Air Raid (Transformers)

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Air Raid was the name of three fictional characters in the Transformers universes.

1 Transformers: Generation 1 (1986)
2 Transformers: Energon
3 Transformers: Universe (2005)
4 References

[edit] Transformers: Generation 1 (1986)

Air Raid (Air Raider)
Transformers character

Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-Group	Aerialbots
Function	Warrior
Motto	"If you look first, you may not leap."
Alternate Modes	F-15 Eagle F-117 Nighthawk
Series	Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Generation 2 Transformers: Universe
Voiced by	Rob Paulsen (English) Kenyû Horiuchi (Japanese)

Air Raid is the most fearless of the Aerialbots and likes having fun. He caries air-to-air heat-seeking missiles and uses a torque rifle He combines with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion.

[edit] Animated Series

The Aerialbots 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 in Japan.

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.

The Aerialbots and Stunticons squared-off again, later in the episode Cosmic Rust, where Superion defeated Menasor in a Combiner vs. 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] Headmasters

Air Raid also appeared in several episodes of the Japanese exclusive Headmasters series. He first appeared in episode #1, Four Warriors Come Out of the Sky, and last appeared in episode 13, Head On, Fortress Maximus. This was his last animated appearance.

[edit] Marvel Comics

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.

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] Transformers: Generation 2 (1994, 1995)

The original toy is repainted as Air Raid again in 1994. He is now mainly blue and white. He retains his original function, motto and bio. Although Air Raid did appear in the Marvel Generation 2 comic, he appeared in his original colors.

In 1995 Hasbro seemed to realize that classic characters sold better than new ones, so they repainted the Decepticon Cyberjet Skyjack slightly and making it a new for for the Autobot Air Raid, giving it nearly the same bio, mottos and function as the original Generation 1 character. This version of Air Raid turned into a stealth bomber.

[edit] Transformers: Universe (2004)

Universe Cyberjet Air Raid

In 2004 Air Raid made his way into Transformers: Universe for the first time, a blue repaint of his Generation 2 Cyberjet form. He came packaged with Universe Windsheer, a Decepticon Cyberjet. Although no bio or fiction was ever presented for his Air Raid, most fans assume it's the same as the Generation 2 Cyberjet because he has the same name and mold.

[edit] Transformers: Energon

Energon Treadshot (Air Raider)

Although released under the name Treadshot by Hasbro, this member of the Energon Aerialbot team was called Air Raider in japan, and his black colors seemd to make him a clear homage to Generation 1 Air Raid. Treadshot combines with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion Maximus.

[edit] Transformers: Universe (2005)

Air Raid
Transformers character

Affiliation	Autobot
Sub-Group	Aerialbots, Micromasters
Function	Tactical Officer
Alternate Modes	B-1 Lancer
Series	Transformers: Universe

The name Air Raid was used on a Micromaster combiner as part of the Aerialbot group. This toy is a repaint of the Japanese exclusive Micromaster Missile Run, and somes with the waist of Superion.

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

Missile Run's Japanese tech spec says he's a schemer and the team's tactical officer. He has high-performance stealth abilities. With his strategical instructions he can provide more precise orders than the team leader, Chaingun. Harbors a strong rivalry with Diego of the Six=Liner Team.

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

Energon Treadshot was repackaged for Universe, with no changes to the toy.