THUNDERBIRD 2 BUILD IS GO

DeAgostini's parent company,  Model Space have started sending out the packages to subcribers containing the first four parts to build your own model Thunderbird 2.

Unlike the previous Japanese release, to make it economically viable Model Space have cut costs to the bone. The box contains two, rather than four vac formed sealed parts,confusingly  labelled 'parts two and three' and a bag of miscellaneous bits. The top and bottom of the nose of  Thunderbird 2 are loose in the box.

There's no magazine, but you do get a superfluous advertising poster. Instructions for the build have to be downloaded from Model Space's web site.

So what do you get for the introductory offer of a tenner?

These parts will build most of TB 2's nose, complete with a detailed cabin with removable cover, a roof missile silo (which are fixed) and an opening cargo bay on the base. Critics have complained that the windows aren't right which is true. Why that's so I don't know. Maybe its down to making it easier to build, or maybe it's just a straightforward error. Thunderbird 2's shape and details have always been a bane of contention, ever since Derek Meddings once said that the original model makers never got the shape right after building the first one. Whatever the reason its not a deal breaker for me.

You also get the first of the four Elevator Cars that will appear in subsequent issues. This 1/144 scale Master Elevator Car is nicely detailed, and obviously based on the Takara version. I can see a few people might want to add a little light weathering on this.
You also get Thunderbird 4, which will eventually be housed in it's own dedicated Pod 4.
Finally, you get five tiny 1/144 scale Tracy Brothers.

As I've already covered the previous trial packs, I think I've already heard what critics of the series have had to say so I won't bore you with repeating things, but one thing I am pleased about is we do, at long last have a dedicated Gerry Anderson part works finally on the go, after several disappointing non-starters.