Thunderbird 4

[Sky Seeker]

Hey everyone! Now that Thunderbird 3 is D-O-N-E thought I'd continue on with another Thunderbird. This time it's Thunderbird 4. However, I'll be doing multiple versions of the model. 1st will be a one page build.


The 2nd will be a more detailed multi-page build - hopefully with a more detailed cockpit from the classic series.



The 3rd one will be the new version from the cgi TV series - see below.



With that said

 

[mijob]

That's a great looking ship gone keep an eye on this thread.

 

[Sky Seeker]

That's a great looking ship gone keep an eye on this thread.

To my knowledge no one has done a paper model or formed a template on the newer model. Plus it looks pretty good.
You can watch the "new" 2015 CGI series here:

It's actually fairly decent and by far and large faithful to the concept of the original Thunderbirds. The new show has some changes and additions to the original like the Shadow plane and the addition of Kayo and the Grandmother. Plus the model changes are much sleeker and aerodynamic (or hydrodynamic in the case of Thunderbird 4). Overall it's a worthy successor to the original.

 

[Sky Seeker]

OK everyone sorry I haven't posted anything for a while been a bit busy with life, the universe etc. I'm started this thread off with the one page build at the top. Ok here we go --

There are no directions with this model - so for a lot of the pieces one has to just guess where and how they go.
Templates cut


Back joined to bottom

Back joined to bottom - inside view

Front hood piece attached at one side

Front hood piece attached at one side - opposite side view. Note the attachment of the tabs.

Front hood piece attached at one side

Front hood piece attached at both sides

Top portion - before gluing - front view

Top portion - before gluing - back view

Top portion - after gluing - front view

Top portion - after gluing - front view - inside - Note the top of the model has the edges colored in yellow.


Front window

Front window - back - please note that some of the tabs were cut. In some areas this just wasn't practical. Accidentally, I found a technique where you can partially cut the tab move it inwards along one side, then glue the top facing piece in place on top. Saves time and usage of tweezers in this case because everything is so small.

Top portion - front view with front window

Top portion - front view with front window - start assembly from one side and glue the tabs in place along the roof of the top portion. As a side note some of the edges were colored to remove glare.

Top portion - front view with front window

Top portion - front view with front window - underside

Top portion - front view with front window - underside - once the window was assembled there were a few gaps near the top. The gaps were filled in with overgluing. After the glue dried, then the gap areas on the front side were colored with a black marker.

Top portion - front view with front window - assembled

That's it for now.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

I wholeheartedly understand how "real-life" issues and situations take residence. However, I am glad to see that you have not abandoned this project. I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

 

[Sky Seeker]

I wholeheartedly understand how "real-life" issues and situations take residence. However, I am glad to see that you have not abandoned this project. I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Have more shots for later. I probably should put in the original template and have areas circled in red that are being worked on or talked about. It took a bit of time staring at the sample picture to visualize where everything should go. Thanks for stopping on by!

 

[zathros]

I too also think this is the first paper model of this particular craft. Great choice!

 

[mijob]

Great looking model and very need work.

 

[ElMäx]

I don't know the thunderbirds but now I guess that's where Matt Lowne got his inspiration for his "Blunderbirds"

 

[zathros]

I've never seen "Blunderbirds" before. I just skipped through, I'll have to check it out.

 

[ElMäx]

I've never seen "Blunderbirds" before. I just skipped through, I'll have to check it out.

It's a youtuber, playing Kerbal Space Program (one of the best space games ever created). "Blunderbirds" is rescuing stranded space missions from other players. It's not a multiplayer game. They just share their save files to do that.
And his videos are hillarious

 

[Sky Seeker]

It's a youtuber, playing Kerbal Space Program (one of the best space games ever created). "Blunderbirds" is rescuing stranded space missions from other players. It's not a multiplayer game. They just share their save files to do that.
And his videos are hillarious

Thanks for sharing the link for the Blunderbirds! Yes this is a parody of Gerry Anderson's beloved Thunderbirds series with marionettes and really GREAT models. At the top I've included a link for the CGI inspired series.

