Ark shuttlecraft: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Arkshuttle5.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Thunderbirds are GO!!!]] | [[Image:Arkshuttle5.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Thunderbirds are GO!!!]] | ||
While the Ark itself spent most of Generation 1 stuck in the side of a [[Mount St. Hilary|volcano]], the Autobots were not stranded in [[Oregon]] by any means. The mothership was positively stuffed to the brim with smaller '''shuttlecraft''' of varying designs and functions. It is possible that not all of the Ark's shuttles were [[Starships|spacefaring craft]], as many of them are not seen to leave [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, though later models are capable of travelling interstellar distances. They are a convenient and apparently disposable way for the Autobots to get where they need to be when the | While the Ark itself spent most of Generation 1 stuck in the side of a [[Mount St. Hilary|volcano]], the Autobots were not stranded in [[Oregon]] by any means. The mothership was positively stuffed to the brim with smaller '''shuttlecraft''' of varying designs and functions. It is possible that not all of the Ark's shuttles were [[Starships|spacefaring craft]], as many of them are not seen to leave [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, though later models are capable of travelling interstellar distances. They are a convenient and apparently disposable way for the Autobots to get where they need to be when the <s>plot</s>mission of the week demands it. | ||
{{quote|Whoa, an Autobot shuttle!|[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]}} | |||
{{quote|The history tracks ''never'' mentioned this.|[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]|[[Nemesis Part 2]]}} | |||
=Types of Ark shuttlecraft= | |||
Several of the shuttlecraft share similar designs, and at least five types of shuttle have been seen. Presumably, each of these was designed for a specific purpose, though what that might have been is open to speculation. | Several of the shuttlecraft share similar designs, and at least five types of shuttle have been seen. Presumably, each of these was designed for a specific purpose, though what that might have been is open to speculation. | ||
==Omega Delta-type== | ==Omega Delta-type== | ||
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This class of Ark shuttle is capable of spaceflight and is compatible with [[transwarp]] technology. Among its features is a flight recorder that records the experiences of all the crew members aboard. Although a shuttle of this type was carried on board the Ark, the cockpit and controls are small enough for [[Rhinox (BW)|a Maximal]] to operate, suggesting that its use may have been limited to the [[Mini Vehicle|smaller Autobots]] aboard. These shuttles are outwardly sturdy—the ''Omega Delta'' crashed through the bridge of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' without damage {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2|Nemesis Part 2}}—but are easily damaged from the inside, as the same shuttle was destroyed by a punch to the control console. {{storylink|Fires of the Past|Fires of the Past}} | This class of Ark shuttle is capable of spaceflight and is compatible with [[transwarp]] technology. Among its features is a flight recorder that records the experiences of all the crew members aboard. Although a shuttle of this type was carried on board the Ark, the cockpit and controls are small enough for [[Rhinox (BW)|a Maximal]] to operate, suggesting that its use may have been limited to the [[Mini Vehicle|smaller Autobots]] aboard. These shuttles are outwardly sturdy—the ''Omega Delta'' crashed through the bridge of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' without damage {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2|Nemesis Part 2}}—but are easily damaged from the inside, as the same shuttle was destroyed by a punch to the control console. {{storylink|Fires of the Past|Fires of the Past}} | ||
==Beast Era== | |||
When the Ark crashed on Earth, it was carrying the shuttle ''Omega Delta'' on board, along with the deactivated Autobots and [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. At the end of the Beast Wars, Rhinox appropriated the ''Omega Delta'' to defeat the ''Nemesis''. After it had been fitted with a [[transwarp cell]], the shuttle flew Rhinox, along with his fellow [[Maximal|Maximals]] and the captive [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2|Nemesis Part 2}} It's unknown whether the Autobots, on awaking in [[1984]], asked one another, ''"Dude, where's our shuttle?"'' | When the Ark crashed on Earth, it was carrying the shuttle ''Omega Delta'' on board, along with the deactivated Autobots and [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. At the end of the Beast Wars, Rhinox appropriated the ''Omega Delta'' to defeat the ''Nemesis''. After it had been fitted with a [[transwarp cell]], the shuttle flew Rhinox, along with his fellow [[Maximal|Maximals]] and the captive [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2|Nemesis Part 2}} It's unknown whether the Autobots, on awaking in [[1984]], asked one another, ''"Dude, where's our shuttle?"'' | ||
[[Botanica]] also piloted a [[Botanica's ship|shuttle]] of the ''Omega Delta''-type. It is unknown whether it too had previously been carried aboard a vanguard-class vessel. {{storylink|Home Soil|Home Soil}} | [[Botanica]] also piloted a [[Botanica's ship|shuttle]] of the ''Omega Delta''-type. It is unknown whether it too had previously been carried aboard a vanguard-class vessel. {{storylink|Home Soil|Home Soil}} | ||
