Badcat: 1/18 F-4 Phantoms

iflabs · Post by **iflabs** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 5:52 pm

The 1/32 BBI Phantom looked mighty fine (didn't even realized it was released), but I have to have it in 1/18.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:54 am

I would prefer a 1/32 BBI F-4 because a 1/18 would be too big. I saw on Badcat's site that a BBI F-4J customer review said he wanted a USAF version of the BBI F-4, too. I assume Badcat is getting more requests like that one and would pass it on to BBI. I think Badcat probably has clout with BBI.

As for 1/18 F-4s, I still prefer a 1/32 F-4 because 1/18 is too big. But I think I saw Admiral's F-4C prototype had the dorsal "clothesline" antenna--which is looks unappealing to me. I would prefer 21st Century's 1/18 Steve Ritchie's F-4D because of the ace factor and I'm a North Carolina native like Ritchie. But again, I want a BBI 1/32 Steve Ritchie F-4d AND a 1/32 F-4E with Tigershark nose paint.

Jason of Admiral Toys · Post by **Jason of Admiral Toys** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:10 pm

dragon53 wrote:I I saw Admiral's F-4C prototype had the dorsal "clothesline" antenna--which is looks unappealing to me.

We call it a ladder antenna and it was only on one variant that we were to produce, the D variant. We have three different spines to this aircraft ready for tooling, each back plate for the aircraft has the correct placement for the antennas and panels that were specific to that variant. We would cover the C, D and J variants of the F-4 and have each individual particular detail to each variant ready to go, if it becomes a go.

Regards,
Jason

smokey1 · Post by **smokey1** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:07 am

When will they be out?And where should I order from? I will take one of each variant.

Smokey

King O' Fools · Post by **King O' Fools** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:33 am

Jason of Admiral Toys wrote:
dragon53 wrote:I I saw Admiral's F-4C prototype had the dorsal "clothesline" antenna--which is looks unappealing to me.
We call it a ladder antenna and it was only on one variant that we were to produce, the D variant. We have three different spines to this aircraft ready for tooling, each back plate for the aircraft has the correct placement for the antennas and panels that were specific to that variant. We would cover the C, D and J variants of the F-4 and have each individual particular detail to each variant ready to go, if it becomes a go.

Regards,
Jason

The question is will we ever see one in the gorgeous BBI paintscheme produced in 1:18? Salivating minds want to know!

Black_Dragon_One · Post by **Black_Dragon_One** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:42 am

hay i will buy all three.... no matter how big it is a once in a life time deal...

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:16 am

JASON:

More questions from another Houstonian:

1. WHEN will the Admiral F-4s be released?
2. Do any of the Admiral F-4 C/D/J jets have "history"---i.e., is the F-4J flown by Duke Cunningham? Is the F-4C/D flown by Steve Ritchie or Robin Olds?
3. Do you plan an F-4E eventually?
4. Is the price still $140?

Thanks from a big and starving F-4 fan.

toyktdlgh · Post by **toyktdlgh** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:35 am

I would love to see Admiral do the F-4. You just have to make that bird in 1:18th.

JoeS · Post by **JoeS** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:33 am

If Admiral do the Phantom it would be quite amusing if their first scheme was Steve Ritchie's mount as 21st Century intended to produce....alas I believe that Jason is far too honorable a gentleman to adopt such nefarious behaviour....

On another note there's alot of activity in the 1/72 scale arena with the F-4, some good releases coming up for 2008 in diecast metal- might provide the phantomfix before the elusive 1/18 ever streaks out from the horizon.....

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:39 am

Jason, please make the 18th scale F-4 Phantom.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:11 am

As VMF115 posted elsewhere, TheMotorPool.com says the 21st Century 1/18 Steve Ritchie F-4D Phantom will be released in March with an $89.99 pre-order:

http://www.themotorpool.net/March-08-Releases-s/147.htm

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:27 am

If the 21st Century 1/18 Phantom is released in March, I wonder if ToysRUs will sell it---especially considering its huge size of 41" long.

vulgarvulture · Post by **vulgarvulture** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:34 am

Anyone know if other on-line retailers are taking pre-orders for a 1:18 F-4 with a Q1'08 delivery? Does the MotorPool have some intel that no-one else has?

Believe me, I'd love for a 1:18 F-4 to become reality. But I'm not sure I want to place a pre-order yet if only one retailer is publicizing it, especially with this sketchy info:

Ship Date: 1st Quarter 2008.

Wingspan: ? inches
Length: ? inches

Release Date: ?

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:43 am

VULGARVULTURE:

The 1/18 Phantom isn't listed on Badcat's upcoming planes. I'm not placing a pre-order until it's officially released, but the fact that TheMotorPool.com mentions March (originally February) is good news, if it's true. Keep in mind some speculation was that the 1/18 Phantom was canceled.

supersonicfifi · Post by **supersonicfifi** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:10 am

i agree : any small news is better than a cancellation.

i really hope that admiral will surprise us as they had always done (the choice is large between the F 15 ; F 14 and A10 ! or anything else for that matter i am allready addicted !)

