Mobile Defense Bay
From MediaWiki
- The Mobile Defense Bay is a weapons platform from the Generation 1 continuity family.
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
The Transformers
- Rodimus Prime (Autobot Hero, 1986/2004)
- Takara ID number: C-77
- Accessories: 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, where the Mobile Defense Bay became the Golden Noah.
Masterpiece
- Rodimus Convoy (2011)
- ID number: MP-9
- 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.
War for Cybertron: Kingdom
- Rodimus Prime (Commander Class, 2021)
- TakaraTomy ID number: KD-12
- TakaraTomy release date: August 1, 2021
- Following in the pattern of Siege and Earthrise, 2021's Commander Class toy is War for Cybertron: Kingdom Rodimus Prime. He transforms from a "G1" show-accurate robot to a less accurate, futuristic sports car, which can attach to a trailer to form his futuristic truck mode. Despite appearances, Rodimus Prime is not a retool of Studio Series 86-04 Hot Rod, and though they feature similar transformation steps, the key difference is the lack of a faux chest. A War for Cybertron Trilogy staple, Rodimus Prime and the trailer are littered with 5 mm ports to facilitate the C.O.M.B.A.T. System or F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology. The line's relative scale demands that he must be smaller than previous Commander Class toys, though making up for his price tag is above average engineering and articulation, including posable hands with a separate index finger!
- The price is also filled out with a multitude of accessories. The trailer itself can fold out into the Mobile Defense Bay, which Rodimus Prime can stand on and grasp the handles, plus an A.I.R. Lock System adapter on the front. The standing, twin-barreled cannon also detaches as its own unit, with sculpted tread detail. Rodimus Prime also includes a foldable Photon Eliminator, the Matrix of Leadership, and a surprisingly-niche inclusion, the Sword of Primus, which has a fold-out 5 mm post. He also includes a whopping ten effect parts, two of which are translucent blue redecos from Siege Omega Supreme, which can attach to the various 5 mm ports on the figure or the 3 mm posts at the tips of the Photon Eliminator and exhaust pipes.
- In a unique twist, the toy was revealed by TakaraTomy and set for pre-order in Japanese markets before Hasbro, which usually unveils upcoming toys before or simultaneously with TakaraTomy.
- Much like most of the toyline, Rodimus Prime can come with one of four holographic Golden Disk cards for his wave, which reveals a possible destiny of a key character.
Notes
- 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, in the same fashion as his cartoon character model.
- 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.
