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Thundercracker (Armada)

2007-05-28T21:36:05Z

70.72.98.217: /* ''Armada'' */

{{disambig3|Thundercracker}}

:''Thundercracker is a [[Decepticon]] in the [[Armada]] and [[Cybertron]] portions of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] continuity family.''

[[Image:ArmadaThundercracker.jpg|thumb|300px|Say, haven't I seen you somewhere before?]]

'''Thundercracker''' suffered from low self-esteem and longed for approval from authority figures to validate his existence. He was willing to work as hard as necessary to gain attention and praise from [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], but when all his efforts were ignored or taken for granted, he grew frustrated. Thundercracker felt the need to engage in ever more risky and reckless behavior in an attempt to gain Megatron's notice. Many predicted this would lead to his destruction.

When next we see Thundercracker it is over ten years later, loyally serving under [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] during the search for the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. In the intervening years he became something of a jokester and goofball. This has often gained him the attention that he craves. Though frequently, especially when Megatron is the brunt of the joke, it is far from positive attention. Thundercracker doesn't seem mature enough to tell the difference, but he does know when to get the smelt out of Decepticon HQ before Megatron looks for someone to pummel.

''('''Note''': the [[Dreamwave]]'' More Than Meets The Eye ''bio compilation for the Armada series portrays Thundercracker very differently, as a former Decepticon who left the army centuries ago. However, this does not seem to mesh with the glimpses of unreleased'' [[Energon (franchise)|Energon]] ''comic issues where Thundercracker, along with several other Armada-series characters, show up in the present day.)''

==Fiction==
===Animated continuity===
====''Armada''====
The character "'''Thundercracker'''" is never seen in the Armada cartoon. When Starscream gains his [[Powerlinx]] coloration, however, he happens to look just like Thundercracker. In ''[[Armada]]'' (although not ''Micron Legend'') he specifically says "I look like Thundercracker," with a clear tone of distaste, proving that, although he is not seen, ''Armada'' Thundercracker must exist in this continuity as well and is probably a goober. Dreamwave's aforementioned Armada ''More Than Meets the Eye'' profile book calls him an exceptional Decepticon warrior who failed to gain the respect and favour of his commander, and eventually abandoned the Decepticon cause, serving in a mercenary role on Cybertron.

====''Cybertron''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Mark Oliver]] (US) ??? (Japan)

[[Image:CybThundercracker.jpg|250px|left|thumb|He puts the "cracker" in "Thundercracker". A-hyuck!]]

Back outside the boundaries of the Unicron Singularity, Thundercracker and the few remaining Decepticons still loyal to Galvatron were given a boost of Omega Lock power, super-sizing them so they could take on the massed armies that had gathered from all of the colony worlds to oppose them. Thundercracker took on Optimus Prime himself to give Galvatron time to achieve his goal. However, Thundercracker was then gang-attacked by [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], giving Prime the opportunity to chase Galvatron into the black hole.

Thundercracker continued to fight, and came very close to being directly in the path of the singularity-collapsing cannon-blast from the massive [[Ark (Cybertron)|''Ark'' starship]].

After the defeat of Galvatron and the closing of the Unicron Singularity, Thundercracker realized that Galvatron was going to let him die in the cataclysm that his plan would have caused, and along with the other now-de-powered Decepticons, ran off. When the rocket boosters that built on the [[Jungle Planet]] to push the world back to its normal place in the cosmos began to fail, the four Decepticons arrived, cackling... and helped with the efforts to keep the thrusters upright and functional, deciding to try being on the winning team for once.

[[Image:Thundercracker-Autobot.jpg|thumb|right|Thundercracker gits 'r' done.]]

Thundercracker spent most of his time then on Earth, under the supervision of Mudflap, helping rebuild cities damaged by the Singularity's effects. When the Autobots were ready to begin their [[Space Bridge]] initiative, Thundercracker went to see his new "best friend" Optimus Prime off. Unfortunately, he ran across his former Decepticon allies, who were sick of trying to fit in, and had built a ramshackle rocket and taken off to form the [[New Decepticon Army]]. The trio shanghai'd Thundercracker, who ''really'' didn't want to join them, and took off for parts unknown.

They made it as far as [[Mars]] before the rocket crashed.

