Skydive (Transformers)
Encyclopedia

Transformers: Generation 1

Skydive was part of the Aerialbot
Aerialbots
The Aerialbots are a group of Autobots that transform into aircraft and combine to form the giant robot Superion. They were introduced into the Transformers toyline in 1985 and sold as a Superion gift set, and then sold separately in 1986 in most department stores...

 team able to form a limb of the combined robot Superion
Superion
-Transformers: Generation 1:Superion is the first Autobot special team to be created, and is the Autobots' first combiner, formed from five smaller robots who are able to transform into fighter-jets and planes.Members:* Silverbolt - Team leader.* Air Raid...

.

Skydive would rather read about jet fighters than be one, and is fascinated by the science of aerial warfare. He can, within the limits of his design, duplicate the flying motion of anything he sees and might be the most skilled flyer of all Transformers. He flies at Mach 2.6, with a range of 1400 miles. Skydive carries laser guided missiles and uses a nega-gun that crumbles objects by breaking molecular bonds. He is prone to mid-air stalls. Along with his fellow Aerialbots, he forms "Superion
Superion
-Transformers: Generation 1:Superion is the first Autobot special team to be created, and is the Autobots' first combiner, formed from five smaller robots who are able to transform into fighter-jets and planes.Members:* Silverbolt - Team leader.* Air Raid...

".

Marvel Comics

Skydive is more interested in reading about jet fighters than being one, He's more likely to have his face stuck in a book about World War II air battles than to be in the air himself. It's not that he's a coward- he's just fascinated by the science of aerial warfare. But even though he's a somewhat reluctant member of the Aerialbot team, he is invaluable- his knowledge of aerial military tactics is without equal. The other Aerialbots constantly look to him to plan strategy, a responsibility Skydive sometimes finds to be daunting given his extreme modesty. His biggest fault, if you could call it that, is he doesn't realize how smart he really is. At least everyone else around him does.

The information-storage capacity of Skydive's cerebro-circuitry is greater than most Transformers'. This enables him to record instantaneously any flying motions he sees, and, within the limits of his design, duplicate them himself. Thus, he's able to simulate the techniques of World War II aces he's studied on film as well as the gliding patterns of birds he's watched in person. He is possibly the most skilled flyer of all the flying Transformers. His maximum speed is Mach 2.6 and range is 1400 miles. In jet mode, he can shoot laser-guided missiles with a range of 80 miles. In robot mode, he uses a nega-gun, which shoots a beam that cancels the bonding force between molecules. Only objects held together by the strongest molecular bonds can resist crumbling to dust when hit by the beam. He combines with his fellow Aerialbots to form the giant robot known as Superion.

Sometimes, in duplicating the flight of another, Skydive pushes his design beyond its limits. This often results in mid-air stalls. He can usually recover before crashing, but while stalled, he is completely vulnerable to attack.

Skydive and the other Aerialbots were created on Earth by Wheeljack and given live by Optimus Prime using the Matrix.

Beachcomber, Blaster
Blaster (Transformers)
Blaster is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara Tomy and Hasbro. Due to trademark reasons, he is sometimes called Autobot Blaster...

, Cosmos
Cosmos (Transformers)
Cosmos is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes referred to as "Autobot Cosmos" for trademark purposes.Wired Magazine once nominated him as one of the 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time....

, Perceptor
Perceptor
Perceptor is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Perceptor transforms into a microscope ....

, Powerglide
Powerglide (Transformers)
Powerglide is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers series. He first appeared in 1985, and was voiced by Michael Chain in the animated The Transformers series.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...

, Seaspray
SEASPRAY
SEASPRAY was a clandestine U.S. Army special operations unit. Its existence within the U.S. Department of Defense was held secret insofar as it testifies to the close links between the United States Army and the Central Intelligence Agency....

 and Warpath were part of an Autobot team on Cybertron in the Earth year 1986. They battled the Decepticons led by Straxus over the Space Bridge and the Autobots were stranded on Earth (Transformers #18).

They were then captured by Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker (Transformers)
Circuit Breaker is a fictional comic book character in the 1980s Marvel Comics Transformers series.-Fictional character biography:After being severely injured in a raid for Earth oil by the Decepticon Shockwave, computer genius Josie Beller was left paralyzed in both legs and one arm...

 and her Rapid Anti-Robot Attack Team, She then took them to her laboratory and dismantled them for study. (Transformers #21-22).

Circuit Breaker then captured Autobots Air Raid
Air Raid (Transformers)
Air Raid was the name of fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Hasbro has registered the name Air Raid for Trademark in the U.S.-Transformers: Generation 1:Air Raid is the most fearless of the Aerialbots and likes having fun...

