Ring Raiders

Television series
German title	Ring Raiders
Original title	Ring Raiders
Country of production	United States
original language	English
year	1989
Production ; company	DiC Entertainment , ; Those Characters from Cleveland
length	30 minutes
Episodes	5 in 1 season
Director	Turk Savage , ; Kevin Altieri , ; Will Meugniot
script	Phil Harnage
production	Turk Savage, ; Richard Raynis
music	Shuki Levy , ; Haim Saban

Ring Raiders is an American animated series based on an action toy series of the same name from Matchbox . A "Ring Raiders" radio play series by Ariola Express was also released in Germany.

The name of the series is based on the nature of the toys, which essentially consisted of small aircraft models (each approx. 3-4 cm long) of the heroes and villains, which were mounted on plastic rings for better handling when playing with them. In addition to the regular hunters, the series also includes large-format play sets that serve the characters as retreat points and bases of operations.

action

Released in 1989, the plot of the cartoon series takes place ten years later, i.e. at the end of the 90s (then a future scenario). The world is once again on the threshold of global war. This scandal was caused by the machinations of the so-called Skull Squadron , a horde of unscrupulous fighter pilots who have turned their backs on their countries and commanders and are flying air strikes and raids on international targets with their hijacked prototype machines. But not only disdainful Mammon, world domination is also one of the declared goals of the villains around the sinister Commander Scorch .

The international community is confronting this glaring threat through the formation of the Ring Raiders , a well-financed association of the best elite pilots in the world, who use highly armed, state-of-the-art fighters from their space base, the Air Carrier Justice , the criminals of the Skull Throw at Squadron . The command of the defenders of the civilized world is held by an exceptional American pilot: Victor Vector , hero out of conviction and always in control of the situation.

In retrospect , the Ring Raiders did not bring the hoped-for commercial success to their creators and rights holders in any of their formats. The German radio plays as well as the American comic and cartoon series thus experienced their early discontinuation after just a few volumes and the sales figures of the internationally distributed toy series fell far short of Matchbox's expectations and thus also disappeared again relatively quickly from the shelves of the shops. Thus, the history of the Ring Raiders hardly extends beyond the year 1989.

The characters and their planes

The Ring Raiders

Victor Vector

Victor Vector is the leader of the Ring Raiders and leads the field command in almost all of their missions. At the beginning of his career he was once a test pilot for the US armed forces, until he was entrusted with the founding of the Ring Raiders and appointed as their commanders as well as the commander in chief of the gigantic Air Carrier Justice base. It is also he who was initially responsible for the selection process for the squadrons of the Ring Raiders squadrons. In air combat he controls the "Victory-1" , a technically tuned and sophisticated variant of the F-19 stealthfighter , which with its high-performance engines and efficient shielding is even able to penetrate into space.

Yuri Kirkov

is Russian and was formerly the pride of the Soviet Air Force . In the course of the Vietnam War, however, he was shot down and ultimately surrendered to the Americans, to whose side he eventually defected. Yuri is a serious fellow who sprang from the strict and tight military structures of the Russian armed forces. Often the reticent Russian cannot help but feel a little alienated by the loose hierarchical handling and procedures of his ring raiders. The functions of the self-confessed perfectionist include instructing and training newcomers in the squadron. The enemy can read the name "Kirkov's Comet" on the guardrails of his sophisticated F-4 Phantom II . Not infrequently the last thing they see.

Yinsu Yakamura

was a pilot of a Star Fighter, a combat unit of the year 2235, before he was recruited by Vector and the Ring Raiders on a time travel mission (The Air Carrier Justice makes this possible). Highly intelligent and technically gifted, the Japanese-born aviator is not only very familiar with the technology of the 20th century, but also, as an unofficial chief technician, constantly contributes useful improvements to the squadron's machines. Yinsu is also characterized by the sense of honor customary in his culture and dares even the most suicidal actions and maneuvers to secure victory for himself and his team. His "Samurai Flyer" is a souped-up Grumman X-29 , which, in addition to other computer technology, is equipped with a holo system that suggests to the enemy that he is dealing with a full squadron instead of a fighter pilot.

