A typical vending machine capsule
Vending machine capsules are very popular in the UK and abroad. Several sets have been released with a Thunderbirds theme.
They were available from vending machines, in motorway service areas and well as many different venues associated with children. They were also available through-out Europe and Asia, and are highly sought-after, especially in Japan.
Tomy (UK)[]
Rescue Vehicle Collection[]
Capsule leaflet
Released by "Tomy" in 1999, this set comprised of all five Thunderbird craft, and considering their small size (2in), were very highly detailed. Still very collectable, and can reach as much as £25 each on auction sites.
Figure Collection[]
Capsule leaflet
A second series released by "Tomy" in 1999 comprised of all five Tracy brothers, and as before, were highly detailed figures standing just 2 inches tall.
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Action Viewers[]
A third series released by Tomy were a set of 5 action viewers. Each viewer focussed on one of the main Thunderbird craft, and each viewer had 12 photographic images. These are like the small tourist scenic viewers that used to be popular in the 1960's.
Yujin (Japan)[]
Japanese company "Yujin" produces sets of vending machine toys in Japan, and at least six sets with a Thunderbirds theme have been released between 1998 and 2000.
Thunderbirds Craft (1998)[]
The rarest set of them all, comprised of a basic two piece, moulded plastic craft. Only Thunderbirds 1 to 4 were released for sale.
.png "Yujin TB4(a).png (40 KB)")
Thunderbirds Mini Collection (1999)[]
First of three sets of "Mini Models" produced by Yujin between 1999 and 2000 for the vending machine market. A very detailed snap-together craft, slightly bigger that the "Tomy" version measuring 3.5in.
.png "TB 1 Yujin (2).png (29 KB)")
.png "TB2 Yuji (2).png (42 KB)")
.png "TB4. Yujin (2).png (38 KB)")
.png "TB3 Yujin (1).png (28 KB)")