, Fireflight
Fireflight
Fireflight is an American Christian rock band formed in Eustis, Florida in 1999. The band is signed by Flicker Records. They have played in Shoutfest, Revelation Generation, and have been featured on The Scars Remain tour with Disciple, Family Force 5, and Decyfer Down...

, Silverbolt, Skids
Skids (Transformers)
Skids is the name used for four characters in the Transformers Universes. Due to trademark reasons, the name was modified to "Skid-Z" for it to be used on new characters and an "Autobot" prefix was added when the original Skids toy was reissued and when he became an Alternator.-Transformers:...

, Skydive and Slingshot
Slingshot (Transformers)
Slingshot is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Hasbro has not reused the name Slingshot since 1994 due to its seeming inability to trademark the name. The most recent Slingshot homage uses the names Sky Shadow and Airazor....

. Using the parts from all the captured Autobots she created a giant Autobot with herself in control, striking a deal with them that if they would cooperate she would let them go. Circuit Breaker then used them to attack the Decepticon Battlechargers Runabout
Runabout (Transformers)
-Transformers: Generation 1:The first Runabout formed one half of the Battlecharger duo with Runamuck. Runabout is not the brains of the Battlechargers, but he is much calmer and certainly more articulate than Runamuck, and his presence helps keep the latter's cross-wired mind on task...

 and Runamuck who were attacking the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...

. After defeating the Decepticons with Circuit Breaker the Autobots were released (Transformers #23).

When Starscream returns to Earth after absorbing the powers of the Underbase, the Aerialbots were amongst those in New York first to attack... and also amongst the first to fall in battle.

The Aerialbots were later revived by Nucleon
Nucleon
In physics, a nucleon is a collective name for two particles: the neutron and the proton. These are the two constituents of the atomic nucleus. Until the 1960s, the nucleons were thought to be elementary particles...

 provided by Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...

.

In the prelude to the Generation 2 series, Skydive was part of a strike force sent to stop the newly reborn Megatron. The group were hopelessly outmatched by Megatron's new powers. Badly damaged, Skydive sneaked aboard the Ark, which Megatron was using as a base, and utilised a time-based deactivation cycle, so he would not register on the Ark's scanner.

Skydive made a final appearance in an issue of the Generation 2 series, helping Fortress Maximus
Fortress Maximus
Fortress Maximus is the name of several fictional characters from several of the various Transformers universes. Fortress Maximus appeared in the season 4 finale of the US Transformers animated series voiced by Stephen Keener. He was one of the stars of the Japanese Transformers: Headmasters...

 battle Megatron. Fortress Maximus decided to blow up the Ark in an attempt to stop Megatron, and ordered Skydive to get a human scientist, Dr. Biggles-Jones, to safety.

Animated series

They were created on Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...

 around the same time as the Stunticons as a countermeasure to the new Decepticon car team. They are the Autobots' first combiner team, and when merged to form Superion, also considered their strongest combiner. Unlike the Decepticons' combiner team the Constructicons, their configuration consists of five transformers instead of six, also known as Scramble City
Scramble City
Scramble City may refer to:* Transformers: Scramble City, the Original Video Animation anime* The city mode of Metroplex * An interchangeable sub-line of combining Transformer toys; namely the: Aerialbots, Stunticons, Combaticons, Protectobots, Terrorcons, Technobots, and Seacons....

. Their first appearance comes in the two-parter "Key to Vector Sigma, pts. 1 & 2". They were created to combat the Stunticons. During the fight, the Autobots were badly overpowered by the Stunticons when the newly-formed Aerialbots arrived and battled them. The Stunticons were no match for the Aerialbots and their aeroplane alternate-modes, but once they merged and formed the Decepticon Menasor
Menasor
Menasor is the name to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. The original version was the combined version of the Stunticons. Since then, other characters have taken the name Menasor.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

, things got out of hand. However, the Aerialbots had their own combination, soon they too formed their own combiner, Superion
Superion
-Transformers: Generation 1:Superion is the first Autobot special team to be created, and is the Autobots' first combiner, formed from five smaller robots who are able to transform into fighter-jets and planes.Members:* Silverbolt - Team leader.* Air Raid...

, to combat Menasor. The two battled, but Menasor began to take the upper hand. Menasor was about to land a fatal blow to the Autobot when Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. He is always an Autobot and is often depicted as a gigantic transformer with vast strength and/or overwhelming firepower.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 arrived, and helped Superion to defeat him, forcing the Stunticons and the Decepticons to retreat.

The Aerialbots and Stunticons squared-off again, later in the episode "Cosmic Rust", where Superion defeated Menasor in a combiner vs. combiner rivalry.

