Ah, the
Thunderbolt, the "Thud". Another old friend, we've known each other since the days of the BattleTech, 2nd Edition boxed set. Famous as a brawler and Alpha Strike yardstick, it has stuck with us through all the years, except for its hiatus as one of the Unseen, its return with the Reseen, and finally back as one of the Classics, and it's here to stay. If you'd like to know more about using it in game, take a look at its
'Mech of the Week article.
Clan Jade Falcon, needing more 'Mechs for their Touman, made a refit version, the
Thunderbolt IIC, making its first appearance in
Technical Readout: Prototypes. It too has its own
'Mech of the Week article.
There have been many sculpts of the
Thunderbolt over the years. It may have the most number of sculpts for a single 'Mech. In rough chronological order:
- First, there was the Unseen sculpt, released by Ral Partha as 20-839 in metal and resin.
- FASA released a plastic version, based on Ral Partha's sculpt, for the BattleTech, 3rd Edition boxed set.
- Its next sculpt, the first of four (technically five) Reseen sculpts, was for the TDR-9M model (20-993; sculpted by B. Hubbuch, 8 pieces).
- The second (or third) Reseen sculpt was for the TDR-10SE model (20-469).
- The third (or second) Reseen sculpt was for the TDR-9NAIS model (BT-136).
- The fourth Reseen sculpt was for the TDR-10M model (TDR-10M, also available in the TRO 3085 Lance Pack (10-045)).
- There was also a limited edition jumping version of the TDR-10M (TDRLTD-10).
- Next was the TDR-1C Primitive model (20-5076).
- And, finally, we have the modern Classic plastic mini provided with CGL's A Game of Armored Combat box.
The
Thunderbolt IIC only has two sculpts:
- The sculpt for the standard model (20-5034; sculpted by D. Summers, looks like 5 pieces, the torso and 4 sprues).
- IWM just released a sculpt for the Thunderbolt IIC 2 model as part of their 2019 GenCon pack. It is not yet available on its own but should be in the future.
And there we have it. Since the Thud has been with us for very long, I'm sure you, our community, have many of them painted. Please show us! We'd love to see them.
As always, thank you for reading!
Our next two fortnights will be:
- Clan (8/26): Vixen (Incubus) and Incubus II
- Inner Sphere (9/9): Griffin and Super Griffin