1988 Turtle Blimp

Bill · 03-06-2013, 12:46 PM

Hello Dear Dromers, again, thanks a lot for all your comments in my previous threads. It´s great that we can share memories of good ol´ Tmnt.

It was 1988, the beginning of an era, when this vehicle came out.

Turtle Blimp Blueprint (photo courtesy by MAXtDie)

Turtle Blimp Jokebook #7 (photo courtesy by BigApple3AM)

Since Season 1 “Shredder is Splintered”) till almost the end it became the second (after the Turtle Party Wagon of course) most used vehicle for our beloved Turtles.

The toybox art was pretty good and I may add an extra point considering it was the toyline´s first year.

The turtle Blimp itself was great, although not 100 % Toon accurate but very close in terms of colours and size.

Speaking about size, I don´t know about you but I was shocked when I assembled it for the very first time, it was really huge and it could fit all four Turtles.

Maybe, old fashioned, a bit slow and with high chances of punctures (both in the Tv series and the toy itself).

This one (with the Turtle Party Wagon and the Sewer Playset) is a must have for all Tmnt collectors. But I warn you: take good care of him, avoid sharpening things, after all it´s a big balloon

Here´s a good review on youtube of the Turtle Blimp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elm1PNnjct0

Here is the Tv commercial for the Turtle Blimp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0QGsH00BIY

and finally here is featured in the 1988 (Photo Courtesy of Tubuloso), 1989 and 1990 playmates toy catalog (Photo Courtesy of VaughnMichael)

Hope you liked and thanks for reading. What do you think about this vehicle? Do you got it? Any memories you wanna
share from where you bought and saw it the very first time?

Thanks for reading.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 03-06-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

Hello Dear Dromers, again, thanks a lot for all your comments in my previous threads. It´s great that we can share memories of good ol´ Tmnt.
It was 1988, the beginning of an era, when this vehicle came out.

Since Season 1 “Shredder is Splintered”) till almost the end it became the second (after the Turtle Party Wagon of course) most used vehicle for our beloved Turtles.
The toybox art was pretty good and I may add an extra point considering it was the toyline´s first year. The turtle Blimp itself was great, although not 100 % Toon accurate but very close in terms of colours and size. Speaking about size, I don´t know about you but I was shocked when I assembled it for the very first time, it was really huge and it could fit all four Turtles.
Maybe, old fashioned, a bit slow and with high chances of punctures (both in the Tv series and the toy itself). This one (with the Turtle Party Wagon and the Sewer Playset) is a must have for all Tmnt collectors. But I warn you: take good care of him, avoid sharpen things, after all it´s a big balloon

Here´s a good review on youtube of the Turtle Blimp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elm1PNnjct0

Here is the Tv commercial for the Turtle Blimp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0QGsH00BIY

and finally here is featured in the 1988, and 1990 playmates toy catalog

Hope you liked and thanks for reading. What do you think about this vehicle? Do you got it? Any memories you wanna share from where you bought and saw it the very first time?

Thanks for reading.

Why's Michelangelo taking Donatello's bo staff along when commiting suicide.

*TheCanadiandrome* · 03-06-2013, 01:25 PM

i'm on a mission to get one of these bad boys misb

raphfan84 · 03-06-2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCanadiandrome

i'm on a mission to get one of these bad boys misb

Same here my friend, there fetching a hefty price too. I think though I will just bite the bullet and pick one up hopefully soon!

ryukenden · 03-06-2013, 02:31 PM

This was perhaps the most desired Turtle vehicle ever! I've wanted one so bad when I was a kid. They were either sold out or my dad couldn't afford one at that time. I'm thinking about hunting one down too.

*pannoni1* · 03-06-2013, 03:06 PM

I purchased my blimp for $25 just before Christmas to complete my 1988 set and I'm glad I did, presenting it to my newphew last Christmas. It's only missing one of the green wings and a small portion of the gun; otherwise it holds enough air for me to only refill monthly and it sits high above a bookcase in my bedroom. I enjoy the artowrk on the blimp that looks even better than the version used in the cartoon, though they are both good. The only thing is that its difficult to seat all four Turtles, though my favorite feature is the bomb trigger. It's the longest of all vehicles produced (even the Technodrome), so its a must have.

BMo · 03-06-2013, 05:12 PM

This is one of those pieces I have always wanted but never owned. I hope to one day though...