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
*'''Thundercracker with Zapmaster''' (Maxcon, 2003)

[[Image:Armada_Thundercracker_toy.jpg|right|thumb|DEAD GRAY EYES.]]

: Thundercracker is a [[redeco]] of ''Armada'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], transforming into a Cybertronic fighter jet. In both modes, pressing down on his cockpit canopy activates electronic sound effects; in jet mode, it also deploys his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Zapmaster]] if he is stored under the cockpit. Plugging a Mini-Con onto his rearmost [[Powerlinx]] plug releases two spring-activated over-shoulder spring-loaded missile launchers, as well as more electronic sound effects. His left wing detaches and unfolds to form a large sword for use in robot mode. He is something of a rarity in the Armada line, in that he is a redeco that is a new, separate character rather than a "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of an existing character.

: This mold was [[retool]]ed to make ''Armada'' [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and ''[[Universe]]'' [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]].

:''('''Note''': In Japan, Thundercracker's toy is simply a "powered up" version of Starscream.)''

[[Image:BTR_Armada_Thundercracker.jpg|left|thumb|105px|Energon cake goes right to his hips.]]
*'''Thundercracker''' (Built to Rule, 2003)

: For the ''[[Built to Rule]]'' line, Thundercracker was once again a redeco, a new-color version of the Starscream set. He can be assembled into a Cybertronic fighter jet or a robot, or to whatever else you feel like making out of the blocks provided (or any blocks you feel like adding). He came with a building-brick version of Zapmaster. The set features two missile launchers that use a unique "twist-block" pressure-launch mechanism. He was one of the last of the Transformers ''Built To Rule'' toys released at wide retail.

{{-}}
===Cybertron===
*'''Thundercracker''' (Deluxe, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GD-02'''

[[Image:TCracker-CybToy.jpg|right|thumb|This hick's shotgun is ''built-in''.]]

: Part of the first wave of the ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series, Thundercracker transforms into an SU-37 fighter jet. Inserting a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his rear fuselage pops up the back panel, revealing a spring-loaded missile launcher. This assembly becomes his left forearm in robot mode, despite being almost as long as he is tall. He came with a silver-bordered [[Earth]]-style Cyber Planet Key; the [[Hasbro]] release has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''d98d'''" [[tampograph]]ed on the back of it.

: The [[Takara]] ''Galaxy Force'' release of the toy is slightly different from the later [[Hasbro]] ''Cybertron'' release, mainly the Hasbro version added a Decepticon insignia to the missile-launcher cover.

: This mold is also used by ''Cybertron'' Skywarp.

*'''Ground To Air Blast Pack: Crosswise vs Thundercracker''' (Multi-pack, 2006)

: In 2006, Target got multiple [[exclusive]] toys and reduced-price multi-packs, among them a set with unaltered versions of Thundercracker and [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] for about 75% the cost of two Deluxees normally.

*'''Thundercracker with Downshift''' (Tiny Tins multi-pack, 2006)

: Part of a run of Wal-Mart exclusive sets, Dirt Boss was also sold in a larger box that came with a special [[redeco]] of the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] member [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]], plus a special [[Tiny Tins]] carrying tin for the Mini-Con. Dirt Boss himself was unaltered from his normal release.

*'''Thundercracker''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)

[[Image:Cybertron_LOC_Thundercracker.jpg|left|thumb|170px|"Hey Sarge! They done gave me one of these new-fangled DOUBLE shotguns!"]]

: A smaller, simplified version of the deluxe toy was released in the fourth wave of the ''[[Legends of Cybertron]]'' line. Unlike the large toy, this version has two robot-mode fists, and the blaster-weapon is now an arm-mounted double-barreled weapon.

: This mold was used to make ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* According to [[Joe Kyde]], the reason for ''Armada'' Thundercracker's red face was because the gray plastic used to make the eyes is [[unpaintable plastic]], so he changed to original plan from gray face and red eyes to red face and gray eyes.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Thundercracker/thundercracker.htm Armada Thundercracker at TFU.info]

*[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Thundercracker/thundercracker.htm Cybertron Thundercracker at TFU.info]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Armada characters]]
[[Category: Built to Rule]]
[[Category: Cybertron characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Legends of Cybertron]]
[[Category: Seekers]]
[[Category: Turncoats]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Thundercracker (Armada)

2007-05-28T21:35:36Z

70.72.98.217: /* ''Armada'' */

{{disambig3|Thundercracker}}

:''Thundercracker is a [[Decepticon]] in the [[Armada]] and [[Cybertron]] portions of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] continuity family.''