Joe Thundercloud

The name alone indicates that Thundercloud is one of the descendants of the Native Americans. He earned his spurs for the Air Force in combat in Korea. Joe is not a man of many words, but a strategically and tactically skilled warrior. A reason for his comrades to always listen to his words, whenever he does raise his voice above the ether. Always highly concentrated and focused on the target, the Indian often seems almost instinctively to guess where the enemy aircraft is hovering in the air. His technically upgraded North American F-86 Saber combat bomber, the "Arrowhead" , is a dangerous opponent with its special Sidewinder missiles. Especially since it is capable of short-term extreme speed boosts thanks to a unique boost system.

"Cub" Jones

Like his wingman Yakamura, Cub is recruiting from another era. The only 16-year-old fought his first dogfights in the dark days of World War II, before he was recruited by Vector and the Ring Raiders for their unit. In terms of flying talent, the young hot spur can easily keep up with his older colleagues, but his impetuous manner and often thoughtless behavior show that he still has some life experience to acquire, which often causes problems for the Ring Raiders. As a ring raider, Jones flies a modified Northrop F-5 Interceptor , the "Sky Tiger" . Its deadliest advantage is the "Tiger Claw" missile attack system, which can fire twenty-five missiles simultaneously and, under computer control, direct them into a target chosen by the pilot without exception. Combined with the overwhelming talent and daring of the pilot an absolutely deadly weapon that even Scorch has to be careful of.

Max Miles

Max, the oldest Ring Raider, is both a father figure to Victor Vector and the head of the Ring Raiders' espionage department. He commands the Ring Raiders Valor Wing squadron. The thoroughly considered and experienced veteran does not infrequently take risks in order to get the coveted enemy information in the course of his job, as long as he considers it to be even rudimentary calculable. His sarcastic sense of humor and rough manner make him a popular contemporary among the raiders. Miles completed several years as a pilot and almost no flight maneuvers, no gambit are alien to him. When the grizzled "father" of the Ring Raiders raises his SR-71 Blackbird (which he named "Knight Fighter" ) into the air, the Skull Squadron should be careful. Miles' kills fill entire books and the seasoned warrior never hesitates to add one position or another to this register. And if you actually dare to piss on the cart of the unofficial mentor of the Ring Raiders, you can be sure to find yourself in the multiple crossfire of entire squadrons in no time.

"Never" Evers

An extroverted self-promoter who makes no secret of the fact that he unreservedly considers himself the best pilot under God's sun. Although a bit crazy, Evers is a valuable flyer for the Ring Raiders. Because wherever others decline due to excessive risks, "Never Evers" is there and plunges into the breach where there is a fire. For him, who considers himself almost invincible, danger is a foreign word. In his mind, enemies are only cannon fodder for his guns and tools for his self-profiling. His pimped F-16 is therefore not unjustly labeled "Fearless falcon" . The Skull Squadron also has to watch out for Evers Jäger and his quirky character. Because if you think your own death is simply impossible and thus ignore all risks, you fly like the devil and have an extremely nervous trigger finger, you should stay off the rudder if possible.

"Salty" Salton

Salty is a moody fellow the Ring Raiders pick up on a journey through time into the turmoil of World War II. The ex-owner of an air circus and avid fighter pilot has probably forgotten more about air combat and airplanes in the course of his life than most ring raiders have ever known. His egomaniacal character makes him inevitably hold on to the view that his personal flying skills alone promised the solution to all problems, which often annoys his comrades extremely. To compensate for this, his air combat skills are really beyond reproach and many of the Skull Squadron members had to give up before him without a chance. It doesn't matter that he persistently refuses to give up his archaic F4U Corsair . Well, at least he allowed the mechanics of the Ring Raiders to spice up the decrepit aircraft from yesteryear to the point where speed and maneuverability were almost as good as modern jets. And the technicians of the "Sea Dragon" have given the "Sea Dragon" another nice extra with this conversion: At his behest, Salty's plane is now spitting a scorching jet of fire over the surprised enemies.

Baron von Claudeitz

The German baron was one of the first fighter pilots in history and so far fought his battles mainly in the First World War . The undeniable militarist and aerial combat artist mocks his comrades' dependence on technology and, despite all the encouragement, still flies into battle with his, albeit technically updated, Fokker Dr.I. The baron (who was supposed to be a homage to the real aviator legend Manfred von Richthofen ) was granted only a few appearances in the cartoon series. It was not mentioned in the toy series, comic books or radio plays.

Duffy

Duffy is a good-natured experienced aviator, the good soul of the Ring Raiders squad. He is a bit clumsy at times and is always smiled at by the other pilots, but in serious situations you can often rely on him. He is also the fatherly friend of the young Cub Jones. (Note: Duffy is a character that only appears in the radio play series).

