Exo-Frames

Probably one of the coolest names for a suit of armor, the Exo-Frames were high-tech suits the Centurions wore and were the lifeline between them and their weapons systems. These suits also enabled the Centurions to be teleported anywhere, thus making these exo-frames their main mode of transport to global "hotspots", or wherever their assistance is needed. As the opening narration goes "...they can be transported anywhere...".

Exo-Frames seemed to be specifically designed for each member. Max Ray wore a green exo-frame combined with black colors, plus really cool green lines and tubes scattered along the black parts. Jake Rockwell wore a yellow one combined with a dull, olive-green color. It looked great when the scenery was a desert. He could blend right in. Ace McCloud had a cool blue colored exo-frame complimented with white or silver.

They also had helmets which would appear whenever they requested a weapon system to be beamed to them. Although, not all the weapons systems required a helmet. Good examples of that would be Max's DEPTH CHARGER and Jake's HORNET or WILD WEASEL. These had CANOPIES that covered Max's and Jake's heads, thus providing them the protection they needed.

You would think these exo-frames were big and bulky, but they seemed very light-weight, and could possibly even be folded and carried in a suitcase. Unlike a suit of armor that has a lot of interlinking parts and probably has to be put on one piece at a time, these exo-frames were just one-piece suits that the Centurions would "zip" up whenever they donned them. The intro to the cartoon shows this being done with Ace McCloud zipping up his exo-frame.

These exo-frames also seem to boost the wearer's strength to SUPERHUMAN levels. A good example of this is in the very first episode where Max Ray (equipped with his Tidal Blast weapons system) lifts a helicopter/plane OUT OF THE WATER, with three people (Ace, Jake and a pilot) on board, and proceeds to hold it aloft while transporting it to New York. Although the maximum limit of how much each Centurion can lift was never shown, a good approximation would be in the 10-15 ton range.

Who knows? If the show wasn't canceled we would probably have seen more of these exo-frames' capabilities.

So there you have it. The Exo-Frames were a huge part of what made the Centurions great. It was never revealed HOW these suits were created, but at that point in time I don't think people gave it much thought. We were all just happy that they were there for our favorite heroes to don and fight the forces of Doc Terror.

Until next time. Power X-Treme!!!

Max Ray, Brilliant Sea Operations Commander!!!

Out of all the Centurions, Max Ray is probably my favorite. I don't know exactly why, but he definitely appealed to me the most. Maybe my father being in the U.S. Navy contributed to that (my father has his own blog, too. unsungheroesofvietnam.blogspot.com, check it out).

It was never really made clear WHO was the LEADER of the Centurions. Some people say Jake, some say Ace, but for me it was definitely Max Ray that led this group of specially trained individuals.

If you've seen the cartoons, Max seemed to be the most level-headed of the group. And even in a tight situation, he always found a way out.

In the first episode, "The Sky is on Fire", there was a part where the Centurions were trapped in a cell with no way to contact Crystal Kane (more on her later) on Sky Vault (their orbiting weapons base. That, too, will be discussed later). Anyway, there was a lightning storm raging outside, and Max disassembles a bunk bed in the cell and uses the springs as a LIGHTNING ROD to blow the door of the cell off it's hinges. VOILA! They escape and manage to save the day.

Another great example of Max's ingeniuity was in the episode titled "The Sand Worm". The Centurions were up against this GIANT sand-worm. Their weapons had no effect. Max takes off his exo-frame and throws it into the sand-worms's mouth, then instructs Crystal Kane on Sky Vault to beam his exo-frame (which is now INSIDE the sand-worm) to a set of coordinates, which turns out be Doc Terror's (the main bad guy) base.

Yep, Max was definitely DA MAN. He also had a MUSTACHE a'la Tom Selleck. Can't beat that. Cool-headed AND suave. What more can you ask for in a hero?

I could go on and on about Max Ray but I'll take it slow and get into all the details as best I can, rather than rush in just to post something. I'll churn out new stuff regularly so keep checking back.

Until then, Power X-treme!!!

After all these years, the cry still rings out: "POWER X-TREME!!!"

If you were a kid that loved cartoons and had access to a television in the 1980's, chances are you would be familiar with this phrase: "Power X-Ttreme!!!"

In case you didn't know, this was the battle cry of "...a handful of brave men, equipped with specially created EXO-FRAMES..."

These were...THE CENTURIONS.

Max Ray, brilliant sea operations commander!

Jake Rockwell, rugged land operations specialist!

Ace McCloud, daring air operations expert!

Whatever the challenge, they are ready! THE CENTURIONS!!!

I guess you get the point by now. Needless to say, I loved this show, and the toyline that spawned it. I STILL love it, as a matter of fact. Even after all these years, whenever I see old re-runs of the show, it takes me back years and always makes me feel good.

This whole concept of the Centurions was WAY ahead of it's time. It had innovations and designs which eclipse even sci-fi stuff TODAY. Just imagine wearing a high-tech suit of armor that allows you to "merge" with incredible weapons systems, and on top of that, allows you to be beamed ANYWHERE on the planet. And in some cases, OFF-PLANET as well.

That's just a small description of what made, and continues to make, the Centurions one of the all-time classics, both cartoon-wise and toy-wise. This blog is dedicated to everything related to the CENTURIONS. I'll do my best to share everything I know about them, from the show, to the toys, and beyond. Hopefully, it will bring back good ol' childhood memories for everyone that visits this blog.

Let the cry ring out...POWER X-TREME!!!