[[Image:ArmadaThundercracker.jpg|thumb|300px|Say, haven't I seen you somewhere before?]]

'''Thundercracker''' suffered from low self-esteem and longed for approval from authority figures to validate his existence. He was willing to work as hard as necessary to gain attention and praise from [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], but when all his efforts were ignored or taken for granted, he grew frustrated. Thundercracker felt the need to engage in ever more risky and reckless behavior in an attempt to gain Megatron's notice. Many predicted this would lead to his destruction.

When next we see Thundercracker it is over ten years later, loyally serving under [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] during the search for the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s. In the intervening years he became something of a jokester and goofball. This has often gained him the attention that he craves. Though frequently, especially when Megatron is the brunt of the joke, it is far from positive attention. Thundercracker doesn't seem mature enough to tell the difference, but he does know when to get the smelt out of Decepticon HQ before Megatron looks for someone to pummel.

''('''Note''': the [[Dreamwave]]'' More Than Meets The Eye ''bio compilation for the Armada series portrays Thundercracker very differently, as a former Decepticon who left the army centuries ago. However, this does not seem to mesh with the glimpses of unreleased'' [[Energon (franchise)|Energon]] ''comic issues where Thundercracker, along with several other Armada-series characters, show up in the present day.)''

==Fiction==
===Animated continuity===
====''Armada''====
The character "'''Thundercracker'''" is never seen in the Armada cartoon. When Starscream gains his [[Powerlinx]] coloration, however, he happens to look just like Thundercracker. In ''[[Armada]]'' (although not ''Micron Legend'') he specifically says "I look like Thundercracker," with a clear tone of distaste, proving that, although he is not seen, ''Armada'' Thundercracker must exist in this continuity as well and is probably a goober. However, Dreamwave's Armada ''More Than Meets the Eye'' profile book calls him an exceptional Decepticon warrior who failed to gain the respect and favour of his commander, and eventually abandoned the Decepticon cause, serving in a mercenary role on Cybertron.

====''Cybertron''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Mark Oliver]] (US) ??? (Japan)

[[Image:CybThundercracker.jpg|250px|left|thumb|He puts the "cracker" in "Thundercracker". A-hyuck!]]

Back outside the boundaries of the Unicron Singularity, Thundercracker and the few remaining Decepticons still loyal to Galvatron were given a boost of Omega Lock power, super-sizing them so they could take on the massed armies that had gathered from all of the colony worlds to oppose them. Thundercracker took on Optimus Prime himself to give Galvatron time to achieve his goal. However, Thundercracker was then gang-attacked by [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], giving Prime the opportunity to chase Galvatron into the black hole.

Thundercracker continued to fight, and came very close to being directly in the path of the singularity-collapsing cannon-blast from the massive [[Ark (Cybertron)|''Ark'' starship]].

After the defeat of Galvatron and the closing of the Unicron Singularity, Thundercracker realized that Galvatron was going to let him die in the cataclysm that his plan would have caused, and along with the other now-de-powered Decepticons, ran off. When the rocket boosters that built on the [[Jungle Planet]] to push the world back to its normal place in the cosmos began to fail, the four Decepticons arrived, cackling... and helped with the efforts to keep the thrusters upright and functional, deciding to try being on the winning team for once.

[[Image:Thundercracker-Autobot.jpg|thumb|right|Thundercracker gits 'r' done.]]

Thundercracker spent most of his time then on Earth, under the supervision of Mudflap, helping rebuild cities damaged by the Singularity's effects. When the Autobots were ready to begin their [[Space Bridge]] initiative, Thundercracker went to see his new "best friend" Optimus Prime off. Unfortunately, he ran across his former Decepticon allies, who were sick of trying to fit in, and had built a ramshackle rocket and taken off to form the [[New Decepticon Army]]. The trio shanghai'd Thundercracker, who ''really'' didn't want to join them, and took off for parts unknown.

They made it as far as [[Mars]] before the rocket crashed.

