************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ ********************************************************************** THE **** **** ***** ***** **** ***** ***** **** ** **** ** ** ** ** **** **** ** *** **** ** ** ** ****** ******* ****** ** ** ** ** ** *** * ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** **** ** ****** ** ****** **** **** **** **** **** **** ************ **** ******* *********** ****** ********* version 1.2 *** ** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** * ************ *** *** ******** ************ *** ** *** ******** *** *** *** ***** *** * *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***** *** *** *** ******* *** ***** ***** ***** ***** *** ********************************************************************** ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** -------------------- The MicroFAQ v1.2 -------------------- Frequently asked questions, identifier tables, and descriptions of Micromasters, Microtransformers, and Micro-Sixcombiners Composed by Nathan Crocker "Techrat" excals_angel@hotmail.com *WARNING* I kept the tables thin enough so that wordwrap will not affect them..at least on the viewer I'm using. If the tables are winding up scrambled on your viewer, turn off your word-wrap (which will screw up the paragraphs), or try changing the document to a smaller font. CHANGES -1.2 Roadhandler and Gunrunner correct altmode modles changed. Microtrailer Colors added. Mentioned Moonrock and Missile Master's rocet component. Combiner Transport desriptions slightly altered to reflect split artillary modes. Star Convoy description altered slightly(which I thought had been done before version 1.0) Sixliner and Sixtrain updated to reflect two additional trains. Galaxy Shuttle entry altered. The guy DOES have a cockpit. -1.1 Japanese Station names updated. Email addy changed to current. -Since the beta version of 1.0--Minor wording changes. No data reconstruction. 1) FAQ's and Answers 1. What is a Micromaster? 2. Weren't they Nebulans? 3. What is a Microtransformer? 4. Why does Overload look like a Micromaster Optimus Prime? 5. Why do the guys in Transformers Victory live in Countdown? 6. Why do the Destrons in Transformers Victory live in Skystalker? 7. Thunder Arrow? I thought the Destron's ship was named Rabbicrater. 8. Are the Generation 2 Gobots repaints of the Micromasters? 9. Weren't there Micromaster gestalts in Japan? 2) Microidentifyer Tables Part 1: Zone (1988 US releases/1990 Japan releases) (1989 US releases/1990 Japan releases) (1990 US releases/1990 Japan releases) (1990 Japan exclusive molds) 3) Microidentifyer Tables Part 2: Battlestars (1990 US releases/1991 Japan releases) (1990 US exclusive molds) (1991 Japan exclusive molds) (1991 Japan rerelease Teams and MicroTrailers) 4) Not-So-Micro components 1. Transports 2. Stations 3. Bases 4. Other Big sets 5. MicroPartnerships Poweredmasters Metro Titan Battlestars 5) Sixliner and Operation Combination 1. Micro-Sixcombiners 6) Special Thanks (and legal crap) 7) final mention ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ 1) FAQ's and Answers ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** 1. What is a Micromaster? The Micromasters first arrived in American toystores in the latter part of 1988. They were small transformers, about half to two thirds the scale of Hotwheels or Matchbox cars. They were released to compete with the increasing popularity of Micromachines. (We can only thank the gods of toy design that they weren't THAT small...) Their size required relatively simple transformations. Over the following year, many more Micromasters were produced, both in groups of four, and singularly with larger vehicle/base toys. In 1990, the Micromasters got more complicated, with Micromaster Combiners. These were a pair of Micromaster-sized robots that transformed together into one vehicle. They were billed as being able to mix and match, to create more vehicles...although lines didn't match up that way, and the combinations were..er... Well just PICTURE a half-spaceshuttle/half-hook-n'-ladder truck.. :) 2. Weren't they Nebulans? Nope. It seems that the designers originally INTENDED that