This is the BEST commercially produced Thunderbirds toy/model ever! Not only is this the best Thunderbirds toy/model, it's probably the best
Gerry Anderson related toy/model ever produced. It's that good - really.
What don't you get? You don't get a tacky 'wooden' plinth and brass plate. Nor do you get a reproduction of Gerry Anderson's signature. You don't get exaggerated claims about how big the model is. You don't get voice chips with bad impersonations of Thunderbirds characters saying they're going to land on the motorway.
What you get is a great looking, huge, Thunderbird 2 with operating features, and accessories.
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The main feature is incredible; the telescopic legs actually work. They are motorised and lift TB2 clear of the pod. No buttons or switches mar this TB2. You simply turn the starboard red engine exhaust tube to extend or retract the legs. |
A removable panel reveals the detailed interior of the flight deck, which includes a 1/144 scale Virgil Tracy seated at the controls. The figure can be replaced with an empty seat for when poor old Virgil has to drive pod vehicles into dangerous situations. The cabin is lighted, as well as the underside windows. The port engine tube controls the lights. |
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The removable pod is fully detailed inside and out. Best of all, you can remove the top and port side panels so that you can admire all the details. The front and rear pod doors can be opened. The underside of the pod has free-rolling rollers which serve as TB2's undercarriage. |
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As if this wasn't enough there are a few other features. Slide the top panel aft of the flight deck, and twin missiles pop up. The underside of the nose also has a sliding hatch, this time for connecting an assortment of rescue machinery, including a variety of grabs, and even an elevator. |
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Takara have also supplied a decal sheet with lots of additional signage if you want to enhance the appearance of the model even further. Our photos show the out-of-the-box model with no additional decals applied. Too busy playing to apply the decals...This model was released in 2005 for the Japanese Market. It was priced at around £70. If you are lucky you can still track these down, but be aware that import taxes and shipping costs (it's a heavy model) tend to bump the price up to over £120. Even at that kind of price it's well worth it. |
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As an added bonus Takara also made a host of companion Thunderbirds vehicles in the same 1/144 scale, including more tiny character figures. Some of these vehicles, like the Recovery Vehicle and Mole, are radio controlled. You can buy pod 4 separately and this comes with a scaled Thunderbird 4 with a figure of Gordon Tracy. The pod has an elevating launch ramp, in addition to the features of the pod described above. |
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This is one of those dream models that you never thought any manufacturer would actually make. Takara have done a wonderful job, and cannot be praised too highly for this model. |
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