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
*'''Thundercracker with Zapmaster''' (Maxcon, 2003)

[[Image:Armada_Thundercracker_toy.jpg|right|thumb|DEAD GRAY EYES.]]

: Thundercracker is a [[redeco]] of ''Armada'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], transforming into a Cybertronic fighter jet. In both modes, pressing down on his cockpit canopy activates electronic sound effects; in jet mode, it also deploys his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Zapmaster]] if he is stored under the cockpit. Plugging a Mini-Con onto his rearmost [[Powerlinx]] plug releases two spring-activated over-shoulder spring-loaded missile launchers, as well as more electronic sound effects. His left wing detaches and unfolds to form a large sword for use in robot mode. He is something of a rarity in the Armada line, in that he is a redeco that is a new, separate character rather than a "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of an existing character.

: This mold was [[retool]]ed to make ''Armada'' [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and ''[[Universe]]'' [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]].

:''('''Note''': In Japan, Thundercracker's toy is simply a "powered up" version of Starscream.)''

[[Image:BTR_Armada_Thundercracker.jpg|left|thumb|105px|Energon cake goes right to his hips.]]
*'''Thundercracker''' (Built to Rule, 2003)

: For the ''[[Built to Rule]]'' line, Thundercracker was once again a redeco, a new-color version of the Starscream set. He can be assembled into a Cybertronic fighter jet or a robot, or to whatever else you feel like making out of the blocks provided (or any blocks you feel like adding). He came with a building-brick version of Zapmaster. The set features two missile launchers that use a unique "twist-block" pressure-launch mechanism. He was one of the last of the Transformers ''Built To Rule'' toys released at wide retail.

{{-}}
===Cybertron===
*'''Thundercracker''' (Deluxe, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GD-02'''

[[Image:TCracker-CybToy.jpg|right|thumb|This hick's shotgun is ''built-in''.]]

: Part of the first wave of the ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series, Thundercracker transforms into an SU-37 fighter jet. Inserting a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his rear fuselage pops up the back panel, revealing a spring-loaded missile launcher. This assembly becomes his left forearm in robot mode, despite being almost as long as he is tall. He came with a silver-bordered [[Earth]]-style Cyber Planet Key; the [[Hasbro]] release has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''d98d'''" [[tampograph]]ed on the back of it.

: The [[Takara]] ''Galaxy Force'' release of the toy is slightly different from the later [[Hasbro]] ''Cybertron'' release, mainly the Hasbro version added a Decepticon insignia to the missile-launcher cover.

: This mold is also used by ''Cybertron'' Skywarp.

*'''Ground To Air Blast Pack: Crosswise vs Thundercracker''' (Multi-pack, 2006)

: In 2006, Target got multiple [[exclusive]] toys and reduced-price multi-packs, among them a set with unaltered versions of Thundercracker and [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] for about 75% the cost of two Deluxees normally.

*'''Thundercracker with Downshift''' (Tiny Tins multi-pack, 2006)

: Part of a run of Wal-Mart exclusive sets, Dirt Boss was also sold in a larger box that came with a special [[redeco]] of the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] member [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]], plus a special [[Tiny Tins]] carrying tin for the Mini-Con. Dirt Boss himself was unaltered from his normal release.

*'''Thundercracker''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)

[[Image:Cybertron_LOC_Thundercracker.jpg|left|thumb|170px|"Hey Sarge! They done gave me one of these new-fangled DOUBLE shotguns!"]]

: A smaller, simplified version of the deluxe toy was released in the fourth wave of the ''[[Legends of Cybertron]]'' line. Unlike the large toy, this version has two robot-mode fists, and the blaster-weapon is now an arm-mounted double-barreled weapon.

: This mold was used to make ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* According to [[Joe Kyde]], the reason for ''Armada'' Thundercracker's red face was because the gray plastic used to make the eyes is [[unpaintable plastic]], so he changed to original plan from gray face and red eyes to red face and gray eyes.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Thundercracker/thundercracker.htm Armada Thundercracker at TFU.info]

*[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Thundercracker/thundercracker.htm Cybertron Thundercracker at TFU.info]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Armada characters]]
[[Category: Built to Rule]]
[[Category: Cybertron characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Legends of Cybertron]]
[[Category: Seekers]]
[[Category: Turncoats]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Thundercracker (G1)

2007-05-28T21:26:40Z

70.72.98.217: /* Dreamwave comics continuity */

{{disambig3|Thundercracker}}

:''Thundercracker is a [[Decepticon]] character in the [[Generation 1]] continuity family.''

