Skydive (Transformers)

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Skydive was the name of four fictional characters in the Transformers universes.

Contents

[edit] Transformers: Generation 1 (1986)

Transformers character
Skydive
Affiliation Autobot
Sub-Group Aerialbots
Function Aerial Warfare Strategist
Motto "Only by studying the past can we win the present."
Alternate Modes F-16 Fighting Falcon
Series Transformers: Generation 1
Voiced by Laurie Faso (English)
TakurĂ´ Kitagawa (Japanese)

Skydive was part of the Aerialbot team able to form a limb of the combined robot Superion.

Would rather read about jet fighters than be one... fascinated by the science of aerial warfare. Can, within the limits of his design, duplicate the flying motion of anything he sees... maybe the most skilled flyer of all Transformers. Flies at Mach 2.6, range 1400 miles. Carries laser guided missiles, uses nega-gun that crumbles objects by breaking molecular bonds. Prone to mid-air stalls. With fellow Aerialbots forms "Superion".

[edit] Animated series

They were created on Cybertron around the same time as the Stunticons as a countermeasure to the new Decepticon car team. They are the Autobots' first combiner team, and when merged to form Superion, also considered their strongest combiner. Unlike the Decepticons' combiner team the Constructicons, their configuration is comprised of five transformers instead of six, or also known as Scramble City. Their first appearance comes in the two-parter Key to Vector Sigma, pts. 1 & 2. They were created to combat the Stunticons. During the fight, the Autobots were badly overpowered by the Stunticons when the newly-formed Aerialbots arrived and battled them. The Stunticons were no match for the Aerialbots and their aeroplane alternate-modes, but once they merged and formed the Decepticon Menasor, things got out of hand. However, the Aerialbots had their own combination, soon they too formed their own combiner, Superion, to combat Menasor. The two battled, but Menasor began to take the upper hand. Menasor was about to land a fatal blow to the Autobot when Omega Supreme arrived, and helped Superion to defeat him, forcing the Stunticons and the Decepticons to retreat.

Skydive and Slingshot
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Skydive and Slingshot

The Aerialbots and Stunticons squared-off again, later in the episode Cosmic Rust, where Superion defeated Menasor in a Combiner v.s. Combiner rivalry.

Later on, in the episode War Dawn, they were sent back in time 9 million years ago by the Decepticons in an attempt to lose the Aerialbots forever in the dawn of time. At first, they question the motives of the Autobots. But after a series of events, and seeing Megatron's cruelty in the past, they witnessed death of a young Autobot named Orion Pax, who was rebuilt by Alpha Trion as their leader, Optimus Prime. They become convinced, and finally accept the ways of the Autobots.

In the episode The Rebirth Part 1, the Aerialbots are put into stasis lock by the Decepticon Sixshot. As the Decepticons arrive and invade Cybertron, they encounter the Aerialbots, who are patrolling the planet. Galvatron orders Sixshot to deal with them, and he easily takes down each of the five Autobots using a different alternate mode. Using the Aerialbots' parts and components, the Decepticons were then able to construct a super engine to move the planet Cybertron.

[edit] Marvel Comics

Skydive is more interested in reading about jet fighters than being one, He's more likely to have his face stuck in a book about World War II air battles than to be in the air himself. It's not that he's a coward- he's just fascinated by the science of aerial warfare. But even though he's a somewhat reluctant member of the Aerialbot team, he is invaluable- his knowledge of aerial military tactics is without equal. The other Aerialbots constantly look to him to plan strategy, a responsibility Skydive sometimes finds to be daunting given his extreme modesty. His biggest fault, if you could call it that, is he doesn't realize how smart he really is. At least everyone else around him does.

The information-storage capacity of Skydive's cerebro-circuitry is greater than most Transformers'. This enables him to record instantaneously any flying motions he sees, and, within the limits of his design, duplicate them himself. Thus, he's able to simulate the techniques of World War II aces he's studied on film as well as the gliding patterns of birds he's watched in person. He is possibly the most skilled flyer of all the flying Transformers. His maximum speed is Mach 2.6 and range is 1400 miles. In jet mode, he can shoot laser-guided missiles with a range of 80 miles. In robot mode, he uses a nega-gun, which shoots a beam that cancels the bonding force between molecules. Only objects held together by the strongest molecular bonds can resist crumbling to dust when hit by the beam. He combines with his fellow Aerialbots to form the giant robot known as Superion.

Sometimes, in duplicating the flight of another, Skydive pushes his design beyond its limits. This often results in mid-air stalls. He can usually recover before crashing, but while stalled, he is completely vulnerable to attack.

Skydive and the other Aerialbots were created on Earth by Wheeljack and given live by Optimus Prime using the Matrix.

