Ben Bishop's IRONBEE

**JeffSaylor** · 08-11-2011, 07:39 AM

Rise of the fallen Autobot...

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After the great battle and defeat of the traitor Sentinel Prime, moral was high with the Autobots. Decepticons were still scattered far across the planet earth, but their leaders had all been destroyed. There were casualties on both sides and it didn’t take long for those lost to be missed.

When Ironhide was taken down, special NEST troops gathered up all that was left of him and protected it in their top secret facility. Now a new evil has risen, and it has never been more evident how much the Autobots relied on their weapons specialist.

Honoring his fallen friend, Bumblebee combines with what is left of Ironhide, much like Optimus had once done with Jetfire. Together they would become just the warrior needed to take down this Decepticon threat, and anything else that stood in their way, they became IRONBEE! Utilizing Ironhides advanced weaponry, and Bumblebees speed and spy tactics, the enemy doesn't stand a chance.

Created by Ben Bishop, IRONBEE stands at 15 inches tall, making him even larger than the Leader Class Optimus Prime. Keeping true to the bio of IRONBEE, he is made using only parts from the Leader Class Bumblebee, and Leader Class Ironhide figures.

What he lacks in transformation (imagine how cool that would look in vehicle mode though?) he makes up for in firepower. IRONBEE is armed to the teeth, still maintaining Ironhide's mechtech weapon gimmicks on both arms and legs.

Ben even added lights to IRONBEE's eyes, something the Leader Class Bumblebee was lacking. There's also a flickering light inside his chest to mimic Ironhide's dying spark.

IRONBEE is painted with the top of the line automotive and model paints. Weathered with permanent powders that won't fade and spray sealed many times over to ensure the paints will last as well.

For more of Ben Bishop's customs, visit his website at Bishart.net.

- Jorge Pelaez