=="Heart of Gold"-type== | =="Heart of Gold"-type== | ||
[[Image:Arkshuttle2.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Note that Buzzsaw is causing the biggest explosion out of all three... and then know fear.]] | [[Image:Arkshuttle2.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Note that Buzzsaw is causing the biggest explosion out of all three... and then know fear.]] | ||
Bearing a resemblance to a [[black repaint]] of the starship ''Heart of Gold'' from the ''Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' TV series, this shuttle was used for intercontinental flight within Earth's atmosphere. It has pop-out weaponry in the forward section and is combat-capable. | Bearing a resemblance to a [[black repaint]] of the starship ''Heart of Gold'' from the ''Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' TV series, this shuttle was used for intercontinental flight within Earth's atmosphere. It has pop-out weaponry in the forward section and is combat-capable. | ||
===Marvel Comics=== | ===Marvel Comics=== | ||
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It was not seen again. | It was not seen again. | ||
{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
=="Slave I"-type== | =="Slave I"-type== | ||
[[Image:Arkshuttle3.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold."]] | [[Image:Arkshuttle3.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold."]] | ||
Examples of this kind of Ark shuttle are few and far between. They are known to carry a control crystal and are fitted with weaponry that can be detached and fired remotely by [[Professor Embrey|humans]]. {{storylink|Destiny of the Dinobots!|Destiny of the Dinobots!}} Only one shuttle of this design has been seen, and neither of its two depictions gives a particularly clear view, but it would seem to share some design elements with Boba Fett's ship ''Slave I'' from the Star Wars universe. | Examples of this kind of Ark shuttle are few and far between. They are known to carry a control crystal and are fitted with weaponry that can be detached and fired remotely by [[Professor Embrey|humans]]. {{storylink|Destiny of the Dinobots!|Destiny of the Dinobots!}} Only one shuttle of this design has been seen, and neither of its two depictions gives a particularly clear view, but it would seem to share some design elements with Boba Fett's ship ''Slave I'' from the Star Wars universe. | ||
===Marvel Comics=== | ===Marvel Comics=== | ||
A shuttle of this type transported the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to the [[Savage Land]] shortly after the Ark's crash. When they were buried in a tar pit, this shuttle was abandoned. {{storylink|The Last Stand!|The Last Stand!}} {{storylink|Repeat Performance!|Repeat Performance!}} | A shuttle of this type transported the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to the [[Savage Land]] shortly after the Ark's crash. When they were buried in a tar pit, this shuttle was abandoned. {{storylink|The Last Stand!|The Last Stand!}} {{storylink|Repeat Performance!|Repeat Performance!}} | ||
[[Image:Arkshuttle11.jpg|left|250px|thumb|We parked it in Marvel 616.]] | [[Image:Arkshuttle11.jpg|left|250px|thumb|We parked it in Marvel 616.]] | ||
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{{note|These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See [[Earthforce]] for details.}} | {{note|These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See [[Earthforce]] for details.}} | ||
The Dinobots' shuttle was salvaged by a human paleontologist, who used its technology to care for sick [[Dinosaur|dinosaurs]]. When this was discovered by the Dinobots in 1992, they used the shuttle's equipment to transfer [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s mind into the body of a Stegosaurus. What happened to the Stegosaurus's mind went unrecorded. | The Dinobots' shuttle was salvaged by a human paleontologist, who used its technology to care for sick [[Dinosaur|dinosaurs]]. When this was discovered by the Dinobots in 1992, they used the shuttle's equipment to transfer [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s mind into the body of a Stegosaurus. What happened to the Stegosaurus's mind went unrecorded. | ||
=="Bird of Prey"-type== | =="Bird of Prey"-type== | ||
[[Image:Arkshuttle1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|...wait, how big is that dinosaur?!]][[Image:Arkshuttle4.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A mere dialogue box does not an explosion make.]] | [[Image:Arkshuttle1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|...wait, how big is that dinosaur?!]][[Image:Arkshuttle4.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A mere dialogue box does not an explosion make.]] | ||
Similar in design to a Klingon ''Bird of Prey'' from the ''Star Trek'' universe, these shuttles saw common service on Earth in the early days of the [[Great War]]. The Ark carried at least four "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, though most of them were damaged or destroyed in combat. They have a storage bay capable of holding and deploying a mobile Autobot repair bay, or [[M.A.R.B.]] and appropriately enough, they can be fitted with cloaking devices. | Similar in design to a Klingon ''Bird of Prey'' from the ''Star Trek'' universe, these shuttles saw common service on Earth in the early days of the [[Great War]]. The Ark carried at least four "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, though most of them were damaged or destroyed in combat. They have a storage bay capable of holding and deploying a mobile Autobot repair bay, or [[M.A.R.B.]] and appropriately enough, they can be fitted with cloaking devices. | ||
