From the basic J21 Mole I showed the other day to a much better incarnation in the form of this larger (5") version in metal and plastic (above right). Next to it in anticlockwise order are the CDboy kit version and a Carlton deformed mini version. The CDboy kit came with Tbirds 2 and 4 (below) and the TB2 even has a super small Mole and TB4 to sit inside. Each little kit has a battery and music playing chip inside.
From the sublime to the ridiculous 2004 big screen adaptation of Thunderbirds. Now the film may have sucked and the story and acting left a lot to be desired, but I really couldnt fault the vehicle design. If you separate the designs from their original inspiration and view them as stand-alone vehicles, you cant help but admire the sleek lines. Whereas the film was a rubbish, the toy lines accompanying the production were excellent. A lot of companies dived on the bandwagon to attempt to cash in on what could have been a lucrative venture, principally Bandai who had previously made the Terrahawks toys.
Hoping to corner every niche of the market, the toys were made in a whole host of sizes and scales, from pencil rubbers in cereal to a massive remote control TB2. Easily one of the best was thee Deluxe TB2 (above) featuring light and sound, telescopic legs and three detachable pods holding a Mole, TB4 and the Firefly.
Even though the pod Mole is about an inch long, the drill head turns as its pushed along, The 'new' Mole was one of the ugliest designs in the film and not a patch on the original.
Thunderbird 2 arrived in so many different guises from a number of differing companies. The largest above is the remote control version and the smallest is the Sugar Puffs premium. In between we have a number of diecast, pull back, premium and soundtech versions.
Tb4 could easily pass for a modern DSRV sub and again came in several sizes.
TB1s offering from Bandai came complete with launch pad, opening landing gear, canopy and variable geometry wings and moveable engines. The larger version on the right is a radio control model.
TB3 has so far managed to elude me in the larger Bandai range, the biggest model above is the kit form and the front right is a capsule toy.
TB5 has suffered considerably, both in the film and at the hands of toy makers. The large version came with the other four vehicles as a free gift with the dvd. The others are die cast, pull back and premium versions.
Love it or hate it,Penelopes big pink car certainly stood out from the crowd. Now a Ford as opposed to the familiar roller, the Bandai model has optional flight mode.
Easily the ugliest vehicle in the whole film, the Hoods sub was even worse than Ben Kingsleys dialogue. Here we have sound fx, remote and diecast versions.
What an amazing collection Wote! Brilliant post. I've never seen the film. The creative team appeared at TV21 con but seemed pretty humbled and frustrated by the finished film. They may have been involved in Teerrahawks? Can't remember. I may have to watch the movie on the strength of this post!
ReplyDeleteWow. Didn't know there were so many versions made. Amazing shot of the TB2s all together.
ReplyDeleteI have the Bandai 6 inch TB1, TB2, TB4, FAB1, 3 inch mini-TB2, mini-TB5 (had to buy the other mini kits , as each had a part of TB5 for you to put together).
Never understood why they didn't do a 6 inch TB3 though and their 3 inch version was ruined for me by the big wheels.
The radio contolled toys were by a company called Impact. The diecasts were by Feva, who also planned to do new Captain Scarlet toys but they never appeared.
Bandai made disppointingly tiny model kits of TB1,2 and 3. TB3 is only about 4 inches long.
I agree the designs were pretty good.
BTW is the 5 inch diecast Mole the Matchbox version?
Ray - the 5 " mole is basically the same as the 'Matchbox' one, but is boxed and branded by Bandai i think.
ReplyDeletefilm is appallingly cheesy - main male character seems to be wearing lipstick and its all played as a bad comedy. Effects are superb and Lady Penelope is a bit tasty, but apart from that, i wouldnt make a big effort to see it unless you can find it in the bargain bin!
ReplyDeleteWote is right. It's really nothing like the Thunderbirds we know and love. Plus ... get this ... they make the Tracy family a bit dysfunctional! Hello ... use some imagination, scriptwriters, not cliches!!!
ReplyDeleteLady Penelope is indeed, erm, "tasty" (translation: sophisticated, charming and deadly). And Parker is wonderful!
It's a long time since I saw the film, but I recall a scene where he says something like "Excuse me, M'lady" or "With your permission, M'Lady?" before he turns around and "decks" one of the bad guys. (grins) OK, that is a bit cheesy ... but it's the only bit of the film that stayed with me.
And call me picky ... but I didn't really like any of the new designs. Except maybe TB2, just a little. Still not sure about the car.
ReplyDeleteI know this is super late and really random, but can you remember at all how the diecast Hood sub was released? Since finding this post about a week ago I've been trying to do some research on it but haven't been able to find anything, only the larger RC and lights & sounds versions.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall exactly, but there were several manufacturers making very similar toys at the time. I think it may have been a carded model in one of the discount shops. Cheers Bill
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