In the episode "Aerial Assault", Skydive and Slingshot
Slingshot
A slingshot, shanghai, flip, bean shooter or catapult is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The classic form consists of a Y-shaped frame held in the off hand, with two rubber strips attached to the uprights. The other ends of the strips lead back to a pocket which holds the projectile...

 go undercover to discover why aircraft are disappearing in the Middle East. Allied with a boy named Hassan, they find out Megatron and the other Decepticons, including the Combaticons
Combaticons
The Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...

 allied with a smuggler named Ali. Later in the episode, the Aerialbots
Aerialbots
The Aerialbots are a group of Autobots that transform into aircraft and combine to form the giant robot Superion. They were introduced into the Transformers toyline in 1985 and sold as a Superion gift set, and then sold separately in 1986 in most department stores...

 defeat the Combaticons in another combiner vs. combiner fight.

Later on, in the episode "War Dawn", they were sent back in time 9 million years ago by the Decepticons in an attempt to lose the Aerialbots forever in the dawn of time. At first, they question the motives of the Autobots. But after a series of events, and seeing Megatron's cruelty in the past, they witnessed death of a young Autobot named Orion Pax, who was rebuilt by Alpha Trion as their leader, Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

. They become convinced, and finally accept the ways of the Autobots.

In the episode "The Rebirth Part 1", the Aerialbots are put into stasis lock by the Decepticon Sixshot
Sixshot
Sixshot is the name of two fictional characters from the various Transformers series. Introduced in 1987, Sixshot appeared in the last few episodes of the original US Transformers animated series, voiced by Neil Ross. His defining gimmick was that he had six different forms, not two like a normal...

. As the Decepticons arrive and invade Cybertron, they encounter the Aerialbots, who are patrolling the planet. Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...

 orders Sixshot to deal with them, and he easily takes down each of the five Autobots using a different alternate mode. Using the Aerialbots' parts and components, the Decepticons were then able to construct a super engine to move the planet Cybertron.

Books

The Aerialbots appeared in the 1986 story book Galvatron's Air Attack by Ladybird Books.

Dreamwave Productions

Unlike previous interpretations of the Generation 1 Skydive, Dreamwave comics had all the Aerialbots being made on Cybertron before the Autobots came to Earth. They were one of several teams that used the combiner technology first used to create Devastator to make their own combined form.

The Aerialbots came to be among the Autobots on Earth in the 1980s and gained the forms of Earth-style jets.

Upon the awakening of Optimus Prime in Dreamwave's first Generation 1 mini-series, the Aerialbots were among the Autobots summoned by Optimus to rescue the remaining Autobots, who had been turned into mind-controlled weapons of mass destruction by a human arms dealer. During a subsequent battle with the Decepticons in San Francisco, the Aerialbots, merged into Superion, sacrificed themselves to stop an incoming nuclear missile, launched by rogue elements in the U.S. military to eradicate both factions of Cybertronians in one fell swoop.

Later, it was revealed that parts of Superion, including his head, were recovered by the faction of the U.S. government that also recovered Scourge. Hinting that they were possibly trying to rebuild him.

Toys

  • Generation 1 Skydive (1986)
This toy could form the arm or leg of any Scramble City
Scramble City
Scramble City may refer to:* Transformers: Scramble City, the Original Video Animation anime* The city mode of Metroplex * An interchangeable sub-line of combining Transformer toys; namely the: Aerialbots, Stunticons, Combaticons, Protectobots, Terrorcons, Technobots, and Seacons....

 style combiner. He came with one gun accessory.
  • Generation 2 Skydive (1992)
The original toy is repainted as Skydive again. He is now mainly blue and silver. He retains his original function, motto and bio. Although Skydive did appear in the Marvel Generation Two comic, he appeared in his original colors. His only appearance in these colors was the animated commercial for this toy.
  • Universe Classic Series Legends Skydive (2008)
A redeco of Cybertron Legends Soundwave.
  • Universe Generation 1 Series Scout Skydive (2009)
A redeco of the Energon Air Team was done in the colors of the Generation 1 Aerialbots This toy was released in the Universe line in some countries, but sold as a Revenge of the Fallen set in the United States.
An actual A-10 has a wingspan of 1753 centimeters while this toy has a wingspan of 13 centimeters, making this toy 1/135 scale. With the toy standing 12 centimeters tall in robot mode it would mean he stands 1620 centimeters (53 feet 2 inches) tall.

Transformers: Generation 1

The name Skydive was reassigned to a Decepticon unrelated to the original Aerialbot in 1992, which was only released in Europe and Japan. He appeared in a team of six known as the Predators. This character did not appear in any fictional stories.

Revels in the science of battle. Cold, calculating and entirely cruel. Not even understood or trusted by his fellow Predators. As plane uses the farseeing properties of Megavisor to the ultimate as a lean and hungry fighter. As robot calmly attacks with hand-held missile power.

