The Thunderbirds machines are a series of vehicles that were imagined for the mid-1960s film and television series called Thunderbirds, which was developed by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The series began with the Supermarionation television show Thunderbirds and was followed by the subsequent feature films Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbird 6, which were released between 1965-68. The show featured a large variety of futuristic air, land, and sea vehicles and machines, most of which were designed by special effects director Derek Meddings. As a result, Thunderbird 2 toys have long been the favourite of Thunderbirds fans. Always in high demand, and always absolutely FAB, Thunderbird 2 remains a fan favourite across the globe.

Multi-purpose jet-powered VTOL aircraft and helijets appear in numerous episodes and are widely used by civilian and military organisations. A variety of different designs are seen over the course of the series and were also seen in Anderson's next series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. Some versions seem to be based on the fuselage design of the Kaman HH-43 Huskie helicopter of the early 1960s. It is assumed that the production team modellers modified commercial plastic models (probably the 1/32 scale Hawk kit) of the helicopter for use in the series. In " Terror in New York City", Thunderbird 2 was fired upon and crippled by the USN Sentinel and remained out of operation for the rest of the episode. The vehicle was subsequently repaired using parts sourced from several different aircraft companies to protect the secrets of the aircraft's design. Thunderbird 4 does not play an active role in the films Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) and Thunderbird 6 (1968). It does, however, appear in the opening title sequence of Thunderbirds Are Go. In Thunderbird 6, Jeff Tracy gives a "run down" on each of the Thunderbirds machines, where Thunderbird 4 makes a brief appearance.Thunderbird 2 is the most frequently seen of all the Thunderbirds, appearing in all but one episode of the TV series ("The Impostors") and also appearing in all three films. The worlds of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson: The story behind International Rescue, by Ian Fryer, ISBN 978-1-78155-504-0. The important items here are the legs and I am pleased to say that the Dinky Toy, also, is equipped with four retractable legs. Considering the small size of the model, of course, these could not be made telescopic, but they fold into the body, and are spring-loaded, so that a touch on two little buttons, one at each side, sends them shooting down into position. Consequently, it is possible to reproduce almost the exact operations followed by the original and even if the absolutely identical sequences cannot be followed, you can still have loads of fun. This is a big playset with Thunderbird 2 and Thunderbird 4 inside, plus two mini figures to pilot the vehicles. Destructor cannon, steel spears, automatic camera detector, electromagnetic wiping beam, radar-jamming system

What might be a 'silly children's programme' to some people is, to me, one of the best-produced and most skilful shows on television. Not only are the puppets themselves excellent models and animated by experts, but the equipment and the 'sets' in which they appear are amazingly detailed and real.

Why buy the DeAgostini Thunderbird 2?

Since Thunderbirds first aired in 1965, demand for Thunderbird 2 models has never ceased. From the legendary die-cast version produced by Dinky, to the later Matchbox version in the 1990s and countless other versions made from a host of different materials, there have been plenty of Thunderbird 2 models to please fans. This one is rather special though, we have to admit. Although the Sentinel was prevented from fully destroying Thunderbird 2 when an identification signal was transmitted at the last minute, the damage sustained to the craft's engines crippled it for the rest of the episode. Subsequently, the Sentinel helped International Rescue to save some reporters from drowning in an underwater river in New York by taking Thunderbird 4 aboard and carrying it near the city, as Sentinel was the only available craft capable of transporting Thunderbird 4 that was fast enough to take it to the city in time to make a difference. [44] Sidewinder [ edit ] Sidewinder FAB 1: a six-wheeled Rolls-Royce pink motor car used by Lady Penelope and her chauffeur, Parker. The car has an aircraft-style canopy and is fitted with many gadgets including an air-cooled machine gun located behind the Rolls-Royce grille. [36] During a rescue mission on Jupiter's moon Europa in the episode "Deep Search", it was shown that Thunderbird 4 can also be transported in Thunderbird 3, although it was also provided with various new features to cope with the icy conditions on Europa. When not in use, Thunderbird 4 is housed both in one of Thunderbird 2 's Modules and a water tank seen in the main Tracy Island hangar so it can launch from the island when necessary. With a maximum speed of 15,000 miles per hour (24,000km/h) ( Mach 19.7), it can reach anywhere on Earth within an hour's flight if a great circle route can be flown. Thunderbird 1 is hangared beneath the main house on Tracy Island and launches vertically from a pad camouflaged by a swimming pool that slides aside.

Thunderbird Shadow was designed by Shōji Kawamori, best known as the creator and mechanical designer of the Macross franchise. In " The Uninvited", Thunderbird 1 was shot down by the Zombite Fighters and crashed into the desert but Scott was soon found by two explorers. The contents of Thunderbird 2 's Modules differ slightly from the original series. Module 1 specialises in carrying fire-fighting equipment and contains large speakers and subwoofers topside that are used primarily to emit low-frequency sound waves for use against large fires. It also comes with two under-slung liquid nitrogen cannons. Module 2 contains three "Pods," special units that can be converted and customised into several different rescue vehicles such as the Mole. Module 3 contains electromagnetic "grabs", large claws designed to lift objects heavier than the standard electromagnetic cables can handle. The nose of the craft also contains a set of grabs that can hold a set of seats for lifting people. Module 4 contains Thunderbird 4 just like Pod 4 did in the original series. Module 5 consists of a fuel pump to refuel other vessels as well as seats like Module 3. Module 6, like Module 4 is capable of carrying Thunderbird 4, but it is used in rare occasions of Thunderbird 2 having to travel into space. This huge yellow tree-felling machine was featured in the episode "Path of Destruction". The Crablogger is powered by a nuclear reactor, but its built-in wood processing plant requires the chemical fuel 'Superon'. It was designed by Jim Lucas of Robotics International in England. The machine was equipped with two large arms with a giant central chainsaw which would cut a tree at the base before passing it through an opening at the front. Inside the Crablogger's processing plant, the tree was reduced to wood pulp which was regularly collected by tankers. The aircraft is primarily piloted by Scott Tracy, with Alan taking his place when he is unavailable as Thunderbirds 1 and 3 are rarely required on the same mission (such as in the episode " Atlantic Inferno", where Scott, as the eldest Tracy brother, takes charge while Jeff is on holiday). Jeff described it as "sleek, first and fast" at the beginning of Thunderbird 6.Bentley, Chris (2005) [2000]. The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2nded.). London, UK: Carlton Books. ISBN 978-1-84442-454-2. A reusable vertically launched SSTO (Single Stage To Orbit) spacecraft used for space rescue and maintenance of Thunderbird 5. Thunderbird 3 is 287 feet (87m) long, with a 23 feet (7m) wide body and a 79 feet (24m) span (including engines). It is red in colour. [15] Another source says it's orange. [16]