Red Alert (Armada)


 * Red Alert is an Autobot in the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.



Red Alert was once a fierce warrior. It was not until he was seriously wounded, losing his hand permanently in battle, that he was able to sit back and realize how terrible war is. He is now a reluctant fighter, and somewhat emotionally detached, preferring to repair his friends than tear his enemies to shreds. This does not mean he is now a coward. To the contrary, when a fellow Autobot on the battlefield needs his immediate medical attention, he will be there no matter what it takes. He's a brilliant medic and scientist, but he's also extremely cautious.

His nominal Mini-Con partner is Longarm, though during the search for the Cyber Planet Keys, he was accompanied to Velocitron by Dirt Boss.


 * Japanese Armada name: Ratchet
 * Japanese Cybertron name: First Aid, First Gunner ("Cybertron Defense")

Armada
Voice actor: Brian Dobson (US), Ikuya Sawaki (Japan)

Cybertron
Voice actor: Brian Dobson (US), Yasuyuki Kase (Japan) Special Attacks: Photon Beam

3H Universe comics
Red Alert (or an alternate-universe incarnation of him) was one of the countless Cybertrons captured by agents of Unicron and held prisoner in the Cauldron arena. The quick thinking of Trailbreaker and Silverbolt released them, and Red Alert participated in the great escape. Presumably he was transported back to his proper dimension thanks to the power of Primus. If this wasn't an alternate-universe incarnation of the character, his appearance in the Universe fiction may explain why he was absent during the Energon series.

Transformers Playstation 2 game
Voice actor: Darran Norris

When Optimus Prime took to the field, Red Alert served as his dispatcher, alerting him via radio to mission objectives and giving him warnings.

Cyber Key Code content
Red Alert fought beside Optimus Prime, Landmine and Jetfire until one day Starscream used his Energon Saber to cut off his hand. Red Alert has never forgiven him.

Armada

 * Red Alert w/Longarm (Max-Con, 2002/2003)
 * Japanese ID number: MC-02




 * Red Alert transforms into a white Nissan Patrol rescue SUV. When a Mini-Con is attached to his hood-mounted Mini-Con port, the fenders open. Pulling back on the attached Mini-Con launches a rescue disk/missile. Similarly, when a Mini-Con is used on his emergency lights port and is pushed forward, the sirens flash and a voice chip proclaims "RED-ALERT! WOO-WOO-WOO-WOO-WOO!" (Naturally, the Japanese version has different sounds.) In robot mode, pulling back on the Mini-Con unlocks a shoulder-mounted missile/rescue grappling claw launcher, which can also be detached and held in his hand.  His right leg guard contains several tools that can be attached onto his left wrist socket, while his left leg guard can be unfolded to become a Mini-Con repair bay.  He comes with his Mini-Con partner Longarm.


 * The Takara version has some slight paint application differences from the Hasbro version, mainly a "separated" Autobot insignia and the addition of dark blue paint on his kneecaps.


 * This mold was later used to make Energon Prowl.


 * Red Alert (Fast food premium, 2003)


 * This simplified version of Red Alert features a pull-back motor that zips him along in SUV mode. The toy also features Powerlinx plugs, which enable him to form the "leg" of a really silly-looking "super robot" along with the Happy Meal versions of Optimus Prime, Smokescreen and Hot Shot.


 * Powerlinx Red Alert w/Longarm (Max-Con, 2003)
 * Japanese ID number: MC-12




 * This is a predominantly orange redeco of Armada Red Alert, with white stripes and 'RESCUE' tampographed lettering, giving him a more beach-rescue vibe. He retains all of the same gimmicks and sounds as the previous version of the mold, and also a redecoed Longarm.


 * The Japanese version has some slight paint application differences, mainly additional metallic red paint on his arms (notably his right hand), and the removal of the "EMERGENCY" text on his hood.


 * Red Alert w/ Longarm (Built to Rule, 2003)


 * One of the larger Built to Rule sets, Red Alert can be built into an emergency SUV, robot, or whatever your imagination can make out of the blocks provided. The set features a large pressure-launch triple-missile "gatling" cannon.  He also came with a block-version of Longarm.

