Thunder Blade Restoration

[Chopper79]

Picked up this thunder blade shell, a couple of weeks ago, and missing quite a lot of parts. So far missing items are:

Game PCB
Crt/Chassis/Frame
Monitor Wooden Frame & Bezel
Filter Board To PCB Wiring

Also:

Still on 110v (Needs Converting)
Control Panel Beyond Repair
Broken Parts In Control Assembly
Wooden Shelf Damaged
Control Handle Needs Parts
Bezel scratched.

Why do I do this to myself!?

Got about £400 of NOS parts to fit.
More parts ordered from USA

Chopper792022-02-03 20:20:48

 

[Chopper79]

The entire wiring loom has been hacked, and has been fitted with the wrong red connectors. Most of the loom has been cut to short, and wires are just pulling out the red connectors. I have fitted a new partial correct loom on far left in first picture, with the correct JST connectors. The rest will need to be made from scratch.

The shelf in the middle of cab, has been removed as damaged. Not only was it held down with wood screws, but sega seem to love putting a million staples in wood as well! I had to use a 2 tonne trolley jack, to release shelf.

The USA cabs seem very poorly built, compared to the UK and Ireland built cabs.

The black metal mounting panel in picture, is a NOS panel, as the original was twisted and nearly an inch out of alignment!

Chopper792022-01-08 13:01:40

 

[Chopper79]

I've already started the control assembly. It had a broken metal stop end, and a centering nylon spacer is missing. I stripped the assembly down, and replaced the broken plate, as had a NOS one in spares. I also replaced a bent tension spring with a NOS item. The Handle shaft was completely trashed, as had wood screws forced into it and snapped off! A replacement from states is on offer.

The speed shifter is broken, and is getting rebuilt with NOS parts. I have refitted the assembly into the NOS metal panel awaiting handle and speed shifter.

The grip handle wiring was trashed, and I made a complete loom from scratch to the exact same specs.

 

[agent4125]

Good work so far mate.

 

[Chopper79]

Test fitting new shelf. I have modified the fixing design, so a lot better than before. Should be painted and fitted by the weekend. Also sanding and repainting the inner cab half, to finish it better.

 

[Chopper79]

New shelf fitted and painted. Inside of cab edge repainted.

 

[Chopper79]

Modification on shelf so wooden bezel fits better. NOS control panel, lovely glass, original shifter boot. Marquee cracked and needs replacing. Test fitted in picture, and all spot on.

Still a long way to go!

 

[Chopper79]

Pizza delivery, all the way from the states.

 

[Chopper79]

Spray painted isolation transformer.

 

[Chopper79]

Fully rebuilt control assembly.

NOS Control Panel & Mounting Frame
NOS Grip Assembly
Various other NOS parts

 

[smarty]

Looking good Simon

 

[Chopper79]

Looking good Simon 

Cheers Martin.

 

[antray84]

This is all looking really great. Who ever ends up with this later on is in for a treat.

 

[Chopper79]

Cannot find a frame, but James (Agent4125) came to the rescue and kindly gave me a similar frame, but had no side mounting. I fabricated 2 brackets in aluminium from B&Q.

Burn free Orion tube, and genuine K7000 back in and fitted. Cannot fire up yet, as a few things to sort. Also not sure if chassis is working.

New marquee from olly.

Chopper792022-04-18 09:17:31

 

[Isgoed]

Very nice!

I like the art on this cab.

 

[Chopper79]

Finally working! Mint replacement crt, chassis repaired with new Flyback. All controls calibrated. Needs final sanding and painting on sides, and T moulding and will be ready for sale.

 

[Monkeykong1]

Looks great

 

[antray84]

Great Job Simon