Small Scale Military Headquarters

I would.

Yes and Yes!

I have the green version of the zero and the hellcat. Both planes are excellent to have in one's collection.

Yes. And get a Corsair while you're at it.

Yes

I know that the Zero is definitely worth buying. I've got the original Green one, the Pearl Harbor version, soon to have the Konouke Zero, and hopefully the Solomons Zero.

My first Hellcat is on it's way, so I can't really say, but BBI does really nice work so I don't expect it to be a dissapointment.
Like the Zero, I wish they would come out with a couple other versions.

Both are definately worth it. They have a level of detail above that of the 21st aircraft, IMHO.....

-Ski

I don't know, check out all the other 1/18 Zeros and Hellcats to compare before buying.

Me, I have decided that BBi has the ones to get.

DH

scbvideoboy wrote:I don't know, check out all the other 1/18 Zeros and Hellcats to compare before buying.

Me, I have decided that BBi has the ones to get.

DH

I concur. Much better than the competition.

Badcat just increased the price of its BBI F6F Hellcats by $5.

The Zeros and Hellcats have issues just like any of the other planes made by any company. Being toys and at the price point those things have to be expected.

First I would say -YES! get both. You have to have these planes in your collection and you might kick yourself later if you don't. In spite of the few short comings the Zeros and Cats are must haves in the collection.

The Zero: This is the better of the 2 IMO. It's main gear are... ok. They don't come down at the proper angle but that's really a more picky thing. I am not a fan of the pull out tab solution to moving control surfaces though for some reason the zero seems to be not as bad as other subjects with the same design.

The Hellcat: The canopy is oversized by a visible about. (too tall). Kinda like the 21C P-40. Just a tad toyish. The wings when folded back are WAY off and not at all accurate to the position they should really be in. The main gear are again... ok. Could be better but could also be worse.

Pilot figures from both of these planes are REALLY good. I especially like the Zero pilot.

my 10 cents.

What TKO said.

The BBI F6F wings are "for the birds"...no pun intended.

I got aggrevated with my vraciu version and offered it up for free to a member of this board; just to see it gone. But time heals most XD wounds,- I would go ahead and buy them. Plus, I displayed the plane with the wings up, anyway. But given enough time, even your avenger wings don't look that bad, anymore, do they?

caesarbc wrote:ok...I'm a little worried about the Hellcat now. Does anyone who owns one regret getting it and wasting the money?

Don't let it scare you. I still like having a Hellcat in the collection. Like someone else said on the forum... It's the best 1:18 scale Hellcat money can buy!

Just don't display it with the wings folded and you will be fine! LOL

Hmm.....I never really had issues with my Vraciu F6F, except for maybe the antenna. I also have both Zeros and I think it compliments both very well. Besides its a 1/18 scale HELLCAT!!!! how bada$$ is that!

No issues or complaints here. The Hellcat is one of my favorite AC and I have a Zero in the mail from SmallJoes. I say buy buy buy.

CAESARBC:

I have my F6F Cat Mouth displayed in the flying/extended wings position. As stated in another thread, I used Elmer's Glue to keep the wings from flopping.
I also had to glue about half the wing flaps in place and a landing gear door because they wouldn't stay up.

I own the BBI P-51 Cripes A' Mighty, P-51 Donald Duck and F4U Daisy June, but the F6F's flopping wings and flaps are a pain---but I would still buy it.

Due to shelves space i display mine F 6 HELLCAT with one wing folded and the other extended ( on the strongest wing ... but the sagging is very small indeed) the only bad point was the fact that it was impossible to keep the wheels extended ... it always wanted to drop on its... drop tank ! to fix it i put a small piece of translucid plastic (from an old cassette box!) to insert between the wing and the leg (i almost snaped the legs pants !) but now i can dispaly it with a slightly forward extended landing gear ... just like the real model (when you see the pictures on internet you will often notice the slightly backward movement of the landing gear ... wich looks awful !)

With the weathering and BIG look , you won't be desappointed !

Keep an eye on the two of them, they don't play well together

CAESARBC:

Keep an eye on that F6F...it's nickname was "Zero Killer".