Thunderbird 4 is International Rescue's technologically advanced submarine, with a maximum operating depth of 30,000 feet. Though the tiniest of the Thunderbirds, she makes up for it by being the only one who can operate underwater and is well equipped to do so. She is used for saving innocent lives all around the globe in water based areas such as oceans and rivers. She is piloted by aquanaut Gordon Tracy, who unfortunately has a knack for getting into situations that result in her coming back in less than mint condition.
To date, there have been two known Thunderbird 4 craft used by International Rescue. The original was destroyed by the Chaos Crew during a rescue mission, so a new one was constructed shortly afterwards, and briefly piloted by Scott Tracy, while Gordon was on injury leave.
Specifications[]
- Height: 10 feet (3.048 meters)
- Length: 32 feet (9.7536 meters)
- Length with arms: 34 feet (10.3632 meters)
- Width: 15 feet (4.572 meters)
- Cruising speed: 184 mph (296.119 km/h)
- Maximum speed: 287 mph (461.882 km/h)
Design[]
TB4 is the smallest Thunderbird of them all and one that is designed to withstand immense deep sea pressures; this helps grant its immense durability and capacity to explore undersea caves, but it also means it is far from convenient enough for the yellow submarine to go to the danger zone by itself, due to limited range, low speed, and complete inability to travel unless submerged underwater. Thunderbird 4 is therefore airlifted to the danger zone aboard Module 4, one of the six Modules that makes up the center of the supersonic Thunderbird 2. Should the latter vehicle be unavailable, Thunderbird 4 can leave Tracy Island alone for a mission that is close enough.
Thunderbird 4 can be entered via an underside hatch, which leads straight to the little cockpit (designed for Gordon to control, however it has managed to squish three other people into its small space - presumed standing room only (as seen in Deep Search), and a door at the back where rescued people and equipment can be put. Bright lights emit from the very front of the vehicle, allowing Gordon to see in the deepest and darkest of waters. Thunderbird 4 has many small windows on the sides and underneath the cockpit, and even the backdoor has transparent surfaces, further adding to the freedom of exploration. Thunderbird 4 has a flexible fin and two small engines at the back which allow for surprising speed and agility, even though it is still vital for Thunderbird 2 to carry it wherever it needs to go. Where there's Thunderbird 4, there's usually Thunderbird 2.
Cockpit[]
Thunderbird 4’s cockpit has a curved square floor plan, with the pilot’s seat directly in the middle. In front of this seat is the pilot seat is the pilot console, which contains a series of controls. On each end of the main console are two control cylinders. The outer control cylinders control the main turbines, and the inner control cylinders control the emergency launch jets. In the middle of the console is a large button panel that controls the scanning array, lighting and the remote airbag pods. On the left of this is a smaller button panel that controls the emergency beacon as well as what is fitted on the end of the extension arms. Above the pilot seat is a button panel that controls the torpedo and harpoon launchers. Under the console, by the pilot’s feet, is a large pedal that controls Thunderbird 4’s ballast. Next to the pilot seat are the two control arms that control the robotic extension arms. There is a trigger on the end of the control arms that control the claw or plasma cutter on the end of the extension arms. The buttons on the control arms give the pilot minimal control of Thunderbird 4’s propulsion when the arms are in use.
Equipment[]
Robotic Arms[]
TB4 has two robotic arms that are tucked away on the underside. They swing out when in use, and Gordon controls them directly while looking through the transparent floor to see what he is doing. The left arm ends with a pincer claw, while the right arm can either end with another claw or a plasma cutter.
Torpedo Launchers[]
Located within the side protrusions are torpedoes used for demolition. They also have homing properties, allowing them to hit home on other machines and vehicles.
Harpoon Launchers[]
These can be found on the lower sides of TB4, close to the Robotic Arms. These harpoons, attached to cables like a grapple gun, can be fired forward quick enough to penetrate rock.
Dry Tubes[]
The name given to two evacuation pods contained within the same protrusions that store the torpedoes. Fired from the rear, they float swiftly to the surface of the water upon being released. They are big enough to contain one person each, unless perhaps if that person is too tall and/or fat.
Remote Airbag Pods[]
First seen in Chaos Part 1, this is the name given to two large pods that used to balance and raise large platforms or vehicles that have been submerged for various reasons. It is stored in the same protrusions that store the torpedoes and the dry tubes. They are launched from the front of the ship and the balloons can be quickly deployed to raise the object in question.
Ice Modifications[]
When on ice based missions, Thunderbird 4 has a set of modifications that can be attached to it. There are four snow skis, two connected to the bottom of the extension arm storage compartments, and two on the top of the emergency escape compartments. Attached to the turbines are two large jet thrusters for propulsion on top of and under the ice. Thunderbird 4 also has a large heat cone, held in place by the robotic extension arms.
Launch Sequences[]
- Main article: Thunderbird 4 (TB2015)/Launch Sequence
Gordon runs to the fish tank, placing his hand on the glass, revealing it to be a handprint scanner on a screen. This causes the floor around him to rise up and surround him with a hidden lift, revealing his drysuit and diving equipment. The floor Gordon is standing on descends into his launch tube, bringing the risen lift and fish tank with it. As Gordon is descending, his drysuit and gloves are attached to him by robotic arms, with him personally putting on his sash and diving equipment. Gordon stands against the back wall of the lift, which rotates and drops him into Thunderbird 4’s storage tank once the lift has stopped at the end of the launch tube. Gordon swims into Thunderbird 4 and enters the cockpit using the underside airlock hatch.
Missions[]
- Main article: Thunderbird 4 (TB2015)/Missions
Gallery[]
Concept Art[]
Trivia[]
- This version of Thunderbird 4 became the first Thunderbird to be destroyed in action within two separate episodes:
- It was crushed by the Mechanic's remote-controlled survey craft during a rescue mission in Up from the Depths Part 1, although Gordon was able to escape in a new Deep Water Exo-Suit before the craft exploded from being literally torn apart. The ship was later recovered and repaired in Up from the Depths Part 2 for use in Lost Kingdom.
- It was destroyed a second time after being squashed by sea boulders from the Chaos Crew after trying to rescue Braman in SOS Part 2. However, this time Gordon wasn't able to escape and so he had to be rescued by Lady Penelope, Scott and Alan, and was left hospitalized. This time, the ship was beyond repair and left at the bottom of the sea, as Gordon later mentioned in Upside Down. A "new Thunderbird 4" was built instead which Scott first used in Signals Part 1.
- In City Under the Sea Gordon tells Kayo he has been in trouble with Brains for having Thunderbird 4 destroyed before, suggesting that it is not too difficult for the team to rebuild even hopelessly damaged Thunderbirds if required.
- Thunderbird 4 has been shown to be capable of dogfighting maneuvers when in capable hands, i.e. Kayo, something which surprised even Gordon.
- Thunderbird 4 is considered a Class C Submersible in universe.