Pterodactyl Dinozord
| The Pterodactyl Dinozord was the personal zord of the Pink Mighty Morphin Power Ranger, which could join with the other Dinozords to form the Megazord. | |
| First seen | Day of the Dumpster |
| Last seen | The Mutiny, Part III (used), Ninja Quest, Part I (Thunderzord form) |
| Series | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers |
| Length | 21 m |
| Width | 25.5 m |
| Weight | 84 tons |
| Speed | Mach 2.5 |
Table of Contents
Discovering the Pterodactyl
Shortly after Zordon instructed Alpha 5 to recruit five teenagers to become Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, he would go on to assign each of them a Dinozord. Zordon assigned the Pterodactyl Dinozord to Kimberly, who would become the Pink Ranger. Soon after facing Goldar in their first battle, the Rangers called upon the power of the Dinozords. The Pterodactyl Dinozord appeared from a hiding place in an erupting volcano location.
The Zord was mostly red in color save for some white and pink highlights on the body and head. The head of the Zord was elongated and positioned at the end of an articulated neck. The underside of the Zord featured a large silver stripe segmented by triangular shapes.
Taking Control
The Pterodactyl Dinozord was controlled by the Pink Ranger who would pilot it from an internal cockpit. Leaping into the air, the Pink Ranger could access the cockpit of the Zord through a hatch allowing him to drop into the pilot’s chair. The cockpit was small, surrounded by metal walls on three sides with a glass canopy screen which allowed visibility of the outside. The rear of the cockpit was adorned with a large pink and white illuminated symbol identical to the one on the Pink Ranger’s Pterodactyl Power Coin.
The Zord had a standard control scheme that was similar to that of the other Dinozords. At the front of the cockpit was a small panel with two black colored controls each molded in shape to allow a hand to grasp it. The Pink Ranger would log on to take control of the Zord by gripping the controls, which would emit a chirping beep in response.
The right-hand control had a port in the center into which the Power Crystal could be inserted. Above the controls were three circular symbols featuring the Pink Ranger’s helmet, the Pterodactyl Dinozord and the Pterodactyl symbol.
When the Rangers first took control of the Dinozords, the Yellow Ranger remarked that she seemed to be able to operate her Zord, despite not having any prior experience. The Blue Ranger also mentioned that operating his Zord seemed like second nature to him. Given the level of proficiency demonstrated by each of the other Rangers over their Zords, it seems that the knowledge required to pilot them was part of their powers.
Powers and abilities
When the Rangers combined their Dinozords to form the Megazord Tank Mode, the Pterodactyl Dinozord sat atop the tank but demonstrated no significant defensive or offensive capabilities that were unique to the Zord. [MMPR1: “Day of the Dumpster“]
When attacking alone, the Pterodactyl Dinozord could fire blue energy beams that resembled lighting bolts from a pair of cannons located at the innermost part of the wings of the Zord. [MMPR1: “Teamwork“]
The Pterodactyl formed the chest section of the Megazord. In Mega Dragonzord mode, a large yellow energy blast could be emitted from the silver striped section of the Pterodactyl. [MMPR1: “Island of Illusion, Part II“]
In late 1993, Zordon equipped the Zords with a new security system designed to protect them from destruction if they ever lost in battle. The system would disassemble the Zords piece by piece and return them to their secret hiding places to re-energize them. [MMPR1: “Doomsday, Part II“]
Powering the Thunderzords
Lord Zedd’s Pirantishead monster was able to use its powers to freeze four of the Dinozords, including the Pterodactyl. [MMPR2: “The Mutiny, Part I“] As the Rangers scrambled to regain control of their Zords, Lord Zedd stripped the Zords of their power and sank them into lava under the Earth.
Alpha 5 recalibrated the Morphin Grid to encase the Zords with static power, giving them time to return the Zords to their hiding places. With the Dinozords saved, Zordon and Alpha were able to use their remains to create the new Thunderzords.
The Pterodactyl Dinozord was used to create the Firebird Thunderzord. Upon summoning, the Pterodactyl was struck by lightning which caused the Dinozord to morph and reform into the Firebird Thunderzord. [MMPR2: “The Mutiny, Part III“] The Firebird Thunderzord was used successfully for the first year of Lord Zedd’s assault on Angel Grove, but was ultimately destroyed in the battle against Rito Revolto. [MMPR3: “Ninja Quest, Part I“]