Thunderbird 3 3d model

A highly detailed, photo-realistic model of the original Thunderbird 3 rocket from Gerry Andersons Thunderbirds TV series from the 1960s.

The design is based photos sourced in the open literature and published dimensions. Since there were many physical models made for the original TV series which all differed in design style, the 3D model attempts to replicate some elements of all the original models. The 3D model may therefore differ in some design elements when compared against photos of the original physical models.

The model is fully uv-unwrapped and includes high resolution textures (4094 x 4096 pixels in PNG format) in two sets to create two different styles: one clean look, one weathered look. Each set includes 4 textures for Diffuse, Specular, Gloss and Bump maps. The textures are included in a separate ZIP file. To use them with the model, they should be unpacked in the same folder as the model. The Blend file and Max file both include materials definitions that make use of the textures.

The 3D model is supplied as a low-resolution, mixed quad/tri mesh. To improve smoothing, a mesh modifier is recommended (e.g. Turbosmooth in 3DS Max, or Subdivision Surface Modifier in Blender). All renderings shown for this product use a mesh sub-division level of 2.

3 Object files (.obj) are also supplied at three baked sub-division levels:

Sub-division level 0: 13,590 faces
Sub-division level 1: 53,680 faces
Sub-division level 2: 214,720 faces

All supplied models have dimensions in metres, and the model stands approximately 87m tall.

The scene shown in the preview renderings is included in both the Blender and 3DS Max files. The model was principally created in Blender, but has been successfully migrated across to 3DS Max and the scene rendering (using Mental Ray) adjusted to recreate almost exactly the lighting setup achieved in Blender.

Please note that all renderings shown for this product have been generated using Blender Cycles. Please also note that the scene rendering of the model in space above the Earth is not included with this product, and is presented only as an example of how the model might be used.