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Well it's missing the trademark thumb spikes of the Iguanadon so it'd be odd if it were to be that - It's proportions look far closer to that of an Omniraptor, though he doesn't have the beak of that dinosaur either. :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
I'm pretty sure dinosaur-spike-accuracy isn't something to go by with identifying the species of Transformer cassettes. According to his packaging, Overkill is a tyrannosaurus, and yet he does have a horn on his muzzle. :) (And now I think about it, Slugfest has a bump on his stegosaurus nose too.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Indeed a fair point, but a funny one too because as you've mentioned - Overkill has a nose spike, which is horribly reminiscent of the misinterpreted placement of the Iguanadon's thumb spike when it was originally discovered. :p:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Sky Shadow
Also, Trypticon is as much of a T-Rex as Sludge is a Brontosaurus ;):p - So I think you're dead right SS. :cool:
I might be wrong but isn't sludge a diplodocus?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
No, you're dead right actually. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by theheretic
When Sludge was originally designed, he was modelled after a Brontosaurus but the Brontosaurus has been found to be a non-existent Dinosaur since (Whether it was misnamed, mis-identified or both I'm not sure), which is why he is now, at least by me, referred to as a Diplodocus. ;):)
*EDIT: Brontosaurus = Apatosaurus
From Wikipedia:
Quote:
In 1877, Othniel Charles Marsh published the name of the type species Apatosaurus ajax. He followed this in 1879 with a description of another, more complete specimen, which he thought represented a new genus and species, which he named Brontosaurus excelsus. In 1903, Elmer Riggs re-examined the fossils. While he agreed with Marsh that Brontosaurus excelsus was likely a distinct species, he also noted many similarities between B. excelsus and A. ajax, and decided that both should be placed in the same genus. Riggs re-classified the species as Apatosaurus excelsus.[15] Almost all paleontologists since Riggs published his opinions have agreed that the two species should be classified together in a single genus. According to the rules of the ICZN (which governs the scientific names of animals), the name Apatosaurus, having been published first, had priority as the official name; Brontosaurus is considered a junior synonym and has therefore been discarded from formal use.
Hursticon, you were right in the first place about Sludge - he's a Brontosaurus Dinosaur Robo and thus has been retconned out of existence (or retconned into an apatosaurus as he was in Maximum Dinobots.)
LOL :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Sky Shadow
I always knew he was intended to be a Brontosaurus but yeah, Continuity is a bitch. :p:D
Nice acquisition HD! Dino mode looks great on this example, as the chrome, paint and stickers look excellent.
It would probably have made more sense in Transformers: the Movie if Snarl was with the Dinobots and Sludge was missing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
HOT ROD: Hey, where's Sludge?
GRIMLOCK: Me Grimlock not know Sludge.
HOT ROD: You know... Sludge. The other Dinobot.
KUP: I remember when there were five Dinobots. It was the dawn of the First Cybertronian War, and...
HOT ROD: It was last week, Kup. These bozos have lost Sludge.
KUP: Which one's Sludge again?
HOT ROD: The brontosaurus.
GRIMLOCK: You Hot Rod stupid! Brotnosauruses never existed! There is no Sludge!
HOT ROD: Right... So what did you do to him?
GRIMLOCK: Dinobots retconned Sludge. For breakfast.
Hmm... I've always considered Sludge to be a Brontosaurus, and its what is in official G1 cannon and in diaclone material as well. If Apatosaurus and Brontosaurus can be used interchangeably, then I'd prefer the latter! :p
I think the part about Diaru being an Iguanadon is just speculation on the part of Derik from TF Wiki (as much as a lot of other things on TF Wiki that has the smell of speculation to it, meaning I personally trust it only 60-70% of the time).
This is from one of the links in TF Wiki and it states its 'fanfic':
"How'd you decide on Iguanadon for Dial? I always favored
Hypsilophodon for his scout function."
Original link here.
Gok, I have no idea what the package says, but I'm sure you would!Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
Here is a close up of the back of package, which may or may not shed any light.
http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/35...600x600Q85.jpg
Again from the link above, this appears to be the translation of the back of package.
