From the Tracys to The Hood: Thunderbirds Celebrates 50th Anniversary in 3D Print at Launzer

August 27, 2015 by Bridget O'Neal 3D Design 3D Printing

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We know 3D printing has a very serious side, allowing for numerous innovative products that are changing lives, making them more convenient–and even saving them. The progressive technology is also changing the traditional processes of manufacturing.

The impact is far-reaching and permanent, while continually evolving. But it has infiltrated nearly every area and that includes adding vast latitude to the world of recreation, novelty items, and figurines.

Marketing of products in nearly every realm, especially the gaming and movie industry, has experienced an explosion of new options due to the world of 3D design and 3D printing in the last few years. Not even shows you thought had come and gone are immune to the fever of 3D printing–or re-branding.

Scott Tracy in 3D printed Multicolor

How about Thunderbirds? The popular British TV show, which ran in the mid-60s, had only 32 episodes, but was extremely popular around the world and re-broadcast in many, many other countries. While it was short-lived in seasons and cumulative content, it had a wide fan base and flavors of it can still be detected in futuristic shows we see today.

As the show celebrates its 50^th anniversary, Thunderbirds is experiencing a resurgence not only in popularity, but branding, and a whole selection of 3D printed items can take you back–and let you stay there as long as you want. Thanks to Launzer, you have an entire product line of 3D printed goodies to put on your desk and line your shelves with. The lineup of 3D printed items serves as official merchandise of the 50^th Year Anniversary Celebration of Thunderbirds TV series, created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.

These 3D figures bring to mind one word: smart. Well designed, multicolored and paintable, the 3D figurines can come striding back into your life in the forms of the inimitable characters:

Scott Tracy
Alan Tracy
Virgil Tracy
The Hood
Aloysius “Noisy” Parker

Licensed by ITV Ventures, the Thunderbirds 1 to 4 from International Rescue’s fleet will be available on the site in muli-color sandstone as collectibles. Fans can look forward to incredibly detailed 3D models of the vessels at Launzer.

“Thunderbirds is a very personal thing to me,” says Kari Voutila CEO & Founder of 3D Online Factory and Launzer.com. “It was the coolest series in telly back in my childhood in 60’s and I always admired the technology they had in their space ships and vessels.”

“I’m truly proud that the Launzer team has the privilege to bring the fabulous Thunderbirds first in 3D Printing. It is a great addition to Launzer’s portfolio and a remarkable milestone for us on our road map to be one of the leading marketplaces for branded and 3D Printed merchandise.”

The products retail anywhere from £44 (around $67 USD) for the 3D printed models of figurines to around £56 (around $86 USD) for the spaceships and vessels that can take you on a spin ‘back’ to the future of 2060.

Are you a Thunderbirds fan, and will you be checking out these 3D printed figurines? Discuss in the 3D Printed Thunderbirds forum thread over at 3DPB.com.