31 December 2011

Heroic's acquisition tally for 2011

At the end of every year, I traditionally try to cap the year off with a special post. 

Usually, its a tally of some kind, or other. The year 2011 has been a 'big' year for me, where I acquired a number of rare items that I had been after for some time. It is also noteworthy because I finally managed to obtain the final Japanese exclusive (elusive) Transformer that I needed - Blue Bacchus MIB.

In terms of acquisitions, this year has been massive. I think I acquired more figures in 2010, but in 2011 I acquired more MIB pieces - almost every piece in the list below is either MI(S)B or MO(S)C.

(Re)introducing... the entirety of my acquisitions this year... (very impressive if I do say so myself, heh).

Here's wishing you a great new year's eve and a very happy New Year!

~ HD

***

THE TALLY FOR 2011

Pre-Transformers
  1. Car Robots No. 3: Police Countach (aka “white Sunstreaker” or “police car Sunstreaker”)
  2. Car Robots No. 7: Fairlady Z, blue edition (aka “blue Bluestreak”)
  3. Car Robots No. 18: Lacia Stratos Malboro edition (aka “Malboor Wheeljack), unused - here + here
  4. MC-05: MicroX Camera Robo (aka Reflector)

Lucky Draw
  1. Transformers: Generations lucky draw God Primus MISB

G1 Autobots / Cybertrons (all MIB / MOC unless stated otherwise)
  1. Bluestreak MISB (USA box)
  2. Hot Rod (USA box)
  3. Doubledealer (USA box)
  4. Optimus Prime, Powermaster
  5. Ultra Magnus (USA box)
  6. Goodbye Convoy giftset MIB #2 - here + here
  7. Goodbye Convoy giftset MIB #3 (unused, complete with poster)
  8. Headmaster - Kaku / Kirk (loose)
  9. Headmaster - Loafer (loose)
  10. Headmaster - Rodney (loose)
  11. Headmaster - Trizor (loose)
  12. Headmaster - Lione (loose)
  13. Micromaster Transport - Missile Launcher
  14. C-38: Broadblast (Blaster) (unused)
  15. C-47: Grapple
  16. C-60: Pipes MOSC
  17. C-76: Guardian giftset (sold)
  18. C-83: Sandstorm (unused)
  19. C-108: Artfire MISB
  20. C-112: Autobot Clones
  21. C-116: Twincast (unused)
  22. C-121: Gurafi (Graphy)
  23. C-122: Noizu (Noise)
  24. C-123: Dairu (Dial)
  25. C-124: Zauru (Saur)
  26. C-303: Minelba / Minerva (unused)
  27. C-308: Doubleclouder (sold)
  28. C-310: God Ginrai giftset
  29. C-319: Landcross (unused)
  30. C-334: Race Track Patrol (sold)
  31. C-335: Off-Road Patrol (sold)
  32. C-341: Grease Pit MISB
  33. C-342: Air Wave, unused, sealed paperworks
  34. C-343: Hot House, unused, sealed paperworks
  35. C-344: Iron Works MISB
  36. C-345: Landshaker (unused)
  37. C-346: Sky Hyper (unused)
  38. C-350: Rabbicrater #1 (unused)
  39. C-350: Rabbicrater #2 (unused) (sold)
  40. C-362: MT-02 (sold)
  41. C-366: MT-06 (sold)
  42. C-369: Jet Tank Team, MT-09 (unused) (sold)
  43. C-370: Sixliner (unused)
  44. TF-02: Sixwing (unused) (sold)
  45. TF-03: Six Turbo (unused)
  46. TF-04: Guard City (unused)
  47. TF-05: Sixtrain (unused) (sold)
  48. TF-05: Sixtrain (unused)
  49. TF-07 (unused)

