Rhinox - Beast Wars

Beast Wars

The original Tankor started out as Rhinox, a character from the Beast Wars television series. He first appears in Beast Wars as Rhinox, but later becomes Tankor in Beast Machines. Rhinox transforms into a Rhinoceros, as Tankor he turns into a Cybertronian Tank.

Rhinox's character in the Beast Wars television series is very different from how the toy was depicted. As one of the first year toys, the toy of Rhinox was created before the television series came along, and his character was written by Hasbro. These characterizations were largely thrown out the window by the television series producers.

Rhinox's original tech spec portrayed him as an immensely tough and territorial Maximal dedicated to battling the Predacons. His Transmetal tech spec showed that he appreciated his increased mobility, pulling high speed attacks on the Predacons and showing off with wheelies. His 10th Anniversary Tech Spec was more in-line with the show portrayal.

The show bible for Beast Wars describes Rhinox as a straight man who is inspired by Bud Abbott.

Rhinox was a Maximal and Optimus Primal's oldest friend, although it seems Rhinox has known Rattrap for even longer, stating he was his best friend in the episode A Better Mousetrap. His beast mode is in the form of a large brown rhinoceros (it rarely appeared in the second season, and was never seen in the third). He has two machine guns as weapons, which fans have nicknamed the “Chainguns of Doom”, though technically they are more akin to Gatling guns. He usually stays in the base and acts as an engineer and second in command of the Maximals. Rhinox created the Maximal Base's automated defense system, dubbed Sentinel.

Rhinox seems generally as capable of leadership as Optimus Primal, and Optimus Primal has told him as much. However, Rhinox abhors the babysitting and loss of independence that come with being a full-time leader. He is indisputably loyal to Optimus Primal; their mutual respect is so strong that Rhinox is the only Maximal that Optimus Primal seeks advice from (causing mild, intermittent jealousy among a few other Maximals). In extreme situations the Maximals often turn to him first – (for example in Possession when Cheetor and Rattrap are faced with a massive battery of autoguns they both call for "Rhinox!"). This is perhaps most notable in Optimal Situation when Optimus orders them to pursue Megatron to save the base, but it takes Rhinox to get them moving (telling them he can handle the repairs by himself). Rhinox's true abilities come out when, in the episode Dark Designs, he is reprogrammed into a Predacon – only to outwit and damage every other Predacon, much to the dismay of Megatron. Rhinox is the only Maximal whose form does not physically change or evolve for the duration of the series; though in the toyline he did become a transmetal. He spent much of the second and third season minding the Maximal Base rather than going out on missions.

He has a brilliant mind, a thirst for peace, and an astounding vigor and a resolve to do whatever it takes to maintain that peace. He does whatever it is that is asked of him, even though the requests often made of him are impossible. But being the ever resourceful engineer, Rhinox finds a way. Rhinox also contributes in countless other ways, he is considered to be second-in-command to Optimus Primal and also often serves as the enforcer, keeping the troops in rank. His great size and strength is another one of his advantages, in addition to his incredibly quick thinking. These attributes have saved the Maximals countless times throughout the series. Rhinox also seems to have either a fear of flight (though has been seen flying and even piloting other ships) or more likely, a fear of heights, as seen in "The Agenda part 3" where he hesitates on get on Optimus Primal's flying board, and his reactions once he is on.

Rhinox's voice actor attended Botcon 2006 at the Lexington Convention Center for the 10th anniversary of the TV series.

As Tankor, he is a Vehicon General who was in charge of the Tank Drones. His tech specs portray his unintelligence as a ruse he uses to make his enemies underestimate him. Tankor's motto is word for word the same as that used on the Generation 1 Dinobot Grimlock, but he seems to have more of a connection to The Incredible Hulk.