Phil

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:34 am

I'd rather have Steve Ritchie's F-4D since he's the only USAF pilot ace of Vietnam and a fellow North Carolinian. Also, Admiral's USAF F-4 prototype photo had the "Godzilla" dorsal antenna.

coreystinson · Post by **coreystinson** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:39 am

dragon53 wrote:VULGARVULTURE:

The 1/18 Phantom isn't listed on Badcat's upcoming planes. I'm not placing a pre-order until it's officially released, but the fact that TheMotorPool.com mentions March (originally February) is good news, if it's true. Keep in mind some speculation was that the 1/18 Phantom was canceled.

Remember what Jason posted in the "Direct from the Manufacturer" thread: that we would not know about an Admiral 1/18 scale Phantom until it was in their domestic warehouse and ready to ship. Therefore, I would ignore other rumors, etc.

King O' Fools · Post by **King O' Fools** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:02 am

Sorry to rain on your parade people, but according to TKO 21st put this project on the backburner for the time being because their sales at WM took a plunge on 2007, so it is highly unlikely that this aircraft will be out by next March.

My understanding at this time is that the F-4 is the furthest along in that process that typically takes anywhere from 1-3 years to complete. The F-4 was fast tracked onto a 1 year time table in light of news that another was under construction as part of a larger Vietnam program. (Platoon & new Vietnam figs are parts & proof of that).

Then a funny thing happend mid year of 07. 1:18 planes were simply not as attractive to WM buyers in the qty that we all were used to. The change was unexpected and strange to say the least. Not a big secret there! Not too easy to find large planes at WM lately right? So as a business, which 21C in fact is... that is just reason to say ok hold the press.

Also, there were a number of repaints (if Pappy Boyington's Corsair w/ground crew set qualifies as one) that had been already announced while the Phantom was supposedly still being worked on and we've had nothing so far. One would think these repaints would be far easier to produce than the next-in-line, all-new release from 21st... Not to mention that it would make more sense financially for them to release the repaints first and partially recoup the costs of making the F-4 a reality.

Just my $0.02.

Post by **aferguson** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:37 am

well he says the F-4 was fast tracked, which means one year from last February, which is this March. And while they lost WM in a significant way, he goes on to say that after that they gained TRU.

So game on.

So, it is not unfeasible that it will be ready soon. Let's face it, they didnt really release much new stuff last year. Yet according to TKO, he said over and over that they were really busy all year. So the must have been busy doing something.....so maybe one of those somethings was making the F-4, quietly...since they didn't know when they'd be able to release it, with the WM uncertainty and didn't want another Avenger debacle on their hands......knowing how merciless this board can be.

I can't see the Motorpool listing it for preorder unless they had fairly concrete information that it was due...

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:15 pm

I have a feeling TRU may test the waters with the F4 II

vulgarvulture · Post by **vulgarvulture** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:49 pm

I wrote 21st a email during Thanksgiving sometime and this is what was said to me about the F4 Phantom..
I wrote this:
Dear 21st Century Toys,
Is the 1:18 F-4 Phantom still coming out ?
This is a fighter jet i have been waiting for years to come out.
I saw your paint Master of Richies Phantom but never hear anymore about it.

And this is the reply i got back from
Sammy Finday at 21st Century Toys..

at 10:50 AM, sammy findlay ((21st Century Toys, Inc.)) wrote:
The F-4 will be available after the first of the year.

Wow. The 1:18 F-4 situation is getting more and more interesting. Gawd I hope this thing gets produced in 1:18.

I wonder, though, if the person at 21st was referring to a 1:32 F-4 instead of 1:18. Anyway, I hope things continue to look promising!

EnemyAce · Post by **EnemyAce** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:54 pm

Things are looking up for the F-4! I love it. I bet TRU would go for these - didn't they carry the big BBI modern birds - F-16 & F-18? Would make sense they'd take they F-4 then if WM wouldn't go for it.

Black_Dragon_One · Post by **Black_Dragon_One** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:18 pm

I do not think with the sluggish economy and high cost of producing a large project that we will see the f4 from either company...

i know many of us want to make this and many other plane too. but it does not seem cost effective to make a large plane when sale slump all around.

My hope is with you guy but the sad truth is that if the economy does not go up. we may as well never see the f4... if there is an up turn it will most likely be two to three years before we see a production model...

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:14 pm

ENEMYACE:

If Wal-Mart had poor results with the 21st Century 1/18 WW II planes, partly because they're too big, maybe ToysRUs would look at Wal-Mart and be reluctant to carry the 1/18 Phantom (41")---which is twice as long as the Mustang (21").