Tailspin

Tailspin is an Autobot Micromaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Oh-ee-ay!

Tailspin is the most impulsive member of the Race Car Patrol. He'll fire his weapons wildly in the general direction of the enemy without a thought for the collateral damage. While out on scouting missions, he'll start fights with the Decepticon forces they were sent to observe, often getting in over his head. Roadhandler admires his enthusiasm, but often has to remind Tailspin about the objective of their missions.

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Marvel The Transformers comics

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

In need of reinforcements, Optimus Prime summoned Tailspin and his teammates to Earth, where they immediately started complaining about having to listen to big gas-guzzlers like him. Ordered by Prime to investigate suspected Decepticon activity near New Jersey, the Race Car Patrol went to patrol the roads, and ran into Cecilia Santiago. With her help, they located Iguanus in New York City, where he was planting a nefarious device on top of the Empire State Building. While Tailspin had some trouble operating an elevator at first, the Race Car Patrol eventually defeated Iguanus, and decided to stay in New York from then on. King Con! During their stay in the city, Tailspin and Mudslinger spent their time capturing human criminals. When Roadhandler decided to get into wrestling, Tailspin and Highjump helped save his loyal fans from a Decepticon attack. The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!

Later, Tailspin and the Race Car Patrol accompanied Optimus Prime on a mission to retrieve vital battle plans from Chainclaw, who was serving as a courier. When Chainclaw was intercepted and captured by the Decepticon Dealer, Tailspin argued for shooting them both out of the sky, quoting a protocol that allowed for such a sacrifice. Optimus Prime dismissed this course of action, saying that an Autobot must always consider other options. One such presented itself immediately, as Dealer then radioed Optimus and offered to sell the plans back to him for 5000 energon units. Optimus agreed to the Decepticons' terms, and turned to the Race Car Patrol for volunteers on the exchange. Another Autobot named Double popped up, claiming to be Chainclaw's escort seeking to redeem himself on his failed mission. Optimus allowed Double to go through with the mission, but grew antsy when there appeared to be a delay on his return. He did come back, badly damaged and carrying Chainclaw, claiming that the Decepticons had ambushed him and made off with both the plans and the energon. Glad to have their comrade back at the least, the Autobots vowed to deal with the Decepticons later. (Double) Deal of the Century!

Zone cartoon, manga, and story pages

When Victory Saber initiated the "Zone Project", the Race Car Patrol helped rebuild Planet Micro into Planet Zone. To counter this threat, Violen Jiger began conquering planets in order to create his own Decepticon Zone. The Race Car Patrol and all other Micromaster teams were then sent on patrol across the galaxy, specifically to planets where their unique skills could do the most good. Zone Part 1

When King Poseidon and Trypticon attacked the aquatic planet of Wall, the Race Car Patrol team were deployed to defend it. With the aid of Commanders Overload, Erector, Missile Bull and Skywave, they emerged triumphant. Zone Part 3

The Race Car Patrol were one of the numerous Micromaster teams that helped defend Planet Zone from the Nine Great Demon Generals. Unfortunately, they were not able to prevent Overlord from stealing the planet's Zodiac energy capsule. Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas! Transformers: Zone

When the Powered Masters flew off to the Tenth Planet for their showdown with Violen Jiger, all the Micromaster teams took command of Zone and vowed to keep it safe in their Commander's absence. Zone Part 10

IDW Generation 1 continuity

Tailspin was one of the legions of Dead Universe Gorlamites who pursued Hardhead and Nightbeat on Gorlam Prime. He survived to confront Hardhead with the Jhiaxus-controlled Nightbeat in the planet's subterranean tunnels, but failed to prevent the Autobot from escaping into the Dead Universe. Spotlight: Hardhead Tailspin also attempted to stop Arcee from pursuing a weakened Jhiaxus. He failed but his fate was left unknown. Spotlight: Sideswipe

Commercial appearances

Tailspin was among the many Autobot Micromasters unleashed by Optimus Prime that managed to infiltrate the Decepticons' lair and muck up the place. Micromaster Patrols commercial

Toys

Generation 1

Friends for life through thick and thin...

• Race Car Patrol (Micromaster Patrol, 1989)

Tailspin transforms into a blue Porsche 962 racecar. He was only available in a four-pack with his teammates Free Wheeler, Roadhandler, and Swindler.

• More information on Tailspin at TFU.info

Zone

• Race Car Patrol Team (Micro TF Team, 1990)
  • Japanese ID number: C-334

The Race Car Patrol was released a year later as part of the Zone series, with no notable changes from the Hasbro version.

Notes

• Tailspin is gang-molded with his teammate Swindler, sharing the same plastic colors.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Spinchange (スピンチェンジ Supinchenji)
• French: Tête-à-Queue (Canada)
• Italian: Proton