G1 Decepticons / Destrons (all MIB / MOC unless stated otherwise)
  1. Shockwave (loose; incomplete)
  2. Triggercon – Crankcase MOSC
  3. Triggercon – Ruckus MOSC
  4. Triggercon – Windsweeper MOSC
  5. Goodbye Megatron #2, unused (sold)
  6. D-16: Megatron (sold)
  7. D-17: Soundwave
  8. D-73: Razorclaw, unused (sold)
  9. D-74: Rampage, unused (sold)
  10. D-75: Divebomb, unused (sold)
  11. D-76: Tantrum, unused (sold)
  12. D-77: Headstrong, unused (sold)
  13. D-87: Wipe (Mindwipe)
  14. D-98: Sixshot
  15. D-99: Apeface
  16. D-100: Snapdragon
  17. D-101: Soundblaster
  18. D-307: Overlord MIB #2 (unused) - here + here
  19. D-313: Overbite (unused) (sold)
  20. D-309: Black Shadow
  21. D-310: Blue Bacchus #1
  22. D-310: Blue Bacchus #2 (unused)

Henkei! Henkei! – all MISB / MOSC unless otherwise stated
  1. C-04: Mirage (sold)
  2. C-09: Sideswipe x 02 (1 sold)
  3. C-14: Ratchet, loose (sold)
  4. C-18: Mini-bot Attack Team (sold)
  5. D-03: Astrotrain (sold)
  6. D-04: Ramjet x 04 (3 sold)
  7. D-06: Galvatron

Gentei! Gentei! (Henkei! Henkei! exclusives) – all MISB / MOSC unless otherwise stated
  1. Dark Skyfire MISB
  2. Electro-disruptor Mirage
  3. Ghost Starscream #1 and #2

Transformers: United (Takara’s continuation of the Henkei! Henkei! Line; all MISB / MOSC unless otherwise stated)
  1. UN-01: Cybertronian Optimus Prime
  2. UN-02: Cybertronian Bumblebee
  3. UN-03: Cybertronian Cliffjumper
  4. UN-04: Cybertronian Megatron
  5. UN-05: Cybertronian Soundwave
  6. UN-08: Drift
  7. UN-10: Straxus
  8. UN-11: Autobot Grapple
  9. UN-12: Autobot Jazz
  10. UN-13: Autobot Tracks
  11. UN-15: Perceptor
  12. UN-16: Blurr
  13. UN-17: Kup
  14. UN-18: Wreck Gar x 02
  15. UN-19: Wheeljack
  16. UN-20: Rumble and Frenzy 2-pack
  17. UN-21: Scourge
  18. UN-22: Laser Optimus Prime
  19. United exclusive Fracas and Haywire MISB - here + here

Transformers: Generations (Hasbro’s continuation of the Classics line; all MISB / MOSC unless otherwise stated)
  1. Headhead, Universe version, WalMart exclusive
  2. Kup
  3. Scourge x 09
  4. Solar Storm Grapple
  5. Thundercracker x 03 (2 sold)
  6. Wheeljack x 03 (2 sold) - here + here

Japanese Art Books / Books / Pocket Books
  1. Transformers pocket book #53 (featuring series 1 to series 3 Transformers)
  2. Transformers pocket book #57 (featuring Masterforce)
  3. Transformers TV Art Book #69 (featuring Masterforce)
  4. Victory: The Movie animated comic
  5. Victory character book

