Author Topic: Miniatures of the Fortnight #75: Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt IIC (Read 5465 times)

Xiwo Xerase · « **on:** 12 August 2019, 21:05:17 »

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

Phobos101 · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 August 2019, 01:46:33 »

These are the two I have painted: One metal unseen Thud in Donegal Guards trim, and a new plastic one in Free Worlds Guards colours.

dirty harry · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 August 2019, 04:25:01 »

Reseen Thunderbolt -9M in Lyran Regulars colors.
Mini has a magnetised torso. I put it on a slope to avoid the freefloating right leg. Any other mount of the legs would mean you broke the mechs right knee joint.

Cazaril · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 August 2019, 18:43:03 »

I have three... Have painted four...

Davion - Sakhara Military Academy

Kurita - 2nd An Ting Legion

Steiner - 23rd Arcturan Guards

and

This second one was painted specially for Grud and one of only a few minis not in my possession.

Caz

Vaaish · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 August 2019, 20:34:34 »

I just have this guy painted up as ELH. He started life as a 3rd edition plastic and had a bit of modifications done.

Spaceman · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 August 2019, 22:22:27 »

I have done a thunderbolt 9NAIS

Valkerie · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 August 2019, 23:52:25 »

Two Thunderbolts for me. Project Phoenix version first, followed by the new one from the new box set.

Luciora · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 August 2019, 02:46:28 »

I've got alot. I'll break then down by base miniature.

TDR-1C Primitive
TDR-5S
TDR-5Sd
TDR-5SE
TDR-5SS

Luciora · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 August 2019, 02:48:52 »

Project Pheonix types:

TDR-5SE
TDR-5SS
TDR-9M
TDR-9NAIS
TDR-10M
TDR-10SE

Luciora · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 August 2019, 02:49:50 »

Lastly the IIC and a custom twin large laser / autocannon type.

Starbuck · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 August 2019, 10:24:30 »

one more unseen t-bolt.

6th Benjamin Regulars

MarauderD · « **Reply #11 on:** 03 September 2020, 08:39:02 »

Thunderbolt three ways: 5th Sword of Light, 4th Davion Guards, and 3rd Lyran Guards. These are all the new plastic sculpt from the AGoAC box set.

These were all painted in the last 3 months, and represent the only mini of which I have three copies. Cheers!

klarg1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 03 September 2020, 13:26:44 »

I have two painted at the moment. One TDR-9NAIS which I built from a standard TDR-9M sculpt, and a TDR-1C.

Major Headcase · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 September 2020, 19:48:52 »

MarauderD · « **Reply #14 on:** 04 September 2020, 09:41:26 »

I like both of those 1C Thuds. Those are nice sculpts and look good! :thumbsup:

Daemion · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 October 2020, 16:42:48 »

My Thunderbolt collection.

Edit: I've added a close up of the micro TBolt on the run because it's fuzzy.

Note: I've taken runway shots of all these. So, if you want to see more, send me a request. A couple of the micros are going to be repainted, and all four will be rebased.

Wolf72 · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 October 2020, 17:44:33 »

holy cow, those guys are teeny. Battle Force? ... either way, if you have them, then you have great proxies for any BA you have.

Valkerie · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 October 2020, 21:59:00 »

Well, since we're adding Thunderbolts, here's one I just did from my First Marik Protector company.

Daemion · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 October 2020, 13:10:23 »

Quote from: Wolf72 on 12 October 2020, 17:44:33

holy cow, those guys are teeny. Battle Force? ... either way, if you have them, then you have great proxies for any BA you have.

Actually, they're smaller than BattleForce. Based on pennies in that pic.

They're closer to 1/800 or 1/700 scale compared to a map-sheet's 1/900. Close enough for me.

BattleForce is roughly 1/500. If you want a true comparison of BF, Map Scale, and Wargaming scale, I point you to some of my stuff posted in the Mini of the Fortnight - Warhammer Thread.

Crackerb0x · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 October 2020, 13:21:49 »

My Thunderbolt IIC 2, painted in CJF Dark Age colors.

Jhousdan · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 October 2020, 08:49:20 »

Two thunderbolts I painted up in the color schemes from the new beginners box (Capellan Hussars and 2nd Ceti Hussars). Besides some reposing, I made a new, larger LRM launcher for the Ceti Hussars one since its the 5S model.