Alright so after a hassle with FedEx I finally acquired my package. Now I know for certain the reason the shipping was expensive was because of the packaging for the parts. These are some pretty big size boxes for the parts that come in them.

The only thing I am not happy about is that the magazine is stapled into the inside flap of the box. Its not gonna be easy to remove without doing some damage. Will try later and see the results. I don't actually mind if I damage these since I can't read them anyway.

The box is beautiful but such a waste. I guess its necessary if these are sitting on the shelf and you want to grab someones attention. At 1/144 there are some small parts. Not my first kit of this size, but after messing with the Falcon its a bit shocking. The overall model will be a decent size, but I think DeAg could have gotten away with a 1/100 version.

I was really hoping to delve into this model right off the bat, but I came down with the flu this week and barely had the energy to take the photos below. Hopefully they will hold you over for a little, maybe I will be back to normal by this weekend.

Issue 1&2 let you build the cockpit of the TB2 and complete the #1 elevator car. From what I can guess at photos, it looks issue 3 will give us the Thunderbird 4, issue 4 will give us the entire Tracy family, and issue 5 will give us the bottom of the nose cone, the roof mounted missile system and the cockpit LEDs.

ISSUE #1








ISSUE #2








If there is any specific photos you would like to see feel free to ask. I will have better photos of the individual parts once I start building.

Looking forward to seeing this come together

Rgd Martyn

Ok so I really should look though the magazines more before I post hehe. At first I thought they didn't show what was coming next, and was taking a guess based off of image on the back. They whats next photos is in there just near the front. Also magazine #1 actually shows what we are getting all the way up through issue #4. I am working on building some of the parts now so I will have photos to show a little later today.

So far so good. Only issue I have is there is a paint problem on my cockpit window part. Since this kit is from Japan I am guessing I won't get any help from Customer service for a replacement.

One interesting bit of info that the magazine does tell what sections of the main model are included in what issues.

Issues #1-#11 is the main cockpit/nosecone
Issues #12-#30 is Pod #3
Issues #31-#45 are the rest of the main body
Issues #46-#66 are Pod #4
Iusses #67-#80 are the wings, tailwing, and engine pods.

Guessing the vehicles are mixed in among those issues as we go.

That looks so cool , looking forward to following your build

Its a good one and i bet a lot of fun to build.

Early days as tet but if all of those support vehicles do get included with the build do you know if they are supplying any sort if display or storage case to hold them all?

Just treated myself to the Haynes international rescue thunderbirds manual - its brill loads of cutaways and the like - really a good fun read.

Hope the rest of the build goes well.

Yeah starting to feel better thanks for asking. You are correct the Japanese get a free gift of a nice display case for the small vehicles. Its part of the subscription so its not gonna be something you get from HLJ. Hopefully they bring it with when they do an English version. They had better do an English version.

Ok so the next photos will finish off the build through issue #1. Then I will post up the photos for the rest of the build. Though I should state that the cockpit interior photos I posted above are actually part of the Issue #2 build.

Very cool, looks like its going to be a great model!

Going great guns there Metal Mech

Issue 4 out on HLJ for pre-order now.

Nice I didn't even know issues three was out on HLJ. Wonder if I missed the pre order on that one. Hope not.

Well issue #3 is on back order as well. I didn't even see it listed when I ordered the first two or I would have gotten it as well. Will just have to back order it and pre order issue #4.

I really think the reason these seem toy like is the small scale. The quality and detail is all there. Just they are still the size of hot wheels. Also they are the same size as the Takara versions. DeAg really should have upscaled it to make it stand out. 1/100 would have made a big difference.