Tread Bolt

Tread Bolt is an Autobot Micromaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Clearly, he's watched the informative educational film How Not To Be Seen.

No-one denies that Tread Bolt (aka Jetmaster) is an amazing stealth operative for the Air Patrol. He's an expert at blending into the background, moving silently, and evading detection equipment. But most Autobots wish he'd just stick to using those skills to sneak into Decepticon installations and stop "practicing" on his teammates by sneaking into their quarters during off hours and scaring the oil out of them. Whatever good graces he's earning by being good at his job are quickly countered by his being a creepy dick.^[1]

Fiction

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

Toy bio

As a Micromaster, Tread Bolt served under Eagle Eye in the Air Patrol. Toy bio

United EX

Tread Bolt traveled to Earth from Planet Zone to be involved in the Power Core Combination experiments. Using an Energon Matrix prototype to gain control over a quartet of powered drones, Tread Bolt took the name Jetmaster (ジェットマスター Jettomasutā) and became an inaugural member of the Master Class unit. He tested his power in mock combat against Novaroid drones guided by Professor Chase. The Mighty Bolt

When a series of Decepticon attacks on Master Class warriors prompted concern from the Department of Defense, Jetmaster flew to Dinobot Island and recruited the former Decepticon turned Master Class soldier Grimmaster to join the fight for the Autobots. The Dragon Pays His Dues Their mission was interrupted by a sneak attack from Roadmaster, Master Chaos mercenary. Jetmaster was dropped early in the battle, leaving Grimmaster alone to face their foe. Destruction and Regeneration

Jetmaster survived and recovered, joining the Master Class forces as Major Clouder rallied them for battle against Master Chaos with his new Assaultmaster body. Hope for the Next Generation Jetmaster and Choppermaster teamed up to distract and defeat Combatmaster during the following battle. Unearthed Future

Legends comic

In 2038, Jetmaster was stationed on Zone. The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 2 The planet was attacked by the forces of Unicron Neo and Violengiguar. Jetmaster wielded Swindler and Roadhandler in their combined weapon mode against his former comrade, Eagle Eye. LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part One Later, he directed a swarm of Novabots against the new Vok Novaroids launched at the planet by Dark Nova. LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part Two

2005 IDW continuity

Tread Bolt was one of the legions of Dead Universe Micromasters who pursued Hardhead and Nightbeat on Gorlam Prime. He survived to confront Hardhead with the Jhiaxus-controlled Nightbeat in the planet's subterranean tunnels, but failed to prevent the Autobot from escaping into the Dead Universe. Spotlight: Hardhead

Wings Universe

Tread Bolt was one of the Autobots stationed at the Galadria Space Bridge Outpost in the Delta Prysmos Sector. He fared poorly when confronted by the Decepticon mercenary Flamewar. Hoist the Flag

Toys

The Transformers

Sky High. Sky High. SKY HIGH. I'm Batman.

• Air Patrol (Micromaster Patrol, 1990)

• Takara name: Sky Patrol Team
• Takara ID number: C-352

Released in the seventh (and final) year of Hasbro's US Transformers toyline (sixth and not-final year in European markets), Tread Bolt transforms into a concept Stealth Bomber jet. Tread Bolt is gang-molded with his teammate Blaze Master, causing the two to share plastic colors.

He was only available as part of the Air Patrol set, packed in with his teammates Blaze Master, Eagle Eye, and Sky High.

In Takara's markets, the Team was released as the "Sky Patrol Team", released in the Zone portion of Takara's Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers toyline. They are physically identical to their Hasbro counterparts.

Universe (2008)

First sneak, then DEATH FROM ABOVE!

• Tread Bolt (Voyager Class, 2008)

• Series: Classic Series
• Accessories: Rocket bBooster pack, 2-part rifle, 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, helmet

Released in the third wave of 2008 Universe toyline's Voyager-Class toys, Tread Bolt is a redeco of Classics Jetfire, transforming into a Cybertronic swing-winged fighter jet. He features a removable robot-mode helmet (the side guns becoming blasters mounted on the sides of the nosecone in vehicle mode), the toy's add-on booster packs have flip-out reveal cannons accessible in both modes, and it also features forearm-mounted spring-loaded missile launchers. An unexpected level of detail can be found on the grey non-firing rifle; when it is assembled, the gun's "sight" comes together in a way that would be functional on a full-size weapon.

The paint deco for his alt mode seems to be based almost entirely on that of the U.S Navy Blue Angel Planes.

This mold was used to make the BotCon 2007 version of Dreadwind.

• More information on Universe Tread Bolt at TFU.info

United EX

• Jetmaster Prime Mode (2012)

• ID number: EX 02
• Release date: September 22, 2012
• Accessories: Feminia Drone, Micro Drone, Tenth Drone, Zone Drone

Released in the first wave of TakaraTomy's United EX product, Jetmaster is a redeco of the Power Core Combiners Skyburst, transforming into a stealthy-type-jet of made-up model. He also has a "Prime Mode" where he becomes the torso of a super robot, capable of using any auto-transforming Power Core Combiner drone-machine molds for limbs.

He comes with four color-coordinated air vehicle drone-limbs, redecos of the Aerialbots. Each one has a square socket for a Power Core Combiner connection; when attached via the blue plugs on a Commander figure, the vehicles automatically transform into a super-robot limb, and snaps back to vehicle mode when disconnected. Despite the universal connector, each drone can only form one limb type (but can be swapped from left to right):

• 1: Zone Drone [Recon Plane Drone] — Arm (Jetmaster's right)
• 2: Feminia Drone [Chopper Drone] — Arm (Jetmaster's left)
• 3: Micro Drone [Combat Helicopter Drone] — Leg (Jetmaster's left)
• 4: Tenth Drone [Fighter Jet Drone] — Leg (Jetmaster's right)

The drones are named after planets featured in Zone fiction: Micro/Zone, Feminia, and the Tenth Planet.

Jetmaster's mold was also used to make Darkstream. The drone-limb molds were also used to make components for other Power Core Combiners and United EX teams: the Recon Plane Drone and Combat Helicopter Drone molds were used for the Destrons and Assaultmaster, while the Fighter Jet Drone and Chopper Drone were used for the Protectobots.

Notes

• Tread Bolt's original vehicle mode appears to have been directly "inspired" by a 1987 Revell model kit of the then-unrevealed B-2 Stealth Bomber.
• Most—if not all—of the toys pictured in the 1990 Hasbro Transformers catalog are unfinished prototypes or mock-ups, and a variety of differences from final product pop up. In Tread Bolt's case, the catalog version lacks the final's "Air Force" tampographs.
• The United EX story does not explicitly, out-and-out say that Jetmaster is Tread Bolt, but that's about the only way it doesn't connect the two.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Tread Bolt (トレードボルト Torēdo Boruto)
• French: Boulon (Canada)
• Italian: Mistery

References