New Images of Transformers Masterpiece Ironhide shown off at Transformers Expo Taipei

That's not how Ironhide's back is supposed to look.

Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

Side profile looks good.



Looking forward to photos straight from the source, especially non-stock.

The most important question, can the missile launcher be used simultaneously with the jet thruster?

william-james88 wrote:Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

I thought it was noted during the first reveal that it was an accessory and not part of transformation? I find it hard to believe they can get all of those bits contained within the van itself.

william-james88 wrote:Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

The sled is the lower part of the van, a la Energon Towline. It's half to emulate the cartoon model (which to be fair didn't really try) and half to homage the battle platform toy that Ironhide was based on.

In a way, it's a shame they try to stick so rigidly to cartoon accuracy. I know that's what Masterpiece does, but I've seen third party toys that integrate the van WAY better.

Butt wheels.

Shuttershock wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

The sled is the lower part of the van, a la Energon Towline. It's half to emulate the cartoon model (which to be fair didn't really try) and half to homage the battle platform toy that Ironhide was based on.

In a way, it's a shame they try to stick so rigidly to cartoon accuracy. I know that's what Masterpiece does, but I've seen third party toys that integrate the van WAY better.

I heard its an accessory

Shuttershock wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

The sled is the lower part of the van, a la Energon Towline. It's half to emulate the cartoon model (which to be fair didn't really try) and half to homage the battle platform toy that Ironhide was based on.

In a way, it's a shame they try to stick so rigidly to cartoon accuracy. I know that's what Masterpiece does, but I've seen third party toys that integrate the van WAY better.

Look closer, it is in no way a part of the transformation. It is not the right size, and does not even look like it is the slightest bit articulated. That is a one piece weapons sled meant to give the impression of the original toy, but it's an accessory, not an integral part

Shuttershock wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

The sled is the lower part of the van, a la Energon Towline. It's half to emulate the cartoon model (which to be fair didn't really try) and half to homage the battle platform toy that Ironhide was based on.

In a way, it's a shame they try to stick so rigidly to cartoon accuracy. I know that's what Masterpiece does, but I've seen third party toys that integrate the van WAY better.

It can't be the lower part of the van since the pictures who some robot kibble seeping under. And the sled itself is a solid piece with no holes that would let that happen.

Desslok2201 wrote:

Shuttershock wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

The sled is the lower part of the van, a la Energon Towline. It's half to emulate the cartoon model (which to be fair didn't really try) and half to homage the battle platform toy that Ironhide was based on.

In a way, it's a shame they try to stick so rigidly to cartoon accuracy. I know that's what Masterpiece does, but I've seen third party toys that integrate the van WAY better.

Look closer, it is in no way a part of the transformation. It is not the right size, and does not even look like it is the slightest bit articulated. That is a one piece weapons sled meant to give the impression of the original toy, but it's an accessory, not an integral part

Yep.. I hope there's a place to put it in alt mode though.

mooncake623 wrote:Yep.. I hope there's a place to put it in alt mode though.

Maybe Ironhide can tow it.

Sabrblade wrote:Butt wheels.

Dont know about you, but this might be a deal breaker. At first this toy looked magnificent, but then there were the torso proportions, then the side panels, now this. And then there is the fact that like with Bumblebee, those accompanying accessories will give a reason to jack up the price. So I dont know.

mooncake623 wrote:

Desslok2201 wrote:

Shuttershock wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Are we anywhere closer to knowing if the sled is part of the van or just an extra accessory?

The sled is the lower part of the van, a la Energon Towline. It's half to emulate the cartoon model (which to be fair didn't really try) and half to homage the battle platform toy that Ironhide was based on.

In a way, it's a shame they try to stick so rigidly to cartoon accuracy. I know that's what Masterpiece does, but I've seen third party toys that integrate the van WAY better.

Look closer, it is in no way a part of the transformation. It is not the right size, and does not even look like it is the slightest bit articulated. That is a one piece weapons sled meant to give the impression of the original toy, but it's an accessory, not an integral part

Yep.. I hope there's a place to put it in alt mode though.

Roof rack FTW!!

Sabrblade wrote:

mooncake623 wrote:Yep.. I hope there's a place to put it in alt mode though.

Maybe Ironhide can tow it.

I'm just leaving mine in the box, man. Doesn't go in the alt mode, and I was hoping it wouldn't in the first place, so I will be THRILLED if it isn't part of the alt mode.

This looks so incredible. I. am. stoked.

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Butt wheels.

Dont know about you, but this might be a deal breaker. At first this toy looked magnificent, but then there were the torso proportions, then the side panels, now this. And then there is the fact that like with Bumblebee, those accompanying accessories will give a reason to jack up the price. So I dont know.

