after 5 minutes with either decoder, I got nothing. I think it's just ornate designs Spoiler realistically it probably says: "Get fucked, Decepticons"
Mine arrived today. He's pretty solid and the chest tabs actually hold everything in place. One joint under the right hood piece is a floppy mess though.... Makes posing him a pain. He looks stunning though and absolutely oozes character. In terms of design, Ironhide is spot on and it's amazing he can still transform whilst staying that close to the CGI model. In terms of engineering, he could have done with some sturdier tabs and maybe different plastic is certain areas but that's all I can think off. He's nowhere near a disaster as MPM 4.... My MPM 4 needed alot of modding to actually fit together in alt mode and left me sour enough about it that I switched him out for UT's Challenger. All in all I'm happy with Ironhide and I hope the next figures in the MPM line will have less issues.
Wonder if that comparison can even be made since it seems like there is significant variability among the hasbro lots
Ask him in the comments maybe? Calling all Autobo- I mean, Japanese speakers! I actually speak Japanese so maybe I'll actually listen later.
I speak Japanese, too, so I can tell you what he is saying. He says the two are damn near identical, but the shoulders are tighter on his Japanese release (the left significantly so, the right just a little tighter), and that the forearms connect properly to the arm panels. It seems his Hasbro release won't peg in properly at all. Having just opened my Japanese release, I can tell you that Wotafa got lucky... since my shoulders aren't nearly as tight as his are, and the arm panels on mine don't peg in properly, either.
It looks like the Japanese release has fewer QC issues -- as always -- but it's still a crapshoot. I wish mine tabbed in worth a damn... Certainly looks the part, though. I'm very satisfied with the scale, too.
Thank you! What was he talking about in regards to the diecast parts, is there any difference in the finish between them?
This is getting exciting ..... As for them being identical....at this point, I can care less about aesthetic differences, I'm in it for a toy that works! Sounds like the Tak release is a step in the right direction so far. We'll see.
I think it's way too early to say Takara's copies are all better - based on posts here, there are Hasbro copies with cleaner, shinier diecast parts than others. Until we hear from a number of people with a Takara version, the verdict is still out
Well, I hope my TT one has shoulder joints like my second US one, since that one is going back to Amazon for un-shoulder related issues. That shiny chrome is what I was hoping for on the TT as well, but worth noting that my second US is pretty nice to. Anyway, since this one is getting returned, time for some experiments. So, who doesn't mind modding their figures a bit, getting the hood and grill aligned better, and relieving some of that stress and tension trying to get into truck mode? It's the big gray clips causing the issue! First, they are pushing the outside halves of the hood upward, and second, they are fighting with the smaller black clips that some people are breaking off. So get rid of them! Well, not entirely, cut them down some. I've cut off this ridge on the hood halves. Sorry, no before picture, but take a look and you'll see it: Then, shave off the little "tooth/ridge" part of the clip on the center section. (I actually ended up shaving the entire clip down a bit). I thought it best to keep the tab itself as a guide. Now, it's going to seem like you're getting rid of some important clips holding the hood together at first. But once everything is together, the hood, roof, arm panels, bumper, windshield tabs, front wheel tabs, etc, there is no loss of stability. In fact...I think it feels even more stable, as there's not, what I believe, unnatural tension pushing the hood halves upwards. It might just be my imagination though. For the grill, check these tabs: The on the left (Ironhide's right) was WAY longer, vertically, than the other side. So I cut some off. I also shaved them down some on the most forward plane (the one visible above). So that they fit, properly, into the spaces as intended: Resulting in a grill that lines up better. Now, the grill housing on the ride side of the photo is actually glued in crooked, so it appears more out of line, but that's actually because it's more far forward. I should have my TT version on Tues or Wed, and will definitely be modding it the same as well.
So, you are modding a figure and then returning it? Hope you at least send it back classified as a damaged item
Lol, yes. Technically, I received a defective item which was going to be returned anyway, so might as well try some things first. As I've already said, one grill housing is glued in crooked, there's a missing side view mirror, and missing paint on one the rear fenders. I was just holding onto to it for a few days to compare to my TT.
This is some great stuff. Think you could take a look at the arm panels and see if you can get them to properly tab into his arms? I have a couple ideas but I’m hesitant to try them out since I’m thinking of selling my Ironhide.