Other Transformers Toys / Merchandise
  1. Awesome, Mr
  2. Brave DX: Dug Base MIB, unused (sold)
  3. Decoy Collection No.1 (22 piece Cybertrons set)
  4. Decoy Collection No.2 (22 piece Destrons set)
  5. Decoy Collection No.3 (9 piece Cybertrons set)
  6. eHobby: Bluestreak, chrome version, MISB
  7. eHobby: Garboil and Howlback
  8. eHobby: KISS Players Position multipack MISB
  9. eHobby: Skids and Screech MISB (Generations exclusive)
  10. Encore #04: Starscream MISB
  11. Encore #19: Skids MISB
  12. Encore #20: Devastator giftset
  13. FansProject: City Commander upgrade kit
  14. FansProject not Bombshell
  15. FansProject not Kickback
  16. FansProject not Sharpnel
  17. G1, 1985, Transformers "Original T-Shirt" released by Takara
  18. G1, 1987, Headmasters Board Game (unused)
  19. G1, 1987, Headmasters Card Game set (unused)
  20. G1, 1989, C-327: Victory Leo promotional flyer
  21. G1, 1990, C-360: Sky Garry promotional flyer
  22. G1, VSL laser discs x 10
  23. G2, Go-Bots, Megatron MOSC (sold)
  24. G2, Go-Bots, Optimus Prime MOSC (sold) 
  25. G2, Go-Bots, Soundwave MOSC (sold)
  26. G2, Terradive MOSC
  27. HeadRobots: Cobra, green MOSC
  28. HeadRobots: Cobra, black MOSC
  29. HeadRobots: Hardhead upgrade kit (Head Robots)
  30. History Collection (Prime, Megatron Bumblebee, Soundwave, Jazz, Starscream)
  31. LP, Fight! Super Robot Life (1985)
  32. MakeToys not Powerglide and not Seaspray MISB
  33. MP-10: Rodimus Convoy MISB
  34. Optimus Prime and Megatron speakers MIB
  35. Perfect Effect not Reflector
  36. Perfect Effect not Rumble and Frenzy
  37. RTS – Backfire MOSC
  38. RTS – Firetrap MOSC
  39. RTS – Megatron MOSC (legends class)
  40. RTS – Optimus Prime MOSC (legends class)
  41. RTS – Windcharger MOSC
  42. SCF – Black Zarak
  43. SCF – Fortress Maximus
  44. SCF – Grand Maximus
  45. SCF – Minelba
  46. SCF – Soundwave
  47. Suntory BOSS figures (all unused) – Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz, Ironhide, Wheeljack, Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Shockwave, Astrotrain
  48. Transformers: Generations 2009 (vol 1)
  49. Transformers: Generations 2009 (vol 2)
  50. Transformers: Generations 2009 (vol 3)
  51. Transformers: Vault
  52. 2010 Special: Unicron MISB
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30 December 2011

Special preview at my usual shop

Today was the day that my usual shop got in a large batch of rare and very minty vintage G1 TFs direct from Japan.

I just went for a special preview and wow, I was blown away, really. The only downside is that none of them will be released for sale until 1 January 2012. Argh!

Now to wait...
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29 December 2011

Altogether now - the Dino-cassettes, Gurafi, Noizu, Dairu & Zauru, all together now!

This has been a good year for Transformers collecting for me. Amongst the highlights of this year, I have finally managed to secure the W-cassettes (aka "dino-cassettes") from the 1987 Headmasters series, and before the damnable KOs were released.

I should take this opportunity to mention that my dino-cassettes are the exact set that is featured on TF-1 (as verified through email with Maz himself!)

Over the past 4 days, I have featured each dino-cassette, in its turn, in a dedicated post, each with its individual review. These can be seen here:
Now, I'm going to show them in their full collective glory.

C-121, C-122, C-123, C-124 MIB
Dino-cassettes: Gurafi, Noizu, Dairu and Zauru

Close up of C-121 and C-122

Close up of C-123 and C-124

Contents and bio cards side by side with boxes

Close up of C-121 and C-122

Close up of C-123 and C-124

I love this shot. Laid out with bio cards on top and inserts with cassettes on the bottom. Yum!

C-121: Gurafi out of box and transformed.

C-122: Noizu out of box and transformed.

C-123: Dairu out of box and transformed.

C-124: Zauru out of box and transformed.

Some shots of the dino-cassettes interacting



Gurafi, Noizu, Dairu and Zauru with the Autobot Communicators Blaster (Broadblast) and Twincast.

Twincast in robot mode with the dinos!


Dino-cassettes, attack!

The dino-cassettes are not just dinosaurs, they combine! They are in fact the predecessors of the 1988 combiner cassettes Grand Slam / Raindance and Squarktalk / Beastbox.

