- Zoid: Pteras
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): Hermann, Viola
Allegiance: Republican Army
The Pteras is a small flying Zoid used by the Republican Army, and makes up most of the aerial units seen in the Republic. It sports unique hollow wing frames that use magnetic lift for flight, glowing as it does.
- Featured In Episodes
6 7 8 11 15 16 35- Notable Facts
- When the Pteras first appeared, its pilot went by the call sign of Wing #.
History
First Appearance, Episode 6, Hermann
Three Pteras were dispatched from Dragon Head Base to pursue Bang and Irvine and their escaped Zoids. After the Zoids ran into a narrow canyon the Shield Liger scaled the walls to knock down two of the Pteras. At first it was unable to reach Hermann's, but when Irvine climbed the walls and placed the Command Wolf under the Shield Liger to be used as a mid-air spring board, even Hermann's Pteras was knocked out of the sky.
False Start, Episode 7, Viola
The Empire and the Republic were at a stand off along Red River. Marcus ordered Rosso and the Desert Arcobaleno Gang, who were intent on earning their way back into the Empire, to take a Pteras he'd provided and attack the Imperial Army. The idea was to make it look like the Republic had attacked first, so that the Empire could have an excuse to begin attacking Republican territory. These grand plans are interrupted when word reached Schwarz about the destruction of Fire Bridge. He ordered an immediate retreat, sensing that reinforcements would be arriving any moment.
After this moment, Marcus renegged on the deal with Rosso. The Pteras remained in the possession of the Desert Arcobaleno Gang, piloted primarily by Giallo.
Investigation, Episode 16, Hermann
When Rob Hermann investigated two suspicious icebergs off the coast of New Helic City, his Pteras was shot down. It turned out these were camouflaged battleships ferrying Imperial Zoids to the capital.
Investigation, Episode 35
Two Pteras accompanying a Pteras Radome were investigating attacks on Republican Army bases when they were shot down by the Stealth Viper responsible. Hermann was piloting one of the regular Pteras in this incident.
Equipment Information
- 16mm Vulcan Gun
The only real weapon on most Pteras, this small vulcan gun is on the right side of the muzzle, and fires shots in quick succession.
- Air-to-air 2-Shot Automatic Pursuit Missile
Much like the Molga's "visible-when-convenient" gun, Pteras sometimes have missiles on the back, even if they aren't visible outside of the firing sequence.
- Gallery
- Pteras Bomber
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): None
Allegiance: Republican Army
One of the active combat Pteras variants is the Pteras Bomber, equipped for bombing runs. They also have custom leg armor and additional back equipment.
- Featured In Episodes
59History
Defense of New Helic City, Episode 59
When the Death Stinger emerged in New Helic City and began its attack, Pteras Bombers were deployed alognside countless other Republican Zoids to try to shoot it down. Unfortunately the armor was too strong. The bombing runs did no damage. (Though the Pteras Bomber has additional equipment, it's not being covered here because they appear for like, one shot.)
- Pteras RR (Reconnaissance Radome Spec.)
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): Fine, O'Connell
Allegiance: Republican Army
Using the radar on its back, this Pteras is regularly seen scoping out tense locations from a safe distance, relaying an image of the scene back to Republican headquarters.
- Featured In Episodes
35 50 57 58 59 62 66History
Investigation, Episode 35
A Pteras Radome accompanied by two Pteras was investigating attacks on Republican Army bases when it was shot down by the Stealth Viper responsible.
Geno Breaker Sighting, Episode 50, O'Connell
While doing general reconnaissance, O'Connell picked up a Zoid signature on the radar. After further investigating, he found that Raven and his Geno Breaker were near the nearby supply base, prompting the Guardian Force to mobilize.
The Death Stinger, Episode 57
Drawn by a mysterious energy signature, Fine took a Pteras RR and flew out over the valleys. She discovered a strange structure that turned out to be housing the Death Stinger. Though the Zoid fired its particle cannon, it missed the group and instead nearly killed Bang and Raven.
Trailing The Death Stinger, Episode 59
Pteras Radome were used to follow the Death Stinger's movements as it made its way towards New Helic City. The Zoid eventually went underground, following magma tunnels to its destination.
The GC Test, Episode 62
When the Ultra Saurus tested its Gravity Cannon for the first time, a Pteras RR was flying over the target sight, feeding back information on the test.
Scouting, Episode 66, O'Connell
O'Connel piloted a Pteras RR accompanied by two Silver Pteras while scouting ahead for the Ultra Saurus. They flew over the valley of the Rare Hertz, where Bang had traveled through.
