POST ALL HELLCAT FINDS AND DISCUSSION HERE!

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:15 am

I am strongly considering a contest to give away my new Hellcat! I don't like the idea of it taking space away from something else.

The wings are really buggin me. I don't have a single Avenger in my collection with wing gap like I got on this model. I wonder if I need to try more of the tips others have posted to try to fix it more. If it doesn't improve it might have to go! -I really wanted to have a Hellcat too...

I will keep you posted.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:04 pm

You may need to push in the hinge piece a little more. I experienced the large wing-gap on my plane as well, until I found that I could push in the hinge piece further and thus close the gap. The wing on my plane holds quite well now. The control surfaces are another issue, however, and superglue has been my best friend

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:23 pm

You give me hope then! I am going to see what I can do about that darn gap. You beat me to the punch on the super glue idea for the flaps. If I can get the gap fixed then I will bust out some super glue.

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:27 pm

Got my Hellcat the other day. Great job BBI. I thought I would hate the folding wing feature but it aint as bad as I thought it would be. The only negative I have to say about it is there was a gap on the spine of the fusalge and on the underside of the plane which I corrected with modelers putty. Other then that the wait was worth it.

Again great job BBI.

Black_Dragon_One · Post by **Black_Dragon_One** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:43 am

got my hellcat form Johnathan... great peace of work.. i love the detail of the cockpit... the wing folding work fine on mine...

over all I love this peace... waiting for the sky-raider......and the f4...

those will be sweet....

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:56 am

Super gluing the wing hinges worked very well for me also. The wings sit much better now.

Aviatornut.com · Post by **Aviatornut.com** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:54 am

I am in love with the Hellcat! I think it is one of the best planes produces. I most impressed with the quality paint job and compared to bbi’s other aircraft that molded in the color. I also had a problem with the dihedral but a little super glue on wing where it connected to the fuselage fixed that.

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:17 pm

I also had a problem with the wing dehedral and corrected it with super glue Aviatornut like you did. I agree its a magnificent Cat and one that was worth the wait. The only thing now I dont like is the tires which I would love to replace with Avenger tires if I could only get the Avenger tires off that is! They would be perfect for the Hellcat.

The Old Man · Post by **The Old Man** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:51 am

MightyMustang wrote:I also had a problem with the wing dehedral and corrected it with super glue Aviatornut like you did. I agree its a magnificent Cat and one that was worth the wait. The only thing now I dont like is the tires which I would love to replace with Avenger tires if I could only get the Avenger tires off that is! They would be perfect for the Hellcat.

Go to hobby store that has flying models. In the section on replacement wheel/tires match up the diameter of the tire. If everything wasn't in storage in Texas, I could tell you the make and Number of the tire to use. On the wheel of the F4F, take vice grips, twist the hub "screw" around a while - pull - and it comes out. Cut off the tire. Saw the wheel vertically in two. Sand down the inside of each wheel half to expose the spokes. Pop the rubber tire off the wheel it comes with. Match the wheel to the rubber tire (have to remove some of the center part of the tire with a new blade). Paint the inside of the wheels black. Glue the wheel half to the tire and then to the other wheel half, Insert "hub screw - with a dab of glue on the end to reattach to the strut. Inflate tire to specs - either land use or carrier use. Reattch the brake lines. Pressure check to spec. Test taxi the aircraft to insure function. Sign off on repairs. Turn the aircraft over for test flying.

Various sizes work for F4U (both brands), P-51 (both brands), P-47, P-38

The reason all of these are so thin is the idea they have to fit into the wheel well - only the P-51 will not fit after mods.

I only have 32 planes to modify - but it do make a difference.
And - you are so right - the TBF wheels are worth it. But - to buy one to just use the wheels - well - can I interest you in a bridge ?

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:26 pm

The Old Man wrote:
MightyMustang wrote:I also had a problem with the wing dehedral and corrected it with super glue Aviatornut like you did. I agree its a magnificent Cat and one that was worth the wait. The only thing now I dont like is the tires which I would love to replace with Avenger tires if I could only get the Avenger tires off that is! They would be perfect for the Hellcat.

Go to hobby store that has flying models. In the section on replacement wheel/tires match up the diameter of the tire. If everything wasn't in storage in Texas, I could tell you the make and Number of the tire to use. On the wheel of the F4F, take vice grips, twist the hub "screw" around a while - pull - and it comes out. Cut off the tire. Saw the wheel vertically in two. Sand down the inside of each wheel half to expose the spokes. Pop the rubber tire off the wheel it comes with. Match the wheel to the rubber tire (have to remove some of the center part of the tire with a new blade). Paint the inside of the wheels black. Glue the wheel half to the tire and then to the other wheel half, Insert "hub screw - with a dab of glue on the end to reattach to the strut. Inflate tire to specs - either land use or carrier use. Reattch the brake lines. Pressure check to spec. Test taxi the aircraft to insure function. Sign off on repairs. Turn the aircraft over for test flying.

