Small Scale Military Headquarters

<img src="http://www.themotorpool.net/v/vspfiles/ ... 9116-1.jpg" align="left">
<b>BBI Taps the Wildcat to Secure its Place in Aviation History</b><br>
Even though the ink hasn't dried concerning <b>BBI's</b> last announcement, that hasnt stopped the manufacturer by following up with even more intoxicating news. We learned today that the Company will be hammering out a 1:32 scale representation of the famed Grumman F4F Wildcat, one of the first birds to tangle with the venerable Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Constructed entirely out of plastic, their first Wildcat is expected sometime in the third quarter, and will be based upon a plane flown by Lt. James Swett, of the US Marine Corps' VMF-221. Priced at only $37.99, we think this will be another key introduction in the rapidly expanding warbird collection being cobbled together by BBI.....<i>[posted 4/4/2008]</i>

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

Looks like BBI has decided to go toe to toe with 21C in 1/32!!

Does this mean the continued demise of 1/18?

One question on the BBI releases....is the undercarriage static (like their F4) or does it feature retractable landing gear? The information I have seen so far is conflicting.

Hi Tiger,
According to the ad slick promoting the product, it clearly states retractable landing gear and an opening canopy. I couldnt comment on the other question since its too early to say for certain if the 1:32 scale market is where they plan to put all their marbles going forward. Knowing about shelf footprints, turnover, brick-and-mortar retailing in general (sales velocity as it relates to product turn/ closeouts), and costs to develop the much larger planes vis a vis the smaller scales, I'd wager that's their game plan, but I've been wrong before.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net