Beachcomber, Blaster, Cosmos, Perceptor, Powerglide, Seaspray and Warpath were part of an Autobot team on Cybertron in the Earth year 1986. They battled the Decepticons lead by Straxus over the Space Bridge and the Autobots were stranded on Earth (Transformers #18).

They were then captured by Circuit Breaker and her Rapid Anti-Robot Attack Team, She then took them to her laboratory and dismantled them for study. (Transformers #21-22).

Circuit Breaker leads a giant Autobot she created from parts of other Autobots against the Decepticon Battlechargers in Marvel's Transformers comics.
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Circuit Breaker leads a giant Autobot she created from parts of other Autobots against the Decepticon Battlechargers in Marvel's Transformers comics.

Circuit Breaker then captured Autobots Air Raid, Fireflight, Silverbolt, Skids, Skydive and Slingshot. Using the parts from all the captured Autobots she created a giant Autobot with herself in control, striking a deal with them that if they would cooperate she would let them go. Circuit Breaker then used them to attack the Decepticon Battlechargers Runabout and Runamuck who were attacking the Statue of Liberty. After defeating the Decepticons with Circuit Breaker the Autobots were released (Transformers #23).

When Starscream returns to Earth after absorbing the powers of the Underbase, the Aerialbots were amongst those in New York first to attack... and also amongst the first to fall in battle.

[edit] Dreamwave Comics

To be done.

[edit] Transformers: Generation 2 (1994)

The original toy is repainted as Skydive again. He is now mainly blue and silver. He retains his original function, motto and bio. Although Skydive did appear in the Marvel Generation Two comic, he appeared in his original colors.

[edit] Transformers: Generation 1 (1992)

Transformers character
Skydive (Darkjet)
Affiliation Decepticon
Sub-Group Predators
Function Scientific Advisor
Motto "True cruelty is the highest form of art."
Alternate Modes YF-23 Black Widow jet
Series Transformers: Generation 1

The name Skydive was reassigned to a Decepticon unrelated to the original Aerialbot which was only released in Europe and Japan. He appeared in a team of six known as the Predators. This character did not appear in any fictional stories.

Revels in the science of battle. Cold, calculating and entirely cruel. Not even understood or trusted by his fellow Predators. As plane uses the farseeing properties of Megavisor to the ultimate as a lean and hungry fighter. As robot calmly attacks with hand-held missile power.

[edit] Beast Machines (2000)

Transformers character
Skydive
Affiliation Maximal
Sub-Group Deluxe Beasts
Function Aerial Combat Specialist
Motto "When in the skies, I am the terror which Vehicons despise!"
Alternate Modes Technorganic Pterodactyl
Series Beast Machines
Transformers: Universe

After six years, the name Skydive was reused on a deluxe Maximal Pterodactyl; however he was not part of the Dinobot sub-group. Skydive did not appear in the TV series or any other fiction.

To the Vehicons, Skydive is the true menace of the skies above Cybertron. Speed and maneuverability are umatched within the Maximal ranks; makes him an impossible target. Reinforced, specialized alloys offer maximum protection if any Vehicons manage to get a lock. Wings act as energy receptors, supplying incredible endurance - always outlasts opponents. Despite stoic personality, Skydive takes great pleasure in "buzzing" secret Maximal outposts.

[edit] Transformers: Universe (2004)

The Maximal Skydive was repainted and became an Autobot. His toy was sold individually.

Skydive's sole appearance in any fiction was limited to the unreleased issue #4 of the Transformers: Universe - Wreckers comic series where he and Beast Machines Longhorn and Che witnessed the invasion of Cybertron by the Quintessons.

[edit] Transformers: Universe (2006)

Transformers character
Skydive
Affiliation Autobot
Sub-Group Aerialbots
Micromasters
Alternate Modes Concorde Jet
Series Transformers: Universe

The name Skydive was used on a Micromaster combiner as part of the Aerialbot group. This toy is a repaint of the Japanese exclusive Micromaster Supersonic, and comes with the head and one fist of Sixwing.

However, because of a lack of a bio on the card packaging or from Hasbro themselves, it is not known whether this Skydive is a previous character or a new character. The original Skydive was part of the Aerialbots however there is already a Skydive in this toyline. Skydive did not appear in any fiction.

Supersonic's Japanese tech spec states: Loves beautiful objects, hates taking part in operations that get his frame dirty. Since he is always seeking beauty, even in attacks and destruction, he frequently conflicts with Chaingun over strategies. Prefers flying at high altitudes above the clouds so rain won't get him wet.

Note: Micromaster Skydive was released in Cybertron packaging in European countries, as they didn't have the Transformers: Universe line.