"Thunderbird 2 The most massive rescue vehicle of the Thunderbirds inventory, Thunderbird 2 is a supersonic vertical take-off and landing lifting body aircraft used for the transport of major rescue equipment and vehicles. Thunderbird 2 is 76 m long, 18 m tall, has a 55 m wingspan, and a maximum speed of 5,000 mph (Mach 7.6). It is hangared in its own large facility, along with its equipment pods. The pods house a variety of specialised rescue equipment, including Thunderbird 4, and are interchangeable depending on the mission. Thunderbird 2 utilises the island's landing strip (complete with folding trees to accommodate its wingspan) to take off and land. Throughout the entire run of the programme, Thunderbird 2 is the only craft seen to receive serious damage ("Terror in New York City"). The aircraft is piloted by Virgil Tracy, normally supported by at least one of Alan, Gordon, Brains, or (on rare occasions) John."