background for them, but that's only evident in the first four designs: Roadhandler, Freewheeler, Swindler, and Tailspin. In the comics, the Micromasters were introduced with the backstory that, because of the dwindling energy to be had on Cybertron, many transformers "downsized" their robot modes, in order to conserve energy. In robot mode, they stood about a head taller than humans, although their vehicle modes were of normal size. I the cartoon continuity, it might be said that the transformers eventually came to the same conservation plan, based on the speech Megatron gives over the comatose Optimus Prime in the Beast Wars episode, Agenda part 3. 2a. Why are Nebulans green? Because Blowpipe is the same size as Triggerhappy... Chalk it up to an artist's I-don't-care, and quit asking that. This FAQ is about MICROmasters. 3. What is a Microtransformer? That's what they called the Micromasters in Japan. I guess they figured that *Masters shouldn't include a hord of little guys.. The Microtransformers stand at about twice the size of a human, and come from Planet Micro, where they live in a big, wopping (terran rip-off) society. Call them "Civilized Junkions". 4. Why does Overload look like a Micromaster Optimus Prime? Hey..good question.. I wish I could answer that one. It might be an interesting story. If anyone DOES know this...let me know about it. :) 5. Why do the guys in Transformers Victory live in Countdown? Erm..they don't... If they did, they'd be cramped.. DAMN cramped.. I'll take this point to address two things: The Japanese version of Countdown, but first... characters and their components. Okay.. on the western side of the globe.. Countdown is a MICROMASTER. He is a little guy that transforms into a red lunar rover. He HAS a big, blue and grey mobile launch gantry that transforms into a battle fortress. (He's also got a rocket that transforms into a small battle station.) Here's the point.. (and a lot of people keep doing this..) Calling the big, blue base component Countdown, is like saying that Optimus Prime is a grey trailer that opens into a combat deck, and he just HAPPENS to come with a red MACK truck that transforms into a robot. Now.. In Japan, Countdown's base is called Rocket Base. It comes with the rocket/battlestation and five Microtransformers: Holi (Stakeout), Pibo (Fixit), Fire (Red-Hot), Boater (Seawatch), and Moonraider (Countdown). Moonraider is the Cybertron Microtransformer Commander. That's in Transformers: Zone. :) In Transformers: Victory, the Cybertrons on earth live in a big mobile launch gantry. Yes..it LOOKS exactly like Rocket Base. It isn't. The headquarters in Victory is quite clearly referred to as Shuttle Base. In other words.. Countdown is a little guy with a big base, Moonraidar has Rocket Base, and the Victory guys live in Shuttle Base. Are we clear now? :) 6. Why do the Destrons in Transformers Victory live in Skystalker? I get this one almost as much as the last one.. But I won't rant as much.. Skystalker is an orange Porche Micromaster. He has a white and blue shuttle. In Victory, Deszaurus and co. live in Thunder Arrow, a big white and blue shuttle. The Thunder Arrow toy comes with a little, yellow, unnamed pilot figure. The pilot is never seen in the show, however, Thunder Arrow flies around with no one else inside it, and they never do show a control center... Assume what you wish. 7. Thunder Arrow? I thought the Destron's ship was named Rabbicrater. Rabbicrater is often listed as the Japanese version of Skystalker. He's just one of three Microtransformers that use Skystalker's mold. Rabbicrater is blue and black, and doesn't come with any shuttle components. He is sold with the Transformers: Zone OAV and a cheezy boardgame that is ment to be played using Microtransformers as the tokens. The second guy that uses Skystalker's mold is Metrobomb, who is orange and black (the closest to Skystalker's orange and purple) and comes with Metrotitan. The third is Thunder Arrow's pilot, who is yellow. 8. Are the Generation 2 Gobots repaints of the Micromasters? No. They're new molds, and larger than Micromasters. 