fin was then screwed on, this makes a sturdy structure.

 

 

Then is was time to get the side supports and add the rear fin to these.

 

this is a tight fit, requiring no glue to hold firm.

 

the side intakes are then added. these were tight also, but glue was used just to secure in place.

 

The rear tail fin is then finished ready for adding to the main model.

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Before final assembly, the test circute board i installed a while ago has to be replaced with the control board proper.

 

The is a relativly simple swap, the wires need gentle pulling and tidying up beofre the top goes on.

 

This is the test board, looking very plain and simple.

 

this is the replacment board, complete with sound chip for the booster.

 

 

 

The i had to get the cockpit module, way back from issue 1, and add the extension wire to the cock pit lights, this was then attached to the circuit board.

 

 

The side tops were then added, and it was ready for final assembly.

Edited September 19, 2018 by Dan Griffin

[Dan Griffin]

Final assembly. This year long build has gone by so quick!

 

The final rear section was screwed on and then the two halfs of the model were pushed together and held with small ammounts of masking tape.

 

it was then turned upside down and the screws gently tightened to bring the two hlafs together, being careful not to trap any internal wiring.

 

The wings were then gently pushed into thier locating holes, and the tail fin is also friction fit into the rear section, and shes just about done.

 

The model then just needed testing, and the remote putting together.

Edited September 19, 2018 by Dan Griffin

[Dan Griffin]

The remote was a fairly simple affair, the buttons had gto be placed correctly, and the the two sides screwed together.

 

this is where i encountered the first real problem of the build, upon testing i found that either the remote circute board, or TB2's is faulty. as when the buttons are pressed on the remote, all functions set off regaurdless. Replacements are on their way.

 

 

 

the remote is a neat little item. colcour matching the main Thunderbird.

[Dan Griffin]

Here she is

 

Thunderbird 2 in all her finished glory.

 

This has been by far one of my faverite builds ever. It all went together well, the colour, painting and printing is outstanding.

 

below are some final images of the finished build, along with all the vehicles and others ships i have built with this epic kit.

 

Thunderbird 2 with POD 3

 

Cockpit lights on.

 

Stood with the POD and some of the vehicles.

 

the rear boosters lit up, and they make the engine sounds that are taken from the series.

 

The top mounted rocket cannons, as seen in a few episodes. this is spring loaded and pops up when you slid the hatch back.

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

Thunderbirds 1,2 and 4 are of the same scale, as is FAB 1,

 

Thunderbird 3 is 1/350 scale as one to match 1 and 2 would be 2 feet tall!

 

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by Dan Griffin

[Dan Griffin]

The POD vehicels,

 

The desert half track

 

FAB 1

 

The four elevator cars from the pilot episode.

 

It seems that fitting all four elevator cars into the POD is a myth, unless the the rescue ramps lower, they will not all fit!

 

 

Firefly, one of my favourite models.

 

the fire truck

 

Monobrake.

 

Alan with his BR2 racing car.

 

Recovery vehicles.

 

Transmitter truck.

 

The Mole

 

The Excavator.

 

The Domo

 

The air transporter and Hover bike.

 

The mobile crane.

 

The Thunderiser and Motar booster, These are tiny models.

 

 

 

 

[Dan Griffin]

All the vehicles posed together,

 

 

Thunderbird 4 and POD 4 in the background, the POD sides being removable is an excellent way of looking at these models.

 

 

 

Thunderbird 1 and 2.

 

This shot is supposed to show the size of the model, next to my Matchbox toy from the 1990's.

 

 

And finally, its not quite over yet. This hatch underneath the nose cone opes and slides back. In the TV series this housed Grabs, Crane ect, and as i mentioned earlier in the tread, i am now looking at scratch building some of these. I will update the thread as and when i complete those builds.

 

Thanks for looking

[ColinK]

Great model and a really interesting build. Thanks for sharing.

[Barry Ten]

Can we have one of these in 1/144 next:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8PR3QIwXHs

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Surely you are now required to build the complete Tracy Island in your back garden? ;-)

 

The most believable of all the craft was TB1, and several of my Pa's colleagues - those sometime EE and eventually BAE GW employees - reckoned that their Thunderbird heavy SAM was the 'seed' from which this strange fruit evolved.

[Gibbo675]

Hi 

 

I noticed this caption under the photo of the elevator cars,

 

"It seems that fitting all four elevator cars into the POD is a myth, unless the the rescue ramps lower, they will not all fit!"

 

Perhaps the spare pair were kept in pod two and delivered by way of some sort of teleportation device as yet undisclosed ?

 

Gibbo.

[ian]

Can we have one of these in 1/144 next:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8PR3QIwXHs

 

Isn't that Elon Musk's next rocket?

Edited September 20, 2018 by ian

[Night Train]

Can we have one of these in 1/144 next:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8PR3QIwXHs

Aoshima did a rather nice diecast version if you can find one.

 

[PaternosterRow]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. What a fantastic mega kit and so neatly demonstrated. Thunderbirds was years ahead of its time and I much prefer the original to all the other cartoony take offs since. TB 2 looked fantastic raising up and down. You may have pointed it out already, but how much did this cost in total?

 

Really entertaining thread, thanks so much for sharing.

 

Mike

[Barry Ten]

Aoshima did a rather nice diecast version if you can find one.

 

 

 

I've seen them pop-up on ebay from time time, but been frightened by the cost and the fact that you can't get a good look at it in the box. I wouldn't mind one, though. 

 

The model also features in Captain Scarlet boxing as the Mars rover in the first ep of that series was the same vehicle!!!

 

These Gerry Anderson craft still look brilliant 50 years on, a testament to how well they were thought-out. Even though there were different designers involved, the

end results always had a plausible look and a common design philosophy to them, suggesting that they belonged in the same future.

[Barry Ten]

Did anyone (get excited by) and build this as a kid?

 

[caradoc]

Great to see all the finished vehicles, superbly constructed by Dan. TB3 was my favourite, a model to the same scale as the rest would be truly impressive !

[Dan Griffin]

Morning. 

 

After yesterdays announcement from Bachmann i thought id share some more of my Thunderbirds Builds. 

 

These kits are Aoshima, but, it looks like Bachmann has acquired these kits and they are one and the same. 

 

first up, Fireflash. The iconic aircraft from the very first episode, and also, the star of episode 13, and a personal favourite, Operation crash dive. 

i built two models as i wanted one 'in flight' and one on its landing gear.

 

This is a lovely kit to build, the paint is Halfords ford Riviera blue and revell Lufthansa dark blue. 

 

One thing with this kit, it will be interesting to see if Bachmann/AIP have altered the transfer sheet, as the Aoshima Kit did not have quite enough white lining. 

[Dan Griffin]

Next up, Thunderbird 5. 

 

This was quite a complex kit to build as it has an internal gear box that allows it to turn on its stand,  the top light also works and flashes whilst it turns.  whether Bachmann/AIP keep the internals will be interesting to see. 

 

The small Thunderbird 3 base was modified from that provided as it sat on the ground, whilst the 'real' Thunderbird 3 sat only on its rockets.  Thunderbird 3 is removable so it can be displayed docked or with Thunderbird 5 alone. 

 

Some Trivia for Thunderbirds fans, Thunderbird 5 was the only craft to have its own theme tune!

 

I painted the base to represent the Earths surface, and used Humbrol silver for the main body. It is a very detailed kit and looks nice when built and on display. 

 

(yes i know, i have to glue that receiver back on!)

 

 

 

Thunderbird 3 docked with 5