BBI: watch this space

kevrut · Post by **kevrut** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:19 pm

Great news.
Great looking plane.

Jason of Admiral Toys · Post by **Jason of Admiral Toys** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:34 pm

Teamski,

The rivets on many of the early war developed aircraft had small raised rivets. Below is a photo of the tail section of the F6F. It was the best photo I could find in short time.

Sorry if I appear defensive. That is not my intention.

Regards,
Jason

JimBob55 · Post by **JimBob55** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:05 am

I've been out of the loop and am just learning of the Hellcat. Hoooweee! Looks good! Sign me up for one!

I agree with Teamski, the canopy should be fine-tuned to be more rounded. Although the lack of the rear window is correct for the -5 version. The window would be in the earlier -3 versions.

I also just saw the Corsair repaint photo back on page 15. In my opininion the first really authentic paint scheme that BBI has done for their Corsairs. I'm not sure about the personal markings, but still looks nice. Interesting that they've done a plane from the second Block Island (CV-106)! (nice choice!) The 21c Atlantic Avenger is from the first Block Island (CV-21).

JimBob

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:48 pm

Been out of the loop the last few days, looks like I missed out on some action, anyway like digger said- I called it... Hellcat.

Post by **aferguson** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:33 am

Mike wrote:

"Hi to all...glad you liked the Hellcat...so having one is the good news...more good news is that the wings will fold and the mechanism will closely replicate the original.

Now for the bad news...we originally planned to have opening cowls and a fully detailed Pratt &Whitney as well as opening gun bays and removable 50 Cal Machine guns and a ton of ordinance
Unfortunately the cost of these features were a real issue and to deliver it to you at an affordable price they had to go..but still it will be a high detail model with working wings.

Now for the next, and last piece of bad news...we are really busy right now so you won't be seeing this beauty until early next year...at least you can save up your pennies over Christmas."

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:40 am

Jason of Admiral Toys wrote:Teamski,

The rivets on many of the early war developed aircraft had small raised rivets. Below is a photo of the tail section of the F6F. It was the best photo I could find in short time.

Sorry if I appear defensive. That is not my intention.

Regards,
Jason

No defensiveness taken, hehehehe.....
As you know, typically, you had raised rivets around high-stress areas. The tail wheel is a good example. This photo shows that the main structural rivets are flush. Yeah, I know I'm rivet counting, but at 1:18 scale, errors become really obvious. (check out the FJ-1 and Guardian in the backround!)

Tinman · Post by **Tinman** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 8:58 am

I've been out of town so just saw the good news. Too bad bbi elected to eliminate some of the details, but it'll be a great piece anyway. Another must-have!

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:47 am

Mike the bad news does sound bad, However have you guys thought of making special collectors aircraft series that might be a little more costly but will have the added detail?

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:09 pm

aferguson wrote:Mike wrote:

"Hi to all...glad you liked the Hellcat...so having one is the good news...more good news is that the wings will fold and the mechanism will closely replicate the original.

Now for the bad news...we originally planned to have opening cowls and a fully detailed Pratt &Whitney as well as opening gun bays and removable 50 Cal Machine guns and a ton of ordinance
Unfortunately the cost of these features were a real issue and to deliver it to you at an affordable price they had to go..but still it will be a high detail model with working wings.

Now for the next, and last piece of bad news...we are really busy right now so you won't be seeing this beauty until early next year...at least you can save up your pennies over Christmas."

Hi Mike,

A response for the first part of the bad news. It sucks that BBI had to eliminate all the special features you guys wanted to include, they would have been awsome and I would have been only happy to pay the high cost, but I understand and am happy with just getting the Hellcat PERIOD.

For the 2nd part of the bad news? Your releasing it early next year? No problem here Mike because I can wait. Heck I waited this long so waiting a little longer to get the Hellcat aint no big deal. Besides I got my 1/32nd Hellcat model that I'm going to build to keep me satisfied until this beauty gets released.

Thanks for the update Mike. By the way any idea what the first paint scheme will be? I say you guys should do Lt Alexander Vraciu's white 19 paint scheme. Just an idea for you guys to chew on.

kimtheredxd · Post by **kimtheredxd** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:08 pm

no problem on the wait for me.look how long we waited for the avenger *some still are*

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:09 pm

aferguson wrote:Mike wrote:

"Hi to all...glad you liked the Hellcat...so having one is the good news...more good news is that the wings will fold and the mechanism will closely replicate the original.

Now for the bad news...we originally planned to have opening cowls and a fully detailed Pratt &Whitney as well as opening gun bays and removable 50 Cal Machine guns and a ton of ordinance
Unfortunately the cost of these features were a real issue and to deliver it to you at an affordable price they had to go..but still it will be a high detail model with working wings.

Now for the next, and last piece of bad news...we are really busy right now so you won't be seeing this beauty until early next year...at least you can save up your pennies over Christmas."

Don’t get me wrong Mike I like the Hellcat and can wait till early next year, but I would seriously reconsider adding those options, many modeling folks in my community are aware of the 1/18 all the companies that make 1:18 scale aircraft and armor. And many have a few of the items however many have said that they are going to wait on buying any more till they offer more detail. Like what you have mentioned with the proposed Hellcat. I don’t want to sound like a broken recorded, but many besides my self feel this way. I know of about 30 folks in my town that would pay for the detail like the gunbays and the detailed engines…ect.

For example there is a retired guy who I know for about 3 months now and he has been collecting Bbi and 21st stuff for a few years now time. He said he is at the point that he will not buy anything new till the companies start offering more detail. He said he would add it himself but that it was a pain to cut the plastic. I have a feeling if you offered those who are willing to pay a bit extras you would be pleasantly surprised. Also most staff officers that work in the pentagon have two or three 1:18 scale aircraft. It’s not just the kids who collect.