Jenny Gail

The only woman in the ring raiders. In her qualities as a doctor and pilot, she was once on duty in Vietnam for the United States, now she too fights under the command of Victor Vectors. Jenny often gets into the enclosure with von Claudeitz, who insistently takes the view that women in war in general and in air combat in particular have lost nothing. Although she only flies a helicopter (the "Nightingale" ), she always manages to steal the butter off the attacking jets of the enemy with skillful flight maneuvers. Like "von Claudeitz", Gail is an exclusive product in the cartoon series.

Base of operations: The Air Carrier Justice

The Air Carrier Justice has the shape of a gigantic two-wing aircraft and is similar in its construction to the shape of a jumbo jet. The main body houses the troop quarters, living quarters and the command center as well as the stores for equipment and ammunition. In the wing areas there are gigantic hangars, from which the Ring Raiders' machines start, but are also serviced. The upper deck is consequently a gigantic take-off and landing runway, equipped with aircraft catapults and various anti-aircraft guns. The Air Carrier Justice is subordinate to the command of Victor Vectors and can not only penetrate into space, but also leave the borders of space and time.

The Skull Squadron

Scorch (Bourgeois Stanley Smith)

Stanley Smith is a former test pilot. Due to the criminal ignorance and technical negligence of his superiors, he was critically burned and terribly disfigured while testing a new jet prototype due to a malfunction on his face and arm. Although the military ultimately saved him from death using experimental biomechanics, Smith was maddened by the pain and profound bitterness that came with the modification. As a "Scorch" he hijacked a newly tuned Saab Viggen , the "Scorch's Torch" , which has both a number of electronic jammers and various incendiary projectiles . Scorch subsequently founded the Skull Squadron and has been striving for world domination with this under his command. Victor Vector is his personal, avowed and deeply hated archenemy.

(After the radio play series, Scorch's Vita is different: In this he is named as Donald Winski and, thanks to an experimental treatment by the military, is immune to the effects of firearms and fire)

Hubbub

Whoever sees the planned punk for the first time can hardly imagine his diverse talents. Because behind the studded leather jacket, mohawk and strong slang, the crazy punk rocker hides a genius spirit. Its declared playground is not just computer programs. Chaot sows confusion in the enemy with voice imitations and has thieving fun doing it. But even if open dogfights are not his avowed hobbyhorse: Nothing raises the crazy anarchist's adrenaline level like a good, leaded "dogfight". Hubbub controls the "Zapmaster" in a dogfight , and the Wacko has equipped a tuned Mirage III with an electric shock device, which Vector and his own literally "make their hair stand on end".

Black jack

He is the Skull Squadron's specialist when it comes to night missions. Because his Hawker Siddeley Harrier , called "Battle Bird" , was converted by himself and had a unique night vision system, which also gave him a crystal clear view of the surroundings, where others grope in the dark. In addition, his jet is loaded with a myriad of powerful guns, which Scorch's henchman is only too happy to use. Because Black Jack is a dogfight fanatic through and through and takes such risks that any normal pilot with their right mind would dismiss as sheer madness. Before he was exposed he was a lieutenant in the US armed forces and spied on the Ring Raiders on Scorch's behalf.

Wraither

Who or what exactly Wraither is, even his commander Scorch does not know with absolute certainty. The creepy fellow, who always appears in an electromechanical full-body armor, shares at least one thing with Scorch in any case: He is profoundly evil and once passed the time during World War II by randomly calling up pilots to fight and shooting them down for no reason. He made no distinctions between the various warring parties. Such an impressive destructive potential was definitely reason enough for Scorch to recruit the sinister pilot for his troop. Even if there is a whispered rumor among the squadron pilots behind closed doors that there is definitely no human face hidden behind his consistently closed helmet visor. The characteristics of the "Galopping Ghoul" , Wraithers converted P-51 Mustang , which seems to be able to teleport around in the air at will , also speak for this assumption .

Cutthroat

The Skull Squadron spy lives up to his battle name in every respect. He is a master of camouflage in the air and on land, and it is not uncommon for the enemy to only notice him when it is already too late. As a cunning investigator, Cutthroat dares to do anything, even spying on board the Air Carrier Justice is not an impossibility for him. But even in aerial combat, he is a serious opponent and follows in airy heights his basic credo: ". Better kill the enemy silently from behind as to subject him in honorable combat" Cutthroat flying in air combat the "Bayonet" , a drilled F-19 Stealth fighter .