Nitpicks... it will all be fine when you get it in hand. just like with bumblebee and his hollow out forearms. Maybe you can swivel the side panels to cover his butt wheels, who knows.

mooncake623 wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Butt wheels.

Dont know about you, but this might be a deal breaker. At first this toy looked magnificent, but then there were the torso proportions, then the side panels, now this. And then there is the fact that like with Bumblebee, those accompanying accessories will give a reason to jack up the price. So I dont know.

Nitpicks... it will all be fine when you get it in hand. just like with bumblebee and his hollow out forearms. Maybe you can swivel the side panels to cover his butt wheels, who knows.

When Ratchet is released they can be completely "RnR'd"

Butt wheels Shmutt Wheels, Side skirts Shmide skirts. This guy looks amazing and I don't care about a few liberties being taken to make a near perfect figure.

I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

Sabrblade wrote:I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

At which Masterpiece did Kobayashi take over?

Sabrblade wrote:I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

Wait, how did Captain Kirk get involved in this?

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

At which Masterpiece did Kobayashi take over?

Ultra Magnus. Well, Hasui started it, but handed the project over the Kobayashi halfway through, who finished it. But since he took over, Tracks is the first new-mold one he did by himself (Star Saber was done instead by Yuki).

Sabrblade wrote:

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

At which Masterpiece did Kobayashi take over?

Ultra Magnus. Well, Hasui started it, but handed the project over the Kobayashi halfway through, who finished it. But since he took over, Tracks is the first new-mold one he did by himself (Star Saber was done instead by Yuki).

I guess we really don't have any basis to judge Kobayashi's work until tracks then... unless we go way back but that's not fair since MPs back then are a different thing. Grimlock was done by Kobayashi no?

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:I'm sure it'll be a fine figure, but... I just can't help but get the feeling that, like with Tracks, it could have been done better with Hasui instead of Kobayashi.

At which Masterpiece did Kobayashi take over?

Ultra Magnus. Well, Hasui started it, but handed the project over the Kobayashi halfway through, who finished it. But since he took over, Tracks is the first new-mold one he did by himself (Star Saber was done instead by Yuki).

I guess we really don't have any basis to judge Kobayashi's work until tracks then... unless we go way back but that's not fair since MPs back then are a different thing. Grimlock was done by Kobayashi no?

He did, yes. But Grimlock had the fortune of being very toy-accurate in his cartoon model's design.

It's just, I look at Tracks and Ironhide and don't see the same level of media-accuracy that Hasui strived for, which was highly commendable. Hasui seemed to be trying to get the toys to be as close to the animation models as humanly possible, while Kobayashi instead seems to be using the cartoon models as a starting base but then improving upon altering the proportions and details to update their looks a bit, as though the original looks of the animation models needed updating when most people were fine with how they looked in the cartoon (and updated looks are what CHUG toys are for, not MPs).

Thus, we have a taller, slenderer Tracks instead of the somewhat stout, stocky Tracks we saw in the show, and Ironide's torso proportions have been turned on themselves to make his belly more prominent than his chest instead of his chest more prominent than his belly.

william-james88 wrote:Wait, how did Captain Kirk get involved in this?

I get your silly joke Mr. Maru.

I'm on the side of the fence that really wants the sled integrated into alt mode. I lean towards toy accuracy in my tastes. After studying the photos, maybe it's the back half of the roof of the van? But then, where do all those accessories go?
What ever the case is with the sled, this toy is a must have. The grumpy old fella has deserved this for 30 years now.
Also, whether or not all the accessories drive up the price, he is going to cost more than the other cars because he is just bigger.

Sabrblade wrote:He did, yes. But Grimlock had the fortune of being very toy-accurate in his cartoon model's design.

It's just, I look at Tracks and Ironhide and don't see the same level of media-accuracy that Hasui strived for, which was highly commendable. Hasui seemed to be trying to get the toys to be as close to the animation models as humanly possible, while Kobayashi instead seems to be using the cartoon models as a starting base but then improving upon altering the proportions and details to update their looks a bit, as though the original looks of the animation models needed updating when most people were fine with how they looked in the cartoon (and updated looks are what CHUG toys are for, not MPs).

Thus, we have a taller, slenderer Tracks instead of the somewhat stout, stocky Tracks we saw in the show, and Ironide's torso proportions have been turned on themselves to make his belly more prominent than his chest instead of his chest more prominent than his belly.