9. Weren't there Micromaster gestalts in Japan? Erm..kinda. The Micro-Sixcombiners. They weren't billed as Microtransformers though, and they're generally a bit larger and more detailed in transformation. They were actually splitters in concept as well. The gestalt form was the "root" mode, and they broke up into components, six vehicles that could transform into smaller robots, and one or two additional vehicles formed from the excess gestalt parts. You can find them in section 5. ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ 2) Microidentifyer Tables Part 1: Zone ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** I'm dividing the Microidentifyer tables up into the two Japanese waves for simplicity's sake. The two tables will be different, since in Battlestars, they stopped changing the names and colors, and started using MicroTrailers. Here's the setup for the Zone section: NAME This is the name of the toy in the US, we got 'em a year earlier than Japan, so it gets to go first. The Japanese name, if different, comes after in (). ex: Highjump(Nutshell) ---- means the guy didn't exist in the US. He might have used the mold belonging to the guy just above him though. PATROL(TEAM) This is the name of the Patrol that the guy belonged to in the US/the name of the Team the guy came with in Japan. ---- means either the guy wasn't in that country, or that he didn't belong to a Patrol/Team or category. T means the character has a Transport. S means the character has a Station. B means the character has a Base. P means the character is a MicroPartner to a larger Transformer. COLORS This is his coloring. To make this column take up less space, I'm abbreviating colors: gy Grey rd Red bu Blue og Orange yw Yellow pl Purple bk Black tn Tan bn Brown gn Green wt White ov Olive lm Lime mn Maroon sr Silver If coloring differs in Japan, it will appear after in (). ALTMODE This is what the little robot transforms into. :) FAC This is the character's faction, given in US/Japan form. ex: A/C means Autobot/Cybertron, and D/D means Decepticon/Destron (1988 US releases/1990 Japan releases) NAME PATROL(TEAM) COLOR ALTMODE FAC Freewheeler(Wheelrun) Race Car(Race Car) yw/rd Countach A/C ----(Deadwheeler) ----(B) ----(rd/bk) Countach -/C Roadhandler Race Car(Race Car) rd/yw Camero A/C ----(Gunrunner) ----(B) ----(bk/rd) Camero -/C Swindler(Glorian) Race Car(Race Car) gy/bu DeLorean A/C Tailspin(Spinchange) Race Car(Race Car) bu/gy Porche racer A/C Highjump(Nutshell) Off-Road(Off Road) gy/rd Jimmy GMC A/C Mudslinger(Footdemo) Off-Road(Off Road) bu/og 4x4 A/C Powertrain(Freed) Off-Road(Off Road) og/bu semi cab A/C Tote(Flak) Off-Road(Off Road) rd/gy minivan A/C Nightflight Air Strike(Jet) gy/bu F-14 Tomcat D/C Stormcloud(Starcloud) Air Strike(Jet) pl/bk Dassault Rafale D/C Tailwind(Windrim) Air Strike(Jet) bu/gy A-10 Thunderbolt II D/C Whisper Air Strike(Jet) bk/pl stealth fighter D/C (1989 US releases/1990 Japan releases) NAME PATROL(TEAM) COLOR ALTMODE FAC Big Shot(Gunlift) Battle(Battle) tn/bn(bn/gn) G-6 203mm Tank A/C Flak(Powerbomb) Battle(Battle) gn/gy(bu/wt) missile tank A/C Sidetrack Battle(Battle) tn/bn(gn/bn) AA tank A/C Sunrunner Battle(Battle) tn/gn(wt/bu) E-2C plane A/C Fixit(Pibo) Rescue(Rescue) wt/rd ambulance A/C Red Hot(Fire) Rescue(Rescue) rd/wt fire truck A/C Seawatch(Boater) Rescue(Rescue) bu/bk(bu/wt) CG hydrofoil A/C Steakout(Holi) Rescue(Rescue) bk/bu police car A/C Countdown(Moonraider) ----("Rescue") rd/gy Lunar Rover A/C Groundshaker(----) B(----) ov/gy stealth fighter A/- Hot House S wt/rd A-10 fire plane A/C Ironworks S yw/gy semi cab A/C Erector(Cragun) T yw/gy heavy tractercab A/C Overload(Roadjet) T bu/gy/rd MACK Truck A/C Blackjack(Black Heat) Sportscar(Super Car)bk/pl(bk/yw) Ford car D/C Detour(Deadhour) Sportscar(Super Car)yw/bu(wt/rd) Indy Corvette D/C Hyperdrive(Gingham) Sportscar(Super Car)bu/yw(rd/wt) Corvette XS2 D/C Road Hugger Sportscar(Super Car)pl/bk(yw/bk) Ferrari D/C Skyhopper(----) B gy/ov Dassault Rafale D/C Skystalker(Metrobomb) ----(P) og/pl(og/bk)Porche 900 Turbo D/D ----(Rabbicrator) ----(----) ----(bu/bk) Porche 900 Turbo D/C ----("pilot") ----(----) ----(yw) Porche 900 Turbo -/D Airwave(Overair) S rd/wt F-14 Tomcat D/C Greasepit(Grasspit) S gy/yw 4x4 D/C Flattop(Sky Wave) T pl/wt F-4 