===Marvel Comics=== | ===Marvel Comics=== | ||
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[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] took a shuttle of this design to retrieve the Dinobots from the Savage Land. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!|Repeat Performance!}} | [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] took a shuttle of this design to retrieve the Dinobots from the Savage Land. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!|Repeat Performance!}} | ||
''When the Dinobots went rampaging across America due to damage to their primary [[cybo-dendrons]], the Autobots used a number of "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles to follow them. The first, piloted by [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], [[Gears]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], was captured by the Decepticons and booby-trapped, then later destroyed by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. A second suffered heavy damage when either [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] or [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] bit through the fuel tank, injuring [[Bluestreak]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], while a third piloted by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] was written off when he crashed it into Grimlock. Only [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]]'s shuttle was undamaged.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!|Dinobot Hunt!}} | ''When the Dinobots went rampaging across America due to damage to their primary [[cybo-dendrons]], the Autobots used a number of "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles to follow them. The first, piloted by [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], [[Gears]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], was captured by the Decepticons and booby-trapped, then later destroyed by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. A second suffered heavy damage when either [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] or [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] bit through the fuel tank, injuring [[Bluestreak]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], while a third piloted by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] was written off when he crashed it into Grimlock. Only [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]]'s shuttle was undamaged.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!|Dinobot Hunt!}} | ||
==All-Terrain Turbo-Transport== | ==All-Terrain Turbo-Transport== | ||
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It seems likely that these craft were not originally amongst the Ark's complement but were instead commandeered from the ''[[Steelhaven]]''. They are capable of transporting troops from orbit to a planet's surface, as well as interstellar travel. Fulfilling a similar purpose to the "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, ATTTs are used to transport small groups of Autobots over long distances, often between worlds. The Ark apparently had a number of these vehicles, as at least one was lost in combat. | It seems likely that these craft were not originally amongst the Ark's complement but were instead commandeered from the ''[[Steelhaven]]''. They are capable of transporting troops from orbit to a planet's surface, as well as interstellar travel. Fulfilling a similar purpose to the "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, ATTTs are used to transport small groups of Autobots over long distances, often between worlds. The Ark apparently had a number of these vehicles, as at least one was lost in combat. | ||
===Marvel Comics=== | ===Marvel Comics=== | ||
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Later, Grimlock stole an ATTT from the Ark to take the Dinobots to [[Hydrus Four]]. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm|Eye of the Storm}} | Later, Grimlock stole an ATTT from the Ark to take the Dinobots to [[Hydrus Four]]. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm|Eye of the Storm}} | ||
=="Ark"-type== | =="Ark"-type== | ||
[[Image:Arkshuttle12.jpg|left|250px|thumb|It's uncanny.]] | [[Image:Arkshuttle12.jpg|left|250px|thumb|It's uncanny.]] | ||
Resembling nothing so much as a scaled-down version of the Ark from the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|cartoon]], this kind of shuttle is capable of interstellar flight and holds a substantial crew, though it is possible for a single Autobot to pilot one. At least one "Ark"-type shuttle was taken from the ''Steelhaven'' and repurposed for use aboard the Ark proper. | Resembling nothing so much as a scaled-down version of the Ark from the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|cartoon]], this kind of shuttle is capable of interstellar flight and holds a substantial crew, though it is possible for a single Autobot to pilot one. At least one "Ark"-type shuttle was taken from the ''Steelhaven'' and repurposed for use aboard the Ark proper. | ||
===Marvel Comics=== | ===Marvel Comics=== | ||
{{note|Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.}} | {{note|Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.}} | ||
