**updates on page 3, new pics***


Meant to post this mod a few weeks ago, after seeing Amethysted's post on his mods to leader Ironhide, but just didn't have the time till now.
This is just a simple pin removal to get rid of Ironhide's arm kibble in bot mode and the panels can fold up and store on his back. I just used an automatic center punch and removed the pins between the gray bracket and the door. I removed it there and left the gray piece since the pin on his arm doesn't have an open back and this one does so you don't have to damage the figure to remove it. You can see the bracket clearly here:



and here:



Here are some shots from the back, fills it out pretty nicely I think. Eventually I'll use some magnets to help 'em stick.



It doesn't really look any different from the front, from these angles, you can't even see them.



I also took a pic with my wip HA Bumblebee for size reference to show how well Ironhide scales with the HA line. He's not quite ready for primetime, but have been working on him forever and dying to show something, I'll be posting more Bee hopefully w/in the next week after I can finish him up.

 

which side on Ironhide's arms is the "rough side" where you placed the pin punch?

 

I think the side closest to his elbow, so the pin exited towards his fist, but I am not 100% sure that I'm remembering correctly, but I think thats right.
I usually use my auto center punch as a guide - if the pin doesn't move after a couple tries, then I switch sides. on mine it didn't put up much fight at all.

 

Good idea, the arm kibble is a bit excessive.

 

thanks! I thought so too.

 

Gatchaman I'm curious about your bumblebee is that a Human Alliance or the Battle Ops Bumblebee??

 

That's a HA BB. It's mentioned in the 1st post, but kind of hidden among the pics:
"I also took a pic with my wip HA Bumblebee for size reference to show how well Ironhide scales with the HA line. He's not quite ready for primetime, but have been working on him forever and dying to show something, I'll be posting more Bee hopefully w/in the next week after I can finish him up."

It looks really good, can't wait to see those pics!

 

Thanks hthrun I did see that but I guess the mods look really good that it looks like parts from the battle ops. I'm very interested to know the mods done to this to make it very screen accurate. The legs, arm cannon, and other arm look good.

 

Yeah, those shins look like they're from another Bumblebee. And I love how the doors are closer together. I wonder if it can still transform...

 

Gatchaman gives us some info on your Bumblebee! I have yet to get a Bumblebee just to see if anything good was coming for Dark of the Moon but I'm really not that impressed with the new version of Bumblebee. Plus I want my collection of movie figures to be to scale so I think that the leader is to big and the human alliance is just right. But I would like him to be more movie accurate.

So any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

Yup, it's the human alliance, the battle ops is huge, bigger than a leader even.

Thanks! I'm hoping to have more this weekend, if he's not done, maybe I'll start a 95% wip thread.

Thanks I appreciate it! I can tell you that I've gone through a couple of different versions, and I don't want to give anything away yet (I will when I post the thread on this guy) but let's just say he's made from a few parts from a lego hero factory von nebula and parts from just about every bumblebee except for battle ops, he's too cool to cut up and too big anyway, though I wish I could shrink his missile arrays and use them, lol!

They are indeed... Thanks, It took me a couple of different iterations to hit on the final solution for the doors, and yes, it still transforms. My objective was to have a more movie accurate bot mode but still be able to transform. I'm not much of an engineer, so there is a little partsforming, but I'll reveal more on that when I post the bee thread.

I think it kind of depends on what you're scaling him with Of course human alliance bee looks great with the other human alliance figures and leader Ironhide, but they don't really scale that well with the main line. For my mainline movie bots I have a voyager Ironhide and Ratchett and deluxe Jazz from the first movie and then the ROTF Optimus and the deluxe battle blades bumblebee and they scale together great I think. The DOTM leader bee, like battle ops bee, is really way out of scale to do anything but be stand alone or be part of a Bee display. That being said, I think that DOTM leader Bee is essential for giving human alliance bee a more movie accurate look, and not to sound like a broken record, but I'll go into more detail in when I post the thread for bee.

Sorry it took me a while to respond guys, but this thread sank like a rock after I posted and so I didn't know if anyone even noticed Bee in there, so thanks for the comments and questions and stay tuned, I hope to wrap him up this weekend and post a thread on him soon.

 

Good idea! And much less work than my arm mod...

I virtually gutted the automorph guns on both arms...

Its great to know I've inspired you to complete this new mod.

As I am inspired by those before me! Rumblefrenzy, Peaugh, Matt Booker, etc...

Great to be a part of this community!!!

Keep up!

 

I've seen magnets used on other customs, too. Where's a good place to get some?

 

Thanks for sharing Gatchaman.  

 

I like to get mine @ hobbytown USA(1/16 &1/32 size discs) & radio shack has some super strong 1/8 discs thatwork really well, but are expensive ($2for 2 little magnets). & walmart has some 1/4 inch discs in their craft section that are really strong too,but are too big for smaller jobs. I think online is probably the most affordable route, but I'm never sure which size I'll need.

 

Thanks! I don't have any hobby stores around me, so I'll have to check out Walmart and Radio Shack if I ever need some...

 

So does the transformation still work ok? How do you reattach the panels?

 

Cool... I removed the pins as well.. How did you attach the side panel from the arms to the back? Magnets or tape?

EDIT: NVM.... Found it... LOL...

Thanks to you and amethysted...


Now I just need to shave some plastic from the knee to get IH to stand up straight.

 

Yup, there's a slight gap on the passenger side between door and window, but not bad. The panels just clip back on in vehcile mode, there are enough tabs to keep them in place and in bot mode I used super strong button magnets. I've done some other mods, so I'll post some more pics.

 

Lookin' good daimchoc! I'll be interested to see how your knee shaving goes, and may have to try that myself