Thunderbirds are JOE!

Tristan · 09-07-2012, 10:18 AM

Ive been looking at the Thunderbirds of late and had a few extra GI JOE vehicles lying around and then it hit me. A GI JOE version of the Thunderbirds would look pretty incredible. Havent seen anyone else do it and would really like to see what I can make look Andersonesque especially from this particular show but not limited to it, maybe SHADO and SPECTRE can come into JOE-verse as well.

First order of business-The Thunderbirds.

TB-1----Rocket Plane---Im not quite sure but Ill figure something out.

TB-2---This is what got me. I was thinking of converting an old GI JOE BOOSTER rocket vehicle and attatching a carry box ventrally. Or convert a larger sled into the green beastie and go from there. After all, it is suppose to be huge.

TB-3--I have an old JUSTICE LEAGUE WATCHTOWER that might do well, its cylindrical and it has three posts that come out and make a stand.

TB-4--Not a clue....yet

TB-5----I have several round circular trays that can easily be glued together with some other material--foam board, plastic circluar lid etc

Whisper--Recon jet, basically a single engine hovercraft made from an ALIENS fighter minuse the tube in the rear.

HELIJET---converting a CHAP MEI chinook into this worderful looking 60s looking craft. Any suggestions for tapered engines would be welcome.

TB-6--I was thinking of converting a GI JOE SHUTTLE into another TB vehcile, red with white trim or maybe the traditional white with black, a new addition to the TRACY ISLAND motor pool.

I still have an IRON MAN sixwheeled beastie and an APC carrier, both of which will be converted to the 60s style THUNDERBIRDS or SHADO type vehicles.

What do you think?

Yes, yes, pictures soon.

Tristan · 10-07-2012, 01:48 PM

Okay, started on TB-2, didnt come out half bad, not sure what to use as landing legs and as much as I would like to hollow out the middle, that wont happen, I figure it to be more of a large VTOL type craft that can attach itself to the top of a flat roofed pod. The area where there are screw holes are perfect for support jets. All things considered, I do like the detail present on the vehicle.

I wasnt a big fan of what Frakes did with the TB-2 but that's his version. I like the aesthetics of what Mr Anderson has done and the lines are clean and easy, I will try to incorporate that with all the vehicles that I am going to customize and turn into some version from the Andersonverse. This is about the largest action figure spaceship that I know of--sans the Eagle One of coarse, and it does seem to fit the bill. Im using action astronauts to be pilots of the TB vehicles, just looks more 1960s.

Tristan · 10-07-2012, 02:41 PM

Okay, Thunderbirds are GO! At least TB-2 anyway. Please bear in mind this is a work in progress, I still have to make the inverted wings and find a proper exhaust bell for the rear, I used the cups just to give it an idea.

The side intakes will receive vent slats and detail just like the classic version.

I did have the idea to use a plastic sled flipped over but we will see, I do like the idea of a BIG TB=2, but for now this works and I still have the rolling platform that that has a broken lever for the craft to go to launch position. My ultimate goal is to make a big DIO of Tracy Island complete with hangar and all the fixings.

Crimson Binome · 10-07-2012, 04:00 PM

Well done - its a good start

Tristan · 13-07-2012, 01:57 PM

Ive decided to build Thunderbird 4 out of the Playmates Shuttle Goddard, it has the right look but it need a low cut tail and some accessorizing to the backs of the engines. I like that it has the hatch in the back and one seat in the front. I will paint it up tomorrow once I find that tail to go on the top.

Tristan · 23-07-2012, 02:02 AM

Hey all, still working on Thunderbirds are JOE! Currently I have the following in progress

TB-2
-Still working on the engines, not happy with the cups, need something without a lip, I painted the wings and still have to attach them and then the details will really begin. I looked at the old TB-2 and I want the screw holes that are recessed to stand out with a red circle and then a yellow circular border. I want to add vent slats to the the sides near the cockpit where it flairs out.

TB-4
I painted the Goddard shuttle, she will be taller than I had hoped and the back tailfin will make it even taller, I might shave the tail fin down to half the size. I had the black numbers and letters and of coarse misplaced them, have to find them or just pick up another set.

TB-3
I found the perfect top for it and went to get it today and BAM! Target no longer carries this particular one, I could kick myself but I have other Targets I can go to. The base will be a large pretzel container and then the three engines are one liter water bottles with Y wing exhausts on the ends. Ive also started looking at making a gantry and so far Im pretty excited by the result. Ill post pics tomorrow and I welcome any suggestions.