[[Image:Thundercrackerg1guido.jpg|300px|right|thumb|The blue one. No, the ''other'' blue one.]]

'''Thundercracker''' claims the skies as his arena. He looks down in contempt on those who cannot leave the ground -- he considers them lesser beings. He will often attack the flightless beings below him for no other reason than to satisfy his scorn.

His superiority in this realm is the only thing he is sure of. Thundercracker is not entirely committed to the Decepticon cause, and even has some seemingly contradictory sympathy for the [[human]]s they terrorize. Fear of retribution from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and the influence of his peers is usually enough to bury these doubts. Regardless, he needs constant reassurance that he's where he needs to be. Sometimes, his heart's just not in the job.

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Coup de Tonnerre'''<br>
:''Italian name'': '''Vampiro'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===

''(Events from the UK stories are in italics.)''

In 1986, Thundercracker was one of many Decepticons dealt with (ie, beaten up) by a newly-created [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. The Autobots took their deactivated forms and put them in stasis. ''Like [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], he revived early and soon quickly escaped from the Ark. He, Frenzy and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] were then temporarily displaced to [[Limbo]] when [[Hot Rod]], [[Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] time-jumped from 2006.

===Animated continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[John Stephenson]], ''[[Wally Burr]]'' (US), [[Yutaka Shimaka]] (Japan)

[[Image:Tetrajet seekers.jpg|thumb|Cybertron alt-mode (on the right). Out of all the pre-earth alt modes, these pyramid jets seem to be the only ones anyone really cares about.]]

Thundercracker was one of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] elite warriors, participating in the attack on the [[Ark]] and joining the rest of the Earth-bound Transformers in their several-million-year nap under an inactive volcano. He awoke when the rest of the Decepticons did, and took part in their attempts to gather [[energon]] and escape the planet [[Earth]], which he loathed for being too "flat". It was he and [[Reflector]] who spotted the first "potential Autobot", when in fact they had discovered the planet's native inhabitants, two [[human]]s, in an unliving vehicle.

One of the few things he seemed to loathe even more than the world he was stranded on was the attitude of his commander, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Thundercracker often started fights with the Air Commander, usually over whether or not Megatron's latest plan was a waste of time (Thundercracker took Megatron's side). At one point, Thundercracker's distaste for "that geeky Starscream" became so strong that he was willing to let [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] destroy one of the Decepticons' greatest weapons, just in the hopes that Starscream would get blamed for it! Despite these brushes with treachery, however, Thundercracker just never had it in him to do anything more than complain about his fellow Decepticons.

[[Image:Thundercrackerg1.jpg|left|thumb|FLINTSTONE, YOU'RE FIRED!!!]]

During the assault on [[Autobot City]], Thundercracker was present and accounted for - he was, in fact, flying the shuttle that Megatron used to attempt his sneak attack. After the battle, Thundercracker was tossed out of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] with the rest of the injured and weakened warriors, jettisoned for ballast in order to preserve fuel.

That was not, however, entirely the end of Thundercracker's story. [[Unicron]] was waiting in space for a chance like this, and when the newly reformatted [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] needed some new troops to command, Thundercracker was among the corpses chosen to use as raw materials. It is possible his body was used to create [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], and given a new lease on life.

Later [[Octane]] would show concern when he runs into a [[Decepticon Crypt]] to hide from some attackers and finds a statue of Thundercracker there. After paying his respects and apologizing for the intrusion, Octane decides it would be better to hide behind someone else.

{{-}}

===''Machine Wars'' toy bio===

The mysterious [[Machine Wars]] were a tumultuous time for Thundercracker. At long last he was convinced of and committed to the truth of the Decepticon cause, but Thundercracker now ironically found himself in open rebellion against Megatron's leadership of the faction. It is unknown what events lead to his reversal of heart about the Decepticons and his being branded a "Rebel Warrior." ''(Since no fictional backstory has ever been established for the Machine Wars line it is possible that it is set in some alternate reality where this was simply Thundercracker's nature, but given that the rest of the characters are clearly their classic G1-selves unrevealed events/character development seem more likely explanations).''