However I am still going to buy a Hellcat I think it’s a great looking aircraft. And you are moving in the right direction with the detailed wingsfolding mechanism. I just may have to buy another Zero to off set my growing WWII Allied Pacific war aircraft.

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:28 pm

I hear you MightyMustang. Just knowing that the Hellcat is going to be done is a great feeling. Extras or no extras, we're getting one and that is all that matters. Hope one day I can feel as elated as I know you are over hearing that an A-10 is being done in 1/18. It would be great to just know one is being done (extras or not). I could wait for another year or whatever if I knew it was actually going to be done and not just rumors and speculation. Hopefully one day..........

scope uk · Post by **scope uk** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:34 pm

Thats a shame i was hoping that this and other new items would be hitting the shelves before xmas.

Mike we know this won't hit before xmas but will there be anything before xmas? just wondering as want to know if i should just get people to give me money for the new year.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:37 pm

Birddog wrote:I here you MightyMustang. Just knowing that the Hellcat is going to be done is a great feeling. Extras or no extras, we're getting one and that is all that matters. Hope one day I can feel as elated as I know you are over hearing that an A-10 is being done in 1/18. It would be great to just know one is being done (extras or not). I could wait for another year or whatever if I knew it was actually going to be done and not just rumors and speculation. Hopefully one day..........

I just have 3 request if they make the A-10, 1: have the A-10 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun gun removable, 2: have all the flight controls movable, have a sturdy landing gear that is detailed.

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:53 pm

Those would be cool, but I'd just be happy with the detail level of the F-18 (but with sturdier landing gear) and F-16. We have to compromise somewhere if we want aircraft like the A-10 to be done. I'd rather have that than nothing at all.

grunt1 · Post by **grunt1** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:04 pm

You guys missed the best part.. "we are really busy right now"..

Doing what?

Other 1:18 projects I hope?

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:07 pm

Birddog wrote:Those would be cool, but I'd just be happy with the detail level of the F-18 (but with sturdier landing gear) and F-16. We have to compromise somewhere if we want aircraft like the A-10 to be done. I'd rather have that than nothing at all.

If they make it, make it right the first time, and with the detail.
Now it dose not have to be the detail that some 10,000 dollars that some desktop models made in Europe have.

An A-10 in 1:18 scale should have more details then working landing gear, opening cockpit and removable ordinance. It should have Movable flight controls and the extras that make you want to stare at it for hours.

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:32 pm

To be honest, I could give a rat's caboose about extra features. When do you ever really look at them? If the work is put into working flight controls, especially flaps, good landing gear along with good panel detail, then that's all I need. The only thing I see with removable panels are lost parts. Just my 2 cents worth.....

-Ski

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:40 pm

I agree with you Ski. My F-18 and F-16 get long stares with the level of detail they have. The only extra I would hope to get with an A-10 would be a full ordinance package. I'd gladly sacrifice moving flight control surfaces, removable engine panels, etc, for that. Even if I wouldn't get a full ordinance package but get the same level of detail as the F-18 and F-16 I'd be happy. Same goes for an F-14, F-15, etc.

On the Hellcat:

Mike, how about a David McCampbell livery?

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:13 pm

Well I do care about the extra features that our 1/18 aircraft dont have.

USCGSARdog · Post by **USCGSARdog** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:34 pm

Teamski & Birddog..... I couldn't agree more. If I want more detail, I will add it. To me thats half the fun of these things, take a nice model and make it a showpiece!

I'm just happy that we WILL be getting a 1/18 Hellcat.

-Rob

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:45 pm

Birddog wrote:Those would be cool, but I'd just be happy with the detail level of the F-18 (but with sturdier landing gear) and F-16. We have to compromise somewhere if we want aircraft like the A-10 to be done. I'd rather have that than nothing at all.

Amen brother! I seldom if ever use the extra features like rudders and ailerons. I just want a nice rep of an A-10

Spudkopf · Post by **Spudkopf** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:30 pm

G'day All

Just to take you a little off topic again, but I thought I'd let you know that I did get out on Sunday to meet Mike and let me say he is very much a gentleman, he spent some considerable time walking me around his 1:1 scale collection.

The highlight was a tour of the T28 Trojan's cockpit, this baby is a true veteran being an ex Air America bird (hence the registration VH-CIA) and it still has all the cockpit armament switches intact.

The Stearman is a joy to behold and if I recall correctly she was built in 1943 for the Navy but taken on charge by the US ARMY instead.

Unfortunately the weather (and my camera settings) were a tad against me so I am not overly pleased with my pictures, but on the flip side I will just have to try and do better next time.

Thanks again Mike

As for the extra details debate, in most cases as long as the major item canopies, flaps, gear, and maybe rudder can move I'm more or less content, sometimes no matter how fine the tooling is for removable panels, they only look good in the open or removed state and can detract from the overall models appeal when closed, furthermore these things are already heinously expensive down here so the extra price for greater levels of detail would simply kill it for me, remembering that a Mustang costs AU$165.00 and a Hornet costs AU$225.00 in Australia.

Just my opinion.

shadow83 · Post by **shadow83** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:36 pm

Did you happen to ask mike if anything else new was coming out and if so when.

Spudkopf · Post by **Spudkopf** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:51 pm

G'day shadow83

As he was being kind enough to take the time to show me (a total stranger) around his aeroplanes, I felt that talking to much shop would be inappropriate so BBI related talk was kept to a minimum and mostly restricted to how I got interested in the 1/18th collecting hobby.

Besides there where real aeroplanes there, so I may have been a tad distracted.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

BBI: watch this space

xd

hellcat, etc