''After his resurrection on [[Nebulos]], Optimus Prime—along with [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]], [[Getaway]] and [[Slapdash]]—returned to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle and encountered three [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] ruining [[Christmas]] for everyone.'' {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} | ''After his resurrection on [[Nebulos]], Optimus Prime—along with [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]], [[Getaway]] and [[Slapdash]]—returned to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle and encountered three [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] ruining [[Christmas]] for everyone.'' {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} | ||
{{note|Optimus and the [[Powermaster|Powermasters]] were last seen aboard the ''Steelhaven'' and have yet to join up with the rest of the Autobots stranded on the Moon, so this shuttle must have been aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s ship. However, the ''Steelhaven'' just kind of disappears around this point in continuity (possibly cannibalised to repair the Ark) and like the ATTTs, its "Ark"-type shuttles appear to have been absorbed into the Ark's complement.}} | {{note|Optimus and the [[Powermaster|Powermasters]] were last seen aboard the ''Steelhaven'' and have yet to join up with the rest of the Autobots stranded on the Moon, so this shuttle must have been aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s ship. However, the ''Steelhaven'' just kind of disappears around this point in continuity (possibly cannibalised to repair the Ark) and like the ATTTs, its "Ark"-type shuttles appear to have been absorbed into the Ark's complement.}} | ||
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''In 2008, [[Wheelie]] rescued [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]] in one of these shuttles, though they were waylaid by [[Quintesson]] ships as they left the planet. Wreck-Gar used his superior piloting skills, not to mention the emergency boosters, to escape.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!|Space Pirates!}} | ''In 2008, [[Wheelie]] rescued [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]] in one of these shuttles, though they were waylaid by [[Quintesson]] ships as they left the planet. Wreck-Gar used his superior piloting skills, not to mention the emergency boosters, to escape.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!|Space Pirates!}} | ||
{{note|Like [[Botanica's ship]] above, Wheelie's shuttle is not seen to be associated with a larger vessel. However, it is identical in design to the one the Autobots use in "Time Wars".}} | |||
=="Dome"-type== | =="Dome"-type== | ||
[[Image:Arkshuttle8.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"We'll sell the pieces separately on eBay and clear THOUSANDS! MUHAHAHA!!!"]] | [[Image:Arkshuttle8.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"We'll sell the pieces separately on eBay and clear THOUSANDS! MUHAHAHA!!!"]] | ||
Rarely seen, this type of shuttle is one of the largest. With a smooth, rounded hull, it is capable of carrying large numbers of Autobots to a planet from the Ar in orbit. | Rarely seen, this type of shuttle is one of the largest. With a smooth, rounded hull, it is capable of carrying large numbers of Autobots to a planet from the Ar in orbit. | ||
===Marvel Comics=== | ===Marvel Comics=== | ||
Optimus Prime led the Autobots to the [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamps in a "Dome"-type shuttle when he surrendered to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. It was presumably destroyed when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s forces attacked, as it was not seen again. {{storylink|Surrender!|Surrender!}} | Optimus Prime led the Autobots to the [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamps in a "Dome"-type shuttle when he surrendered to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. It was presumably destroyed when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s forces attacked, as it was not seen again. {{storylink|Surrender!|Surrender!}} | ||
{{note|It's possible that the "Dome"-type shuttle is merely artist [[Andrew Wildman]]'s rendition of an "Ark"-type shuttle, though it lacks some of the latter's distinctive superstructure and is a different color.}} | |||
====Earthforce==== | ====Earthforce==== | ||
{{note|These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See [[Earthforce]] for details.}} | {{note|These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See [[Earthforce]] for details.}} | ||
Grimlock and his crew travelled to Earth in a "Dome"-type shuttle in "[[Break-Away!]]", though it would not be seen until "[[Once Upon a Time...]]". It would serve as their base of operations until [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] constructed a permanent base in "[[Internal Affairs!]]", presumably built from parts of the shuttle itself. | Grimlock and his crew travelled to Earth in a "Dome"-type shuttle in "[[Break-Away!]]", though it would not be seen until "[[Once Upon a Time...]]". It would serve as their base of operations until [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] constructed a permanent base in "[[Internal Affairs!]]", presumably built from parts of the shuttle itself. | ||
[[Category:Starships]] | [[Category:Starships]] | ||
Revision as of 00:03, 30 March 2009
| This article is about the various ancillary vessels carried by the Ark. For the larger shuttles featured prominently in the animated movie, see Autobot shuttle. |
- Ark shuttlecraft sometimes function as transport for the Autobots in the Generation 1 continuity family.