Phantom D/C Roughstuff(MissleBull)T gn/bu/gy armored cab D/C (1990 US releases/1990 Japan releases) NAME PATROL(TEAM) COLOR ALTMODE FAC Blaze Master Air(Sky) tn/bu Sikorsky Blackhawk A/C Eagle Eye Air(Sky) bu/wt F-15 Eagle A/C Sky High Air(Sky) wt/bu Concord SST A/C Tread Bolt Air(Sky) bu/tn ATB A/C Crumble Contruction(Build) gy/yw truck crane A/C Groundpounder Contruction(Build) tn/og payloader A/C Neutro Contruction(Build) yw/gy bulldozer A/C Takedown Contruction(Build) rd/og cememnt mixer A/C Barricade Race Track(Race Track) bu/mn F-1 racer D/D Ground Hog Race Track(Race Track) pl/yw drag racer D/D Motorhead(Motorstar) Race Track(Race Track) yw/pl race car D/D Roller Force Race Track(Race Track) mn/bu off-road buggy D/D (1990 Japan exclusive molds) NAME PATROL(TEAM) COLOR ALTMODE FAC ----(Speeder) ----(P) wt/bk Indy Corvette -/C ----(Sonic) ----(P) bk Porche 928S -/C ----(Drillbuster) ----(P) bu/wt drill tank -/C ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ 3) Microidentifyer Tables Part 2: Battlestars ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** By the time Battlestars came out, they'd thankfully stopped changing the names and colors between the two countries, so that makes a few columns less confusing. There are a few important changes in this section. The PATROL(TEAM) column is now PATROL/SQUAD(TEAM). This reflects that in America, the normal Micromasters still came in four-man Patrols, while the Combiners came in six-man Squads. In Japan, both normals and Combiners still came in four-man Teams. In the ALTMODE column, if the mode is followed by an F, then the Micro is a Combiner, and he's the front half of the vehicle. If there's a B, then he's the back half. The Combiner pairs are all next to eachother. Another column has been added: MT This stands for MicroTrailer. MicroTrailors are a team vehicle/carrier/launcher that is included in the Japanese Teams. This column lists the number on the MicroTrailer. I'd have done a column for the MicroTrailer colors, but it turns out they're very simple. Two MicroTrailers, 0 and Chevron (those for Shotbomber and Hot Rodimus, respectively) are black with orange hatches/ramps. MicroTrailers 1 through 17 are white with orange hatches/ramps. (1990 US releases/1991 Japan releases) NAME PATROL/SQUAD(TEAM) COLOR ALTMODE FAC MT Big Daddy Hot Rod(Hot Rod) bk/og '57 Chevy BelAire rod A/C 2 Greaser Hot Rod(Hot Rod) og/bk hot rod A/C 2 Hubs Hot Rod(Hot Rod) lm/wt hot rod A/C 2 Trip-Up Hot Rod(Hot Rod) wt/lm Ford Mustang hot rod A/C 2 Big Hauler Monster Truck(Big Truck) gn/yw semi cab monstertruck A/C 1 Heavy Tread Monster Truck(Big Truck) og/bu tractor-pull car A/C 1 Hydraulic Monster Truck(Big Truck) bu/og Ford Bronco monstertruckA/C 1 Slow Poke Monster Truck(Big Truck) yw/gn monster towtruck A/C 1 Moonrock Astro(Shuttle Rocket) rd/gy rocket transport F A/C 4 Missle Master Astro(Shuttle Rocket) rd/wt rocket transport B A/C 4 Phaser Astro(Shuttle Rocket) wt/rd space shuttle F A/C 4 Bast Master Astro(Shuttle Rocket) wt/gy space shuttle B A/C 4 Barrage Astro(Radar Hover) gy/wt moon crawler F A/C 6 Heave Astro(Radar Hover) gy/rd moon crawler B A/C 6 Power Run Metro(Radar Hover) wt/bk/yw hovercraft F A/C 6 Strikedown Metro(Radar Hover) wt/bk/bu hovercraft B A/C 6 Oiler Metro(Fire Tanker) bu/gy oil tanker F A/C 5 Slide Metro(Fire Tanker) wt/gy oil tanker B A/C 5 Wheel Blaze Metro(Fire Tanker) yw/bu firetruck F A/C 5 Road Burner Metro(Fire Tanker) yw/wt firetruck B A/C 5 Bombshock Military(Military) gn/bu tank D/C 3 Dropshot Military(Military) bu/gn armored truck D/C 3 Growl Military(Military) tn/bk Humvee D/C 3 Tracer Military(Military) bk/tn AH64 Apache chopper D/C 3 Fireshot Battle(Jet Tank) bk/pl SR-71 Blackbird F D/C 9 Vanquish Battle(Jet Tank) bk/bu SR-71 Blackbird B D/C 9 Meltdown Battle(Jet Tank) pl/bu AA truck F D/C 9 Half-Track Battle(Jet Tank) pl/bk AA truck B D/C 9 Direct-Hit Battle(Crane Cannon) bu/pl cannon truck F D/C 8 Power Punch Battle(Crane Cannon) bu/bk cannon truck B D/C 8 Stonecruncher Constructor(Crane Cannon)yw/og twin crane F D/C 8 Excavator Constructor(Crane Cannon)yw/pl twin crane B D/C 8 Grit Constructor(Sumb Shovel) pl/yw digger F D/C 7 Knockout Constructor(Sumb