Dial
Cybertron Natural Resource Scout
STR 5 RNK 5
INT 6 CRG 5
SPD 8 FPR 7
END 7 SKL 8
Fleet of foot, can run at up to 200 km/h in
dinosaur mode. Both thumbs contain sensors
that can rapidly detect energy. Cheerful and
brimming over with curiosity, Dial sometimes
gets too carried away in his duties, leading to
major system failures. Carries Wave Blasters.
Combines with Zauru to form Legout.
Hursti / SS, 'thumb sensors' sound like thumb spikes? Perhaps there is credence to the Iguanadon proposition?
I thought that Dairu's dino mode was a little off left field at first. But the more I look at it and toy with it (pun intended), the more I like it and think that its one of the better conceived cassettes. In terms of the complexity and the design that went into it, I think its easily one of the most intricate and complex cassettes in G1.Quote:
Originally Posted by gamblor916
this is #5 of 6....
Posting a little earlier than usual today, well, because its a Sunday and E is resting, so I have some time (oh, we just watched Green Lantern in 3D...pretty awesome, but really, I would have stuck to the comics).
Presenting, Gurafi's partner in crime and top-half combination for Decibel - C-122: Noizu (aka Noise)!
I really like this guy's colour, the almost deeper tone of baby blue that is not so baby-bluish as Ultra Magnus but has a bit of heaviness to it (yeah, I got no idea what I'm talking about either).
On first glance, I thought that Noizu was a lot like Overkill, in fact other than the colours and the weapons, I'd almost say it looks almost 70% like Overkill. I think Noizu, like Overkill and Grimlock, are meant to t-rexes. Not much contention over that, I think.
However, I don't think there is a chance to custom an Overkill into a Noizu because although they look alike, Noizu actually has an added layer of complexity to it, thanks to the need for it to combine into Decibel (which is a cool name by the way).
Again, this is one Transformer, I'm very very happy with!
http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/34...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/23...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg
Man, the weapons are massive!
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
Gurafi and Noizu MIB
http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg
Gurafi and Noizu combines into Decibel!
http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
That's actually quite an interesting observation there dude and I reckon it's probably the best indication of this little guy being an Iguanadon - Whilst they've not been able to realise it in physical form, they've been able to do so with the Bio so I'm feeling more acceptive of him being an Iguanadon now. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Likenesses aside, I agree HD that this little guy is a pretty damn cool figure as his Bot mode is easily one of the best of the Mini Cassettes. ;):)Quote:
I thought that Dairu's dino mode was a little off left field at first. But the more I look at it and toy with it (pun intended), the more I like it and think that its one of the better conceived cassettes. In terms of the complexity and the design that went into it, I think its easily one of the most intricate and complex cassettes in G1.
His colour scheme is an interesting turquoise type colour, which I quite like but more to the point - Holy Cow!, 2 down 2 to go! :D:cool:
Man, I spoke way too soon! :D
This is so awesome HD, I'm really ecstatic for you mate as you've clearly achieved what you've set out to - 3 out of 4 so far, will it be 4-4? ;)
Noizu certainly does seem to share a hell of a lot of similarites with Overkill when it comes to the Box art, but IMO, that is where the similarities end. :eek:
I see what you mean about the colour HD, it's a deeper hue of Baby/Sky Blue that's for sure and it's quite intriguing indeed - Much more along the lines of Hot Spot. :)
His head/face sculpt is cool but I get a slightly more 'monster-ish' vibe off of it that a T-Rex, though that being said he's definitely a T-Rex - That's for sure. ;)
His combined mode is cool, if not a little... what's the word... underachieved maybe? :o
I don't know, he looks quite cool don't get me wrong, I love the concept of combining cassettes and his silhouette looks awesome but I feel his upper torso seem to be let down a little for not having arms capable of bending at the elbow or rotating forward. :o
That's my only gripe really but at the end of the day it means nothing because just obtaining this guy is a true feat in itself! :D
Another Huge congrats HD, this one's box is in far superior condition to the last's too! :D:cool:
Man that combined mode looks silly! :p You can clearly see that they improved on that concept with the following year's combiner cassettes (Slamdance and Squawkbox).
