The Taito Thunderbird collection were originally released in Japan in 2004. Initially designed as claw machine prizes, they later appeared over the counter. These nicely detailed plastic models are basically larger versions of the Konami vehicles and feature similar weathering.
All the Thunderbird machines are featured as well as the Mole.
I'll post further pictures of the others in the fullness of time, but for now here's some shots of
Thunderbird 1.
Larger versions of the Konami vehicles is an understatement. These are big! Incredibly detailed and larger than the JR21 toys. I've got the Taito TB1s to 5 and they take up so much space. There was a Mole too but I didn't have the room for it.
ReplyDeleteI think these and the Aoshima diecast models of TB1, TB2 and Zero-X may be the ultimate Thunderbirds collectors models. The Taito models were really cheap too at the time they came out - around £30 in Japan. Once again the Japanese prove they love SF and know how to merchandise it.
You''re absolutely right, Yorkie. They are big. T B 1 is around 12" long. What l like about them is their light weight. Ideal for suspending on wires. The Aoshima stuff is just too heavy for that.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Mike. What's your secret - hanging by wires and Photoshopping them out? I thought I saw a wire at first - turned out to be a streak on the monitor! :-)
ReplyDeleteActually Ed, the wires are still there, no photoshopping. I used fishing line. If you look close enough you can just about see them.
ReplyDeleteYou really do take excellent model shots!
ReplyDeleteCheers Kevin. From a model maestro like yourself high praise indeed. : D
ReplyDelete