Skyrocketing BBI Wildcat & Dauntless Prices

[Coreyeagle48]

Greetings

Has anyone noticed recently how the BBI 1/32 Dauntless and Wildcat are just going crazy in value. One auction has a BBI Dauntless at over $200 and two other auctions have them in the $90 range with plenty of time left. The BBI Wildcat is following suit.

The BBI Dauntless at $202 is more than the premium and arguably better detailed Hobbymaster premium model.

Have an extra Dauntless in a sealed box, wish I had about 5 of them and about 5 Wildcats. And to think both these planes seemed to struggle to sell initially.

Corey

[Dauntless]

Seen that the other day while browsing 1:32 Ultimate Soldier. I only have one of each, both loose hanging from the ceiling.

The SBD and more so the F4F initially struggled because when they came out 21stC aircraft were readily available, cheaper and collectors thought these were overpriced. Now 21stC aircraft exceed those prices usually so naturally these go higher.

Too bad 1:32 gets no love other than the Phantom. It's the perfect scale for those who can't afford 1:18, or don't have the room to display them. With the recent release of the 1:18 SBD, you'd think BBI would capitalize on the situation. Puzzles me why these get no re-releases. The original ones would hold their value and new schemes would sell I think.

[AMERICAN_GRENADIER]

this is why they should re release these. I get requests all the time for them and when we had them we sold over 400 units between the 2 of them

[ketelone]

Repaints would be great. How about a Hellcat?

[Coreyeagle48]

Greetings:

Given that BBI repainted and rereleased the F-4, I'd think we could very well see a repaint/rerelease of the Dauntless in the near future. If you remember they had a scheme for an S2 plane already done up. It wouldn't be that hard for them to rerelease it and given the fact they did the F-4, I think a Dauntless is a possible repaint for BBI.

I wonder how well the new Phantom has sold.

Corey

[snake]

That is very surprising.

Not sure why anyone would spend that much on a 1/32 BBI Dauntless, given that the HM version is much better, and cheaper.

The BBI 1/32 has been pretty successful, and do think that we will see some more, at some point.

[tmanthegreat]

Very interesting to see, but then ebay responds to demand in the hobby and often overflates it.

I remember all the flak the BBI releases got several years ago because they were so high priced compared to the 21c models. At the time, it really was silly because the BBI models were simply better than the 21c items in nearly every respect. Finer details, weathering, durability, and few-to-no QC issues. In the end, we got what we paid for: 21c offered $15 models and we got that level of quality. BBi offered a $30 model and we got a superior product. I'm glad I got one of each of the BBI Dauntless and Wildcat - but probably should have gotten a second

[Dauntless]

Even if they didn't want to release another Dauntless just yet (taking sales away from Merit?) they could do a couple more Wildcats.


Like ketelone mentioned, how about a Hellcat?

1:32 used to be my favorite scale for aircraft, right in the sweet spot between detail and size. It's not like I abandoned it. Nearly nothing pre-painted has been released for us fans.

[ketelone]

I'm too entrenched in 1/32 to start another scale. Plus, I enjoy the figures as much as the aircraft and vehicles in 1/32. Howevr, I do envy you 1/72 scale collectors with respect to 'space' issues.

[Rowsdower]

Holy cow, so I got big money hiding under that layer of dust covering the Dauntless and Wildcat that I got hanging from the ceiling!

I would have loved to have seen a Hellcat, maybe an Avenger, Corsair and a Helldiver too.

Ah, the days of affordable pre-built 1:32 aircraft.... Sigh.

[AMERICAN_GRENADIER]

I emailed BBI to ask about the 1/32 line. Thye said they are considering another paint scheme of the two planes released. They couldnt or wouldnt give me a time frame. I for one hope soon!!!!

[snake]

Thanks for the update, AG.

Think both releases would do quite well, especially at the price point they sell for.

[Rowsdower]

I guess these days we're lucky to get anything.

[jlspec]

I emailed BBI to ask about the 1/32 line. Thye said they are considering another paint scheme of the two planes released. They couldnt or wouldnt give me a time frame. I for one hope soon!!!!

Any new info on repaints of the 1/32 Dauntless and Wildcat or even another 1/32 F-4