Fortress Maximus/Toys

Generation One

 * Fortress Maximus (Headmaster Base, 1987)
 * Japanese ID number: C-114
 * Accessories: Spike Headmaster unit, Cerebros large Headmaster unit, Gasket, Grommet, Photon Rifle, Dual Laser Cannon, Cerebros's Mini Laser Rifle, Cog's Laser rifle, Radar Scope, Master Sword (Japanese release only), Cerebros's sword (Japanese release only)




 * Fortress Maximus is, by far, the largest Transformers toy ever produced (That is, untill the arrival of the new Generations .) In robot mode it stands 22" (or 56 cm) tall, nearly 8" (20 cm) taller than its in-fiction rival Scorponok.  The original retail price was over $100USD.  Taking into account ongoing trends in toy pricing and retail shelf space jockeying, it is highly doubtful any other Transformers even close to this size would ever be made again.


 * The toy has multiple alt mode configurations, transforming into a relatively compact "city" mode, and also a secondary mode described in the US instruction as a "battle station." That mode was rebranded as a starship for the Japanese instructions, and is the "default" mode for Fortress Maximus in the Headmasters animated series. Additionally, the 1987 Hasbro toy catalog features a mis-transformed Fortress Maximus in a mode referred to as an "impenetrable fortress," essentially consisting of his city mode with the legs splayed outwards.


 * In all modes, Maximus has a wide array of pop-out (non-firing) guns and gimmicks. Its left leg hides a small prison cell, plus has a swing-out cannon/helipad.  Its right leg has a small storage compartment.  Its torso has a gear-activated spinner for the detachable radar array accessory,  a "control socket" for Cerebros' "communications tower" mode, and a working elevator that can lift small toys up to its central ramp to be launched in its altmodes.  (The crank for this elevator ends up in a very unfortunate position in robot mode.)  Each arm had a long ramp on the back with sliding launchers for small vehicles.


 * Its robot-mode head is formed by Cerebros, who does not actually need Spike to attach to the upper body. It came with both Headmaster units, plus the Gasket and Grommet mini-vehicles (which, by the way, never appeared in the cartoon).


 * The Japanese release of Fortress Maximus came with a pair of swords; one for Fortress, a large one for Maximus. It is currently unknown if the swords were originally planned for the Hasbro version but dropped for price or safety concerns, or if they were a Takara-initiated addition to their release of the toy.


 * This mold was used to make Masterforce Grand Maximus, Car Robots Brave Maximus, and Robot Masters Cybertron Base.


 * Fortress Maximus (TF Jr, 1987)
 * Japanese ID number: C-114
 * Accessories:'' Fortress Headmaster unit, Photon Rifle




 * A smaller rendering of the character, scaled down to regular Transformer size, and with only one head. Fortress Maximus Jnr. could only transform from his starship mode to his robot mode, as his legs lack the joints to fold into city mode. Much of his detail and accessories have been simplified into stickers, such as his shin cannons. He comes with only one weapon, his large blue photon rifle.


 * This toy was also available in a leaders three-pack with Chromedome and Convoy Jnr.

Merchandise

 * Fortress Maximus was a larger "build-a-bot" from the third "Act" of the Super Collection Figure PVC line; one piece of it was packaged in each of the six clear pieces in a case of twelve. Like the regular PVCs, it was available both in full-color or colorless-clear versions.


 * The Fortress Maximus PVC was revisited for Hasbro's Heroes of Cybertron line, again as a pack-in, one part in each of the six releases of wave four. This version was cast entirely in clear-blue plastic then painted over, save a small spot on his head to give him a "light-pipe" glowing-eyes effect.
 * Torso : Dirge
 * Head & sword: Perceptor
 * Left arm: Powermaster Gigatron
 * Right arm: Wheeljack
 * Left leg: Autobot Jazz
 * Right leg : Autobot Espionage Team (Bumblebee & Spike)