Badcat--2009 outlook

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:09 am

From Badcat's blog:

Looking Ahead to 2009--What to Expect in 1:18 and 1:32 Plastic

I'm not usually a celebrant, but I will ring-out 2008 with a less than fond "good-riddance" and welcome-in the new year with open arms. Staying positive, I think 2009 has some potential. Despite what you see in the news, consumers are starting to buy again as people begin to come out of their holes and realize that the media has been chiefly responsible for creating an atmosphere of doom, despair, and panic--all in the name of television advertising ratings. Housing will begin to pick-up as the inventory of homes begins to dry-up and low interest rates make buying a home more attractive. We live at ground zero for the housing bust and we've noted an improved market about four months ago. Expect the rest of the nation to follow suit in the months to come. By the end of 2009, businesses will begin hiring again and we'll be off to the races.

So where does this leave 1:18 and 1:32 plastic military collectibles?

All major manufacturers are struggling. In 1:18, Blue Box is going to be it for this year, barring some outside luck. No longer distributing, BBI gets individual retailers or distributors to sponsor a project then once they have a "bird in the hand" they produce the item. This saves them warehouse rental and also labor. On the downside, few retailers can afford to gamble on such a huge investment in a single item and this limits what is released. LA Cal Tek sponsored the 1:18 109G earlier this year and Historic Sales the 1:32 Dauntless and Wildcat, for example. The 1:32 F-104 has yet to find a suitor.

Repaints will be the name of the game for 2009. LA Cal Tek will be bringing in the 1:18 Sakai Zero in March. I think we can expect a re-release of both the 1:18 Hornet and 1:18 Falcon. Several schemes have been batted about but my money is on the show birds, Blue Angels and Thunderbirds aircraft. The BBI 1:18 F4U tooling has proven golden and a new paint on this aircraft is overdue. Hopefully, the BBI 1:18 Mustang tooling will be given an honorable retirement.

Old-fashioned hobby shop, Pegasus Hobbies, is an unknown quantity. They surprised us in 2007 with the V-1 and Gee Bee Racer, will anything new appear in 2009? That's a good question. We may still see an X-1 in 2009 and if someone has the stones to produce a 1:18 J-3 Cub, they're the ones who might do it.

If there is a warm ember left at 21st, I'd say we could see a gray 1:18 Flak 88 and maybe a few 1:32 Spitfires for general release. The company's staff is doing their best to turn the ship into the wind after a WM pullout combined with the economy's collapse hit them with a one-two punch. If anyone can do it, it's them.

Resurgent Forces of Valor has been bombarding the 1:32 diecast market with lots of new product during the last six months of 2008. The company gives us precious little advance product info nor do they solicit consumer information from us so we don't really know what to expect. It simply shows up and is added to the price list. It's really up to the retailer to notice that there is something new to buy. Chances are we'll see some new 1:32 military vehicles from this power house.

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:32 am

I'll take a BBI F-16 Thunderbird please.

Dauntless · Post by **Dauntless** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:44 am

I'm pessimistically optimistic.

I had heard this "made to order" policy from others. That's why this forum is more important than ever. We can give them an idea what would be the most popular item to be made. It can soften the big gamble factor.

We are going to have to "put our money where our mouths are" so to speak if we want something made.

I have no problem with pre-orders, as long as they get made, it's no skin off my back if it doesn't get made, cause my card isn't charged, it's just a huge emotional disappointment and hopes shattered.

nooker21 · Post by **nooker21** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:02 am

I really hope 21C can pull out of this mess. It's pretty bad if they can't even get repaints out of their latest molds. I mean, how hard should it be for them to get new 1/32 Spitfire and new tool Mustang variants out, and quick? They don't even have to change a thing for a Battle of Britain Spitfire or two, and you know that had to have been the original plan. Heck, I'd be happy with paint schemes for the Mustangs that they've already done, since the new mold is such a drastic improvement. I hope the molds aren't still being held hostage...

