Thunderbirds Hover Bus

Nick K · Mar 4, 2023

Well I thought I would start another build will waiting to get motivated on the Drax Shuttle Docking Bay. I had been looking at the Hover Bus Miniature for quite a while and finally decided to build it. Spent the best part of the time up till now getting materials needed to do the job. This is a picture of what I am trying to achieve. If anyone out there has any info on how this was built, I would be most greatful. I now that Phil Rea owned the model years ago but do not know who has it now. I would like to ask him some questions about it if I can contact him.
I feel the problem I am going to have down the track is how the axles and suspension is fitted to the lower hover skirt board.

joberg · Mar 5, 2023

The Prop Art Gallery (U.K.) has a picture of one of UFO's vehicle showing a very simple way to put all those axles and wheels +suspension together.
Foam pad for the suspension + one L shaped axle that is affixed to the body (the long part of the L) and the small part of the L affixed to the wheels. The curve at the junction of the long part, bending to the small part is fitted with the foam pad (affixed to the body of the model).
I hope it's fairly clear. Lots of those models were very simple in terms of undercarriage design since they were on a mono-rail fitted under the road and pulled by cables.

Nick K · Mar 5, 2023

Yes, joberg, like this.

Nick K · Mar 5, 2023

This is what I have started with. Glued balsa sheets together using Polyurethane glue, and then started sanding it to shape.

Nick K · Mar 6, 2023

A few more pics. You will notice in the second picture I inserted another section of balsa because I was not happy with the width. Looks a lot better now.

joberg · Mar 7, 2023

Getting there for sure

Keep up the good work!

Nick K · Mar 7, 2023

joberg said:
Getting there for sure Keep up the good work!

Thanks joberg.

Nick K · Mar 7, 2023

A better shot of the front with modified headlight area.

Nick K · Apr 9, 2023

Well I decided to carry on with the air cushion next. First thing I did was draw a template for the wheel areas on card and cut them out and position them on the cushion. I then marked where they would go after being happy with the location and cut them out using a scroll saw. Using my photo references, I cut out the axle areas and then marked where the body would sit. Then it was onto the wheels and axles. I purchased the wheels from Ali Express and the brass rod and washers from my local engineering supply merchant. I cut the rod roughly to length and soldered the washers in place.

Nick K · Apr 9, 2023

I have just finished installing the wheels in the cushion and I am very pleased with the way it is turning out so far. The hole in the skirt in the last pic, is where the Jetex motor was placed to provide a dust cloud as the model was pulled across the set.

joberg · Apr 10, 2023

Looks F.A.B. from where I stand; what kind of wheels did you use?

Nick K · Apr 11, 2023

joberg said:
Looks F.A.B. from where I stand; what kind of wheels did you use?

I purchased some 25mm alloy RC aircraft wheels with foam rubber tyres from Ali Express.( Hope I can put that here). They weren't badly priced either. I got extras for other projects.

Nick K · Apr 11, 2023

Been out in the garage tweaking the suspension to give the bus a proper ride height. Then blew some light blue onto the interior walls. Not the right color, but I like it. I will endeavour to get the sky blue color later.

yaris · Apr 12, 2023

FAB Virgil.....!!!.....

joberg · Apr 12, 2023

Nick K said:
I purchased some 25mm alloy RC aircraft wheels with foam rubber tyres from Ali Express.( Hope I can put that here). They weren't badly priced either. I got extras for other projects.

Yep, they're the "to-go" wheels for the Anderson World

Analyzer · Apr 12, 2023

Coming along nicely. Sure looks like a lot of work

Nick K · Apr 15, 2023

Analyzer said:
Coming along nicely. Sure looks like a lot of work

Thanks Analyzer. It's what I do and what I like.

Nick K · Apr 15, 2023

Well, today I glued some wooden strips to the underside of the sub-floor so that the next pieces ( two strips of thin timber down each side to mount some passenger figures ), would not bind on the wheels and remain clear of them.

Nick K · May 19, 2023

Hello there. Back again after a brief spell and decided to work on the suspension. I found some foam rubber that I had from years ago and as it was nice and firm I decided that it would be ideal. I cut 4 pieces into strips and short lengths and glued them under the wheel axles. After applying some oil to the brass rod axles, I worked them all until they were more or less free. I then made up the cabin rear wall after getting the angle more or less as it is in the picture I have and tried it for size and it looks good. I put it in the vice and proceeded to file the excess down to an angle and test fitted it to the body. When I was happy with this, I glued in some scrap pieces of wood I got from works, to the chassis plate as in my reference pic. These are for the Plasticine figures I have yet to sculpt. That's going to be interesting to do. Never done that before.