*Shogun26* · 03-06-2013, 05:39 PM

Fun story about the turtle blimp. When I was a kid my dad, brother, and I used to visit stores to see if we could get a good deal on all those after xmas mark downs. Anyway, we went to Shopko one year when I was around 6 or 7 and I saw the blimp on the clearance shelf for $25 and I was going berzerk (aka jumping up and down etc). Anyway so I get it off the shelf with my brothers help and go to my dad and ask in a normal voice, can I get this dad? Dad of course was like no. And then I was like PLEEEZE I'll pay you back. Dad's reply, Mimi go put it back. Me: NO! Dad: Go put it back or i'll leave you at the store. Me: Fine (my dad would really leave us in a store if we didn't comply...). Anyway. I told my mom when I got home, but of course by the time we went back to get it I couldn't find it, go figure.
Years later when I was in HS and started actually collecting I bought 2 MISB for around $45-$65 each. Then when I wanted to start graduate school I sold both of them for around $100 each. I never thought they'd really be hard or expensive to buy and also by that time I had acquired Blimp II MISB so I was like no biggie.
YEah WRONG. They are a pain in the tushy to find now for a decent price and in good condition. Thankfully I just found one a few months ago that was affordable to repurchase. So yeah, like the Channel 6 Newsvan I've had three. LOL
When I was a kid I did also see the commercials for the blimp on tv and that was one of the reasons I really wanted it so badly. At 6 I had no idea I'd be collecting as a hobby. Nor did I think 2-3 years ago that Turtlemania would return.

*Mzx10484* · 03-06-2013, 05:47 PM

Unfortunately never owned this !! As far as I know there are varaints, US and European ... watch out !!

Longview01 · 03-06-2013, 05:56 PM

I had the blimp when I was a kid and it was the coolest toy I ever owned...always seemed to get punctures tho.

I used to hold it in a bucket of water to see where the puncture was then use a bicycle repair kit to sort it out.

Good times

Gwydion · 03-06-2013, 06:19 PM

Dang, it's so neat to see this again! This was one of the few TMNT related toys my brother had as a kid, and I always wanted to play with it. I thought it was pretty much the coolest thing ever. Pretty sure our balloon didn't last very long, though, especially considering our idea of "playing with toys" usually meant crashing or throwing them.

I have no idea whatever happened to it. It probably got tossed along with the rest of his toys before I had the chance to grab it (managed to save one Turtle and two figures of Spider-Man).

MST3KFan · 03-07-2013, 03:25 AM

I never had this vehicle as a kid despite wanting it big time.

Just got it though this last week off ebay. Well...actually it took two ebay purchases (one had a complete balloon and a busted up glider, and the other was for just the glider).

My big question is...

How do you get a figure to sit in the glider seat without falling off? I thought maybe they'd have something on the gun turret or at least a control within reach of the turtles to hold onto, but it seems not.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 03-07-2013, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mzx10484

Unfortunately never owned this !! As far as I know there are varaints, US and European ... watch out !!

They later did a new variant (Turtle Blimp II I think).

*Shogun26* · 03-07-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

They later did a new variant (Turtle Blimp II I think).

yes, there was a blimp II

I think Bill will make a new thread for that one.

*TheCanadiandrome* · 03-08-2013, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raphfan84

Same here my friend, there fetching a hefty price too. I think though I will just bite the bullet and pick one up hopefully soon!

Right on, me to. Question will be from where though

Nameless · 03-09-2013, 11:09 AM

i got one of these with a lot i purchased a few years back now. unfortunately it had a giant tear in along the seam and a few pin punctures everywhere on it. i have managed to fix the tear using a air mattress repair kit and putting the patch on the inside so its not as noticeable. it holds air now but leaks air slowly out of the pin holes. i was going to find a good clear sealer to fix them (stuff in the repair kit melted the graphics on the blimp) but never got around to it. this is a very cool piece though and probably one of the more iconic turtle toy vehicles.

*I Crave Pizza No More* · 03-09-2013, 11:17 AM

I have a Turtle Blimp II that is complete, in really good shape, and sits on a bookshelf. It holds air, though always seems to deflate ever so slightly.

*mikey0* · 03-09-2013, 12:06 PM

The original Turtle Blimp was the largest piece on the shelves until the Sewer Lair came out. After that, the Blimp was wedged in between the Lair and the Technodrome. This version of the Blimp was much easier to advertise in the Archie Comics and on clothing. The second one went more in hand with the OT. I like the colors of the first one from time to time. You can tell it definately went with the first wave figures. When you saw the first Blimp on paper, it looked more like the shadow of the OT Blimp. It either looked as if it was a shadow or it was stuck in an invisible smokescreen.