Shovel) pl/og digger B D/C 7 Sledge Constructor(Sumb Shovel) og/yw dumptruck F D/C 7 Hammer Constructor(Sumb Shovel) og/pl dumptruck B D/C 7 **side component note** Moonrock and Missile Master have a rocket component that they carry in vehicle mode. The rocket is white. (1990 US exclusive molds) NAME PATROL/SQUAD(TEAM) COLOR ALTMODE FAC MT Retro T(----) rd/bu twin crane F A/- - Surge T(----) rd/bu twin crane B A/- - Pipeline T(----) og/bk digger F A/- - Gusher T(----) og/bk digger B A/- - Full-Barrel ----(----) gy/bu tractortrailer F A/- - Overflow ----(----) gy/bu tractortrailer B A/- - Terror-Tread T(----) gn/og dumptruck F D/- - Cement-Head T(----) gn/rd dumptruck B D/- - Blackout B(----) gy/bu B-1 bomber F D/- - Spaceshot B(----) gy/bu B-1 bomber B D/- - (1991 Japan exclusive molds) NAME PATROL/SQUAD(TEAM) COLOR ALTMODE FAC MT Shotbomber ----(P) wt/gy tec missile tank -/C 0 Spiner ----(P) wt/bk tec police car -/C - Hot Rodimus ----(P) rd/og/yw tec sportscar -/C Cheveron In Japan, the 1990 released teams (with the exception of the Destron Race Track Team) were rereleased with MicroTrailers in 1991. Another interesting note, is that the Battle Team, who had grey detail parts in 1990, had yellow detail parts when rereleased with their MicroTrailer. (1991 Japan rerelease Teams and MicroTrailers) TEAM MT Rescue 10 Battle 11 Super Car 12 Race Car 13 Off Road 14 Jet 15 Build 16 Sky 17 ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ 4) Not-So-Micro components ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** 1. Transports The Micro* Transports have a great deal of variety to them, so I'll talk about each one, then arrange them in a reference table. Overload(Roadjet) is a blue, grey, and red MACK Truck that pulls a gray and red car-carrier trailer. His trailer transforms into a jet which he pilots. Unfortunately, the Race Car Patrol is the only group that can fit in his trailer. Erector(Cragun) is a yellow and grey heavy tractorcab that pulls a yellow and grey trailer crane. His trailer transforms into an anti-aircraft installation. Roughstuff(MissileBull) is a green, blue, and grey armored tractorcab and pulls a blue, green, and grey missile carrier trailer. His trailer, like Overload's, transforms into a jet. Flattop(Sky Wave) is a purple and grey F-4 Phantom jet. He controls a purple, grey, and red aircraft carrier, that transforms into a large jet. The Missile Launcher Transport is a large yellow, black, and red missile carrier. When it transforms, it splits into two artillary platforms, and two Micromasters: Retro and Surge. The artillary platforms can combine into a base which has ramps that can be connected to Micromaster Stations and Bases. Retro and Surge can transform together without their Transport component into a red twin-crane. The Tanker Transport is a large blue, silver, and orange oil tanker. When it transforms, it splits into two artillary platforms, and two Micromasters: Pipeline and Gusher. The artillary platforms can combine into a base which has ramps that can be connected to Micromaster Stations and Bases. Pipeline and Gusher can transform together without their Transport component into an orange digger. The Cannon Transport is a large purple, red, and green mobile cannon. When it transforms, it splits into two artillary platforms, and two Micromasters: Terror-Tread and Cement-Head. The artillary platforms can combine into a base which has ramps that can be connected to Micromaster Stations and Bases. Terror-Tread and Cement-Head can transform together without their Transport component into a green dumptruck. NAME COLORS ALTMODE TRANSPORT COLOR MODES Overload(Roadjet) bu/gy/rd MACK Truck ---- gy/rd car carrier/jet Erector(Cragun) yw/gy heavy truck ---- yw/gy crane/AA unit Roughstuff gn/bu/gy armor truck ---- bu/gn missile carrier/jet (MissileBull) Flattop(Sky Wave) pl/gy F-4 Phantom ---- pl/gy aircraftcarrier/jet Retro & Surge rd/bu twin crane Missile yw/bk missile carrier/AP Launcher Pipeline & Gusher og/bk digger Tanker bu/sr oil tanker/AP Terror-Tread gn/rd&og dumptruck Cannon pl/rd cannon/AP & Cememnt-Head 2. Stations Micro* Stations are buildings controled by a Micro* that transform into other