Gurafi and Noizu combines to form Decibel!

Decibel


Dairu and Zauru combine to form Legout!



Given that they don't look as polished as the 1988 combiner cassettes, there is still an undeniable flavour to to them. Here is a shot of Decibel (back) with Legout.

Another shot of Decibel and Legout (back).

Decibel and Legout with Broadblast (Blaster) and Twincast.

Decibel and Legout with one of my all time favourite toys, 'blue' Bluestreak (aka Diaclone blue Fairlady Z).


Decibel and Legout with Bluestreak in robot mode.

They are all here, merry christmas, HD!!! - 38: Broadblast MIB unused, C116: Twincast MIB unused, C-121: Gurafi MIB, C-122: Noizu MIB, C-123: Dairu MIB and C-124: Zauru MIB

... with the Decepticon Communicators Soundwave and Soundblaster...
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28 December 2011

Review - Headmaster Dino-cassette C-124: Zauru MIB

I first talked about how I acquired this Dino-cassette here - The full story (Part 3) - So rare they ought to be extinct. These cassettes have also variously been called "W-Cassettes".

Now, it's time to showcase these little gems, one by one. This is the fourth and final one, C-124: Zauru (aka Saur).

Thoughts:
Zauru have a nice and pretty symmetrical cassette mode. It's transformation from cassette to dino-mode is simple, elegant and yet effectively achieves the key features of a 'Brontosaurus' (okay Apatosaurus, but I like the misnomer better) - it is really lanky with a long neck and long tail making it the longest cassette transformer. It is not complex like Dairu is, but there is a lot about its simplicity and its quiet colour scheme that makes Zauru mysterious, shy and yet an attractive piece. This guy is easily one of my favourite dino-cassettes - love the box art and the toy is the best all round because it achieves its intended dino mode with its simple yet effective elegance. However, as mentioned previously, I just cannot decide whether Zauru or Dairu is the favourite. Overall, I would rate Zauru 8.5/10.

Zauru bio from TF Wiki:
"Saur (ザウル Zauru) is an Autobot Mini-Cassette, and the most powerful of the four Autobot W Cassettebots, being even stronger in the depths of the ocean. Despite this, he is peaceful and has a fondness for cute squirrels and widdle birdies. He can combine with his partner Dial to form the humanoid robot Legout."

Further information: "Saur is a mini-cassette that transforms into what appears to be a dark blue (nearly black) Apatosaurus. He has a good range of articulation with several points of movement at the neck and tail, as well as hip joints. Two silver 'Cannons Guns' plug into the faux cassette tape holes near his hind legs. 

 Saur combines with Dial to form the legs of Legout. His cannons become hip-mounted weapons in this form."

C-124: Zauru MIB
Box = C9.5
Toy = C9
Inserts = C8.5
Accessories = complete, C9

(C-124: Zauru combines with C-123: Dairu into the robot Legout).


Top of box

Close up of the beautiful box art

Bottom of box - the tech specs are here

Back of box

Bios for Legout (combined form of Dairu and Zauru) and bio for Dairu

Dairu and Zauru out of box


Zauru out of box - Zauru bio card, instructions and Zauru cassette and 2 weapons in insert tray

Close up of bio card and instructions

Close up of Zauru in cassette mode

With instructions opened

Zauru transformed


Zauru with blue Bluestreak - colours kind of match huh?

According to TF Wiki, Zauru is 'vanishingly rare'. 

I know, it took me ages to acquire it. Here is the quote from TF Wiki: "As one of the vanishingly few toys unique to the Headmasters toy line and something of a tail-ender within the line, Saur and the other three "dino-cassettes" command ridiculous sums on the secondary market. Their actual rarity is questionable, though; similar "exclusive holy grails" Stepper, Artfire, Twincast and Soundblaster were uncommon, but not vanishingly rare, yet still commanded top dollar due to overseas perception (until they got reissued, at any rate). As there appear to be no plans to reproduce these cassettes, their high-price status is unlikely to change."

