Review: #67
Name: Recon Ironhide
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Revenge of the Fallen - N.E.S.T. Global Alliance
Year of Release: 2009
Size Class: Voyager (Wave 6)
Variations: a retool from the original Movie Ironhide, which was repainted into ROTF Ironhide and Autobot Alliance Ironhide
VEHICLE MODE:
Ironhide transforms into a heavily modified 2006 GMC Topkick 4500 four-wheel drive pickup truck. This is a massive retool, he has armored panels for windows, lighting rigs, weapons rack, and a huge bullbar in front. However, not all changes are desirable. Ironhide does not feature transparent plastic anymore, but the baby blue paint used does not feel realistic.
He features zebra stripes across the body of the vehicle. He still has smokestacks, but they are much smaller and less pronounced than the original version. Ironhide rolls very well on his wheels, and since his cannons are smaller this time around, they're not as obvious and out of place.
He loses quite a few paint apps but that's the compromise you'd have to make for the additional weapons (which is worthy trade in my opinion). You can see that there is a molded Autobot logo on the back (pardon the amount of dust that's settled on the figure...).
This is a well proportioned figure, I just wish the PVC white could be changed to another colour (it looked much better in the latter repaint).
Now, Ironhide comes with four clip on weapons (being the first figure to use the C-joint system), two knives and two guns. They come into play better in robot mode, but for now, in vehicle mode, you'll have to make due by attaching them on various places on the truck.
Granted, it does not do Ironhide many favors in the realism department, but Ironhide looks way more powerful and rough.
A good vehicle mode, fairly static, to be sure, but the combination of weapons does allow some versatility. I find that the side mirrors tend to detach fairly easily.
TRANSFORMATION:
Ironhide has a complex transformation, but it's not frustrating or too hard, and when you're finished, you get that satisfaction feeling of transforming a formidable toy. The automorph on the legs are really cool (pulling down the feet panel will shift parts automatically around the leg). There are many twists and turns involved, but there are some parts where I felt that it would break while transforming him due to the reliance of thin pieces (thankfully, the plastic used is very durable). A great transformation.
ROBOT MODE:
Unlike most other Movie toys at the time (in 2007), Ironhide's robot mode isn't terribly faithful to his onscreen design (particularly the legs). What's more, Ironhide's robot mode isn't exactly clean either, since the retool created extra kibble that wasn't present in the original version.
At first, the back seems like a mess, but fiddling around with it, it's not really that bad. It's probably really hard to make it even more compact than it already is. The two vehicle mode halves as his shoulder pads (of sorts) looks really good here.
In addition to the four clip on weapons Ironhide, he gains his extra two signature arm cannons, AND you can morph the left one into a crossbow type weapon with a launching missile formed by the bumper and arm gun.
Normally, Ironhide can't hold all his weapons separately, but you can combine plug the multi-barrel gun onto his right arm cannon, and then combine a knife with the other gun to hold and plug into the cannon, leaving either hand to hold the remaining knife. That's just only one way (and the way the instructions set out), there are so many options here, and you can even clip the guns on the racks above his shoulder for shoulder mounted guns!
Alternatively, you can give the weapons to other characters who have clip on joints.
Or, just let other characters hold them, since the weapons are standard 5mm pegs, Recon Ironhide is like a weapons set!
Ironhide also gets a brand new head sculpt, featuring his face mask. It looks great, and is highly detailed, sitting on a balljoint. Ironhide's articulation is decent, but the range of motion might be a bit restricted, due to the small arms in relation to his bulky proportions.
A well engineered robot mode, sure, there are some flaws here and there, but they're all fairly minor in comparison to what you actually get.
OVERALL:
A much funner toy than I had expected. I had originally gotten him because he was extraordinary cheap (half the retail price during a sale), and what I had got I would have gladly paid more than what I did. Ironhide is an excellent figure, and is a load of fun with all the additional weapons. The retooling done more than makes up for the reduction of paint applications.
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