*Original TMNT Cartoon Fan* · 03-09-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey0

The original Turtle Blimp was the largest piece on the shelves until the Sewer Lair came out. After that, the Blimp was wedged in between the Lair and the Technodrome. This version of the Blimp was much easier to advertise in the Archie Comics and on clothing. The second one went more in hand with the OT. I like the colors of the first one from time to time. You can tell it definately went with the first wave figures. When you saw the first Blimp on paper, it looked more like the shadow of the OT Blimp. It either looked as if it was a shadow or it was stuck in an invisible smokescreen.

Any more difference than colours?

*mikey0* · 03-09-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Original TMNT Cartoon Fan

Any more difference than colours?

The second Blimp has a visible nose cone. The envelope to the first Blimp is shaped more like a football, after it is blown up.

03-06-2013, 12:46 PM	#1
Bill Stone Warrior Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 666	1988 Turtle Blimp Hello Dear Dromers, again, thanks a lot for all your comments in my previous threads. It´s great that we can share memories of good ol´ Tmnt. It was 1988, the beginning of an era, when this vehicle came out. Turtle Blimp Blueprint (photo courtesy by MAXtDie) Turtle Blimp Jokebook #7 (photo courtesy by BigApple3AM) Since Season 1 “Shredder is Splintered”) till almost the end it became the second (after the Turtle Party Wagon of course) most used vehicle for our beloved Turtles. The toybox art was pretty good and I may add an extra point considering it was the toyline´s first year. The turtle Blimp itself was great, although not 100 % Toon accurate but very close in terms of colours and size. Speaking about size, I don´t know about you but I was shocked when I assembled it for the very first time, it was really huge and it could fit all four Turtles. Maybe, old fashioned, a bit slow and with high chances of punctures (both in the Tv series and the toy itself). This one (with the Turtle Party Wagon and the Sewer Playset) is a must have for all Tmnt collectors. But I warn you: take good care of him, avoid sharpening things, after all it´s a big balloon Here´s a good review on youtube of the Turtle Blimp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elm1PNnjct0 Here is the Tv commercial for the Turtle Blimp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0QGsH00BIY and finally here is featured in the 1988 (Photo Courtesy of Tubuloso), 1989 and 1990 playmates toy catalog (Photo Courtesy of VaughnMichael) Hope you liked and thanks for reading. What do you think about this vehicle? Do you got it? Any memories you wanna share from where you bought and saw it the very first time? Thanks for reading. Last edited by Bill; 04-17-2014 at 10:54 PM.

03-06-2013, 01:25 PM	#3
TheCanadiandrome Big, Bad & Bold Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Inside the Technodrome; Shredderville; Saskatchewan Posts: 19,719	i'm on a mission to get one of these bad boys misb __________________ Add me: PSN/XBL; Nintendo Network ID: BDS-3.1.6; Switch FC: SW-3378-5206-8020 TMNT Fan Club: http://sot.ag/4jZR0 Visit My Wish List: http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=30904 My Collection: http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=40276

03-06-2013, 03:06 PM	#6
pannoni1 Foot Elite Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA Posts: 3,447	I purchased my blimp for $25 just before Christmas to complete my 1988 set and I'm glad I did, presenting it to my newphew last Christmas. It's only missing one of the green wings and a small portion of the gun; otherwise it holds enough air for me to only refill monthly and it sits high above a bookcase in my bedroom. I enjoy the artowrk on the blimp that looks even better than the version used in the cartoon, though they are both good. The only thing is that its difficult to seat all four Turtles, though my favorite feature is the bomb trigger. It's the longest of all vehicles produced (even the Technodrome), so its a must have. __________________ http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/sho...d.php?t=37065- MY WANT LIST TMNT FAN CLUB LINK: http://sot.ag/gCjK/ 30 years of Turtle Power!

