Turtle Blimp (1987 TV series)

Turtle Blimp Production information Manufacturer Donatello Technical specifications Armament cluster bombs, lazer Crew TMNT, Ace Duck Other systems Usage Role(s) Ariel Transport and Assault Era(s) 1987 series, archie, Video Games, Turtles Forever Affiliation Turtles
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The Turtle Blimp is a fictional Zeppelin constructed by Donatello of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and appears in several fictions amongst the franchise.

History

In both the 1987 series and the Archie Comics continuity, the Turtle Blimp was constructed by Donatello using various materials in Baxter Stockmans rooftop lab and apartment. It was used in the climactic battle of the initial mini-series opening with Krang.

Since then it has been a notable tool in the Turtles arsenal, particularly for transport and aerial battles.

According to his action figure the Turtles hired Ace Duck to pilot their Turtle Blimp.

It was also seen in Turtles Forever in a battle against the upgraded Technodrome in the 2003 universe.

Technology

The Turtle Blimp seems to have several advances thanks to the brains of its constructor with only minimal weapons at its disposal for obvious reasons.

In the way of propulsion the blimp has two massive turbines in the front wing and a single stabilizer fan in the rear fin. Looking on the actual blimp itself several other theoretical methods of propulsion are seen, particularly on the toy, however it is debatable as to weather these are decorative or otherwise functional.

While as a zeppelin it is slow and cumbersome, the main body can detach for use as a glider which is capable of acrobatic agility and speeds. What is more amazing however, is that this glider can re-attach itself after separation in mid-air.

Finally, the Turtle Blimp has two main weapons at its disposal, cluster bombs, and a lazer-type weapon on the front of the glider body. As with all of the Blimps functions these are all controlled by a simple main panel within the pilot seat.

Toys

1988- Playmates

The Turtle Blimp toy had two renditions throughout the original toy releases, the major differences being in the graphics on the actual blimp and slight color differences in the glider body. The original had the standard olive green coloring with the blimp design mostly following that of the original cartoon minus the massive logo on either side. The second release, dubbed the Turtle Blimp II (seen above) had a drastically different color scheme.

Features of the toy include nearly everything from its fictional counterpart, the glider body could detach as a separate toy, it had a movable lazer, and could drop 6 massive bombs from the side. These bombs were the same as found in the Turtle Van toy made of bright orange plastic and with silly labels such as "Itchy Powder" bomb, etc.

The Turtle Blimp also has a hidden feature that consumers quickly discovered, no matter how tightly you close the plug, the Blimp would always deflate within minutes of manual inflation.

Video Games

The Turtles Blimp can be seen in the 1989 video game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Back from the Sewers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time and the SNES version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters

External Links

• 1988 Turtle Blimp at The Official TMNT Web Site (archived)