Cybertron

 * Red Alert (Deluxe Class, 2005)
 * Japanese ID number: GC-11




 * Cybertron Red Alert transforms into a Dodge Magnum emergency vehicle. Plugging a Cyber Planet Key into the back of his car mode causes two rear side-panels to pop out and reveal two spring-forward non-firing blasters.  This gimmick is retained in robot mode, where they become over-shoulder blasters. He features an unusual transformation sequence where both the front and rear halves of the vehicle mode come together to form his legs.  His hood halves opens to reveal storage space for extra tools (a hammer-head and an opening claw) that can be attached onto his left arm blaster.  He came with a silver-bordered Earth-style Cyber Planet Key; in the Hasbro version, is has the Key Code "d26w" tampographed on the back.


 * The Takara version of this toy lacks the gold paint on the robot-mode shoulders.


 * Later releases of the mold had slight indents made in the leg pieces to allow them to clip together better.


 * This mold was later used to make Cannonball.


 * Red Alert (Fast-food premium, 2005)


 * Available only as part of Burger King's Cybertron promotion, this version of Red Alert is a very simplified version of the original toy, transforming into a Dodge Magnum emergency vehicle, devoid of any gimmickry.


 * Cybertron Defense Red Alert (Ultra-Class, 2005)
 * Japanese ID number: GC-21




 * An upgraded, all-new tooling of Red Alert. He now transforms into a BTR-90 armored personnel carrier mounted with a top-mounted missile similar to a SCUD launcher.  The left side of his vehicle mode has a flip-up non-firing double-blaster, which can also be "used" in robot mode.  Inserting a Cyber Key into the rear of the missile pops it in half, activates the electronic sound and lights, and exposes the inner spring-loaded missile launcher "laser cannon".  In robot mode, Red Alert finally has two normal robotic hands, but he comes with a shield that, when a Key is inserted, flips out a multi-tool arm that can be equipped with several tools stored in his shins (a spring-loaded hammer-head or a gripping claw), emulating his old tool-arm.  This shield can be mounted on either arm.  He comes with a Cybertron-Autobot Cyber Planet Key; the Hasbro version has the Key Code "up0t" tampographed on the back.


 * This mold was also used to make the Botcon 2006-exclusive "Dawn of Future's Past" Megatron.


 * Red Alert with Dirt Boss (Multi-pack, 2005)


 * This is a Wal*Mart-exclusive version of Deluxe-size Red Alert packaged with a Tiny Tins version of the Armada Mini-Con Dirt Boss. Red Alert himself is identical to his normal release.


 * The Critical Path (Multi-pack, 2005)


 * This was a two-pack of the Deluxe-size Red Alert and Cybertron Sideways, made available only at Target stores. The toys are identical to their individual releases.


 * Red Alert (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)


 * A much-simplified version of Red Alert in terms of detail and articulation, this toy was made available in the third wave of the Legends of Cybertron series. The missile is permanently in its split-open state.


 * This mold was later used to make Classics Perceptor.

Trivia

 * The Armada Red Alert toy's "WOO WOO WOO" sound effect has since become a famous in-joke within the Transformers fandom. For a short time, it also became something of an impromptu chant among fans at Transformers conventions. Reportedly, at the start of the OTFCC 2003 Hasbro Panel, several fans started chanting "WOO WOO WOO WOO!" to the initial confusion of Hasbro designer Aaron Archer, until he realized what was occurring.


 * One concept drawing in the Micron Legend Yearbook 2003 depicts Red Alert as having a large siren perched atop his cranium.


 * According to the Armada Playstation 2 game instruction booklet, Red Alert's Armada body has the following statistics:
 * Mass: 3,838 lbs
 * Robot height: 19' 8"
 * Robot top speed: 37 mph
 * Vehicle height: 7' 3"
 * Vehicle top speed: 155 mph
 * Vehicle power: 450 hp @ 6600 rpm