structures or large vehicles. Hot House is a white A-10 fire plane. He controls a red, blue, and orange fire house and hanger with a ramp and connections that allow it to connect to other Stations and Bases. His Station transforms into a large tank with a "scoop" ram. In Japan, his station is called Fire Base. Ironworks is a yellow and grey semi cab. He controls a tower crane surrounded by a small construction site with a ramp and connections that allow it to connect to other Stations and Bases. His Station transforms into a laser comunications tower with a SAM missile launcher. In Japan, his station is called Build Base. Greasepit(Grasspit) is a grey 4x4. He controls a blue, yellow, and red gas station with a ramp and connections that allow it to connect to other Stations and Bases. His Station transforms into an artillary unit with watchtower. In Japan, his station is called Gasoline Base. Airwave(Overair) is a red F-14 Tomcat. He controls a blue, grey, and orange hanger and runway that can connect to other Stations and Bases. His Station transforms into a missile tank. In Japan, his station is called Airport Base. NAME COLOR ALTMODE STATION MODES COLORS Hot House wt/rd A-10 fire plane fire house/tank rd/bu/og Ironworks yw/gy semi cab tower crane/com array gy/yw/rd Greasepit(Grasspit) gy/yw 4x4 gas station/AU bu/yw/rd Airwave(Overair) rd/wt F-14 Tomcat hanger/missile tank gy/bu/og 3. Bases Micro* Bases are large battle vehicles that transform into battlestations. They all have an assortment of ramps that allow them to connect in a few different ways to other Bases, Stations and larger sets. Groundshaker is an olive stealth fighter. His blue, red, and yellow battlestation transforms into an armored all-terrain-vehicle. Gunrunner is a black Corvette. His blue and yellow battlestation, Landshaker, transforms into an armored all-terrain-vehicle. Skyhopper is a grey and olive Dassault Rafale jet. His tan, purple, and yellow battlestation transforms into a helecopter. Deadwheeler is a red Countach. His white and red battlestation, Sky Hyper, transforms into a helecopter. Blackout and Spaceshot are a grey B-1 bomber. Their yellow and green Anti-Aircraft Base and green ATV combine into a tank. NAME COLOR ALTMODE BASE COLOR ALTMODE Groundshaker ov/gy stealth fighter ---- bu/rd/yw ATV Gunrunner bk/rd Corvette Landshaker bu/yw ATV Skyhopper gy/ov Dassault Rafale ---- tn/pl/yw helecopter Deadwheeler rd/bk Countach Sky Hyper wt/rd helecopter Blackout gy/bu B-1 bomber Anti-Aircraft Base yw/gn tank & Spaceshot w/ ATV gn 4. Other Big sets There are a number of other large sets that aren't cattegorised as a Base, Station, or Transport. Countdown The Autobot Micromaster Commander transforms into a red and grey Lunar Rover. He commands a Rocket Base that transforms from a blue, grey, and orange mobile launch gantry, into a spread battle complex with multiple weapons and landing pad. The complex has ramps and connectors that allow many other Bases, Stations, and Transports to connect to it. Countdown also controls a rocket that transforms into a battle bunker. In bunker form, it can attach to the Rocket Base, or any of the other Micromaster structures. Rocket Base The Cybertron Rocket Base is identicle to Countdown's. It comes with a rocket/bunker, and five Microtransformers. Moonraider is a red and grey Lunar Rover, Holi is a black police car, Pibo is a white ambulance, Fire is a red fire truck, and Boater is a blue and white Coastguard hydrofoil. Skystalker The Decepticon Micromaster Leader transforms into an orange Porche 930 Turbo. His Jet Command Center transforms from a huge white, blue, and grey battle shuttle and blue and grey jet-pod into a battlestation. In vehicles mode, the jet-pod can ride piggyback on the shuttle. Thunder Arrow The Destron starship has a detachable fighter-pod and the two transform together into a battlestation. This is the Japanese release of Skystalker's shuttle. Thunder Arrow comes with an unnamed pilot. The pilot is yellow, and is the Skystalker mold. Combiner Headquarters The Autobot Combiner Headquarters is a huge blue, white, and grey tractortrailer. It separates like a gigatic Micromaster Combiner with the front half becoming a jet, and the back half becoming a shuttle. The two ships can then recombine into a battlestation. It is commanded by Full-Barrel and Overflow. They transform into a tractortrailer. 