Thunderbird S, with "S" standing for "Shadow", is International Rescue's stealth aircraft, piloted by their chief of security Kayo Kyrano.
Although considered an official Thunderbird, TBS is not equipped, or often used, for rescue missions like the main five. Instead, TBS is used for bringing criminals who cause disasters to justice (much like Lady Penelope in FAB 1) and for maintaining the security of International Rescue's agents, equipment, and island base. It will often accompany Thunderbird 1 and 2 to the danger zone if the forces of evil are expected to be there waiting for them, or when they simply need an extra pair of wings.
Abilities
Edit
TBS was designed specifically for stealth capabilities, and can fly extremely quietly with incredible agility. Designed and built borrowing designs of combat aircrafts, and equipped with vernier nozzles on both the topside and underside of its thrusters, Thunderbird Shadow becomes the most maneuverable and agile craft of all the Thunderbirds, fully capable of dog fights despite being a rescue vessel. Its ability to seemingly appear and disappear like a shadow has led to the craft being aptly named "Thunderbird Shadow". Its instruments include a light/optic sensor and multi-purpose launchers. The cockpit is actually a motorbike, and can be lowered from underneath to be dropped off to the ground in situations where aerial pursuit isn't practical, while remaining in remote control with the main 'body'. True to its name and dedication to stealth, TBS is equipped with two underside claws instead of conventional landing gear, allowing to cling to walls and ceilings, or underneath other aircraft. Thunderbird Shadow also carries built-in futuristic optical camouflage technology, allowing it to become completely invisible both to the naked eye and on radar.
In Power Play, Thunderbird Shadow's engines are upgraded, allowing it to carry one of Thunderbird 2's modules to a danger zone in order to deliver new equipment in the event that the contents of the original module were inadequate for an escalating rescue situation.
Specifications Edit
Length: 52 feet
Height: 6.1 feet
Wingspan: 26 feet
Cruising speed: 12'123 m.p.h
Maximum speed: 14:789 m.p.h
Equipment Edit
Shadow Bike Edit
The cockpit of Thunderbird S is a motorbike, it can drop down on a platform allowing Kayo to chase down bad guys, e.g. If someone being chased by Kayo goes down a tunnel, The Shadow Bike can be deployed to go after them.
Grappling Claws Edit
Thunderbird Shadow can cling onto walls, ceilings and other surfaces using its grappling claws
TBS uses it's claws to attach onto a cliff
Electromagnetic Cables Edit
Thunderbird Shadow has electromagnetic cables. When Brains upgraded the engines in Power Play, the craft was able to carry one of Thunderbird 2's Modules with them.
Optical Camouflage (Cloaking Mode) Edit
Thunderbird S can become invisible to the naked eye and on a radar at the flick of a switch. This is so far seen only in Earthbreaker.
Electronic Control Discs Edit
First seen during the events of SOS Part 2. It is shown that if even one of the discs are attached in any way then Kayo can take control of any vechiles that are within her effective range.
MissionsEdit
- Main article: /Missions
NotesEdit
- Thunderbird Shadow was designed by Shoji Kawamori, best known for creating the Macross franchise. One notable homage to the Macross series being the fact that TBS has grappling claws instead of conventional landing gear, resembling legs of actual birds, making it strikingly similar to GERWALK mode of the variable fighter crafts from the Macross series when deployed.
- Early sketches of Thunderbird Shadow bear a striking similarity in design to the alternate mode of Cyclonus, an evil Decepticon from the original Transformers series in the 1980's. Incidentally, Kawamori designed many of the original Diaclone toys which would go on to become part of the Transformers line.
- It is technically the counterpart of the Ladybird Jet from the original series, as that plane belonged to Kayo's counterpart Tin-Tin. However, unlike Thunderbird Shadow, the Ladybird Jet was not considered a Thunderbird, or even an International Rescue vehicle.
- Thunderbird Shadow could also be considered the counterpart to Thunderbird 6, as it is the sixth Thunderbird, so to speak. However, Brains was the pilot of Thunderbird 6, although Tin-Tin could fly it, very well in fact.
Concept ImagesEdit