heroic_decepticon: that tech specs states that his transformation is.... wait for it...
cassette tape! :p
Naturally the cassette mode is the alt mode and the dino mode is the robot mode, so the tech specs only describes the alt mode and not the robot mode. So unfortunately there's nothing there that clarifies what kind of dinosaur it's meant to be. :( :(
Maybe one day if you or I ever get to meet Ono Koujin or Yoke Hideaki we can ask directly ourselves (although unless someone reminds me, I probably won't remember :p)
P.S.: I like how Legout's tech specs says that his hobby is listening to rock music. Heh. :) I can imagine him jammin' with Twincast. :D
My soul HD? F$%^ It!! You can have it.
Man they are nice! I really can't think of anything else to say other then nice job.
Brandon
Congrats! Only a few more to go!
Regards
Robert
Yes, 3 out of 4 so far! Very happy, and certainly helping me recover from the blow of not finding them in Osaka...Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
I agree, I think it's closer to the Hot Spot colour, but I do so like this particular hue of blue.
The robot mode is strange yes. I don't think that its an afterthought like many commonly says. Holding these guys in my hand, I can see the thought and complexity that went into designing and building them. I think the difficulty was trying to make them dinosaurs (a difficult form to work with) and then also make them transform into a robot. Slam dance is probably the best looking cassette combined, but then, it wouldn't be very difficult to design s nice robot mode because the jet and the tank can be worked backwards from the robot mode - these are generic vehicles that have no semblance to anything (unlike dinosaurs that at least have to look credibly dinosaurs).
Agree that the 1988 cassettes were an improvement, but could be due to the reasons I articulated above... :pQuote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
Unfortunate the the tech specs didn't shed anymore light.... Sign.
Legout and decibel did in fact jam with blaster in alex milne's version of the spotlight blaster comic!
I think these things ate my soul....Quote:
Originally Posted by LordCyrusOmega
thanks Rob (in case anybody is wondering, I meant you (and 1 or 2 others) when I said there are others with incredibly powerful collections that do not say too much... :D)Quote:
Originally Posted by robwin1974
In that cse then you can have mine in return for the tapes. Everyone wins :)Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Just kidding I'm just talking out of envy.
Things of beauty
Awesome stuff there HD and its much appreciated that you take the time to photograph these rare items for the world to see otherwise alot of us wouldnt get to see these in all there glory
As I was unaware that these guys were produced before the Hasbro released Combining Cassettes, I can now see that the Dinos are a stepping stone or design prototype and hence I now view them differently (Cheers for the info by the way Goki) and I've now got a better appreciation of them. ;):)Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
I certainly prefer their independent Dino modes though as they are spectacular for their sheer size. :eek::cool:
These are amazing. I've always love the cassettes and I had no idea there was these incredible ones I'd never heard of. Is there a link/source to check out about cassettes? I can't wait to see the last one! Thanks for sharing. The only sad part is that I will probably never get my hands on these beautiful pieces.
EDIT: oh and the link to ioffer I posted has an asking price of AU$1,400 and it looked in rubbish condition IF it was even a real TF. As was stated, you can't trust that site.
Dino Cassettes!!!!
HD, awesome stuff as always. Looks like you are very close to completing your g1 list. What will you do after? Boxed diaclones? :D
No probs there, I love photographing these little critters! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by loophole
Although I suspect that the world is going to see a lot of these because they are ALL getting KO-ed. I am so so glad I got the real things before the KOs hit the market if not I'm never going to get them.
True, true, I think they were the 'first generation' of combining cassettes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Seriously? AU$1400 for something in such deplorable condition? Yeah, can trust iOffer and also can't trust M.O.T.Quote:
Originally Posted by theheretic
Last one will be out in a moment....
After that, I concentrate on my project with Ultra Magnus (the member here, not the toy). Actually, I'm concentrating on the project now. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by gdmetro
this is #6 of 6....