===Dreamwave comics continuity===

Thundercracker was one of several Decepticon invaders onboard the ''[[Ark]]'' when it crashed into [[Earth]] four million years ago while the Autobot ship was clearing an asteroid in the path of Cybertron.

In 2002, he was one of several Transformers who survived the disasterous launch of the sabotaged ''Ark II'', and was later captured and reprogrammed by arms dealer [[Lazarus|Adam 'Lazarus' Rook]], who intended to rent out the services of the enslaved robots to various terrorist groups. In a demonstration of their power to a group of prospective clients, Thundercracker participated in an attack on the Artic division of the Smitco Oil Refinery by blowing something up. {{Storylink|Prime Directive, Part 2}}

After Megatron reactivated himself, he freed his Decepticon subordinates in order to put forward his plans to infect Earth with a metallic virus of doom. To pass the time while this happened, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp busied themselves by tearing apart the Autobot Minicar team. {{Storylink|Prime Directive, Part 3}}

Thundercracker later participated in Megatron's attack on San Francisco, where he followed Starscream's orders to maintain formation and drop cluster bombs on the Autobot giant [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], forcing the [[Aerialbot]]s to split into their seperatate component robots. {{Storylink|Prime Directive, Part 4}}

Thundercracker stood watch over the defeated Autobots while Megatron tried to persuade [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to help the Decepticons conquer Earth. After some human firefighters distracted the Decepticons long enough for Optimus Prime to free the Autobots, Thundercracker was presumably beaten up and escaped when Superion sacrificed himself to stop a nuclear missile launched by rogue US General [[Robert Hallo]]. {{Storylink|Prime Directive, Part 6}}

When Starscream told [[Grimlock]] the plan of attacking an Autobot base, hoping to spurn him back into working for the Decepticons, the entire plan was foiled. Skywarp teleported all three of them out, and they both abandoned Starscream to screw everything up (as he tends to do).

===Devil's Due G''.I. Joe vs Transformers'' continuity===

===IDW comics continuity===
Thundercracker operated as part of a Decepticon insurgent cell that had operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, working to destabilize Earth's governing organizations and create global anarchy. He, [[Runabout]] and [[Runamuck_(G1)|Runamuck]] were assigned by [[Starscream_(G1)|Starscream]] to intercept the human [[Stoker]] and retrieve his [[SM-40]] palmtop PC, containing data on their [[Nebraska]] operation. The team caught up with and killed Stoker outside Phoenix, AZ, but the SM-40 was missing. Thundercracker tracked the device to [[Hunter O'Nion]] and [[Verity Carlo]], but was driven off by [[Ratchet_(G1)|Ratchet]], who managed to temporarily lose him and the two [[Battlecharger|Battlechargers]]. After picking Ratchet up again, Thundercracker was later shot down by [[Prowl_(G1)|Prowl]], [[Sunstreaker]] and [[Ironhide_(G1)|Ironhide]].

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Redeco.jpg|left|thumb|Thundercracker is the cheap and lazy repaint on the right.]]

* '''Thundercracker''' (Decepticon Jet, 1984/1985/1986/2001/2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''24'''

: ''(Note: For some reason, the stats on Skywarp's, Starscream's and Thundercracker's tech specs were switched around. Thundercracker was given Skywarp's numbers, which explains his low intelligence.)''

: Originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Jet Robo Acrobat-Type", Thundercracker transforms into an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, sharing his mold with his teammates [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Many parts need to be removed completely from transformation from robot to jet and back, which nowadays is considered a major drawback of the toy. It is rare to find it complete, as neither mode can hold all the pieces required. There are a few minor mold variations of this toy (common for the first two years of ''Transformers'', really), the most immediately noticeable being that early versions did not have visible "clip-tabs" on the inner face of the gauntlets.

: In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (as he was no longer shipping to retail shelves) in the [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]] flier packed with most boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $10 and two [[robot points]].

: In 2001, Thundercracker was given a short-run re-issue by [[Takara]] as a convention-[[exclusive]] item. The toy would later be more extensively released as part of the [[Hasbro]] [[Commemorative Series]] line, though due to US [[For safety reasons|toy-safety regulations]], his missiles were made extra-long.

