The full story (Part 4) - Autobot Communicators

Previous chapter: The full story (Part 3) – so rare they ought to be extinct

This happened between when I paid the dino-cassette seller on 30 May and 10 June when the dino-cassettes finally arrived.

Recap for self - In late May, I acquired D-101: Soundblaster from my trip in Osaka. I returned to HK and surreptitiously managed to snag a 17: Soundwave from my trusty toy shop. So there, the Decepticon communicators were covered. Check!

After payment on 30 May and with the dino-cassettes’ impending arrival, I started to think – what about the Autobot communicators? See, the dino-cassettes which are Autobots by the way, need their communicators right? In my vast inventory of Transformers, I have a vintage USA boxed Blaster, a loose vintage Twincast, a TFC reissue Blaster and an eHobby reissue Twincast. To be honest, I wasn’t really bothered to go after more Blasters and Twincasts after owning those 4. But now I have the dino-cassettes arriving. These gems deserve their vintage communicator, no loose piece, no reissue, but the true blue vintage MIB version of Twincast and Broadblast!

At the back of my mind, I knew where I could pick BOTH these pieces up, if I were but willing to pay the price. I know a particular shop in Sino Centre was selling a MIB unused 38: Broadblast; and I know my usual shop had a MIB unused C-116: Twincast for sale. Problem was, I think they are overpriced (hence they have been there for months and months and are still there). The condition is great, price was the impediment.

Not one to be easily deterred, I set out for Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei one fine evening.

I went to the shop with the Twincast first. This is the shop I have been buying lots and lots of things from over the years and especially in recent months (I think I spend thousands with them on a monthly basis). I said to the owner “hey, very interested in Twincast now, but I don’t like the price. Can you do

better?”. He said “sure, you can have it for HKD $2000 off the list price”. Wow. “Ok, deal done”, I said.

Next, I headed to Sino Centre for 38: Broadblast. I said more or less the same thing to the owner “hey, very interested in Broadblast now, but I don’t like the price. Can you do better?”. He said “sure, you can have it for HKD $300 off the list price”. Hmmm, still expensive for Blaster. I tried to haggle a little, but he said he can’t budge due to his cost. In the end, I said okay. What the heck, I just need the 2 Autobot communicators in Japanese box and unused! Now, I got 'em. Check!

Here they are in their glory:

More photos to come in their individual posts.

Soon, the dino-cassettes arrived and I was so happy that I had their communicators waiting for them. Don’t they look glorious to the nth degree? - Twincast and his dino-cassettes...

The money shot - Dino-cassettes with both Autobot comminicators

... and, as I said on OZ Formers, "the money-er shot"...

What an adventure right? From Osaka to Diaclone Marlboor Wheeljack to Diaclone blue Bluestreak to Japanese box Soundwave to all 4 dino-cassettes to Broadblast and Twincast MIB unused.

And still, that-is-not-all!

There is a final part… wait for it… wait for The Full Story Part 5.

~ HD

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Other chapters of the full story

1. The full story (Part 1) - Diaclone CarRobots No.18: Lancia Stratos Turbo,  Marlboor (Marlboro) Wheeljack
2. The full story (Part 2) - Diaclone CarRobots No.7: Fairlady Z "Bluestreak" blue
3. The full story (Part 3) - so rare they ought to be extinct (aka the dino-cassettes)
4. The full story (Part 4) - the Autobot Communicators
5. The full story (Part 5) - Guard City (TF-04) and Battle Gaia (TF-10) giftsets