Needs no introduction, one of the key characters in the very last Transformer chapter before G1 ends and G2 begins, Operation Combiner TF-04: Guard City.
This is the second best one I found so far (a previous one was better but the shop-keeper wouldn't move on price and so I passed, too expensive). This time, he gave me a HK$1200 discount and the overall price is good.
Better than most that I've seen online... heh. :D
Photos!
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
made in China... hmmm
http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
Fire Chief
http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/30...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/12...600x600Q85.jpg
Fly-Up and Safety
http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
Streetstar and Sparkride
http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg
Unused sticker sheet...
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg
Things of beauty. I've never heard of these.
Wish I had your hunting skills.
My god HD your acquistions are jaw dropping :eek:
I'm with you Gamblor - Isn't that set supposed to be ridiculously hard to find even by HD standards? :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by gamblor916
Amazing, simply amazing...
Congratulations HD, you must be one hell of a happy camper after this haul mate! :D:cool:
Briefly, this guy is.... (from TF Wiki) Guard City (ガードシティ Gādo Shiti) is a high-ranking Autobot warrior, who commands the Micromaster Six-Teams in their defense of Earth. His arch-nemesis is the Decepticon combiner Battle Gaia.Quote:
Originally Posted by LordCyrusOmega
He is the 4th of 10 Transformers at the very tail end of the Japanese Transformers line. After that G1 ends and G2 begins (more of less).
Notes from TF Wiki: As part of the very last Transformers series in Japan for several years, Guard City is remarkably hard to find on the secondary market, and demands some heavy prices, despite the similarities to Defensor.
TF Wiki linky
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by gamblor916
(there could be one or two epilogues...)
Hmmm... actually this set is not hard to find (but it is rare). It's hard to find in the condition that I want it in, but its not hard to find in the sense that I come across it fairly often.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
The set I bought must be the 4th to 5th set that I've come across. Mostly, the box is in bad condition or the individual robots, which are 90% white, have been badly yellowed. So nice box and white robots are hard to achieve for this set.
I passed on the previous set I came across, which was C10 and as good as MISB case fresh because the asking price was just too high - shop-owner was asking USD$1450 for that set.
My current set has a C8.5 close to C9 box I'd say. There are one or 2 creases on the back of the box. The toys although unplayed appears to be C9 to C9.5, for some reason, I just think they are not as new as the previous set I saw (not sure if it's my mind playing tricks).
This current set was more within my expectations in terms of price. :D
Ah ok, so it's not as rare as the Dino Cassettes then but it is still quite rare - very intriguing indeed. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
I think that, though they're not as minty as that previous set you describe, this set in it's C8.5-9 box and C9-9.5 figures at least show that they're legitimate and not questionable if you know what I mean. ;)
Whilst you're in a different league HD, I'm glad you found a set for a price that you found acceptable - I admire your strength to walk away from something if the price being asked is ridiculous, even though you may want it feverishly! ;):)
Hmmm... I don't know for sure in terms of it's relative rarity with the dino-cassettes. Like I always say, "rarity" depends on the sum of a person's experience. If one comes across it often, it appears less rare; if one has never come across it before, it is rare. But what I come across may not be what you would come across and vice versa.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
To me, the dino-cassettes are rarer.
I have seen Guard City on auctions (eBay, Yahoo HK, Yahoo Japan, iOffer) and physically handled 2 previous sets before. I don't see that many dino-cassettes on auction (at least almost never on YHK or YHJ), and I've never physically handled any of them aside from my ones and the AFA ones jgon has (which doesn't count cos all I was touching are the AFA plastic cases!).
This set is legitimate! Hahaha... but because its 'made in China', the quality is actually slightly questionable.