03-06-2013, 05:39 PM	#8
Shogun26 Mad Scientist Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: under my bed Posts: 2,322	Fun story about the turtle blimp. When I was a kid my dad, brother, and I used to visit stores to see if we could get a good deal on all those after xmas mark downs. Anyway, we went to Shopko one year when I was around 6 or 7 and I saw the blimp on the clearance shelf for $25 and I was going berzerk (aka jumping up and down etc). Anyway so I get it off the shelf with my brothers help and go to my dad and ask in a normal voice, can I get this dad? Dad of course was like no. And then I was like PLEEEZE I'll pay you back. Dad's reply, Mimi go put it back. Me: NO! Dad: Go put it back or i'll leave you at the store. Me: Fine (my dad would really leave us in a store if we didn't comply...). Anyway. I told my mom when I got home, but of course by the time we went back to get it I couldn't find it, go figure. Years later when I was in HS and started actually collecting I bought 2 MISB for around $45-$65 each. Then when I wanted to start graduate school I sold both of them for around $100 each. I never thought they'd really be hard or expensive to buy and also by that time I had acquired Blimp II MISB so I was like no biggie. YEah WRONG. They are a pain in the tushy to find now for a decent price and in good condition. Thankfully I just found one a few months ago that was affordable to repurchase. So yeah, like the Channel 6 Newsvan I've had three. LOL When I was a kid I did also see the commercials for the blimp on tv and that was one of the reasons I really wanted it so badly. At 6 I had no idea I'd be collecting as a hobby. Nor did I think 2-3 years ago that Turtlemania would return. __________________ Ebay Store!! Guys...I think Turtle Mania is back for good.

03-06-2013, 02:31 PM	#5
ryukenden Hench Mutant Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 383	This was perhaps the most desired Turtle vehicle ever! I've wanted one so bad when I was a kid. They were either sold out or my dad couldn't afford one at that time. I'm thinking about hunting one down too.

03-06-2013, 05:12 PM	#7
BMo Foot Soldier Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 134	This is one of those pieces I have always wanted but never owned. I hope to one day though...

03-06-2013, 05:47 PM	#9
Mzx10484 WEM Super Starfinder 200 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 2,085	Unfortunately never owned this !! As far as I know there are varaints, US and European ... watch out !!

03-06-2013, 05:56 PM	#10
Longview01 Foot Soldier Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 202	I had the blimp when I was a kid and it was the coolest toy I ever owned...always seemed to get punctures tho. I used to hold it in a bucket of water to see where the puncture was then use a bicycle repair kit to sort it out. Good times

03-06-2013, 06:19 PM	#11
Gwydion Hench Mutant Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 331	Dang, it's so neat to see this again! This was one of the few TMNT related toys my brother had as a kid, and I always wanted to play with it. I thought it was pretty much the coolest thing ever. Pretty sure our balloon didn't last very long, though, especially considering our idea of "playing with toys" usually meant crashing or throwing them. I have no idea whatever happened to it. It probably got tossed along with the rest of his toys before I had the chance to grab it (managed to save one Turtle and two figures of Spider-Man).

03-07-2013, 03:25 AM	#12
MST3KFan Hench Mutant Join Date: May 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 485	I never had this vehicle as a kid despite wanting it big time. Just got it though this last week off ebay. Well...actually it took two ebay purchases (one had a complete balloon and a busted up glider, and the other was for just the glider). My big question is... How do you get a figure to sit in the glider seat without falling off? I thought maybe they'd have something on the gun turret or at least a control within reach of the turtles to hold onto, but it seems not.

03-09-2013, 11:09 AM	#16
Nameless Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,042	i got one of these with a lot i purchased a few years back now. unfortunately it had a giant tear in along the seam and a few pin punctures everywhere on it. i have managed to fix the tear using a air mattress repair kit and putting the patch on the inside so its not as noticeable. it holds air now but leaks air slowly out of the pin holes. i was going to find a good clear sealer to fix them (stuff in the repair kit melted the graphics on the blimp) but never got around to it. this is a very cool piece though and probably one of the more iconic turtle toy vehicles.

03-09-2013, 11:17 AM	#17
I Crave Pizza No More Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2011 Location: Cleveland Posts: 1,658	I have a Turtle Blimp II that is complete, in really good shape, and sits on a bookshelf. It holds air, though always seems to deflate ever so slightly.

03-09-2013, 12:06 PM	#18
mikey0 Foot Elite Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4,754	The original Turtle Blimp was the largest piece on the shelves until the Sewer Lair came out. After that, the Blimp was wedged in between the Lair and the Technodrome. This version of the Blimp was much easier to advertise in the Archie Comics and on clothing. The second one went more in hand with the OT. I like the colors of the first one from time to time. You can tell it definately went with the first wave figures. When you saw the first Blimp on paper, it looked more like the shadow of the OT Blimp. It either looked as if it was a shadow or it was stuck in an invisible smokescreen.