5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Thunderbirds are go! Debuting on UK television screens in 1965, Thunderbirds continues to be watched by viewers around the world. AiP Thunderbirds plastic kits are based on the classic tv series and allow fans new and old to recreate many popular International Rescue machines seen in the show. With such a huge fanbase, the enthusiasm for Thunderbirds never fades!