Thrust thumbnail 1
Thrust thumbnail 2
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Thrust

Transformer
1985 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Transformers are alien robots hailing from the planet Cybertron. They are divided into two factions: heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Autobots and Decepticons have been locked in an apocalyptic civil war for millennia. The line was launched in the United States in 1984 with an accompanying animated television series, it followed in Europe later that same year. Many of the Hasbro-distributed toys were actually rebranded versions of the existing Japanese ‘Microman’ and ‘Diaclone’ toylines made by Takara. The combination of vehicle and robot, and the often complicated series of movements required to change between the two modes, meant Transformers were extremely popular children’s toys during the mid-1980s.

Thrust is a Decepticon warrior, part of a group of airborne Decepticons known as the Seekers, commanded by the treacherous Starscream (see B.95-1994). Thrust was introduced suddenly, without explanation, in the thirtieth episode of the animated series. His toy was developed from the moulds for the three original 1984 Seekers (Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp), with different wings and tail. The original moulds were first used in the early 1980s for Takara’s ‘Diaclone’ toyline. In the cartoon series, Thrust and his fellow ‘second-generation’ Seekers (Dirge and Ramjet) earned the fan nickname ‘coneheads’, because their animation models were designed with nosecones pointing straight upwards, above their heads, to differentiate them from the original Decepticon jets, whose nosecones disappeared in robot form.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Transformer
  • Transformer
  • Transformer
  • Transformer
  • Transformer
  • Transformer
  • Transformer
Titles
  • Thrust (manufacturer's title)
  • Decepticon (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Injection moulded plastic; die cast metal, painted; printed paper
Brief description
Transformer (Decepticon), 'Thrust'; maroon and black military jet; Takara/Hasbro; Japan; 1985
Physical description
Transforming toy, changing from a robot to a VTOL military jet (with F-15 Eagle main fuselage).

1. jet plane; purple and black plastic with silver wheels and coloured decals. Marks on left jet
2,3. back wings; black plastic. They slot into holes in the outside of the jets
4,5. thrusters; black and purple plastic. They slot into holes at the junctions between the body and the jets.
6,7. rockets; purple plastic
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
Hasbro 1980.1983 Takara Co © 1980-1983
Credit line
Given by Jermaine Dacas
Object history
References: Toy Trader; November 1985; April 1986; August 1986

Bought by the donor between 1985 and 1987. Mr Dacas was born 17/10/73 and saved his pocket money to buy the toys.
Historical context
Transformers are alien robots hailing from the planet Cybertron, all of them are capable of assuming an alternate form, usually a vehicle, through a series of folding movements. They are typically divided into two factions: Autobots and Decepticons. The Autobots are heroic, peace-loving and curious about humanity, they are led by Optimus Prime, who typically transforms into an articulated truck. The Decepticons are evil, authoritarian and contemptuous of other life-forms, they are led by the maniacal Megatron, who originally transformed into a realistic-looking handgun.

Initially, the franchise was essentially an American rebrand of two toylines already produced by Japanese toy manufacturer Takara Tomy: ‘Diaclone’ and ‘Microman’. Hasbro had purchased the distribution rights to these lines in the early-1980s. Transformers was launched in the United States and Europe in 1984-85. The enormously popular toys inspired many spin-offs, including several animated television series’, a feature-length animated film (1986), multiple comic books series (including by Marvel, who had co-operated with Hasbro to produce GI Joe comics) and, inevitably, subsequent lines of toys. A series of big budget, live-action films have been produced by Warner Brothers since 2007.
Production
Made by: HASBRO; TAKARA CO
Japan
Subjects depicted
Summary
Transformers are alien robots hailing from the planet Cybertron. They are divided into two factions: heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons. Autobots and Decepticons have been locked in an apocalyptic civil war for millennia. The line was launched in the United States in 1984 with an accompanying animated television series, it followed in Europe later that same year. Many of the Hasbro-distributed toys were actually rebranded versions of the existing Japanese ‘Microman’ and ‘Diaclone’ toylines made by Takara. The combination of vehicle and robot, and the often complicated series of movements required to change between the two modes, meant Transformers were extremely popular children’s toys during the mid-1980s.

Thrust is a Decepticon warrior, part of a group of airborne Decepticons known as the Seekers, commanded by the treacherous Starscream (see B.95-1994). Thrust was introduced suddenly, without explanation, in the thirtieth episode of the animated series. His toy was developed from the moulds for the three original 1984 Seekers (Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp), with different wings and tail. The original moulds were first used in the early 1980s for Takara’s ‘Diaclone’ toyline. In the cartoon series, Thrust and his fellow ‘second-generation’ Seekers (Dirge and Ramjet) earned the fan nickname ‘coneheads’, because their animation models were designed with nosecones pointing straight upwards, above their heads, to differentiate them from the original Decepticon jets, whose nosecones disappeared in robot form.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
B.94:1-1994

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Record createdApril 17, 2000
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