FlisKits Thunderbird

[Boosterdude]

I've been working on one of the Thunderbirds, and it's an excellent kit. It's a complex kit builders kit, but the instructions are very good. What got me interested is the shaping/beveling of the fins, and the fact that it has 12 of them. Also, it's cool shaping the booster nose cones, rear tail cone, and motor shrouds out of the heavy paper supplied. It amazing how strong the paper gets after you soak it with thin CA.

I filled and finished the boosters/main body prior to assembling the missile. With so many fins and body tubes it would be tough to paint it as one piece. I used Krylon camo flats for the paint which works great for these types of models.

I have completed the Thunderbird and can't wait to see it fly. It was a total blast to build, and the kit was outstanding. I'll post some pictures of it tomorrow. Anybody else build and fly one of these?

 

[jflis]

I've built a few, but all were scratch...

I would LOVE to see the pix. Can't wait till you post'em.

My first Thunderbird was built around 1979 and I loved it!

 

[JAL3]

I would LOVE to see the pix. Can't wait till you post'em.
!

What HE said!

 

[Boosterdude]

Here are the pictures.

 

[foose4string]

Beautiful work!

 

[JAL3]

Here are the pictures.

That looks more like it belongs in a musuem than on a flight line. AWESOME

 

[Pantherjon]

Awesome work there John! I still have one in the bag..Will get to it 'one of these days'!(insert rolling on floor laughing icon here)

 

[Boosterdude]

Awesome work there John! I still have one in the bag..Will get to it 'one of these days'!(insert rolling on floor laughing icon here)

I know what you mean, lots of work in that bag!! However, it moves along quickly if you stay at it. If you a fin fan, this ones for you.

 

[cjl]

Gorgeous.

Absolutely beautiful.

Very nice work .

 

[jj94]

Nice job on the Thunderbird, it looks so realistic! I'd be careful out of my mind if I fly something that nice.

 

[Pem Tech]

Wow...
Very impressive work, all those fillets are beautiful.
So, what is the secret to beveling fins so accurately? The ones I do end up with uneven edges and rounded corners.

 

[AKPilot]

That's incredible!!! Outstanding work!

I've got one I'm slowly building. I don't want to mess up on the anything related to paper. I have to admit, Jim's techniques have made it pretty darn easy for a person with too many thumbs.

 

[jflis]

My God man, that is a work of art!

Permission please to use these pix on our site

Of course, that may actually scare folks from trying this kit. Others may think that I photo-shopped a real Thunderbird onto a wooden display stand...

seriously, incredible job there.
jim

 

[Indiana]

Awesome job! It looks great.

 

[tonypv]

Great job!!

Looks way better that mine.

 

[Adam Selene]

looks great! what paint did you use?

 

[JAL3]

I keep coming back to this one just to look at it.

It litterally looks unreal, as far as a flying model goes. It's too perfect.

I call Photoshop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fred22]

Thas just a work of art man Cant wait to see flight pictures Well done
Fred

 

[CharlaineC]

WOW thats all i can say about that

 

[Boosterdude]

looks great! what paint did you use?

Thanks Adam. I used the Krylon Fusion Camo Flat colors for the Thunderbird. The paint is perfect for these military models. It dries super quick, and if you have to make repairs it always matches. Plus, humidity or cold weather has no affect on the paint.

 

[Boosterdude]

My God man, that is a work of art!

Permission please to use these pix on our site

Of course, that may actually scare folks from trying this kit. Others may think that I photo-shopped a real Thunderbird onto a wooden display stand...

seriously, incredible job there.
jim

Thanks Jim, of course you can use the pics.

This is a great kit, and it looks totally cool when completed. Like every other scale model it will be high maintenance, but you sort of understand that before you dive in. It will be a flyer, no hanger queens here.

I'm just glad companies like yourself still make builder kits, projects you can really get involved in. One thing's for sure, when you complete the Thunderbird you are fully checked off on paper forming.

 

[Boosterdude]

That's incredible!!! Outstanding work!

I've got one I'm slowly building. I don't want to mess up on the anything related to paper. I have to admit, Jim's techniques have made it pretty darn easy for a person with too many thumbs.

I'm with you AKPilot. I started mine back around Thanksgiving. I just took my time on it, and built some other projects in between.

 

[foose4string]

I started mine around the same time you started yours it seems. I got to the part where I had to start sanding beveled fins and stopped. I knew that was gonna' happen..

 

[rcoffee]

That really puts mine to shame. Be careful the rear fins can take a real beating on landing.

 

[jflis]

I am really thrilled that this kit is bringing so much rocketry happiness to the community (well, that and a little frustration and intimidation too, but it's all good )

I have high hopes for the other scale models we have slated for 2009 and 2010

jim

 

[Indiana]

I have high hopes for the other scale models we have slated for 2009 and 2010

jim

Tease.




Additional useless text to meet the minimum.

 

[Boosterdude]

I am really thrilled that this kit is bringing so much rocketry happiness to the community (well, that and a little frustration and intimidation too, but it's all good )

I have high hopes for the other scale models we have slated for 2009 and 2010

jim

Yeah, more scale models.....sign me up Jim!

 

[MaxQ]

Very nice clean build and paint job.
Shows a lot of care in application.

Well done.

 

[Jamski]

That is an amazing piece of work...both the kit and the result. I am in awe. And for the second time today I will note that I MUST HAVE ONE!

Don't know that I'm capable of that level of finish, but I prefer to do missiles in gaudy, not-at-all scale colors anyway.

 

[Tiger]

Very inspiring work! I might have to put this kit on my wish list after seeing your build.