![]() It is also very heavy, as most of the ship (minus the cargo pod) is diecast metal. This is a massive model, measuring 38cm long, with a wingspan of 29cm. THUNDERBIRD 2 The star model of the range has to be Aoshima’s jumbo-sized and highly detailed replica of the ever-popular Thunderbird 2. There was also an accessory set that contained items produced by both manufacturers. However, the Aoshima / Bandai partnership is particularly strong, to the point that each company’s models are advertised and endorsed on the packaging of the other. ![]() It was not uncommon for Japanese toy companies to co-operate with each other, and often one firm would sub-contract products for another. These models were actually part of the CharaWheels series of character models, but were made in 1/200 scale to be compatible with the large Aoshima items. At the same time, Bandai released three boxed sets of International Rescue vehicles, these being the rarely-modelled pod vehicles carried by Thunderbird 2. In 2003, Aoshima released the ultimate Thunderbirds models: a pair of 1/200 scale super-size replicas of Thunderbirds 1 and 2, complete with working features, interchangeable parts and several accessories. Later issues came again from Bandai, Tomica, and hobby company Aoshima. However, Japanese companies have been producing a large number of Thunderbirds models since the 1970s, including some of the lesser-known vehicles, notably by Eidai Grip and Bandai subsidiary Popy. The budget-priced 1990s range made by Matchbox was more substantial and sold very well, while the 2000s models from Corgi were somewhat lacking in originality. While the Dinky Toys of the 1960s were very popular, there were only two models produced. Although Thunderbirds was a British TV show, the most interesting diecast models based on the series seem to all have come from Japan. In this post we will look at the star of the range, Thunderbird 2. They were large, impressive models with several working features and a number of accessories. They were large models of Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 2, made to 1/200 scale. In 2003, Japanese company Aoshima released a pair of large and incredibly well-detailed models based on the classic Thunderbirds series. Thunderbird 3 is International Rescue's massive orange space rocket.Mike Pigott examines the biggest and best diecast model of Thunderbird 2 ever made, produced by Aoshima of Japan in 1/200 scale. However, according to The Complete Book of Thunderbirds 40th Edition (Bentley, 2006), at the top of page 47 (the page on Thunderbird 3) it clearly states (bold is my emphasis): ![]() I always thought it was red and many pictures suggest it is indeed red (take a look at the Thunderbird 3 page on the Thunderbirds Wiki for examples). *There is some confusion about Thunderbird 3's color. This is not such a ridiculous idea, as if you look closely at the image in the original question, you will note that there is red present on the Thunderbird just below the '5' near the docking port. Hence Thunderbird 5's 'color' must be red! ![]() Since there are five Thunderbirds, and the last color is not pink (which would indicate FAB 1), it is reasonable to assume this must be assigned to Thunderbird 5. You will observe five colors, each representing a different vehicle: This image is taken from the film Thunderbirds Are Go! at the very beginning (I don't recall the exact point in time, but it was within the first 20 seconds at the beginning of the actual movie). ![]() I come to this conclusion on the basis of this image: It turns out that Thunderbird 5's color is red ![]()
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