 BEWARE - Zauru has recently been KO-ed (ie: knocked-off / pirated / faked) by a company called KO Toys. Most of the Zaurus appearing on eBay, Yahoo Auctions or Yahoo Japan are fakes. To ensure authenticity, do yourself a favour and check out the tips over at High End TFs before dropping loads of cash on what could be a fake / KO-ed Zauru.

***

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27 December 2011

Review - Headmasters Dino-cassette C-123: Dairu MIB

I first talked about how I acquired this Dino-cassette here - The full story (Part 3) - So rare they ought to be extinct.

Now, it's time to showcase these little gems, one by one. This is the third dino-cassette (aka W-Cassettes), C-123: Dairu (aka Dial).

Thoughts:
This is one of my favourite dino-cassettes in terms of the stunning box art and also the dinosaur mode. The transformation and engineering built into this little guy is very very impressive - it has easily the most complex transformation among the 4 dino-cassettes and is very intricate in its design. The transformation from cassette to dinosaur is complex and fun and so is the transformation into its combined form Legout. The teal-green colour scheme of the toy is a little odd, but suitably dino-like. The colour scheme shown on the box art and the box art itself is just stunning. I just cannot decide whether Dairu or Zauru is my favourite dino-cassette - on the one hand there is the intricate complexity of Dairu and on the other hand there is the clean, simple and effective elegance of Zauru. Man, I can't decide! Overall, Dairu gets a rating of 8.5/10.

Dairu bio from TF Wiki:
"Dial (ダイル Dairu) is the Autobots' energy resource scout and a Mini-Cassette. Unfortunately, Dial has a keen curiosity, bringing him to major system failures when investigating sources of energy.
As a member of the W Cassettebot sub-sub-group, he can combine with his partner Saur to form the humanoid robot Legout."

Further information: "Dial is a mini-cassette that transforms into what appears to be a green Iguanodon. He has a good range of articulation with movement at the neck, arms, hips, knees and tail. Two silver chromed "Wave Blasters" plug into the faux cassette tape holes near his neck. In tape mode, he fits into the chest compartment of Blaster or Soundwave (and their retooled reincarnations).

 Dial combines with Saur to form the upper body of their combined mode Legout. In this form, Dial's guns form over-shoulder artillery."

C-123: Dairu MIB
Box = C8 (slight tear in front)
Toy = C8.5
Inserts = C8.5
Accessories = complete, C9

(C-123: Dairu, combines with C-124: Zauru to form the robot Legout)


Close up of the beautiful box art

Bottom of box - the tech specs are here

Back of box

Bios for Legout (combined form of Dairu and Zauru) and bio for Dairu

Dairu and Zauru out of box


Dairu out of box - Dairu bio card, instructions and Dairu cassette and 2 weapons in insert tray

Close up of bio card and instructions

Close up of Dairu in cassette mode

With instructions opened

Dairu transformed






According to TF Wiki, Dairu is 'vanishingly rare'. 

I know, it took me ages to acquire it. Here is the quote from TF Wiki: "As one of the vanishingly few toys unique to the Headmasters toy line and something of a tail-ender within the line, Dial and the other three "dino-cassettes" command ridiculous sums on the secondary market. Their actual rarity is questionable, though; similar "exclusive holy grails" Stepper, Artfire, Twincast and Soundblaster were uncommon, but not vanishingly rare, yet still commanded top dollar due to overseas perception (until they got reissued, at any rate). As there appear to be no plans to reproduce these cassettes, their high-price status is unlikely to change."

 BEWARE - Dairu has recently been KO-ed (ie: knocked-off / pirated / faked) by a company called KO Toys. Most of the Dairus appearing on eBay, Yahoo Auctions or Yahoo Japan are fakes. To ensure authenticity, do yourself a favour and check out the tips over at High End TFs before dropping loads of cash on what could be a fake / KO-ed Dairu.

***

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