Red Dragon Thunderzord (Warrior Mode)

Red Dragon Warrior Mode was the bipedal mode of the Red Dragon Thunderzord. Equipped with a large staff, it could combine with the other Thunderzords to form the Thunder Megazord.
First seen	The Mutiny, Part II
Last seen	Ninja Quest, Part I
Series	Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Width	34.5 m
Weight	102 tons

The Power of Thunder

Lord Zedd’s Pirantishead monster was able to use its powers to freeze four of the Dinozords and take control of the the Tyrannosaurus. However, Zordon had anticipated Lord Zedd’s return and along with Alpha 5, was able to prepare a second phase of Zord operation. Recalling the Rangers to the Command Center, Zordon explained that nothing they could do would ever give the Dinozords enough power and that they would now need stronger, new Zords equipped with the power of Thunder to combat Lord Zedd.

Standing on the rocks outside of the Command Center, the Rangers were introduced to the image of their new fleet of Thunderzords as they flew through the sky. Zordon described the Red Dragon’s power as fierce and true. The Red Dragon would be piloted by the Red Ranger. However, the Rangers would need to regain control of the Dinozords before taking control of the new Thunderzords. [MMPR2: “The Mutiny, Part II“]

Red Dragon Warrior Mode

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 5 were able to use their remains to create the new Thunderzords. The Tyrannosaurus Dinozord was used to create the Red Dragon Thunderzord.

Upon summoning, the Tyrannosaurus was struck by lightning, which caused the Dinozord to morph and reform into the Red Dragon Thunderzord. The Red Dragon was in the form of a large flying dragon, with an articulated body and limbs. The Zord could change form to a Warrior Mode. The long neck and tail of the Zord could fold upward to form a pair of legs whilst the four short arms could combine to form two arms. The long head of the Zord could detach and fold down to reveal a humanoid head.

The cockpit of the Zord appeared to be similar (if not the exact same) to that of the Thunder Megazord. The Red Dragon would form the main core of the Thunder Megazord, to which all the other Thunderzords would connect. [MMPR2: “The Mutiny, Part III“] The Zord could immediately revert to its Dragon form. When Turbanshell attacked with its energy attack, the Warrior Mode was knocked to the ground before reverting and flying off. [MMPR2: “Green No More, Part II“] The Zord was damaged in the battle against the giant Nimrod monster, forcing the Rangers to teleport it to the hiding place in order for repairs to take place.  [MMPR2: “White Light, Part II“]

Powers and abilities

The Warrior Mode was large enough to battle giant size monsters on its own. It was armed with a long black staff with which it could carry out a series of attacks. The Zord could impale its staff into the ground and use it to spin its whole body around. The rapid rotation allowed the Zord to deliver a series of rapid kicks against a monster. In the battle against Pipebrain, the staff was spun like a propellor which generated a vortex of red energy before being used to destroy the monster. [MMPR2: “Missing Green“]

In this mode, the Zord could mount the Tigerzord and ride it whilst wielding the staff as a jousting pole. [MMPR2: “White Light, Part II“] The Warrior Mode could leap both to and from the Assault Team spinning its staff to form an energised attack that was strong enough to destroy monsters like Lipsyncher. [MMPR2: “Two For One“]

Fate of the Red Dragon Thunderzord

The Red Dragon Thunderzord was used successfully for the first year of Lord Zedd’s assault on Angel Grove but would not survive for longer. During the confrontation against Rito Revolto, the Red Dragon, assembled in Thunder Megazord form, was outnumbered against Rito and his monster gang.

The damaged Thunderzord power accelerator was at peak level due to the power bank leaking energy, despite Alpha 5’s best efforts to contain it. With the unstable power accelerator beyond limits, the Red Dragon, along with the other Thunderzords began to explode and fall apart piece by piece, with no way to revitalise them. [MMPR3: “Ninja Quest, Part I“]