5. MicroPartnerships Some Microtransformers unique to Japan were the MicroPartners of larger transformers. Poweredmasters Poweredmasters (not Powermasters) are a trio of rather large Cybertrons. They are characterized by motorization and by their battlestation modes. Speeder, a white Indy Corvette, is partnered to Dai Atlus. Dai Atlus transforms from a huge, blue, white, black, and orange drill-tank, to an airship, to a robot, to a battlestation called Earth Powered. He is battery powered in all four modes. In tank, aircraft, and robot modes, he rolls forward. As Earth Powered, he launches Microtransformers. Sonic, a black Porche 928S, is parnered to Sonic Bomber. Sonic Bomber transforms from a large, black and white jet, to a robot, to a battlestation called Mach Powered. In jet mode, he is propelled by a wind-up motor. Drillbuster, a blue and white drill tank, is partnered to Roadfire. Roadfire transforms from a large, black, red, and white tank, to a robot, to a battlestation called Land Powered. In tank mode, he is propelled by a wind-up motor. -Dai Atlus and Sonic Bomber combine into a battery propelled super-jet. -Dai Atlus and Roadfire combine into a battery propelled super-tank. -Dai Atlus, Sonic Bomber, and Roadfire combine into a larger, battery propelled super-jet. -Dai Atlus, Sonic Bomber, and Roadfire can also combine into the gigantic, Microtransformer-slinging, gestalt battle-fortress called Big Powered. Metro Titan Metro Titan is a Destron reincarnation of Metroplex. He is a zombie, animated by the Destron commander in Zone, the demon Violojinger. Metro Titan is blue, white, and black. Being Metroplex's mold, he transforms from city, to moble battlestation, to robot. His Micropartner is Metrobomb, an orange Porche 930 Turbo (Skystalker mold). He also comes with Metrodash, a red car/robot (Scamper mold), Metrotank, a blue and white tank/tower (Slammer mold), and Metroshot, a blue, white, and black tower/weapons/robot (Six-Gun mold). Battlestars The following characters are from Transformers: Battlestars. They don't have a group name of their own. Shotbomber, a white and grey tec missile tank, has MicroTrailer 0. He is partnered to SkyGarry. SkyGarry transforms from a white, red, and blue sky-carrier capable of extending to carry three MicroTrailers, to a battle tower, to a robot. Spiner, a white and black tec police car, is partnered to Grandus. Grandus transforms from a very large, black, grey, and orange archo-type city, to a massive carrier, to a robot. A very cube-looking robot... In city mode, Grandus has a Microtransformer-sized elevator, and a spinning radar. Hot Rodimus, a Microtransformer version of Hotrod, has Microtrailer Ceveron (rather than a numbered one). He is partnered to Star Convoy, who is one of many reincarnations of Optimus Prime(Convoy). Star Covoy transforms from a huge red, white, and blue battle semi, to a battlestation, to a robot. In truck mode, Star Convoy is battery powered, and can hold two MicroTrailers within his rear section. In battlestation mode, he has battery powered Microtransformer launching belts. In robot mode, his battery powered segment is detachable, and is known as Tread-Unit, a reincarnation of Roller(Buggy). Tread-Unit can carry Star Convoy, or another large transformer, or a Team of Microtransformers. Star Convoy's battlestation mode can link with Grandus's city mode, and power both Grandu's elevator and radar. Star Convoy (with Tread-Unit), Grandus, and SkyGarry combine into a very huge, battery-propelled starship called the Battle Star. ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ 5) Sixliner and Operation Combination ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** The 1991 Japanese Battlestars line included Sixliner, the first Micro-Sixcombiner. A robot that broke up into six smaller robots, only a bit larger than a Microtransformer. Each of the smaller robots could then transform into a train. The 1992 Operation Combination line included four more of this type. Unlike traditional gestalts, a Micro-Sixcombiner is a single character, with the gestalt form being the "root" mode, and then breaking up into components of the whole. Additionally, the extra gestalt pieces included with Sixbuilder, Sixturbo, and Sixwing, assembled into a small jet to be piloted by one of the components. Sixliner and Sixtrain's parts assembled into another pair of armed train cars each, and their cars were capable of linking together, front to back, using fold out junctions. Their 'classic' locomotive components can also adopt a remaining part for a dual cannon car mode. (1991 Japan release) CHARACTER COMPONENTS COLORS ALTMODES PLACEMENT Sixliner Aran og/gy/bk TVG Express train right arm Dego bk/og locomotive (bl cannons) back Joe wt/bk/rd Super Hitachi train right leg Leaf wt/gn/rd Tohoku bullettrain left arm Night bu/gy special express left leg Spark wt/bu/bk Tokaido Bullettrain chest gun car rd/bk gestalt parts cannon car bk/rd gestalt parts (1992 Japan releases) Sixbuilder Crush-Bull gn/gy bulldozer back Digger yw/rd steam shovel truck right arm Gran Arm rd/wt payloader chest Iron Lift wt/yw crane truck left arm Mixing gn/wt cement mixer left leg Treader bk/yw dump truck right leg jet bu/bk gestalt parts Sixtrain Atlan sr/bu TGV-A Super Express right arm Convertor rd/wt freight train left leg Desire wt/bu/rd Tokaido Nozomi train chest Raise wt/bu Asagiri Special Ex left arm Sandeego bk/sr locomotive (bk cannons) back Windy sr/gn Yamagata Tsubasa Bullet Right leg gun car bk/rd gestalt parts cannon car rd/bk gestalt parts Sixturbo Circuit wt/yw F-1 Racer left arm Discharge rd/wt fire truck right leg Glide bu/gy motorcycle back Neo-Wheel yw/rd Lamborghini Diablo right arm Road-Police wt/bu Accura NSX police car chest Sireen wt/bk ambulance left leg jet bk gestalt parts Sixwing Chain Gun bk/gy AH 64 Apache helicopter back Falcon gy/rd F-16 fighter left leg Flanker bu/gy/bk Sukhoi SV-27 jet right leg Missile Run bu/bk B-1 bomber chest Raker bk/wt space shuttle right arm Supersonic wt/rd Concorde SST left arm jet rd/bk gestalt parts ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ 6) Special Thanks (and legal crap) ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** Special thanks to Robert A. Jung (rjung@netcom.com), keeper of the Transformer Toy list, for a lot of information, especialy the Micromaster Combiners, as well as the names and post-production colors of Metro Titan's components. I'd also like to thank Swiper for a bunch of Japanese names, and MicroTrailer numbers, as well as most of the information on the Micro-Sixcombiners. Transformers, Micromasters, Microtransformers, MicroTrailer, Gobots, Nebulans, and each and every character and component name is trademark of Hasbro and Takara. Green Nebulans can be blamed entirely on some idiot that hopefully nolonger works for Sunbow and Marvel Entertainment. ************************************************************************** ************************************************************************ 7) final mention ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************** Rabbicrator, a blue Porch 930 Turbo, comes packaged with the Transformers: Zone OAV video tape. This tape begins the Zone story which is continued in Manga form. It features Dai Atlus, Sonic Bomber, Victory Sabre, Galaxy Shuttle, Rocket Base and co., Battle Team, Super Car Team, Race Car Team, Jet Team, and Rabbicrator himself. The four Microtransformer Stations are present, but their owners are not. They all fight eight of the Nine Destron Generals: Overlord, Black Zarak, King Poseidon, Abomonus, Predaking, Dinosaurer, Menasor, and Devastar. Bruticus is NOT in the Zone OAV, although he shows up later in the manga. Violojinger makes a few apperances, though only in his original demonic form. Rabbicrator also comes with a cheasy gameboard that is ment to be used with Microtransformers themselves as tokens. Galaxy Shuttle, a white and black Cybertron battle spaceshuttle, isn't a Microtransformer, doesn't come with a Microtransformer, but he was made to fit on Rocket Base in its launch gantry mode, and he has a cockpit that can hold one Micromaster...so I wanted to mention him...