I need advice - BBi FA/18 or F16

dfoos · Post by **dfoos** » Tue May 09, 2006 2:33 pm

Ok, here's the deal,
All my WW2 stuff is at home, Mostly in my semi, kinda but not really finished garage on display on shelves. I just started collecting modern and I am putting them on display in my office. I have a 21st r/c apc with a squad of marines, a bbi Humvee and a kiowa facing off against some legally challenged Eastern gentlemen. I now have a space that I can fit a big plane, but only one. Is there a big difference between the F 18 and F 16 as to which one is better? Please sound off and let me know. I will be using this as a showpiece so I want to get the best (most detailed one). If they are both comparable, I will just pick the one I like the best, But I havent seen the F 16 and I will probably order it online, so I will have no idea before purchasing it.

Thanks

Dennis

CW4USARMY · Post by **CW4USARMY** » Tue May 09, 2006 2:54 pm

They are both remarkable for the scale and price. I have all of the paint versions of the F-18 but for some reason the F-16 really stands out.
You'll be proud to display either one, but the F-16 really is a show piece.
I wish they made a Thunderbirds version

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Tue May 09, 2006 3:00 pm

I agree. I have both and I couldn't pick between the two. However, For strength of the gear and structure, I would go with the F-16. The f-18 is awesome, but it has notoriously weak landing gear and the wing tie ins and wingtips sag quite a bit.....

Tough call, mate!

-Ski

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Tue May 09, 2006 3:27 pm

I gave myself the option of deciding between either the F-18 or F-16, liking both planes, and ultimately went with the F-16. There were many factors behind my decision, including the fact that there's an Air National Guard base in my community that flies F-16s (personal connection) as well as the improvements of the BBI F-16 over the F-18 mentioned in the earlier posts. I agree with CW4USARMY that the F-16 really is a stunner - even without all the functions of the 21c F-104, it just looks cool hanging on the ceiling

digger · Post by **digger** » Tue May 09, 2006 7:32 pm

Nobody has mentioned price. At the moment the F-16s are about 3x as much ($80 v. $250). If you are willing to wait there is supposedly another F-16 coming at some point. No details because someone might scoop bbi and quickly produce an F-16 with the same paint scheme and get it out first.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with either, I have a feeling after one you will eventually want the other.

dfoos · Post by **dfoos** » Tue May 09, 2006 11:30 pm

Thanks for all the input guys. It sounds like I definately would want the F16. Now if I can only find one. I found one listed on a site for $89.00. I have to see if this is legit though as the site dosen't have online ordering options.

Anyway, thanks again.

Dennis

jeffrowse · Post by **jeffrowse** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:59 am

...I've been lucky enough to find both and have to say I think the F-16 is the better of the two - the Hornet just seems a little too toylike compared the Viper.

The only major niggle I've got (so far!) is the fuselage between the main wheels should be wide enough to mount a pylon but BBI have managed to do away with this bit completely

- maybe this is why the landing gear on the Hornet is weaker - it's accurate whereas the Viper's is overscale?

Other than that, the Viper seems more accurate in general - at least, until Mig-29 gets his sticky paws on the Hornet!

(Cheeky Git mode ON)
Does anyone know if he does commissions?
(Cheeky Git mode OFF)

Cheers,

Jeff.

"Cry 'Cheeble!' and let slip the Hamsters of Chaos!"

stv9000 · Post by **stv9000** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:17 am

I like both. I never had a problem with the landing gear on the hornet.
It's been on the ground for almost 2 years with no problem. I do not like the exhaust nozzles. but other than that its great. The viper is very well done. I have no complaints except the angle of the seat. I don't know to much about the f16 but when I visited an f 16 enthusiast forum they ripped this thing apart for it being so inaccurate. It may be but I think it's the better of the two.

digger · Post by **digger** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:29 am

when I visited an f 16 enthusiast forum they ripped this thing apart for it being so inaccurate.

Well sure, it doesn't fly.

wolf8564 · Post by **wolf8564** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:45 am

I have 3 F-18s and 2 F-16s I love both of them. My choice would be most definately the F-18 and here is why: While the Viper is a most excellant Model my chief complaint is its Sidewinders and its Sparrows. They are completely out of scale as for the aircraft it is truly "Sierra Hotel". With regards to it being oversized I do Not believe it is (except for the Air to Air Armament).The Mk 82s are not of the best quality. I have replaced all of my armaments with cutom made JDAMs and Sidewinders etc.
The F-18 is a wonderfully Detailed model.It has its flaws as do they all. The F-18s are: Lading gear is truly "Whisky Delta" I have even contemplated customizeing a stronger set. The front gear is way to high. They had to make it that way so it would close up into the scaled gear bay. When it retracts it front gear the gear is fully extended.I chopped on mine to correct height and drilled and inserted a 1/8" chrome rod so it will extend and collapse the way it should. The wings folding is cool but mostly a pain to me because of the way it droops so actually glue them in the down position on two of them. The armament is perfect in scale and detailfor a toy. The canopy area is in need of some detailing but other wise for the money you can't beat either of the aircraft but straight outof the box I would definately choose the Hornet.

stv9000 · Post by **stv9000** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:31 am

They also mentioned that this was a "B"(i think) which should have a wide mouth intake. The cockpit had alot of problems and the seat was way off. And the whole thing was out of scale. Still I like it.
My hornet is completely apart. I felt the need (I have a sickness) to add flashlights for zone 5. Flaps, slats, working elevators and rudders. The landing gear is fully detailed and looks great.

ps. I thought I was done with adding engines when I got into jets. Not the case, I can't help myself. I need to go to E.A.

Tinman · Post by **Tinman** » Wed May 10, 2006 5:27 pm

I had the F-18 and ended up selling it off. I won't part with my F-16. You know what I'd get if I were you....

MiG29K · Post by **MiG29K** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:19 pm

Dfoos...For your purposes go with the F-16. For out of the box satisfaction you cannot go wrong. A beautiful plane by all accounts. The Hornet may leave you beggin for a lil more and ironically I'm more a fan of the Hornet.

R

Small Scale Military Headquarters

I need advice - BBi FA/18 or F16

I need advice - BBi FA/18 or F16

whoa..

Hard choice...

ha..

F-16 or F-18

the shocker