Prelude: Time to bust some Decepti-Chops! I can feel mah circuits sizzle! When you got it, use it! These are just some of the tough-guy phrases Ironhide (pronounced “Arn-hahhhd”) loved to spout in the first two seasons of the original G1 cartoon, making him one of the original cast’s most beloved members. And boy, were we kids disappointed when his original G1 toy looked NOTHING like the character on TV. But now, 35 years later, we’re FINALLY getting a good G1 Ironhide toy.

Robot Mode: Ironhide is pretty tall for a Deluxe-class figure (almost as tall as Deluxe-class figures used to be) and he is, without a doubt, Ironhide. And not the strange G1 toy, either, but the Ironhide from the cartoon. Sure, some things differ a bit to go with the pre-Earth Cybertronian design of the figure, but overall: this is Ironhide! Mission accomplished!

The figure is powerfully built with big, stompy feet. The controversial battle damage is actually restricted to said feet, much like it was with Shockwave. I guess Ironhide, too, takes the most damage when stepping on his defeated opponents. The figure is well-articulated with ankle tilts and twisting wrists. His chest actually opens up (his head goes in there for the transformation) and you can fit some of the smaller Matrix’ of Leadership in there if you want to create Iron Prime.

For a weapon Ironhide comes with a big grey rifle which he can hold in hand or mount on his shoulder. Have I mentioned lately that I like shoulder guns? Anyway, the rifle can also convert into a big battle hammer. Man, I remember when carrying a hammer was an Ultra Magnus thing. Then it became a Movie Bumblebee thing. Now it’s an Ironhide thing, too, apparently. It fits Ironhide better than Bee, though, so no complaints.

Bottom line: if you’ve waited for the perfect G1 Ironhide in CHUG size, wait no more. This here is Ironhide, a near-perfect robot mode. Two thumbs up!

Alternate Mode: Ironhide transforms into a van-like Cybertronian vehicle and transforming him into this mode unveils his sole weak spot: the panels that unfold from his legs sit so loosely in their hinges that they inevitably pop off during transformation. It’s not a big thing, you can easily snap them back into place once you’re done, but it grates a bit, seeing as the figure is otherwise pretty perfect.

Once transformed Ironhide does a good job of being an alien vehicle that nevertheless holds a strong resemblance to his original 1984 Earth mode. I first thought that maybe his cockpit had room for a Titan/Prime Master figure to sit in, but the space is now taken up by Ironhide’s robot noggin. Which is kind of a homage to the original toy, come to think of it, where the head sat behind the windshield (said head being a sticker, but never mind). Anyway, the vehicle is pretty solid and offers room to attach quite a few weapons, too. So while it’s not the most exciting vehicle mode ever, it nicely homages the original’s car form without breaking the notion that it’s a pre-Earth mode. Thumbs up here, too.

Remarks: Ironhide and Ratchet, too of the most important characters in G1, had the worst G1 toys. And while they did get a somewhat okay mold in the 2008 Universe series, it really did take 35 years to actually get them a great mold that wasn’t a Masterpiece figure. Siege Ironhide and his inevitable Ratchet repaint (which I fully intend to get, too) are finally paying proper homage to the great characters we remember from back in the day. And while I am somewhat annoyed with the current trend of focusing almost exclusively on the same G1 characters over and over again, I am very glad to finally have a great Ironhide in hand. Let’s see if it’ll take another 35 years for the next one to come along. Fully recommended.

Rating: A-

Source: Transformers-Universe.com

 

Just opened up Siege Ironhide, and the side panels on the legs are indeed annoying with how they can pop out easily. I used my screwdriver and some other tools to widen out the holes which helps a bit, but I do wish that the issue itself didn't exist in the first place.

This figure did looks pretty good, however.



Other than that, this figure is as good as I expected. With the powerful proportions, smooth transformation and nice articulation, this is a pretty good figure and would be a complete must-have if you can deal with the issue of the legs side panels pops out easily.

 

G1 toy-accurate!   

 

nope, the arms should connect at the elbows, instead of the shoulders  

 

With the tolerance issue of the side leg panels fixed, now I can say that I'm very satisfied with Siege Ironhide.




The headsculpt is pretty good, too.

 

anyone found a fix for the back of the back of the vehicle not tabbing in?

 

Future workes for me

 

G1 Ironhide was always a character plagued with bad toys since the beginning. Some people might say that CW Ironhide is good but he really isn’t an Ironhide toy (plus I think that mold sucks). This in my mind if the first great G1 Ironhide figure (that isn’t the expensive MP figure) he looks big and tough. He is also the only Siege figure that truly feels cybertronian. I find most Siege figures to feel like it’s more Earth 2099. He is just another solid addition to Siege.

 

And hound is the perfect future vehicle, not a thing changed on the hummer

 

I finally got to open my Ironhide last night. He looks like Ironhide and feels like Ironhide. The hammer-rifle is a nice touch as well. My copy had the loose side panel hinges, but drilling out the holes with a 2.5 mm drill bit completely fixed the issue and allowed the pegs on the panels to completely pop into the holes. I like this guy, and the only thing I might like to change would be the hollow forearms...but even those don’t bother me that much.

 

Guys，just want to spread，we have a set of hollow gap fillers for SIEGE Ironhide now （arms，back，legs），delivery would be in early May. Check details as below:

Siege Ironhide Gap Filler Upgrade Kit.

All the gap fillers wont affect the vehicle mode（with leg lengthening parts as bonus for the first batch）See below the before and after photos. Maybe you guys would be interested. Ratchet studio as a new studio for upgrade kits would continue to focus on improving the SIEGE series.

 

Thanks for this. I love this ironhide figure, but this upgrade makes it even better. Just ordered, thanks.

 

Thanks dude，we are full speed ahead now，would ship it as scheduled.

BTW，got a prototype today and had some photos for more details of the kits under vehicle mode.

 

Wow the price isnt bad either. How much to ship?

 

Hi，all of our products are free shipment.

 

Amazing! Is this an in house design? What about the soundwave kit? This is very very promising!

 

It is from Ratchet Studio，a new one for upgrade kits. Soundwave kit is still in plan，we shall let them know your suggestions.

 

I'd be in for a soundwave kit to cover his forearm gaps and maybe a few other gap fillers. I feel your ironhide upgrade parts is just the right amount to make the figure look and feel more solid so I look forward the any other projects you have planned.

 

The Ironhide kit looks fantastic, I’ll definitely look into getting a set when I have money.

 

Parts to fill all those little 2-3 mm wide gaps seems a little overboard to me, but I'm sure someone appreciates that.