Mobile Defense Bay

The Mobile Defense Bay is a weapons platform from the Generation 1 continuity family.

As opposed to the Michael Bay Defense, which is only good for arguing on the internet.

The Mobile Defense Bay is formed from Rodimus Prime's trailer. It features twin missile launchers and blast shields. Rodimus Prime can operate the missile launchers by standing on the bay's platform.

Games

The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth

Rodimus Prime's robot mode included the Mobile Defense Bay. The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth

Toys

Generation 1

Also, the Mobile Bay Defense, which is sitting off the coast of Alabama.

• Rodimus Prime (Autobot Hero, 1986/2004)
  • Japanese ID number: C-77
  • Accessories: Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 x gun shields (left & right)

Rodimus Prime transforms from a robot and Mobile Defense Bay into a futuristic truck. The toy comes with a "Photon eliminator" rifle and two blast shields to attach to either side of his battle platform's cannon. (The yellow spoiler was also to be removed and replaced during transformation.) Like Hot Rod, there are materials variations; initial releases have metal toes and rubber tires, while later shipments replaced both with black plastic.

The metal-toes/rubber-tires version of the toy saw re-release in both Japan and the US in 2004.

This mold was later redecoed as a lucky draw prize Primus.

• More information on the Mobile Defense Bay (with Rodimus Prime) at TFU.info

Masterpiece

And the Bay Defense Mobile, which used to hang over Michael's crib.

• Rodimus Convoy (2011)
  • Japanese ID number: MP-9
  • Accessories: Trailer/Mobile Defense Bay, Photon Eliminator/Photon Lasers Alpha & Beta, Matrix of Leadership, buzzsaw, welding torch

Masterpiece Rodimus Convoy can transform between himself and his younger Hot Rod incarnation in both vehicle and robot mode. Whilst in Hot Rod configuration, he is shorter and has Hot Rod's younger face, and of course, transforms into Hot Rod's futuristic supercar mode. In his Rodimus Convoy configuration, he has extra height due to extensions in his thighs and has Rodimus Prime's older, lined face via a face-swapping gimmick. Rodimus Convoy's vehicle mode is not simply the Hot Rod car docked into the trailer section, but has an entirely new vehicle front end to represent Rodimus Prime's shorter hood, smaller windshield/canopy and lack of exposed engine block.

Rodimus Convoy's trailer opens up into the Mobile Defense Bay. He is armed with his Photon Eliminator rifle, which can split into Hot Rod's two smaller Photon Laser weapons or be attached to the front of the Mobile Defense Bay's cannons. He comes with a Matrix of Leadership accessory, different from the one included with Masterpiece Optimus Prime, which can store in his chest. The Transformers: The Movie is the source of inspiration for the rest of his additional gadgets and features: the toy includes the retractable visor from the Lookout Mountain scene, and comes with the buzzsaw he used in battle on Quintessa, and the welding torch he used to repair Kup, both of which attach to his forearms or can be stored inside the trailer along side the two Photon Lasers pistols. Also many quality control issues have been reported with the figure, which may vary from figure to figure.

• More information on the Masterpiece Mobile Defense Bay (with Rodimus Convoy) at TFU.info

Notes

And the Defense-Mobile Bay, which is where Defensor parks his car.

• Aside from the Commodore 64 game, the closest thing to a fictional appearance by the Mobile Defense Bay is in the episode "Only Human", in which Rodimus Prime transforms into robot mode and briefly leaves his trailer behind him.[1] Ultra Magnus also leaves his trailer behind him without appearing as his inner robot, so this might be an animation error.
  • Otherwise, the Mobile Defense Bay was completely ignored in fiction. It gets no mention in Rodimus Prime's bio or Universe profile. In fact, a Transformers 2010 story page published by TV Magazine in April, 1987, titled "Transformation Patterns Revealed! These Are the New Transformations!", made it a point to omit the Mobile Defense Bay entirely, having Rodimus's container impossibly transform into his legs.
• Rodimus Prime's Titanium Series figure had his trailer integrated into his robot mode.
• The name "Mobile Defense Bay" comes from the toy's packaging and instructions. It is also called a "trailer" despite appearing to be fully integrated into his vehicle mode.