The Thunderbird was produced by the English Electric Co as a mobile SAM. It had 4 Boosters
and  1  sustainer Rocket motor. It was used by the British Army for medium range air defence
from 1959. Thunderbird 1 was in service until 1966. The missile had a range of about 30 miles and
used semi active homing in conjunction with the non coherent pulse radar. It was replaced in 1966
by the Thunderbird 2, which worked with the Ferranti AD10 "Firelight" coherent CW radar (TIR)
for improved low altitude performance, ten of these radars were purchased.

In the early 1960's Finland were going to purchase Thunderbird 1 or the Bloodhound System.
Due to the political matters at the time the sale did not go ahead. Finland did receive
Thunderbird Equipment for training purposes. This Equipment is still on display in a Museum.

The original Mk 1 version of Thunderbird was operated by Saudi Arabia, which acquired
37 ex- British Army missiles and launchers in 1967.