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:03 am

I hope BBI keeps turning out their super model in 32nd scale.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:40 am

SABREFAN:

It looks like BBI's 1/32 F-104 is going to be in the hangar for some time...

supersonicfifi · Post by **supersonicfifi** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:40 am

after seeing the agressor F18 i really hope the BBI one (brown&sand) and i really hope the THUNDERBIRD F 16 to complement the BLUE ANGELS F 18 on my display

supersonicfifi · Post by **supersonicfifi** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:45 am

supersonicfifi · Post by **supersonicfifi** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:45 am

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:52 am

I am hoping 21st will pull a ropeadope.

King O' Fools · Post by **King O' Fools** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:17 pm

My money is on 21st making a grey Spitfire and a pink 88.

popeye357 · Post by **popeye357** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:06 pm

Damn...TKO's is so much nicer, but I will have to get a brown aggressor:)

Post by **p51** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:18 pm

I'll take a rerelease of Blue Angels again! I could really use the whole team this time.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:39 pm

I sure hope 21C can pull it out of the fire!

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:48 pm

Well all I have to say is that the manufacturers won't make a thing if they don't produce anything.. The repaints of the F-18 are nice but I already have two of them and two F-16's. Something NEW would be nice.

iflabs · Post by **iflabs** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:41 pm

Gosh darn it, I want my long overdue aggressor 16's and 18's!

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:11 pm

Jericoeagle1 wrote:Well all I have to say is that the manufacturers won't make a thing if they don't produce anything.. The repaints of the F-18 are nice but I already have two of them and two F-16's. Something NEW would be nice.

Like an F-14 and an A-10 released at the same time. those two big aircraft would have to have diecast metal landing gear. the shear weight and size would break any plastic L/G

King O' Fools · Post by **King O' Fools** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:13 pm

I don’t care about the aggressors or the show birds. I say, gives us TKO!!

He has come up with some very cool schemes lately (at an amazing pace, I might add) and really knows how to bring them to life with his talent. I wish BBI would make his version of the aggressor F-18 and Israeli F-16. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be an option.

Seriously though, I really hope to see the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds aircraft released in a not too distant future.

vmf214 · Post by **vmf214** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:23 pm

VMF115 wrote:
Jericoeagle1 wrote:Well all I have to say is that the manufacturers won't make a thing if they don't produce anything.. The repaints of the F-18 are nice but I already have two of them and two F-16's. Something NEW would be nice.
Like an F-14 and an A-10 released at the same time. those two big aircraft would have to have diecast metal landing gear. the shear weight and size would break any plastic L/G

I'd go with fiberglass or similar composite, just as strong and cheaper..

pcsguy88 · Post by **pcsguy88** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:43 pm

Can I just get a real military scheme on either of these birds without dropping $200+ on Ebay? It would make me a sad puppy to buy a T-bird and then have to sand all that beautiful paint off. Anyone here trade me a gray one for the T-bird or Aggressor when they are released?

CENT-ONE · Post by **CENT-ONE** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:08 pm

I'm a bit confused as to what is meant by bbi "no longer distributing". Does this mean new design aircraft only or everything? The new para's just came out and we know that the pavehawk and zero are up for re-release pre-order at most retailers. Will they still have product at TRU? If they're honestly going to a "commission only" style of manufacture then they might as well close up shop.

This also sounds like the 21st King Tiger isn't going to happen which would be a huge tragedy. I seem to remember that they had sent out notice to retailers recently that it was still on target for early 09 release with the grey 88. Any better info on this?

RAD 2112 · Post by **RAD 2112** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:20 pm

VMF115 wrote:I am hoping 21st will pull a ropeadope.

I'll 2nd that!
They put out a good product that was inexpensive.

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:26 am

I hope we still get 21st's 1:18th King Tiger.

Post by **aferguson** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:47 am

in the 8 years i've been in this hobby 21c has been left for dead several times, yet always came back to life. I'm sure they'll pull through this time as well....

pcoughran · Post by **pcoughran** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:31 am

From what I've heard the Pavehawk that is coming back to retailers is not a new release. Some batches from the last release were "found" in warehouses somewhere (China?) and some etailers are waiting to get them distributed/shipped over here so they can sell them.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Badcat--2009 outlook

Badcat--2009 outlook

BBI F 18 & F 16