predict BBI's next 1/32 jet?
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:57 pm
Assuming BBI's 1/32 F-4J Phantom II was a test to see if a 1/32 jet line would be successful (apparently it has been), how about predictions for BBI's next all-new 1/32 jet?
My candidates:
1. F-14 Tomcat---because of the F-14's fame and popularity (mostly from Tom Cruise's TOP GUN) and the fact that Navy squadrons have more colorful paint schemes than USAF squadrons which is great for repaints. A swing-wing might have sales appeal (my Revell 1/72 F-111 had swing wings that worked well).
2. F-15C Eagle---my personal favorite. The F-15 is operational with more air forces (US, Japan, Israel, et al.) than the F-14 which allows some repaint potential. I think the F-15 has been overshadowed by the F-14 in its popularity with the public which may limit its sales appeal.
3. A-10 Thunderbolt II---has relatively high popularity/recognition factor from Desert Storm, Iraq, et al. which may translate into good sales potential. Lots of different camouflage paint schemes provide good repaint potential along with lots of wing-mounted weapons that would make a replica look fearsome.
4. F-22 Raptor---good sales potential because most, if not all, of the F-22 replicas I've seen are of the YF-22 prototype. An replica of an operational F-22 would be great. The downside may be that the new F-22 isn't as well known as the combat-proven F-14 and F-15. Also, it lacks the appeal of externally-mounted weapons, which make a plane look fearsome, since the F-22 carries its weapon internally.
5. A-6 Intruder---another personal favorite of mine. The A-6 is the VW Beetle of jet planes---it's so frumpy and ugly it's beautiful. Good sales potential via many Navy squadron paint schemes for repaints and lots of externally-mounted weapons. Downside is that the A-6 is not a rakish-looking, high-performance fighter and it's not extremely well-known by the public.
6. AV-8 Harrier II---relatively well-known, particularly because of its appearance in Arnold Schwarzenegger's TRUE LIES and to a lesser extent, Desert Storm. I'm not aware of lots of competing Harrier replicas, although there may be.
7. F-117 Nighthawk---may have good sales potential because it is the original "stealth fighter", it received considerable exposure in Desert Storm and its unorthodox appearance.
8. SR-71 Blackbird---very good sales potential due to its exotic, all-black appearance, its cult status in the aviation circles and it is still the fastest plane in the world.
My candidates:
1. F-14 Tomcat---because of the F-14's fame and popularity (mostly from Tom Cruise's TOP GUN) and the fact that Navy squadrons have more colorful paint schemes than USAF squadrons which is great for repaints. A swing-wing might have sales appeal (my Revell 1/72 F-111 had swing wings that worked well).
2. F-15C Eagle---my personal favorite. The F-15 is operational with more air forces (US, Japan, Israel, et al.) than the F-14 which allows some repaint potential. I think the F-15 has been overshadowed by the F-14 in its popularity with the public which may limit its sales appeal.
3. A-10 Thunderbolt II---has relatively high popularity/recognition factor from Desert Storm, Iraq, et al. which may translate into good sales potential. Lots of different camouflage paint schemes provide good repaint potential along with lots of wing-mounted weapons that would make a replica look fearsome.
4. F-22 Raptor---good sales potential because most, if not all, of the F-22 replicas I've seen are of the YF-22 prototype. An replica of an operational F-22 would be great. The downside may be that the new F-22 isn't as well known as the combat-proven F-14 and F-15. Also, it lacks the appeal of externally-mounted weapons, which make a plane look fearsome, since the F-22 carries its weapon internally.
5. A-6 Intruder---another personal favorite of mine. The A-6 is the VW Beetle of jet planes---it's so frumpy and ugly it's beautiful. Good sales potential via many Navy squadron paint schemes for repaints and lots of externally-mounted weapons. Downside is that the A-6 is not a rakish-looking, high-performance fighter and it's not extremely well-known by the public.
6. AV-8 Harrier II---relatively well-known, particularly because of its appearance in Arnold Schwarzenegger's TRUE LIES and to a lesser extent, Desert Storm. I'm not aware of lots of competing Harrier replicas, although there may be.
7. F-117 Nighthawk---may have good sales potential because it is the original "stealth fighter", it received considerable exposure in Desert Storm and its unorthodox appearance.
8. SR-71 Blackbird---very good sales potential due to its exotic, all-black appearance, its cult status in the aviation circles and it is still the fastest plane in the world.
