The best movie version of Ironhide produced so far, in my opinion, is the DOTM Leader... especially if it is combined with the FWI-2 upgrade kit, in addition to the fact that it is also the biggest model made so far (the robot is 24 cm high, and the vehicle is 24 cm long)! Typical feature of the TF-DOTM figures of 2011 is the "mech tech" technology, which refers to weapons with "spring mechanism", where the TF class Scout, Deluxe and Voyager are detachable and interchangeable, instead the Leader class have built-in weapons... and in particular Ironhide, which in the films is defined as "the arms specialist" of Optimus Prime, the Leader class version is a true "two-legged armory"! Without a doubt his trademark is the cannons on his forearms, hidden inside them until they are exposed, pulling back the light gray smokestacks, thanks to a connected mechanism. At the height of the abdomen, there is a panel that "with a finger" moves forward about 90°, and from this position it becomes an activation button that opens laterally two large panels on the chest, highlighting a large Gatling cannon (which moves a little forward rotating on itself, thanks to a spring mechanism), and holding the button down, the "cannon mouths" flash (via LED's) together with a firearm sound (at the same time, Ironhide's eyes flash green). The Hasbro designer's (no one knows why) have created a second "redundant" button (with the shape of a gray stake) positioned between the right shoulder and the head, which if pressed activates the exact same function. The lower section of the right leg has a large side panel that opens about 30 degrees outwards, highlighting a spring-loaded missile launcher that can also be removed to be gripped in either hand, or in one of the two holes beside the fenders above the robot's shoulders; also the left leg has the same side panel, that hides an ABS combat knife inside, which can be gripped in one of the two hands (both in the classic and in the reverse position). Another sound mechanism of the robot is activated by pressing the button in the middle of the chest (with the shape of an isosceles trapezoid), once pressed it pronounces its name, pressed a second time it emits a sound of firearms (when you press the button for a moment the gray mask is lowered and reveals the "gold mouth" below... and the eyes flash green). Also this mechanism has a second redundant button, positioned behind the head (with the shape of a gray pole) that activates the exact same function. The joints of the robot are: 1) the neck, which allows only a short rotation of 30° for side (due to the electric wires inside, which impede rotation); 2) the shoulders, with a double joint that allows both the total rotation of 360° forward and back, and a lateral rotation of about 170°; 3) half arm, which allows a 360° rotation on itself; 4) the elbows, with a double joint that allows you to bend the arm by about 100°, plus a 360° rotation on itself of the forearm (the hands and wrists are fixed); 5) the pelvis / thigh joints allow the legs a 180° forward and backward movement, plus a lateral displacement of about 80°; 6) the knees, with a double joint that allows a 360° rotation on itself of the lower section of the legs, then while the left leg can be bent about 90°, the right leg can bend a little... because the compartment that contains the cannon inside the leg, has a slightly modified shape (with a protrusion behind the knee that blocks the movement of the joint)... this is his most annoying design flaw! 7) the ankles, with a double joint that allow the feet to move forward until they are parallel to the legs (detail for the transformation in alternative mode), and move a few degrees backwards, and then also allows a short shift to both sides (in addition, there is another joint that allows a short downward movement of the toes); the bust and the robot basin, are a single fixed block.
The alternative mode is a 2007 GMC Topkick c4500, well made and with windshield, side windows and front lights of transparent plastic, in addition to being the only version to have a back box (shallow but noticeable)... the back of the various Topkick Voyager is flat! The forearms of the robot are positioned inside the Topkick cabin, forming the outside of the roof from which, pulling back the vertical smokestacks, come out the two guns (Topkick in armed mode); under the rear window there is a small black button, if pressed you can hear the sound of a diesel engine running for a few seconds (in this mode, no light with the sound effect is lit). The fact that under the Topkick is evident the structure of the legs of the robot, is justified by the fact that the real Topkick of the film, has the modification of the raised suspensions... which highlights the structure under the vehicle! This model also has an alternative mode "unofficial"... in practice, a "Topkick with legs" that I called "gerwalk mode" (that recalls the bipedal drone of the film "Robocop"); even this mode can use the cannons on the Topkick roof (armed gerwalk mode).
The company 3rd Party "Fans Want It" has made a simple and brilliant upgrade kit at the same time, which made Ironhide DOTM Leader class a true masterpiece... first of all, the two large cannons to be positioned on the forearms through two connectors, can also be gripped by the robot (the structure of the cannons hides the hands, as if they have taken their place). As additional weapons there are two blades, which can be gripped individually (like Cybertronian axes) or united in a single "Cybertronian halberd"; the two single blades can also be hooked into the two holes on the sides of the vehicle mudguards, above the robot's shoulders (in the photos below are evident the various possible combinations, either with the FWI-2 weapons alone or in combination with the robot's integrate weapons)! In Theory, the FWI-2 weapons were made exclusively for the robot... but in practice, I found a way to be used for the vehicle too: under the cab door, there is a "hole" that has formed between a side protrusion of the robot's bust and the side of the vehicle, here the side projection of the FWI-2 connector must be inserted (already connected to the weapon, because not being an "official interlock", once inserted it is better not to touch it again otherwise it come off)! Optionally, the cannons and blades can be placed in position for the vehicle (for the latter advice a diagonal arrangement, which in addition to being a more solid joint, has a better aesthetic effect than a horizontal position for the blades). Thanks to the FWI-2 connector joint, the blades can have three different positions on the sides of the vehicle: 1) external horizontal, 2) vertical, 3) internal horizontal. This adaptation of the FWI-2 weapons to the vehicle, are consequently also possible for the "gerwalk mode"... giving it a better and more agressive look (see the photos)!