Additional Equipment Information
- Radome*
AS a reconnaissance machine this Pteras has a large radome on the back. It constantly spins as it flies overhead, surveiling the area.
- Gallery
- Silver Pteras
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): Bang, Hermann, Moonbay, O'Connel
Allegiance: Republican Army
These Pteras are armed with large gatling guns, one of the few Pteras to really be depicted in a more active pursuit role against enemies.
- Featured In Episodes
44 45 57 58 59 62 66History
The Geno Saurer, Episode 44
These Zoids were first mobilized against Raven's second Geno Saurer, though they weren't seen to be doing much.
The Storm Sworder Stealth, Episode 45, Hermann, Moonbay, O'Connell
After the two Storm Sworder Stealth being developed by the Republican Army were stolen, they organized a counter attack, knowing the thieves would be back for the combat data that hadn't yet been installed. They arranged for three Silver Pteras to join the aerial dog fight against the returning thieves and their accompanying Black Redlers. Unfortunately they were cut down with ease by the returning Storm Sworders, but Rosso and Viola returned in their original Storm Sworders to save the day.
The Death Stinger, Episode 57, Moonbay
After Fine went to investigate a strange energy signature, Moonbay followed her in the Silver Pteras with Thoma following on the ground in his Dibison. They discovered the Death Stinger just before it emerged from its containment for the first time. Their Zoids were badly damaged when it fired the particle cannon, even though the shot hadn't hit them at all. It instead veered over them, striking the battlefield where Bang and Raven were fighting.
Defense of the Ultra Saurus, Episode 62, Bang
After the Ultra Saurus escaped the Death Stinger's first attack, it went out to sea, heading towards its secret weapon. The Zoid was pursued by Sinkers, and Silver Pteras were deployed not just to fight the Sinkers but to also gun down the torpedoes they were firing under the water.
Scouting, Episode 66
Two Silver Pteras accompanied a Pteras Radome in scouting ahead of the Ultra Saurus, trying to investigate the valley of the Rare Hertz where Bang had headed towards.
Additional Equipment Information
- Beam Gatling Gun*
These Pteras are installed with two Beam Gatling Guns, weapons that are typically seen on Imperial Zoids. They're capable of rapid-firing energy rounds.
- Gallery
- Pteras SM (Simulation Spec.)
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): None
Allegiance: Republican Army
Pteras used in simulated battles to help train soldiers for real combat. They're painted in a flat gray color, like all other simulation Zoids.
- Featured In Episodes
35 44History
Test Battle, Episode 35
These Pteras were used by the Republican Army during battle simulations, in this case against Bang Freiheit's Blade Liger.
- Gallery
- Pteras TM (Training Machine)
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): Moonbay
Allegiance: Republican Army
This little Pteras was seen in New Helic City, where it was stolen from a Republican Army base. It sports golden wings, feet, and piping on the head. It also has two seats instead of one.
- Featured In Episodes
17 18History
Report, Episode 17, Moonbay
When Hermann went missing, O'Connell found himself frustrated by the Republic's inability to go searching for him. He hired Moonbay and Fine to steal a Pteras and go search for the missing pilot. They found him on the shore, claiming his Pteras had been shot down and that he'd been unable to make contact due to the jamming snow drifting down over the region. Moonbay and Fine returned to the Republic base, reporting that Hermann had seen two camouflaged battleships, disguised as icebergs making their way towards New Helic City. Without this early warning, the city would've been in extreme danger.
Mt. Osa Base Destruction, Episode 18, Moonbay
With the invasion of the Imperial Army imminent, Krueger came to the decision to stay behind, detonating the Mt. Osa base. This would've killed him as well, so Fine hit him over the head and her and Moonbay kidnapped him in the Pteras. Once they were safely in the air he reawoke, then tried to take over the Pteras to go back to the base and was knocked out again. The second time he woke up, he decided to instead appeal to them to try to manually set off the Mt. Osa volcano by bombing it with the Pteras's missiles. Though they agreed, it failed to work, and the Pteras was shot down by Raven. They would've been killed had Bang not shown up to challenge Raven.
- Gallery
- Pteras TM2 (Training Machine Ver. 2)*
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): None
Allegiance: None
This Training Machine was seen captured by the Zoid Hunters. It's almost the same as the first version but has golden trim around the head.
- Featured In Episodes
40- Gallery
- Pteras (Yellow)
Basic Overview
Pilot(s): None
Allegiance: Unknown
This unique Pteras was seen in the Whale King of the Zoid Hunters, and had a unique scheme not seen anywhere else in the series. It is possible, but not confirmed or inferred, that it could be one of the Zoids from the 'prized Zoids collection' that'd been stolen by the group.
- Featured In Episodes
40