: This mold is also used by [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

* '''Thundercracker (Action Master)''' (Action Master Exo-Suit, 1991)

[[Image:Thundercrackeram.jpg|right|thumb|100px|Taste the rainbow.]]

: Released only in European markets, once again Thundercracker was a [[redeco]] of Starscream, a non-transforming action figure that combined elements of both the character's cartoon model and toy-form. Like all [[Action Master]]s, Thundercracker was a nontransformable action figure with a transformable accessory -- in his case, a [[Solo Mission Jet Plane]] vehicle that converted into exo-suit battle armor. However, unlike most of Thundercracker's appearances, Action Master Thundercracker is not in his traditional blue and silver colors, but rather in magenta, purple, blue, gold, and two shades of green. ''(Oy.)''

===Machine Wars===
* '''Thundercracker''' (Basic, 1996)
[[Image:MWThundercracker_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|No, seriously, this guy is Thundercracker.]]

: Sharing a mold once again with [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], Thundercracker transforms into a green Dassault Rafale fighter jet with spring-loaded one-step transformation from jet to robot. The two halves of his rifle store in his lower legs. Like all ''Machine Wars'' toys, Thundercracker was an [[exclusive]] to Kay-Bee stores and related stores like Toy Liquidators.

: This mold is also used by ''[[Beast Wars II]]'' [[Dirge (BWII)|Dirge]] and ''[[Robot Masters]]'' [[Wing Stun]]''.

{{-}}

===Smallest Transformers===
* '''Thundercracker''' (Smallest Transformers, 2004)

: Part of the third wave of ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers|Smallest Transformer]]'' product (dubbed wave "2.5" and available only at CVS stores in Japan), Thundercracker is ''again'' a redeco of Starscream. Like all toys in the line, Thundercracker is a tiny, even more simplified version of the original toy, transforming into an F-15 fighter jet. These toys were sold in "blind-packed" boxes, so you could not know which one you had until you actually opened the box. To complicate matters further, Thundercracker was a [[chase figure]], one of two in his wave (the other was a cartoon-colored version of Optimus Prime's trailer).

: The same mold is used by ''Smallest Transformer'' Skywarp and Thrust.

===Robot Masters===
* '''Skywarp & Thundercracker''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
[[Image:RobotMastersThundercracker.jpg|left|thumb|180px|''Light'' blue? Totally [[neon]].]]

: ''[[Robot Masters]]'' Thundercracker is a redeco of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] from the same series, a smaller yet more advanced version of the original toy, adding more articulation and reducing the amount of [[part-forming]] required. He was available only in a two-pack with [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], which also came with a Decepticon sigil pin. This set was the very last product released in the ''Robot Masters'' line, and wasn't even strictly sold in a box from that series; instead, it used a modified [[e-Hobby]] ''Generation 1'' reissue box, with only a small corner tab noting its ''Robot Masters'' origin from the front.

{{-}}
===Titanium Series===
* '''Thundercracker''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumHeroesWWThundercracker.jpg|right|thumb|150px|I don't think I have enough little wings on my shoulders.]]

: ''Titanium'' Thundercracker is based upon his appearance in [[The War Within]]. He transforms into a cybertronic 'tetrajet', as reimagined by [[Don Figueroa]]. As with all 6-inch Titanium Cybetron Heroes, he is constructed mostly of fully painted die-cast metal.

: This mold was redecoed into ''Titanium'' [[War Within]] Starscream and Sunstorm.

===Timelines===
*'''Games of Deception!''' (Multi-pack, 2007)

: Thundercracker is part of the upcoming ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]''-themed [[BotCon 2007]] box set, along with [[Bugbite]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]. Thundercracker is a [[redeco]] of the ''Classics'' Starscream toy.

==Merchandise==

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Thundercracker/thundercracker.htm Thundercracker at TFU.info]

*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Thundercracker Thundercracker's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

*[http://www.toybin.org/search.php?q=1984+Decepticon+Thundercracker ToyBin Thundercracker Toy Gallery]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Action Masters]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Convention exclusives]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category: Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category: Seekers]]
[[Category: Timelines characters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>