Chiller

A slimy, devious character whose past is in the dark. But even Scorch and his own are sure that he certainly did not collect Nobel Peace Prizes in this one. Chiller follows the principle "everyone is next to himself". Although he follows the Skull Squadron and Scorch's command. But if the situation were ever to turn significantly to their disadvantage, none of his cronies would probably count on the help of this selfish outsider. Because Chiller is devoid of pity and ice cold. The latter is to be taken literally, because its F-104 Starfighter , the "Icemachine" , fires dangerous rays of cold that can freeze any aircraft's engine and tail units and "catch opponents as cold as ice".

Mako

The Russian Mako is a cold-blooded, calculating fighter with the diabolical fun of killing. He was once the wingman of Yuri Kirkov under the Soviet flag, until he left his home country and turned to the machinations of Scorch. The best trained killer is the squadron specialist when it comes to maritime missions. Last but not least, the equipment of his "Sea Hunter" , which has a new type of sonar that can also be deployed from the air, predestines him for this . In addition, his souped-up MiG-29 has been converted into an amphibian, which makes it possible for him to operate under water.

Shooter

A gunslinger of the skies, committed to the old Wild West philosophy "Shoot first, ask then". According to this credo, the "Sixgun" , his modified A-10 Thunderbolt II , is bursting with armament and some of his comrades in arms conjure up shooters that can easily sweep an entire squadron from the sky with their precise hail of bullets. And one is inclined to believe that the projectile of an airplane can reach speeds of up to Mach 2 in seconds thanks to a booster device.

Siren

Siren is the only female member of the Skull Squadron. Your upgraded MiG-25 is equipped with a unique sonic weapon equipment that enemy hunters can easily tear apart into manageable pieces with its vibration waves. Siren only appears in the cartoon series. She didn't appear in the toy series, in radio plays or comic books.

Base of operations: The Skull Squadron Mobile Base

The Skull Squadron Mobile Base was once created as an innovative, mobile space station by the international community before it was captured and occupied by Scorch and his people. From a purely visual point of view, Scorch's Mobile Base is much less spectacular than Vector's base. The round, black block contains everything the air combat villain of today needs for everyday life. Various launch and landing shafts, hangars, defense cannons, administration and residence units, storage rooms and a guild-appropriate bitter black paint, decorated with the relay logo. In order not to be detected by earthly sensors and radars, the gambler and his accomplices like to hide their base in the shadow of the earthly moon. Just like its sister and successor ship, the Air Carrier Justice , the Skull Squadron Mobile Base can not only operate in space and airspace, but is also capable of leaps in time.

Related aircraft

The Ring Raiders series made use of a number of real fighter planes dating from the First World War up to the present of the late 1980s. But also futurized modifications of the machines are not uncommon. With the exception of the purely fictional bases and the F-19 Stealth Fighter , all designs were based on real aircraft.

Despite the claim to be a cross-section of the best fighter aircraft of all time, the aircraft choice of the Ring Raiders and their opponents was almost exclusively limited to western, primarily US-American fighter types.

Real aircraft related to the toy series:

The cartoon series also used aircraft that did not appear in the toy series itself, such as the F6F Hellcat , the B-58 Hustler , the BAE Hawk , the Fokker Dr.I , the MiG-21 , the MiG-25 , the Tu-22 and the A6M Zero .

The radio plays

In Germany, Ariola Express launched a series of radio plays on Ring Raiders parallel to the appearance of the toy series . However, the stories and the basic plot do not match those of the cartoon version. A catchy title song in German was also composed especially for this publication. For the cover pictures of the cassettes, Ariola used in-house drawings on the subject matter.

Episode index of the radio play series

Attack of the Skull Squadron
Use in the past
Scorch's master plan
Blackjack, the traitor
Thundercloud, the messenger
Hubbub, the master thief

Lyrics to the German title song of the radio play series

Refrain:

Ring Raiders, nobody can fly like this

Ring Raiders, we will always win

Ring Raiders, no one can stop us

Verse:

We're faster than the birds (Ring Raiders)

Are faster than the sound (Ring Raiders)

We are faster than evil

Are just everywhere

Faster than the light (Ring Raiders)

Evil does not escape us