Woodsy,
Here are some pix from a just-completed model, the Aoshima (Aosima) “Thunder Patrol,” released in the U.S. and Canada as “Thunder Jet” in 1969 by our old friend, Paramount Hobbies. I would guess the original release to be anywhere from 1966-1968.
As you can see, it’s just some sort of racing car with fancy decals. Maybe Moonbase readers can identify what type of US automobile this design came from, but it has hints of a Pontiac GTO and a Plymouth Barracuda to me. About 1:16 scale is my guess.
As with many kits of this vintage, the design is bad, the molding is crude, the parts are illl-fitting, and the instructions are less than helpful. But as you know, I like a challenge!
The kit did not come with a driver figure, but I had a roughly 1:20 scale sitting astronaut figure in my spare parts drawer, so he became the Pilot - and where he came from originally I do not recall!
This appears to be one of the earliest model kits from Japan to feature “Remote Control,” that is, a motorized vehicle with a cable leading to a battery box with On-Off controls. I did not endeavor to make this an “Action Powered Kit,” but it must have been fun for those who did!
The RC box is cool, with some intricate lettering on the front, which I tried to bring out via paint. Even cooler, the RC box came with a missile launcher, which I decided to move to the car’s roof, to make this strange vehicle even more ludicrous.
The main highlight of the Thunder Patrol are the decals, really the only thing that makes the kit even marginally Sci-Fi. Sadly, the original decals were shot, and since they were the “star” of the thing, I ordered custom-made new decals from a place called Bedlam Creations. Pricey, but well worth it to resurrect decals that I could not have possibly have reconstructed from available custom decal sets available online.
Finally, I’m sure you’ll notice the glaring typo on all three main decals, which makes the “Thnnder Patrol” even more cool, to me at least. File under “They sure don’t make ‘em like this anymore!”
What do you think?
Rob C
USA
It's basically a 1966 Olds Toronado but with a custom grille.
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Toronado#/media/File:66Toronado.jpg
Best -- Paul
Great detective work - many thanks! I'm not sure I even knew there was an Oldsmobile Toronado, but it sure is the prototype for Thunder Jet!
DeleteLovely work!!! That intentional typo really makes it! I'm impressed you could find an astronaut to match the box art. -Two drivers in Mercury spacesuits... what were they thinking?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. I had exactly ONE astronaut figure in my parts box, and it seems like it was waiting just for this particular kit - how strange! I've really enjoyed contributing to Moonbase Central over the years, and appreciated folks like you who took the time to comment on my model-making efforts (such as they are). Be well.
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