Various sizes work for F4U (both brands), P-51 (both brands), P-47, P-38

The reason all of these are so thin is the idea they have to fit into the wheel well - only the P-51 will not fit after mods.

I only have 32 planes to modify - but it do make a difference.
And - you are so right - the TBF wheels are worth it. But - to buy one to just use the wheels - well - can I interest you in a bridge ?

I have a busted up Avenger I got from a freind so thats why I want the wheels from it. I would never take the wheels from a new Avenger. I may be crazy but not that crazy.

Quixote511 · Post by **Quixote511** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:35 pm

HOw many years ago was it that we saw just the rudder of the bbi Hellcat in a picture from Toy Fair? I am just trying to figure out how long it actually took them to get it from concept to out in the stores.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:40 pm

Quixote511 wrote:HOw many years ago was it that we saw just the rudder of the bbi Hellcat in a picture from Toy Fair? I am just trying to figure out how long it actually took them to get it from concept to out in the stores.

A lot longer then it took Grumman to make the real thing.

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:08 pm

I think it took BBI about 2 years to get it to the public. I could be wrong.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:20 pm

lol..................so basically if bbi, 21st and admiral all declared war on each other we'd have a new model every month!

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:22 pm

Jay wrote:lol..................so basically if bbi, 21st and admiral all declared war on each other we'd have a new model every month!

LOL yup,,,,,

scbvideoboy · Post by **scbvideoboy** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:48 am

Go to hobby store that has flying models. In the section on replacement wheel/tires match up the diameter of the tire. If everything wasn't in storage in Texas, I could tell you the make and Number of the tire to use. On the wheel of the F4F, take vice grips, twist the hub "screw" around a while - pull - and it comes out. Cut off the tire. Saw the wheel vertically in two. Sand down the inside of each wheel half to expose the spokes. Pop the rubber tire off the wheel it comes with. Match the wheel to the rubber tire (have to remove some of the center part of the tire with a new blade). Paint the inside of the wheels black. Glue the wheel half to the tire and then to the other wheel half, Insert "hub screw - with a dab of glue on the end to reattach to the strut. Inflate tire to specs - either land use or carrier use. Reattch the brake lines. Pressure check to spec. Test taxi the aircraft to insure function. Sign off on repairs. Turn the aircraft over for test flying.

Or you could just leave them as is and spend your time on important things.

DH

mikeg · Post by **mikeg** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:26 pm

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MightyMustang · Post by **MightyMustang** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:57 am

I left the wheels on my F6F as is and decided to detail other parts. Almost done.

Quixote511 · Post by **Quixote511** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:48 am

Finally picked mine up from MTS this afternoon @ the WWI Fly-In @ WPAFB. I love it. And, I think I am going to stay with this sort of scheme. Having seen the pics of the cat's mouth, I am just not all that into it. The USN had the right idea--leave the nose art to the AAF b/c they do it better

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:50 pm

I finally opened mine up. I got it from Aviator nut a few days ago. Fantastic looking plane but the gear will not stay down. Other than that it is now my favorite. That is untill that B-25 ever makes it. So I guess for 2 years from now it will be my favorite . As things go around in XD land.

Aviatornut.com · Post by **Aviatornut.com** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:03 am

pickelhaube to fix your gear problem of not staying down all you need to do is pull your wiing off and then put your wheel down. then put your wing back on while you have your wheels down. the tab on the wings locks the wheel down and to put your wheels up you need to the same thing over with your wheels up.
i hope it helps buddy.

JOC · Post by **JOC** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:14 pm

Still having trouble with one wheel assembly just wont stay locked, slightest movement and its loose. I also had a broken auxiliary fuel tank, and if anyone wants or finds a spare one, please let me know, I need to buy another someplace.
Thanks
JOC

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:32 pm

It sound like Bbi took a step backwards on their Hellcat, to me it sounds like it is plagued with all types of problems regarding proper detail in the wing fold and landing gear problems, and the problems with the landing gear staying in the down position sound more like a failure in the engineering aspects.

What I do like from what I can see in pictures is the cockpit and fuselage detail.
I think bbi should redo the whole wing assembly and get it right, but from their track record I doubt it they don’t really listen to us, if they did we would have had extra ordnance for our f-16’s and F-18’s…..Sorry but I feel let down by bbi.

I know many of you are happy with it and don’t want to knock bbi, but this is how I feel. What bothers me is they did not include the rockets and expect us to buy them on our own dime or to use our corsair’s rockets.

B24guy · Post by **B24guy** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:42 pm

I am a big fan of the BBI Corsair. Do you guys think the new Hellcat is an equal to the Corsair? I am thinking of getting a Hellcat, just wondering how it compares to the Corsair?

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:40 pm

You can check the pictures at the beginning of this thread... However, I would be tempted to say that I like the Corsair better. The Hellcat boasts the better paintscheme, weathering, panel detailing, and cockpit, but the Corsair is not that far off. Further, the Corsair's flaps and other control surfaces are not quite as problematic as on the Hellcat. Just a few of my thoughts, however, both really are great planes it the BBI Hellcat may be the only Hellcat we see in 1:18 for some time

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