The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) A quick heads up, as the title says Bachmann are reboxing and selling the Aoshima Thunderbird kits in Europe, under the Adventures in Plastic moniker. The range include a large scale Mole , Fireflash and FAB 1 along with your favourite 5. No Thunderbird 6 tho' 😉   Fill your boots  Tommo   Edited March 8, 2021 by The Tomohawk Kid 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerine_sedge Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Looks at stash, watches video, looks at stash again...hmmm, there might just be room for a few choice kits 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) Thunderbird 1  Thunderbird 3  Thunderbird 4  Fireflash  The Mole  All the above all relatively new toolings and very good they are too.  -----  Thunderbird 5 received a major overhaul with additional sprues to replace the more 'clunky parts' parts of the original kit including a new accurate gravity ring. It also includes all the parts to motorise it and light it. The space station slowly rotates on the stand and the radar spins as well. The Aoshima iteration included a lighting kit, but not the motor which needed to be bought separately, but is relatively cheap at a couple quid. It will be interesting see if the the AiP version comes with lighting kit, but just shy of 80 spondulaks one would hope so. It was possible to motorise the Mole kit too. but if memory serves that needs two motors one for the drill bit and the other for the tracks.  This is good news to have these kits relatively easily available without the addition of significant international shipping costs.  Tommo. Edited March 8, 2021 by The Tomohawk Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AT7GMK Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Hello Tommo, Saw about these on the Rails of Sheffield website this lunchtime and started a thread in Sci-Fi. Good news about the tooling quality, looks like T1 and T3 will be coming home soon😀. Just for old times sake of course, my original modes have long been landfill. Thanks for your update. Nigel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 14 minutes ago, AT7GMK said: Hello Tommo, Saw about these on the Rails of Sheffield website Nigel.   It looks like Bachmann are using their existing 'model 'rail' distribution network to kickstart getting these kits out - I would imagine we are going to see them for sale at other outlets soon. I was surprised that Jamie Anderson's Gerry Anderson Store didn't get the inside skinny on these. But, I'm sure they will be showing in stock/pre-order soon enough.  Tommo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Valley Models Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Bachmann are saying today that they will start shipping these to retailers from March 15th in a bid to get them to stores for the planned opening of non-essential stores on April 12th. I'm expecting the demand to be high for a couple of models in particular ( Mole and TB2) The launchbay diorama's look really awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) 54 minutes ago, Test Valley Models said:  I'm expecting the demand to be high for a couple of models in particular ( Mole and TB2) The launchbay diorama's look really awesome.  I have the Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 3 launch dioramas from when they were last released by Aoshima. In all honesty the TB1 one is underwhelming as it is made up of a lot of printed card stock and small bespoke 1:350 TB1, not the 1:144 one which is available seperately and makes up into fantastic model and is easily one of the best TB1 kits ever made. On the other hand the TB3 launch silo dio is fantastic as it includes the highly rated 1:350 TB3, which is available as a seperate kit in this range. However, it appears AiP/Bachmann have decided against releasing the TB3 launch silo kit for moment, which is a shame.  The Mole is a fantastic kit with many features/poses and diorama possibilities are nigh on endless, it an impressive size too, as you mention it should sell well. I don't have the TB2 dio or seperate so can't comment on either, likewise with TB4, but I have heard and read good things about it.  My personal favourite is the TB5 kit, as the retooling and additional parts really does set it apart. I would expect Fireflash (the Worlds most unluckiest airliner) to be a good seller too, but it makes deceptively small model in the chosen scale.  I would say extremely unexpected, but very welcome news.  Tommo. Edited March 8, 2021 by The Tomohawk Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Moore Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 This is great news, and I'll certainly be picking up TB1, 3, and the Mole.  If anyone wants any inspiration, check out @Will Vale's build of the 1/72 Mole below   Andy 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 9, 2021 Author Share Posted March 9, 2021 (edited) That is a fantastic build, and proves that these 'new' Aoshimas are very good models indeed. Â TB1, TB3 and Mole, excellent choices. Â Tommo. Edited March 9, 2021 by The Tomohawk Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Vale Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Thanks for the nod @Andy Moore! Kallisti of this parish has built most (all?) of these as well. Lovely that these are going to be widely available again. I loved building the Mole, not least because it's motorised like it's the '80s again. It does indeed use two motors, but only one set of batteries as there are sprung contacts to supply power from the Mole to the carrier. It even has a flashing light on top, actuated by a cam rather than any of your new-fangled transistor things 😛 I got mine from some very dubious looking website overseas and it had the motors in it, but they're just Mabuchi FA-130 motors so should be easy enough to track down. Will 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Well, that's fab news. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 https://railsofsheffield.com/groups/3400/thunderbirds-model-kits?fbclid=IwAR1ipQzLs5ABXmKxgOMaM3KzgJpsQ8MbDqt5Hx3DkEnE1rPlfchrL_OOHt8  Re-release of Aoshima & Imai kits, various scales Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebee Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 (edited) At big H. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10001 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10002 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10003 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10004 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10005 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10006 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10007 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10008 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10009 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10010 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIP10011 Â V.P. Edited March 10, 2021 by Homebee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 9, 2021 Author Share Posted March 9, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, Will Vale said: but they're just Mabuchi FA-130 motors so should be easy enough to track down. Will  Absolutely.  It will be however, interesting to see if Bachmann start selling the motors seperately, or will they be included in the kits? I can't see the later, as I have a vague recollection because they are classed as toys they can't. But, I'm more than happy to be proved wrong/corrected on that.  Tommo. Edited March 9, 2021 by The Tomohawk Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) 16 hours ago, Truro Model Builder said: Well, that's fab news. Well played Sir, well played indeed. Â Edited March 10, 2021 by NAVY870 Spelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 Its interesting to note that the prices are broadly similiar to when the Aoshima kits were last available on import here in Blighty a few years back. The big difference this time around will be the availability. Â I'm personally of the opinion the sizes are nice, with the possible exception of Fireflash - that would have been nice if it was a little larger. But, hey! It is nice to have them on the shelf again and easily obtainable. Â Tommo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlambert Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 I hope I can get FAB1 to go with my small collection of 1/32 cars.  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 13, 2021 Author Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) I recieved an eMail from the Anderson Store, alluding they are close to selling out on pre-order. Sounds like they may have been late to the party and only obtained limited qualities to me. But, I thought it was worth passing on, just in case. Â Tommo. Edited March 14, 2021 by The Tomohawk Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 Retailers are shipping and kits are dropping onto doormats! Â Tommo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Great news, TB1 duly ordered and arriving soon. The only other I have is the Fireflash, I agree, a tad on the small side (1/200th would have been nice), but still a great little kit. It's a shame they didn't continue the range with a few guest vehicles such as the Crablogger, R.T.L 2, Gray & Houseman Road Construction vehicle, Sentinel strike vessel or my favourite, the Sidewinder. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, general melchett said:  It's a shame they didn't continue the range with a few guest vehicles such as the Crablogger, R.T.L 2, Gray & Houseman Road Construction vehicle, Sentinel strike vessel or my favourite, the Sidewinder.  Too niche even for Aoshima I suspect, given they only appeared in one episode each. Fireflash at least appears in two and is ever present in both. I would have thought the 'helijet' in a decent size might have been an option as it is a recurring vehicle in various episodes. But, I'm sure if they were going to kit it, they would have done so by now.  It will be interesting where Bachmann take this range in the future, if they do at all - given they have cherry picked the best of Aoshima's TB range, save the TB-3 launch silo - which would be worth them re-issuing.  That said, from what I can make out, it looks like it has been an overwhelming success for Bachmann.  Tommo. Edited March 20, 2021 by The Tomohawk Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_Bogus Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Jadlam are saying stock arriving next week   Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Just to say these are all fabulous kits, I've built pretty much all of them except FAB1 and TB5 Â Check the links in my profile to previous build:Â https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/profile/7869-kallisti/&tab=field_core_pfield_11 Â Some pics from the past: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 25, 2021 Author Share Posted March 25, 2021 Super builds there @Kallisti  Proves what great kits these are. If memory serves I don't have my TB-1 to hand but it can be built in either the film or Tv configuration/version.  Tommo, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted March 25, 2021 Author Share Posted March 25, 2021 Don't forget that April. 14 is Anderson Day and Network have Anderson tele-streaming marathon to co-incide with it.  https://www.gerryanderson.co.uk/gerry-andersons-night-in-streaming-watchalong/?fbclid=IwAR0Pzyt7BFsqp5dW4nzhQaDLBIlWRkYAmRLmrOmGbh94HjiwXP3evy-l_bo  Tommo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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