Woodsy,
I came across the tiny YOT Thunderbirds 3 a few weeks ago and thought I would pick it up.
It was quite cheap and appears to have had one too many atmosphere re-entry's, but I thought the USAF stickers on it were a blast!
I'm not familiar with YOT toys but this little thing fits in quite well with SpaceX / Golden Astronaut / LP sized toys.
From Vegas Base
Ed
I think I might have had this.
ReplyDeleteO/T here is the Jupiter 2
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ySxCrsuMuVs&t=20s&pp=ygUTaGFzZWxpdXMgSnVwaXRlciAyIA%3D%3D
Interesting.
DeleteFrom my armchair, I'd say this was a bootleg of the Japanese Edai Grip Thunderbird 3.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're right Looey.
DeleteAccording to the Gerry Anderson Memorabilia Guide, by Dennis W. Nicholson, these small models started out with Grip in Japan, then went to Yot in Taiwan, and were sold by Zee Toys in America. There were six models, each available in two or three different colours. Thunderbirds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and the Mole. But no FAB 1. They came in clear plastic bubbles, on a backing card.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that the name is cast as Thunder Bird 3 rather than Thunderbird 3.
Nice one Paul. I recall Zee and Yot being linked. Are Zee Zylmex? I didn't know you had Dennis's book. It's the Anderson Bible. Hard to come by now.
DeleteWhile I do have a couple of Zee Toys, I wasn't aware that they offered these. The hunt is on!
DeleteIve got a green version of this, sat on a Mole tracked base. Think mine is the Zee toys version Bill
ReplyDeleteZee and Zylemex are basically the same thing
ReplyDeleteSacrilege! Please remove those horrible USAF stickers from that sublime Thunderbird 3 toy immediately. Thank you. SFZ
ReplyDeleteNope! Fits in well with my other toys that previous owners decided to re-allocate to the Air Force!! :-)
DeleteI found my copy of the Gerry Anderson book in a second-hand bookshop years ago. It seemed rather expensive at the time, but now I am glad I got it. It has proven very useful through the years.
ReplyDeleteZee Toys and Zylmex seem to be pretty much the same thing.