I dont know what to do for TB-1 but the top involves a funnel, Im thinking I want it to look more like an X-15 rocket plane and TB-1.

09-07-2012, 10:18 AM	#1
Tristan Travel Tube Technician Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Jersey.....not the Old one. Posts: 62	Thunderbirds are JOE! Ive been looking at the Thunderbirds of late and had a few extra GI JOE vehicles lying around and then it hit me. A GI JOE version of the Thunderbirds would look pretty incredible. Havent seen anyone else do it and would really like to see what I can make look Andersonesque especially from this particular show but not limited to it, maybe SHADO and SPECTRE can come into JOE-verse as well. First order of business-The Thunderbirds. TB-1----Rocket Plane---Im not quite sure but Ill figure something out. TB-2---This is what got me. I was thinking of converting an old GI JOE BOOSTER rocket vehicle and attatching a carry box ventrally. Or convert a larger sled into the green beastie and go from there. After all, it is suppose to be huge. TB-3--I have an old JUSTICE LEAGUE WATCHTOWER that might do well, its cylindrical and it has three posts that come out and make a stand. TB-4--Not a clue....yet TB-5----I have several round circular trays that can easily be glued together with some other material--foam board, plastic circluar lid etc Whisper--Recon jet, basically a single engine hovercraft made from an ALIENS fighter minuse the tube in the rear. HELIJET---converting a CHAP MEI chinook into this worderful looking 60s looking craft. Any suggestions for tapered engines would be welcome. TB-6--I was thinking of converting a GI JOE SHUTTLE into another TB vehcile, red with white trim or maybe the traditional white with black, a new addition to the TRACY ISLAND motor pool. I still have an IRON MAN sixwheeled beastie and an APC carrier, both of which will be converted to the 60s style THUNDERBIRDS or SHADO type vehicles. What do you think? Yes, yes, pictures soon.

10-07-2012, 01:48 PM	#2
Tristan Travel Tube Technician Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Jersey.....not the Old one. Posts: 62	Okay, started on TB-2, didnt come out half bad, not sure what to use as landing legs and as much as I would like to hollow out the middle, that wont happen, I figure it to be more of a large VTOL type craft that can attach itself to the top of a flat roofed pod. The area where there are screw holes are perfect for support jets. All things considered, I do like the detail present on the vehicle. I wasnt a big fan of what Frakes did with the TB-2 but that's his version. I like the aesthetics of what Mr Anderson has done and the lines are clean and easy, I will try to incorporate that with all the vehicles that I am going to customize and turn into some version from the Andersonverse. This is about the largest action figure spaceship that I know of--sans the Eagle One of coarse, and it does seem to fit the bill. Im using action astronauts to be pilots of the TB vehicles, just looks more 1960s. Last edited by Tristan; 10-07-2012 at 02:26 PM.

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10-07-2012, 04:00 PM	#4
Crimson Binome Astrophysics Technician Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Glasgow Scotland Posts: 370	Well done - its a good start

13-07-2012, 01:57 PM	#5
Tristan Travel Tube Technician Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Jersey.....not the Old one. Posts: 62	Ive decided to build Thunderbird 4 out of the Playmates Shuttle Goddard, it has the right look but it need a low cut tail and some accessorizing to the backs of the engines. I like that it has the hatch in the back and one seat in the front. I will paint it up tomorrow once I find that tail to go on the top.

23-07-2012, 02:02 AM	#6
Tristan Travel Tube Technician Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Jersey.....not the Old one. Posts: 62	Hey all, still working on Thunderbirds are JOE! Currently I have the following in progress TB-2 -Still working on the engines, not happy with the cups, need something without a lip, I painted the wings and still have to attach them and then the details will really begin. I looked at the old TB-2 and I want the screw holes that are recessed to stand out with a red circle and then a yellow circular border. I want to add vent slats to the the sides near the cockpit where it flairs out. TB-4 I painted the Goddard shuttle, she will be taller than I had hoped and the back tailfin will make it even taller, I might shave the tail fin down to half the size. I had the black numbers and letters and of coarse misplaced them, have to find them or just pick up another set. TB-3 I found the perfect top for it and went to get it today and BAM! Target no longer carries this particular one, I could kick myself but I have other Targets I can go to. The base will be a large pretzel container and then the three engines are one liter water bottles with Y wing exhausts on the ends. Ive also started looking at making a gantry and so far Im pretty excited by the result. Ill post pics tomorrow and I welcome any suggestions. I dont know what to do for TB-1 but the top involves a funnel, Im thinking I want it to look more like an X-15 rocket plane and TB-1.