While the Ark itself spent most of Generation 1 stuck in the side of a volcano, the Autobots were not stranded in Oregon by any means. The mothership was positively stuffed to the brim with smaller shuttlecraft of varying designs and functions. It is possible that not all of the Ark's shuttles were spacefaring craft, as many of them are not seen to leave Earth's atmosphere, though later models are capable of travelling interstellar distances. They are a convenient and apparently disposable way for the Autobots to get where they need to be when the plotmission of the week demands it.
Types of Ark shuttlecraft
Several of the shuttlecraft share similar designs, and at least five types of shuttle have been seen. Presumably, each of these was designed for a specific purpose, though what that might have been is open to speculation.
Omega Delta-type
- <div class="noprint">Main article: Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta</div>
This class of Ark shuttle is capable of spaceflight and is compatible with transwarp technology. Among its features is a flight recorder that records the experiences of all the crew members aboard. Although a shuttle of this type was carried on board the Ark, the cockpit and controls are small enough for a Maximal to operate, suggesting that its use may have been limited to the smaller Autobots aboard. These shuttles are outwardly sturdy—the Omega Delta crashed through the bridge of the Nemesis without damage Nemesis Part 2—but are easily damaged from the inside, as the same shuttle was destroyed by a punch to the control console. Fires of the Past
Beast Era
When the Ark crashed on Earth, it was carrying the shuttle Omega Delta on board, along with the deactivated Autobots and Decepticons. At the end of the Beast Wars, Rhinox appropriated the Omega Delta to defeat the Nemesis. After it had been fitted with a transwarp cell, the shuttle flew Rhinox, along with his fellow Maximals and the captive Megatron, back to Cybertron. Nemesis Part 2 It's unknown whether the Autobots, on awaking in 1984, asked one another, "Dude, where's our shuttle?"
Botanica also piloted a shuttle of the Omega Delta-type. It is unknown whether it too had previously been carried aboard a vanguard-class vessel. Home Soil
"Heart of Gold"-type
Bearing a resemblance to a black repaint of the starship Heart of Gold from the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy TV series, this shuttle was used for intercontinental flight within Earth's atmosphere. It has pop-out weaponry in the forward section and is combat-capable.
Marvel Comics
Optimus Prime led a small group of Autobots to England in a "Heart of Gold"-type shuttle to try to locate the Man of Iron's ship before the Decepticons could get hold of it. It was aboard this shuttle that he encountered Sammy Harker. When the ship was located beneath Stansham Castle and battle was joined against the Decepticons, the shuttle led the Autobot attacks and was eventually successful in driving their enemies away. Man of Iron!
It was not seen again.
"Slave I"-type
Examples of this kind of Ark shuttle are few and far between. They are known to carry a control crystal and are fitted with weaponry that can be detached and fired remotely by humans. Destiny of the Dinobots! Only one shuttle of this design has been seen, and neither of its two depictions gives a particularly clear view, but it would seem to share some design elements with Boba Fett's ship Slave I from the Star Wars universe.
