What do you mean that 'Thick' is not functional? What have you tried that isn't working?
The separate VLM / Panel modes have been eliminated -- they were running the same stuff under the hood, it was mostly a model preparation difference.
Now, you can generate mixed models with any combination of thick / thin representations of components -- use a Set for each. The easiest way is to put your lifting surfaces in one Set (use it for Thin) and your bodies in a different Set (use that for Thick).
Don't put any Geom in both Sets.
Rob