I see where you're coming from. But I'm still very optimistic about these releases. and until we get it in hand.. who knows maybe it'll be better then Hasui's designs. Believe it or not some people have complained that those MPs are visually very boring because of their G1 accuracy. (wasn't me)

I'm still not loving this guy like I do the other MP cars. I was hoping he'd grow on me, but if anything I like him even less now.

mooncake623 wrote:I see where you're coming from. But I'm still very optimistic about these releases. and until we get it in hand.. who knows maybe it'll be better then Hasui's designs. Believe it or not some people have complained that those MPs are visually very boring because of their G1 accuracy. (wasn't me)

Agreed. The proof will inevitably be in the proverbial "pudding". And ya, I absolutely love MP Magnus, but I feel he could have used a little more bling, a la OG toy. I may have to look into some stickers one day.

Wow, all this talk of the new/former designer taking 'shortcuts' for want of a better term, has me worried about Optimus Primal, I know that it is such a simple design, it would be nearly impossible to screw up, but I only hope he doesn't cut corners to include dumb stuff from the toy (bat mask, chest pounding, etc.) and really ruin it; the bw toy still holds today (although I still don't have one ), what we really want is a show accurate figure with a show accurate beast mode head

Hellscream9999 wrote:Wow, all this talk of the new/former designer taking 'shortcuts' for want of a better term, has me worried about Optimus Primal, I know that it is such a simple design, it would be nearly impossible to screw up, but I only hope he doesn't cut corners to include dumb stuff from the toy (bat mask, chest pounding, etc.) and really ruin it; the bw toy still holds today (although I still don't have one ), what we really want is a show accurate figure with a show accurate beast mode head

How does one cut corners by including something? I think you're using the term wrong...

Well, I sure feel silly. I just found out that that Kobayashi didn't design this figure. Hisao Nishimoto did.

Sabrblade wrote:Well, I sure feel silly. I just found out that that Kobayashi didn't design this figure. Hisao Nishimoto did.

Wait really? I thought started to Kobayashi take over the line? was that only for a few figures?

mooncake623 wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:Wow, all this talk of the new/former designer taking 'shortcuts' for want of a better term, has me worried about Optimus Primal, I know that it is such a simple design, it would be nearly impossible to screw up, but I only hope he doesn't cut corners to include dumb stuff from the toy (bat mask, chest pounding, etc.) and really ruin it; the bw toy still holds today (although I still don't have one ), what we really want is a show accurate figure with a show accurate beast mode head

How does one cut corners by including something? I think you're using the term wrong...

Well to include the chest pounding gimmick, a lot of structure would be sacrificed, the chest would be static, due to the gears - this entire assembly only serve to impede the playability of the figure (you can say, they may not be toys, so then why include the gimmick at all) The bat mask would be obtrusive, and take up additional space that could otherwise allow for 2 nice modes, and a smooth, clever transformation;

Now maybe I did use the wrong term, I have a large vocabulary, and it is hard to remember every word and every different use of every word; it is sometimes hard for me to try and put my abstract thoughts into words. So perhaps 'sacrifice', or 'take liberties' would be better phrases.

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Well, I sure feel silly. I just found out that that Kobayashi didn't design this figure. Hisao Nishimoto did.

Wait really? I thought started to Kobayashi take over the line? was that only for a few figures?

I'm as surprised/confused/in the dark about this as you are.

Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

Desslok2201 wrote:Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

Make your own Ironhide today!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKELEJ ... ds=cubebot?tag=seibertron07-20&

Shuttershock wrote:

Desslok2201 wrote:Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

Make your own Ironhide today!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKELEJ ... ds=cubebot?tag=seibertron07-20&

What a blockhead!

So far I think most of the MP's have knocked it out of the park but I think Ironhide looks rubbish, no offence to the people who like it, but it just does not do it for me.

Wow I'm so glad to see everyone being so optimistic about a Masterpiece here. It's a masterpiece so of course it's going to be good. Even the bad ones were at least decent.

They revealed his backside, and just like that VooDoo Robots is back in the running.

Right now several 3rd parties are probably hard at work making butt prostheses

munkimus prime wrote:Butt wheels Shmutt Wheels, Side skirts Shmide skirts. This guy looks amazing and I don't care about a few liberties being taken to make a near perfect figure.

This is where I am with it.

Cyberpath wrote:Side profile looks good.



Looking forward to photos straight from the source, especially non-stock.

Yes side view looks good, but the front looks busy and the wheel but should be covered by the flaps on his hips. They should swing back turn horizontal and be pushed up to cover the wheels.

I think he looks pretty good. He was never my favorite character or anything, he's immediately identifiable, Cartoon based (but not to the point of Simplified animation,) All in all, I deem him a win. Wheels don't bother me. I can't imagine putting him in a display facing backwards... PROFILE maybe, but with his back to me. Besides, if they hid the wheels there would probably be gaps or hollowness or something that people complain about



I'll probably get him, but not right away. I like Ratchet better and have an Igear one enroute... so no rush on Ironhide.

