Windcharger
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Contents |
[edit] Transformers: Generation 1 (1984)
| Transformers Character | |
 |
|
| Windcharger (Charger) | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Subgroup | Mini-bots |
| Function | Warrior |
| Motto | "Quick action equals quick victory." |
| Alternate mode(s) | Pontiac Trans Am |
| Series | Transformers: Generation 1 |
| Voiced by | John Stephenson (English) Keiichi Nanba (Japanese) |
Windcharger (Charger in Japan, Rapido in Canada, Lampo in Italy, Camaro in South America) was one of the original toys in the Transformers line when Hasbro started producing them in 1984.
According to original tech spec notes written by Bob Budiansky found at Iacon One in 2006 the original name for Windcharger was Sprint.
Originally part of the japanese Microman toyline, where it was released under the subline of MicroChange in Japan in 1983, this toy was used in the first series of Transformers toys released by Hasbro in 1984.
When Brazilian toy maker Estrela received the license to make Transformers in 1985, they only made six of the smaller minibot molds, including Windcharger. Camaro, as he was known here, was available in original red/grey colors as well as white/grey. Later, in 1987, when Estrela tried to relaunch the line, the same molds were used but with very different colors: One version in dark blue/yellow and purple/pink. Manufacturer Antex in Argentina used the same molds to make their version of Camaro, but in very different colors: Yellow/black and blue/black. Several pieces from toymaker Lynsa in Peru have been found, but no clear evidence exist of which colors were available (grey/blue and red/grey confirmed).
Mexican toy maker IGA made a Windcharger toy, and reused the mold without modification for their release of Tailgate (Windcharger in white/dark blue). And, for some reason, they also released a Windcharger toy named Tailgate in yellow/dark blue.
Within two years of its original production, it was found that this toy contained plastics that were highly carcinogenic. This affected many small children of the time. There were reports that a lawsuit was threatened, but that the company settled out of court. It must also be noted that 95% of the children involved owned the Super Nintendo entertainment system.
Hasbro used the Windcharger mold as a base for the 1986 minibot Tailgate, which had a remodelled torso, head and bonnet.
Fun-4-All Corp. issued a keychain version of Windcharger around 2001, which was also made available in Japan by Takara. Hasbro recolored this into Rook as one of the BotCon UK Exclusive toys for 2002, and Takara recolored it black as a prize toy for local shops.
[edit] Animated Series
Windcharger was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the Stunticons. Penetrating the Decepticons’ camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming Menasor. With a combination of Windcharger’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too, but the deception was soon revealed, though they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans.
The bodies of Windcharger and Wheeljack can be seen in The Transformers: The Movie during the battle at Autobot City. Oddly they are still depicted colored. When an Autobot dies conclusively, they are depicted turning an ashy grey color, at least in the movie. It is not known whether this was simply a production error, or if it indicates that they were not killed. There is no reason to assume that they are dead simply because they are not seen later in the series, as in the case with Omega Supreme, who doesn't make another appearance until towards the end of the series.
[edit] Dreamwave Comics
When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons, Windcharger joined the Autobot cause.
Windcharger was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark and crash landed on Earth.
In 1984, when the Ark's computer re-activated, it reformatted Windcharger as in the form of an Earth car. Eventually the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth, and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. A ship called the Ark II was built to take the Cybertronians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertronians were lost in the ocean, again in statis lock.
When Ultra Magnus came to Earth claiming that the Earth-based Autobots were Cybertronian criminals Optimus Prime surrendered and with the majority of Autobots returned to Cybertron. Jazz was left in charge of the Ark, with Brawn, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger assigned to him.
Returning to Earth with the Combaticons, Starscream reformatted them into Earth-style vehicles and attacked the Autobots remaining on Earth. Forming Bruticus, the Combaticons defeated Jazz, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger. Only Ratchet and Brawn escaped capture, but as they made their way back to the Ark, they discovered it's defenses on automatic, and had to fight their way inside. Bruticus followed them and Ratchet had to destroy the Ark in failed attempt to destroy Bruticus. Starscream eventually captured Ratchet and Brawn, right as an Autobot shuttle and Sunstorm arrived on Earth (Transformers: Generation One III #1).
Jazz, Warpath, Bumper, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker rejoined Windcharger and Wheeljack, who were repaired by the Earth Defense Command. They all rejoined Ratchet on board the Autobot ship Orion (Transformers: Generation One III #9).
[edit] Transformers: Alternators
When the Binaltech series released the Autobot Overdrive, he was imported in as Windcharger in the US due to trademake issues with the term Overdrive. He transforms into a Honda S2000. 1 The name Overdrive had previously been used for a special mail-order Transformer in the Omnibot line. This toy was red and, with wings avalable for an alternate battle-car form, was one of the few early Autobots that could fly.
[edit] Transformers: Universe
Although Windcharger did not appear in the Universe storyline, the keychain of Windcharger was recolored in blue and grey as the Transformers: Universe character of Rook, and was sold as a convention exclusive. Rook appeared in the Transformers: Universe comic book series.
