Defender (FansProject)

For other uses, see Defender.

See also: Springer (Transformers)

Defender
Third party Transformer character
Warbot Defender box
Release number	WB001
Information
Species	Transformer
Abilities	Flight Shapeshifting Superhuman durability Superhuman strength
Affiliation	Alpha Core
Alternate mode	Armored car/combat helicopter

Defender is a fictional character and third party Transformer made by FansProject in 2010 as part of their Warbot line. He is an homage to Generation 1 Springer.

FansProject

Defender is a third party Transformer that has a three stage transform. He is an homage to the 1986 Transformers Autobot Springer. The original Springer's function was defender.

Other third party Transformer homages to Springer include Alteration Man Green Ghost.

The biography for Warcry is a log entry written by Defender, where he is described as the Warbot leader.

Development

Defender was announced by FansProject at TFcon 2009.

Prototype images of Defender were posted to the internet in October of 2009.

Preorders for Defender went up in December of 2009.

Defender was released in March 2010.

Defender appeared in promotional photos with Steelcore and Assaulter.

On October 4th 2012 FansProject Core offered orders for a limited number of Warbot three-packs that included Defender, Steel Core and Assaulter. They sold out by the next day.

Reception

The TFWire podcast for October 24th, 2009 had a segment devoted FansProject. Spada was looking forward to Defender. Ryan thought it looked fantastic.

The WTF@TFW podcast for December 12th, 2009 selected a picture of Defender as one of the New Picture Picks.

The WTF@TFW podcast for December 23rd, 2009 selected a picture of Defender as one of the New Picture Picks.

In the moonbase2 podcast for January 9th, 2011 Dave said he was put off full third party Transformer toys by Defender.

Defender was featured in the 2013 toy reference book Transforming Collections by Philip Reed.

• Defender review on Youtube
• Defender review

Fictional biography

The process behind choosing a shift mode has always been straightforward. Taking power output of a given crystal, plus the occupation and skillset of the one receiving it, would dictate the appropriate alternate form. But in a war things are rarely that simple. The question was raised that if the engineering issues could be solved why not provide a third optional form? The task was handed over to the Special Projects Division and eventually they came up with what is now called the "DEFENDER" frame, it contains two primary modes: Standard and All-terrain armored transport. The third form was selected for its tactical advantage – flight. Flight was often overlooked as a shift choice because of the heavy power draw but a third limited use rotary flight form provided an incredible array of tactical options. As the first three-form Warbot, Defender has proven the viability of the triplex process and paved the way for others. With recent developments to engineering and weapons technology, it has been suggested that after all this time he may need another upgrade.

FansProject comics

In the Aerial Team Appendage Add-On Kit Snowman comic "Zero Hour" Defender is found guilty of being a traitor and frozen.

Defender appears in the story "Reflection" where he cheers Protector becoming the new leader.

Defender appears in the story "Destroyer" by FansProject, a comic included with his toy. In this comic he goes into battle beside his ally Revolver, and ends up fighting his own enhanced clone Destroyer.

In the instruction comic called "Corelation" Steel and two of his small friends help Defender against the attacks of his enhanced clone. Steel calls in Corer for the fight and defeats the clone. The story directly follows the story of comic that came with Defender.

The story "Alpha Incorporated" features Assaulter, Defender and Steel Core.

Toys

• Reprolabels Wreckers Symbols (2009)

A set of Wreckers themed Autobot faction symbols.

• FansProject WB001 Warbot Defender (2010)

A third party Transformer homage to Springer was created by FansProject in 2010. This toy features three forms just like the Generation 1 Springer toy. His instructions include a short comic story.

• Reprolabels Classic/Universe Springer

A 3rd party set of labels by Reprolabels for Warbot Defender to make it look more like Springer. These include Autobot symbols.

• FansProject WB003 Warbot Assaulter (2012)

A third party Transformer homage to Broadside was created by Fansproject in 2012. This toy features three forms just like the original Broadside toy.

Assaulter shipped with a selection of small non-transforming vehicles that resembled other FansProject characters, including Steel Core and Defender.

Gallery

• 

  Defender concept art

• 

  Defender toy

• 

  FansProject Defender and Steel Core

• 

  Generation 1 Springer and FansProject Defender

• 

  Generations Springer, FansProject Defender and FansProject Assaulter

External links

• Defender at TFW2005
• http://thirdpartytransformers.wikia.com/wiki/TFX_Defender
• Warbot gallery at Seibertron.com
• Defender comic scans