Bitstream (G1)

This article is about the Generation 1 Decepticon. For the Exodus Decepticon, see Bitstream (WFC).

Bitstream is a Decepticon from the Generation 1 continuity family.

(He's the blue guy on the right.)

Bitstream is, you might say, one of the Decepticon L33T. He's a genius in his role as Information Engineer and brings to the table a skill set that can hack any target, nuke any system, and break any encryption you need broken. His greatest skill is also his biggest weakness, as he can lose himself in computer systems and virtual worlds to the point where he can't keep track of what is simulated computer space and what is reality. It doesn't make much difference to him, he's just as at home fragging Autobot jets or Autobot hard drives.

He likes to take off one of his arm guns and hold it rifle style. Just how he rolls.

Fiction

The Transformers cartoon

Bitstream was one of the Decepticon jets on Cybertron four million years ago. He was part of a Decepticon patrol that accosted Autobots Wheeljack and Bumblebee when they came near. The two were able to escape the Decepticons' attacks and plow through the patrol. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1

Wings Universe

Bitstream was part of the joint Autobot/Decepticon resistance on Cybertron against Jhiaxus's Cybertronian clone army. He was stationed at Uraya under the command of Backstreet. However, the city fell under attack and Backstreet was forced to command Bitstream to tell the troops to evacuate the city. Termination

Toys

Machine Wars

• Rainmakers (Convention 3-pack, 2013)
  • Accessories: Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles

A redeco of the Classics Starscream mold, Bitstream transforms into a F-15 Eagle, but has the nose of an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. His missile launchers can mount under his wings, on his shoulders, or in his fists, and fire spring-loaded projectiles. The large size of his launchers (necessary for safety reasons) restricts his arm movement somewhat in robot mode, as they bump into his wings. All three Rainmakers have slight tolerance issues with the white parts, basically making key joints juuuuuust a bit too tight.

He was only available in a BotCon 2013 exclusive souvenir set with Hotlink and Sunstorm, limited to 2500 pieces. All three toys use the exact same paint operations and plastic layouts, with the only difference between the three being their primary plastic color.

This mold was also redecoed to make Skywarp, Thundercracker and Acid Storm, and retooled to make Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust.

• More information on Bitstream at TFU.info

Notes

• Bitstream was a nameless walk-on in his first appearance in the original cartoon. He was given his name with his first toy in 2013; it comes from a Seeker from a more recent continuity.
• Confusion arose during BotCon 2013, when figures of Sunstorm and his newly named companions from "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1", Bitstream and Hotlink, were released in a exclusive three pack titled "Rainmakers". However, Fun Publications employees subsequently confirmed that the pack's title was in error, and that there was no intention to link the "welcoming committee" to the trio from "Divide and Conquer".