Oh yeah dude, I agree that rarity is certainly subjective and relative but I'd also agree that the Dino Cassettes are far rarer, baring in mind I'd never seen a fabled Japanese figure in person until meeting and visiting fellow members and their collections (Such as yourself) - The closest and first was Azrael's MIB Sky-Garry that he very kindly brought down to show me one time. :o
Oh I've no question of it's legitimacy dude, if you say it is then I don't need any further proof but it just seems that with MIB items, as opposed to MISB items, it is possible that some very unkind people could exchange certain pieces/figures out - You know what I mean? ;)
Regardless, now that you've got these extremely awesome finds man I'm really looking forward to seeing you find those last couple of figures - You're SO close! :D
I'd also like to see some more crazy Diaclone/Microman acquisitions from Gamblor! :D
:cool: Very nice HD - there must be a big blog update coming soon with all the details how you got them all!
Very true, being a G1 collector myself its easy to buy a boxed g1 and look to 'upgrade' later on hehe.....now wheres that crusty old jazz box I have!?! :D- plus living HK must help ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Very true about the subjective nature of "rarity".
I remember one time a Japanese TF saw my collection for the first - he was absolutely gobsmacked by toys that I didn't think were all that special like the 1988 Targetmasters (e.g. Scoop, Quake, Spinister etc.) and the 1989 Pretenders (e.g. Bludgeon, Pincher, Double header etc.) -- because they're all toys that never came out in Japan, so from a Japanese collector's POV they're rarities.
Then when I brought him to dirge's place, he completely ignored Japanese G1 toys like Lio Kaiser, Landcross etc. and went straight for "mundane" (from our POV) toys like the Triggerbots and Triggercons etc., again, all the toys that Japan never got! He couldn't have cared less for those Japanese G1 toys! :D
Hmmm... you did manage to see stuff like Grandus, Galaxy Shuttle and the 3 Big Powered robots during my farewell in Sydney? Thought you would have. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Hursticon
Yup, doing the blog soon. For this set of figures, I'm "previewing" them here exclusively first. There are already a number of TFW members and other collectors asking for me to update my blog with them... hahaha... they will have to wait. I'm not done here yet and there are yet rabbits to pull out of the hat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skullcruncher
Not surprising that a Jap fan would react this way. If you asked me back in the early 90s, I wouldnt be too impressed by a Black Zarak either and that's because there were so many in Singapore back in the 80s. But time changes perspectives and which the USA releases were released worldwide, the Japanese exclusives were only released in very limited countries and in small quantities.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
Oh yeah man, seeing those beautiful objects was exactly what I meant, mind you I was too damn scared to touch them even though you offered! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by heroic_decepticon
Those were my first introductions after Azrael's Sky-Garry. ;):cool:
erm.... so this is #7 out of 6... (confused*)... nah, let's call it Epilogue #1...
This is the final dino-cassette... Hursti, you would be delighted to hear that I did do a clean sweep of all 4! I knew you were rooting for me somewhere. :D
Like I mentioned earlier, there has been some contention between which is the rarest dino-cassette. Some think that its C-124: Zauru but others think that its C-123: Diaru. Well, either way, it makes Legout (their combined form) rarer than Decibel, that's for sure.
In any case, this is easily one of my favourite dino-cassettes. The transformation is simple, yet very effective to create the lanky look and feel of a "Brontosaurus". The colour is a dark rich blue, but not black. There is a lot of character to this mold. Oh, and the box art is my favourite among the 4, Dairu comes close, but the Zauru box art is awesome!
In any case, what's important to me is that these guys are in the collection as a set.
So, Zauru, the Apatosaurus as Hursti and Sky Shadow decided earlier? Personally, I like Brontosaurus... hahaha...
Photos!
http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/34...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/48...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/15...600x600Q85.jpg
Looking very photogenic and compatible with Bluestreak
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/49...600x600Q85.jpg
Dairu and Zauru combined = Legout!
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/23...600x600Q85.jpg
Knew it! This was extremely obvious! However, beautiful nonetheless :)
EDIT: God dammit! That is by far my favourite cassette :/ That dino-mode is utterly awesome!
Too bad I'll never own one...
Knew it. I saw that coming. Congrats HD, you managed to track down some of the figures I want and make me jealous :p
That looks awesome!! That is by far by favourite cassette. Nice work