Sabrblade wrote:Thus, we have a taller, slenderer Tracks instead of the somewhat stout, stocky Tracks we saw in the show, and Ironide's torso proportions have been turned on themselves to make his belly more prominent than his chest instead of his chest more prominent than his belly.

That's a sacrifice you have to be willing to accept when dealing with real car alt modes. A real Corvette is a narrow car so it would be hard to get a bulky robot out of it. The only way you're going to get a cartoon accurate chest window on Ironhide is by using a fake chest, the real van isn't built like that.

Shuttershock wrote:

Desslok2201 wrote:Let me start by saying that I love this, I will be buying at least one. That said, I find it amazing that with all of the complex, unbelieveable transformations this toyline has pulled off in the past, it has taken over 30 years to bring to life a character who is one of the most blocky characters ever and turn him into essentially a box with wheels. You want a robot who can turn into 10 distinct things, including aircraft and animals? No biggie- just don't ask us to make a blocky stick figure that folds into a cube. That's just beyond our capabilities.

Make your own Ironhide today!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKELEJ ... ds=cubebot?tag=seibertron07-20&

I think you mean something more like this. I actually have two of these, but not the ones shown at the link. One has yellow and orange parts and Bumblebee's face tampographed on the head. The other is blue and yellow and has a face similar to Bumblebee's with a visor.

Emerje

LOL butt wheels. Remember how Optimus uses his leg wheels in TF:Prime on Megatron's face in their fight? Now imagine Ironhide sitting on a con's face doing just that.
inb4SKIDMARKS!

Emerje wrote:That's a sacrifice you have to be willing to accept when dealing with real car alt modes. A real Corvette is a narrow car so it would be hard to get a bulky robot out of it.

Binaltech/Alternators Tracks was a real Corvette that turned into a bulky robot (though, I said "stout" and "stocky", not "bulky"), so it's not completely impossible.

Sabrblade wrote:

Emerje wrote:That's a sacrifice you have to be willing to accept when dealing with real car alt modes. A real Corvette is a narrow car so it would be hard to get a bulky robot out of it.

Binaltech/Alternators Tracks was a real Corvette that turned into a bulky robot (though, I said "stout" and "stocky", not "bulky"), so it's not completely impossible.

That's sort of a moot point since the Alternators figure wasn't trying to be G1 accurate. Besides, stout and stocky are just nice ways of saying short and fat. Alternators Tracks (and Ravage) is nearly a head taller than a most Alternators so he certainly isn't short, and his bulk mainly comes from the doors hanging off his legs and the entire rear of the car acting as shoulder pads.

BTW, I don't see the problem with Ironhide's back, most of the cars don't look quite right from behind, especially the most recent ones like Wheeljack and BB.

Emerje

I think it's got to do with the fact that we've seen ironhide's back a few times in the cartoon thnx to the flying scenes.

We can nitpick bout these details... but like Ultra Magnus, the little niggles don't compromise what I reckon are great additions to the mp line (as I see peeps complaining bout tracks' proportions too).

And I really really appreciate the number of accessories this guy comes with as it was what made this guy interesting to me as a kid... together with being somewhat of a bodyguard to Prime and the fact that Peter Cullen voiced him too made me take notice too. And the fact he comes with a sled to hold them all is great as that's always my biggest pet peeve with transformers.

Ironic side might be a better name for this guy cos he probably had the most uninteresting or plain robot mode and vehicle mode in the series. If he weren't Ironhide he could easily be some drone trooper in the background... and lets face it.. he was a VAN. Not even an ambulance.. he was a little minivan that you see in films being used by serial killers or potheads...

And yet.. as someone mentioned, it's taken 30 years to finally deliver a figure that does him justice. I like the generations robot modes but I think we can all agree the vehicle modes were not the high point of that line.

Buttwheels? Sure, but i won't have him mooning people... and yeah i'm sure 3rd party companies will jump at the chance...

Ironhide is one of the characters that I've wanted the most in the MP line --

Great personality on screen. Prominent character. Second in command & Prime's bodyguard -- so would look cool with MP-10. And another variation in height for the Autobot lineup.

And he deserves it after his "G1" toy. ;)

I'm glad that the sledge is not part of the vehicle mode (insofar as we know.) But I'm also glad that it's included as an accessory to accommodate his many other accessories.

We've seen the degraded copies of the stock photos, now I'm curious to see some in-hand pix!


And now just for fun, comparison with the character model, and the upcoming 3P toy --