Thunderbird 4

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Thunderbird 4 is International Rescue's main vehicle for underwater rescue - a yellow mini-submarine, piloted by aquanaut Gordon Tracy.

Unlike Thunderbirds 1, 2 and 3 - all of which are capable of travelling to danger zones under their own power - TB4 fits comfortably within its own specialized pod - Pod 4 - aboard Thunderbird 2, which then transports it to where it is needed.

Sometimes TB4 must utilize other means, to get from place to place - in a different pod (eg Pod 6, in Attack of the Alligators!); via direct launching, from Tracy Island's runway; or via assistance from other transportation - notably by the World Navy's USN Sentinel (Terror in New York City), after TB2 had been incapacitated and needed to undergo a complete rebuild.

TB4 is equipped with a versatile arsenal of sophisticated gadgetry - including a missile launcher, a searchlight, a battering ram and a laser, all of which are located in the nose of the sub. It is capable of travelling on surface water (hover mode) or underwater. Its small interior is equipped with an airlock for access and exit while underwater.

Technical Data

Emergency launch jets: 4 vertical-thrust hover jets and 2 x 25 liquid fuel mini-rockets
Emergency launch speed: 30mph
Forward and reverse drive: 6 electrically driven reversible axial-flow turbine impellers
Length: 30 feet
Main turbo drive: 2 axial-flow turbines providing forward thrust only
Maximum speed (underwater): 160 knots
Maximum operating depth: 30,000 feet
Power source: twin atomic fusion reactors
Surface cruising speed: 40 knots
Underwater speed: 160 knots
Weight: 16 tons
Width: 11 feet

Profile

Entry/Exit Hatch

Located at the back of the cockpit, an airlock allows Gordon access outside the craft while underwater.

Gadgets

Halogen Lighting Bar

Hydraulic Rams With Electro-magnetic Clamp

Hydraulic rams incorporating electromagnetic pads.

Paralyzer

A "paralyser" featured in The Man From MI.5.

Main article: Paralysing A Mini-Sub

Laser beam Cutter

Used in Atlantic Inferno, Operation Crash-Dive and Day Of Disaster.

Missiles

Thunderbird 4 is also equipped with forward-firing missiles, used in Day Of Disaster (to blow away debris from the river-mud-embedded Martian Space Probe); and in Desperate Intruder (to return fire from an attack by The Hood's own mini-submarine).

Equipment

Underwater Sealing Unit

Primarily used to contain natural-gas eruptions on the seabed, the Underwater Sealing Unit (also known as the "sealing device") is first towed by Thunderbird 4 from Pod 4 onto the sea-surface. Both craft then submerge, to reach the danger zone. Once in position, it is then lowered over the site of the eruption. Four ballast valves are then driven deep into the seabed, to hold the unit down tight.

This equipment was used in Atlantic Inferno to seal off a natural-gas eruption.

Launch Sequence

Main article: Thunderbird 4/Launch Sequence

Appearances

Terror in New York City
Day Of Disaster
Desperate Intruder
Operation Crash-Dive
The Mighty Atom
The Man From MI.5
Attack of the Alligators!
Security Hazard (flashback from Day Of Disaster)
Atlantic Inferno
Thunderbirds Are Go (opening scene cameo)
Thunderbird 6 (cameo)

Rescues And Missions

Main article: Thunderbird 4/Missions

See also:

Seascape - Crew Rescue - (Atlantic Inferno)
Ned Cook - Rescue - (Terror in New York City)
A Race Against Time - (Day Of Disaster)
Rescue From The Bottom Of Lake Anasta - (Desperate Intruder)
Thunderbird 4's Mission to Destroy Sea Water Intake (Atomic Plant) - (The Mighty Atom)
The Hunt For Fireflash 4 - (Operation Crash-Dive)
Paralysing A Mini-Sub - (The Man From MI.5)
Needle in a Haystack - (Attack of the Alligators!)
(More to be added)

Security Hazard

In Security Hazard, Chip Morrison sneaks into Thunderbird 2's pod and is taken back to Tracy Island, creating a breach of security. TB4 appears only in flashback footage, from the episode Day Of Disaster.