Beast Machines

After six years, the name Skydive was reused on a deluxe Maximal
Maximal
Maximal may refer to:*Maximal element, a mathematical definition*Maximal , a faction of Transformers*Maximalism, an artistic style*Maximal set*Maxim , a men's magazine marketed as Maximal in several countriesSee also...

 Pterodactyl; however he was not part of the Dinobot
Dinobot
Dinobot is a fictional character from the Beast Wars Transformers universe.-Beast Wars:Dinobot originally debuts in the series' premiere as a subordinate of Megatron, leader of the villainous Predacons. However, Dinobot challenges Megatron's leadership, and is shortly expelled from his crew. He...

 sub-group. Skydive did not appear in the animated series.

To the Vehicons, Skydive is the true menace of the skies above Cybertron. Speed and maneuverability are umatched within the Maximal ranks; makes him an impossible target. Reinforced, specialized alloys offer maximum protection if any Vehicons manage to get a lock. Wings act as energy receptors, supplying incredible endurance - always outlasts opponents. Despite stoic personality, Skydive takes great pleasure in "buzzing" secret Maximal outposts.

3H Enterprises

Skydive's sole appearance in any fiction was limited to the unreleased issue #4 of the Transformers: Universe - Wreckers comic series where he and Beast Machines Longhorn
Longhorn (Transformers)
Longhorn is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Beast Machines:Longhorn is the name of a Maximal who turns into a technorganic bull.-3H Enterprises:...

 and Che witnessed the invasion of Cybertron by the Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...

.

Fun Publications

The finished first four pages of Wreckers #4 comic eventually printed in the Transformers Collectors Club Magazine #16.

Skydive appeared in Wreckers: Finale Part II where he reported the status of the Dinobots to Snarl during the Quintesson attack on Cybertron.

Toys

  • Beast Machines Deluxe Skydive (2000)
A Deluxe sized Maximal.
This figure was based on drawings by Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...

 designed Tim Bradley
Tim Bradley (toy designer)
Tim Bradley is a toy designer for Hasbro. He designed a number of toys in the Transformers toy line.Tim is also the author and illustrator of children's books...

.
  • Universe Deluxe Skydive
The Maximal Skydive was repainted and became an Autobot. His toy was sold individually.


Transformers: Universe

The name Skydive was used on a Micromaster combiner as part of the Aerialbot group.

However, because of a lack of a bio on the card packaging or from Hasbro themselves, it is not known whether this Skydive is a previous character or a new character. The original Skydive was part of the Aerialbots however there is already a Skydive in this toyline. Skydive did not appear in any fiction.

Supersonic's Japanese tech spec states: Loves beautiful objects, hates taking part in operations that get his frame dirty. Since he is always seeking beauty, even in attacks and destruction, he frequently conflicts with Chaingun over strategies. Prefers flying at high altitudes above the clouds so rain won't get him wet.

According to the story for Berserker Sixwing, a computer virus briefly turned the Sixwing team into Decepticons.

Fun Publications

The Decpeticon Supersonic appeared in the Transformers: Timelines story "The Coming Storm" part 5.

Toys

  • Generation 1 Micromaster Supersonic
A new mold, combined with his fellow Micromaster teammates to form Sizwing.
  • Generation 1 Micromaster Supersonic reissue
A reissue of Supersonic as a Decepticon.
  • Generation 1 Micromaster Berserker Supersonic
A redeco of Supersonic in white as a Decepticon.
  • Universe/Cybertron Micromaster Skydive (2006)
This toy is a repaint of the Japanese exclusive Micromaster Supersonic, and comes with the head and one fist of Sixwing. Micromaster Skydive was released in Cybertron packaging in European countries, as they didn't have the Universe line.

Transformers

In the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

 game, Transformers: Autobots, he is an unlockable form that can be used by the Create-A-Bot, but can only be unlocked by taking one's Transformers: Autobots and Nintendo DS to a DS Download Station and using Download Play to watch the Transformers DS games' movies or can be unlocked by obtaining 2500 Wi-Fi Tokens.

In the Revenge of the Fallen toy line, Skydive was released as redeco of an Energon Aerialbot.

Toys

  • Revenge of the Fallen Skydive (2009)
A redeco of the Energon toy, packaged together with his fellow Aerialbots. Together they form Superion
Superion
-Transformers: Generation 1:Superion is the first Autobot special team to be created, and is the Autobots' first combiner, formed from five smaller robots who are able to transform into fighter-jets and planes.Members:* Silverbolt - Team leader.* Air Raid...

. This toy is identical to the Universe version of the toy, also released in 2009. An actual A-10 has a wingspan of 1753 centimeters while this toy has a wingspan of 13 centimeters, making this toy 1/135 scale. With the toy standing 12 centimeters tall in robot mode it would mean he stands 1620 centimeters (53 feet 2 inches) tall.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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