Thanks for stopping on by!

 

[Sky Seeker]

Tail section with upper nacelle - Please note the vertical line - this is where the tail is going to be placed


Tail section with upper nacelle - underside - This is marked this way due to already gluing the upper nacelle corners. Provides a reference for where to cut.

Tail section with upper nacelle - The original tail was in two pieces. They were folded then glued in place. A weight was put on top of the tail when the glue was curing to make it flat. Just make sure that the lower tabs are separated.

Tail section with upper nacelle - The lower portion is inserted through the upper nacelle. The tabs are folding upwards, then glued in place to the upper nacelle.

Tail section with upper nacelle - Tail assembled in place.

Tail section and main body before assembling together.

Tail section and main body assembled together.

Tail section and main body assembled together - back view - Please note the gap between the upper nacelle and the main body. Before assembling I didn't catch that there were no tabs for the front and back sections when I was cutting. However, a work around was done that overcame the lack of tabs.

Tail section and main body assembled together - front view - The work around for the front was simply applying a good amount of glue to the front and holding the upper nacelle front to the top of the main model. An initial amount of glue was placed then a second layer was added later on to eliminate gaps.

 

[Sky Seeker]

Side nacelles - These surprisingly were the toughest portion of the model. How to fold, which end pieces to use, and where they should go. This is the rear view of the side nacelle. The yellow piece goes on the end.

Side nacelles - rear view - folded and glued in place.

Side nacelles - front view - This was the hardest part to put into place as this side was easy enough to do but the opposite side seemed to not work out as well.

Side nacelles - front view - inside

Side nacelles - assembled and ready to join to the lower main model body


Side nacelles - right nacelle joined to the main lower body. As can be seen there's a slight gap between the body and the front of the nacelle.

Side nacelles - right nacelle joined to the main lower body.

Side nacelles - right nacelle joined to the main lower body. - Note the front of the nacelle aligned with the main body.

Side nacelles - right nacelle joined to the main lower body - rear view

Side nacelles - left nacelle modification - front view - In test fitting this piece to the main body I noticed that there was a sizable gap. To correct this another smaller piece was made and cut in place to fill the gap. Excess card stock was used and colored with a black marker.

Side nacelles - both nacelles joined to the main lower body - front view - Assembling both sides was challenging as the front and rear ends determine how the nacelles will fold. Recommend a slight forward cant to the front black pieces (or intake areas). Any gaps left over were filled in with additional glue with multiple layers added as needed to fill in the gaps.


That's it for now.

 

[Sky Seeker]

I too also think this is the first paper model of this particular craft. Great choice!

Thanks Z! I can't believe that nobody else has tackled this particular model - at least in paper. I've found one other version, which is the next one I'm going to assemble. This one really is a conceptual test build. The model builders for the Thunderbirds were really good and their detailed work was astounding particularly back in the day before cgi.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

This is really coming together nicely!

 

[mijob]

Nice work and great to read some background information.

 

[zathros]

When you realize how big some of the moving vehicles were, running small diesel engines, etc. you really understand the there was quite an effort put into these shows. I don't think we'll ever see shows with miniatures like used in those television series ever again. Well, maybe, lots of shows and the use of robotics and the micro-miniature stepper motors are allowing one person to run an animatronic that previously took 6 or more people.

 

[Sky Seeker]

This is really coming together nicely!

When you realize how big some of the moving vehicles were, running small diesel engines, etc. you really understand the there was quite an effort put into these shows. I don't think we'll ever see shows with miniatures like used in those television series ever again. Well, maybe, lots of shows and the use of robotics and the micro-miniature stepper motors are allowing one person to run an animatronic that previously took 6 or more people.

True. As to animatronics probably more than likely at places like Disney or Universal, which all are run by computer and in the case of Disney since the mid 70's (they were really advanced for their time). The Orville did use practical effects as Seth McFarlane wanted models to show off to the audience (I still think that he just wanted models to play with - my opinion).

 

[zathros]

I'm 68, and I have a lot of air, sea, and space time with the models I have, and I don't even have to leave my recliner.