BBI Hellcat Closeups from Toy Fair

JimBob55 · Post by **JimBob55** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:33 am

Great looking model by BBI! Thanks for posting the photos

JimBob

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:17 am

grunt1,

Thanks a million buddy! I'm in love!!!!!!! Thats the paint scheme I hoped they would do. Thank you BBI. Now just release it so I can get my grubby hands and it.

Rogue · Post by **Rogue** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:07 am

Is this a production model or a master?

Couple of things:
It missing upper gear doors.

Dk Sea Blue to Medium Blue should be fogged not hard line.

Why build a F6F-5 when the most noticeable change was the quarter window of the -3 that was deleted on the -5?
Seems easier to build a -3 and paint the window for a -5, especially when -3 were tri-color and -5's were Non-spec. IIRC

Not trying to nitpick, but if it is not in production this way, maybe BBi would like to fix errors.
You know it will be nitpicked when it hits the shelf, they always are.

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:15 am

Rogue wrote:Is this a production model or a master?

Couple of things:
It missing upper gear doors.

Dk Sea Blue to Medium Blue should be fogged not hard line.

Why build a F6F-5 when the most noticeable change was the quarter window of the -3 that was deleted on the -5?
Seems easier to build a -3 and paint the window for a -5, especially when -3 were tri-color and -5's were Non-spec. IIRC

Not trying to nitpick, but if it is not in production this way, maybe BBi would like to fix errors.
You know it will be nitpicked when it hits the shelf, they always are.

You forgot to mention the rivets.... It looks like the Hellcat got a bad case of the chickenpox.. Rivets should be FLUSH, not protruding..

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:29 am

Nice looking model. I have always liked the rugged look of the Hellcat. Where o where will I put this one?

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:32 am

Do the wings fold on this Hellcat model? That might help me find a place to put it.

Quixote511 · Post by **Quixote511** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:26 am

The bbi Corsair and Mustnags were good for their time. And, I am glad they brought out the F6F. Though, I think they are lagging behind AT and 21st. But, I can understandwhy they are missing the detail of AT. This is all AT does and only markets to the online guys who are more discerning. So, I guess the gist is up and up. I am thankful to have a Hellcat and I am really greatful that we are getting such superior models from AT.

flayrah · Post by **flayrah** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:45 am

This looks like a production model to me - or at least a paint master - but it DOESN'T look like the wings fold!

Big Duke 6 · Post by **Big Duke 6** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:01 am

Pretty Bird, I hope she comes soon !!!

Rowsdower · Post by **Rowsdower** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:05 am

Looks great, I will be getting one. I just hope BBI has hired a few more quality control folks for their Chinese factories. I don't want a lemon Hellcat to go with my lemon Corsair.

MIGMADMAVIS · Post by **MIGMADMAVIS** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:40 am

is that a 1/18 P-51B in the background???

Moth · Post by **Moth** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:50 am

Hellcat looks decent, but the wings dont look like they fold.

They dont fold, I dont buy.

BBI make them fold!!! (Or 2 sets of wings will do)

The engine doesnt look too good either.

TKO, any chance of 21stC making a Hellcat?

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:55 am

First I dont think this is the producion Hellcat, this is just the prototype. I'm sure we will see a better Hellcat once it hits the shelves. I to dont like the rivet detail but maybe they will fine tune that as well. Either way I'm just glad that I'll be getting a Hellcat.

This is for Quixote511,

The Mustangs and Corsair's were good for their time? The BBI Mustang still has more detail then the 21st new tool Mustang. The cockpit is proof enough on that one. As for accuracy goes? The new tool Mustang wins hands down and is the BEST Mustang on the market even though BBI's Mustang has more detail. As for the Corsair? There is NO comparison between the 21st Corsair and the BBI Corsair. BBI wins that one hands down. So the Corsair good for its time? The BBI Corsair stands the test of time in my book.

As for BBI lagging behind 21st and AT? I will agree 100% on that with no arguments at all. AT has been just amazing and they score BIG with the soon to be release of the Dauntless in my book. As for 21st? They are getting better and better with each release. Their Avenger and new tool Mustangs ( with fixed prop and correct tire colors) are proof of that.

flayrah · Post by **flayrah** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:04 am

I think that's the re-paint of their P-51D. Just the camera angle makes the canopy look different. We can hope, though!

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:25 am

Mike has stated more than once that the wings will fold. I wouldn't stare too long and hard at those pictures, it's probably just an early mock up piece that they sent to Toy Fair.

MIGMADMAVIS · Post by **MIGMADMAVIS** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:29 am

i dont know about any of the others, but i think it looks awesome, count me in!!!

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:05 pm

Grunt, do you mind if I post your pics on the Modelhangar??
I'll give you the credit, of course....

Rogue · Post by **Rogue** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 3:01 pm

If you look at the last pic, the flap is set up to fold.
Something that wouldn't be done if they weren't gonna make them fold.

I'm sure they will fold.

I'm also confident detail will be on standard with their Corsair and Mustang.

der Vogelfänger · Post by **der Vogelfänger** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:48 pm

MIGMADMAVIS wrote:is that a 1/18 P-51B in the background???

Hope so, you can count me in on THAT one!!!!

Grunt1 THANK YOU FOR THE PIX!!!!

dV

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:06 pm

I'll put my 2 bits in. I have all 21st Corsairs I am scared to fold the wings hearing that the hing will break when done so.

In that case I will get the Hellcat and really don't care if the wings fold or not.

The raised rivets do not bother me either. I am just happy they are being made.

I would be extra happy to have a Wildcat as well.

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:26 pm

After I bought my first 1:18 planes (2 P-40's and a Spitfire), one of the first ones I went looking for was a hellcat - I was disappointed to find that it wasn't (yet) made. Now we've finally got one and I think it looks good and will certainly be adding it to the collection!

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:10 pm

Spitfire is still one of my favorite... beautiful plane - Now id love to see her back on the aisle. Come on BBI lets see you make one.