Marvel Comics
A shuttle of this type transported the Dinobots to the Savage Land shortly after the Ark's crash. When they were buried in a tar pit, this shuttle was abandoned. The Last Stand! Repeat Performance!
Earthforce
The Dinobots' shuttle was salvaged by a human paleontologist, who used its technology to care for sick dinosaurs. When this was discovered by the Dinobots in 1992, they used the shuttle's equipment to transfer Snarl's mind into the body of a Stegosaurus. What happened to the Stegosaurus's mind went unrecorded.
"Bird of Prey"-type
Similar in design to a Klingon Bird of Prey from the Star Trek universe, these shuttles saw common service on Earth in the early days of the Great War. The Ark carried at least four "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, though most of them were damaged or destroyed in combat. They have a storage bay capable of holding and deploying a mobile Autobot repair bay, or M.A.R.B. and appropriately enough, they can be fitted with cloaking devices.
Marvel Comics
Ratchet took a shuttle of this design to retrieve the Dinobots from the Savage Land. Repeat Performance! When the Dinobots went rampaging across America due to damage to their primary cybo-dendrons, the Autobots used a number of "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles to follow them. The first, piloted by Cliffjumper, Gears and Windcharger, was captured by the Decepticons and booby-trapped, then later destroyed by Bumblebee. A second suffered heavy damage when either Grimlock or Sludge bit through the fuel tank, injuring Bluestreak and Huffer, while a third piloted by Prowl was written off when he crashed it into Grimlock. Only Prime's shuttle was undamaged. Dinobot Hunt!
All-Terrain Turbo-Transport
- <div class="noprint">Main article: All-Terrain Turbo-Transport</div>
It seems likely that these craft were not originally amongst the Ark's complement but were instead commandeered from the Steelhaven. They are capable of transporting troops from orbit to a planet's surface, as well as interstellar travel. Fulfilling a similar purpose to the "Bird of Prey"-type shuttles, ATTTs are used to transport small groups of Autobots over long distances, often between worlds. The Ark apparently had a number of these vehicles, as at least one was lost in combat.
Marvel Comics
Fortress Maximus used an ATTT as a platform from which to attack the Decepticons' island base. The Desert Island of Space!
An ATTT was stolen by the increasingly Matrix-possessed Thunderwing and taken back to the Ark. After a brief battle, Nightbeat was able to blow both Thunderwing and the ATTT out of the airlock. All Fall Down
Later, Grimlock stole an ATTT from the Ark to take the Dinobots to Hydrus Four. Eye of the Storm
"Ark"-type
Resembling nothing so much as a scaled-down version of the Ark from the cartoon, this kind of shuttle is capable of interstellar flight and holds a substantial crew, though it is possible for a single Autobot to pilot one. At least one "Ark"-type shuttle was taken from the Steelhaven and repurposed for use aboard the Ark proper.
Marvel Comics
After his resurrection on Nebulos, Optimus Prime—along with Joyride, Getaway and Slapdash—returned to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle and encountered three Wreckers ruining Christmas for everyone. Cold Comfort and Joy!
Optimus Prime and his Autobots once again travelled to Earth in an "Ark"-type shuttle to battle Galvatron, the crazed Decepticon from the future. Time Wars
In 2008, Wheelie rescued Wreck-Gar from the planet Quintesson in one of these shuttles, though they were waylaid by Quintesson ships as they left the planet. Wreck-Gar used his superior piloting skills, not to mention the emergency boosters, to escape. Space Pirates!
"Dome"-type
Rarely seen, this type of shuttle is one of the largest. With a smooth, rounded hull, it is capable of carrying large numbers of Autobots to a planet from the Ar in orbit.
Marvel Comics
Optimus Prime led the Autobots to the New Jersey swamps in a "Dome"-type shuttle when he surrendered to Scorponok. It was presumably destroyed when Shockwave's forces attacked, as it was not seen again. Surrender!
Earthforce
Grimlock and his crew travelled to Earth in a "Dome"-type shuttle in "Break-Away!", though it would not be seen until "Once Upon a Time...". It would serve as their base of operations until Wheeljack constructed a permanent base in "Internal Affairs!", presumably built from parts of the shuttle itself.
