Catmouth Hellcat review

Obi2kenobi · Post by **Obi2kenobi** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:22 pm

Thanks for the pics. Nice paint scheme on this bird.

Where did you get that carrier deck? It looks way cool.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:35 pm

That carrier deck looks alot like the old USS Flagg from the 1980s GI Joe line. That was one of their biggest and most complex toys/playsets. It was 7.5 feet long

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:45 pm

TOYKTDLGH:

3 Questions:

1. So the Cat Mouth is a repaint of the Vraciu with no other changes?
2. Any wing problems such as dihedral or folding?
3. Any Cat Mouth history---who is the pilot, etc.?

Here's a customer review of Cat Mouth from Badcat (spelling errors are his, not mine):
"Like the Hellcat before this one, the wings are problematic. Patientce is required. The doozy with this one is that the external fuel tank is not painted! Also, the lower antena snaped right off as I tried to straighten it out....it was made of hard plastic , not soft like on the first Hellcat. And big suprise......the the undercarrige is weak. Still...this a real beaut despite all this. Needs a little work is all."

toyktdlgh · Post by **toyktdlgh** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:30 pm

I’m not aware of any other changes from the first version with the exception of the bottom antenna. (I no longer have that 1st plane. It was so bad I had to return it. It was also missing the rear landing gear!) Mine snapped off as well while I was putting it together. It was my fault for setting it down on the table. I haven’t folded my wings yet but the hinge seems good and stout. My first plane I bought at TRU a while back was very sloppy and the wings drooped badly when assembled. This plane still has mild wing flex but it’s nothing like my first one. This plane went together smooth and seems to be better assembled than the previous version. I’m not sure if they changed anything or if it’s just better quality control. I didn’t notice the unpainted fuel tank but I’m not much of a stickler for little things like that. I will say I was pissed when I read that the rockets were not included and were to be sold separately. Not sure why that is but the directions did say that Corsair rockets would fit so I would think getting some of those would be fairly easy.

toyktdlgh · Post by **toyktdlgh** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:47 pm

Your question about the wing fold got me wondering so I decided to bend mine back and snap a few more pictures. I dropped the panels by the wheel housings, pulled up and out on the wing and it snapped right into place. I know some have said in the past that the hinge and inside of the wing does not have the correct detail but the function seems to be right on. The first plane I had really disappointed me. I must say it really takes a lot to do that to me since I tend to look at these items as toys just like all my other things. The first plane was so bad I took it back. (I never take stuff back!) I was very concerned about getting this one but I must say I am pleasantly surprised and very happy with it. I am interested to hear what others will say about it. There are a lot of other board members that can lend more information on historical accuracy and things like that. I just dig the paint scheme.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:10 pm

TOYKDTLGH:

Thanks for the photos and review. The Cat Mouth looks great, but I might pass on Cat Mouth---reviews of the Vraciu Hellcat have me worried about the possibility of breakages in the landing gear and folding wings and problems assembling them.

I really want a BBI 1/18 Francis Gabreski P-47D Thunderbolt---I love that paint scheme---and no folding wings.

toyktdlgh · Post by **toyktdlgh** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:31 pm

You will be passing on a good plane. All of these things have some kind of issue. I had all kinds of trouble with my first Avenger but the one I have now is great. Good luck in your search.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:16 pm

TOYKTDGLH:

Thanks again for the info.

Two last questions:
1. Does your Cat Mouth's wings stay rigid in the extended position or do they flop and "shake, rattle and roll"?
2. Does the Cat Mouth appear to be a solid, sturdy plane when you hold it up?

(The Cat Mouth's owner comments I posted earlier from Badcat about the "problematic" wings frankly scare me away from the Cat Mouth.)

toyktdlgh · Post by **toyktdlgh** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:35 pm

That’s kind of a hard one to answer. Compared to fixed wing aircraft the folding mechanism does make the wings sag a bit and makes the overall wing less ridged. Compared to the S1 version I had its much better but the wings do flop a bit if you raise the plane up and down real fast. They do the same thing on my Avenger witch also has the folding wings. If you’re worried about it then you should probably pass since its only available on-line and on-line returns can be a real pain. My plane sits on my carrier deck on display and looks great. I would imaging it would do well hung as also. Overall it’s a stout plane with wings that flex due to their folding design. I would venture to say I either got a hold of a bum plane with the S1 version or bbi worked on their QC a bit since this plane is much better (in my opinion) than the first one. You can always get unlucky and get a bad plane. My first bbi corsair had two of the same rear wings in the box when I bought it and my 1st Hellcat was missing the rear landing gear. I received perfect planes on the second shot both times.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:43 pm

TOYKTDLGH:

Thanks for the info--it helps me a lot. I'm definitely going to get the BBI F-4J, but I'm about 50/50 on the Cat Mouth.
I had a bad experience with the 21st Century Big Beautiful Doll P-51--I bought 4 at Wal-Mart and all 4 had serious flaws. I kept #4 because I fixed it myself and because I couldn't find one without flaws.

Since the Cat Mouth is internet-only, it worries me about its potential problems. I love my BBI P-51--it's far superior in detail and sturdiness compared to the 21st Century P-51.

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:45 pm

I guess I am kind of partial, but I really like the BBI Hellcat models. The new catmouth is awesome. If you are even thinking of getting one, do it. You will like this plane alot.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:47 pm

SABREFAN:

Do you like the Cat Mouth more than your F-4J?
If so, why?

(My favorite plane is the F-4. Second is the P-51).

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:53 pm

That is a tough question. I think my favorite is still my F-4J. It just looks right. I have it on a shelf about eye level, and everyone that sees it says it captures the profile of the Phantom. The catmouth Hellcat just has the cool factor going for it. The way the mouth is painted around the front of the cowl really gives the plane a mean look. And those bloodshot eyes are so neat. These are two great models, and I am really happy to have them both.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:06 pm

SABREFAN:

Thanks for the help.
As a kid, I had 1/48 models of the Hellcat (Monogram, Aurora) and thought the Hellcat was a handsome plane, but not as sleek as the P-51. So the Hellcat isn't a "must-have" like the F-4 and P-51.

I hope BBI F-4 repaints and 1/32 F-15, F-22 aren't too far away--they would be "must-haves", too.

Fitzystigertank · Post by **Fitzystigertank** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:56 pm

according to my osprey aircraft of the hellcat aces of WWII
the catmouth hellcat pilot is Richard Stambook of VF-27, USS Princeton, 24 October 1944.

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:50 pm

dragon53 wrote:TOYKDTLGH:

Thanks for the photos and review. The Cat Mouth looks great, but I might pass on Cat Mouth---reviews of the Vraciu Hellcat have me worried about the possibility of breakages in the landing gear and folding wings and problems assembling them.

I really want a BBI 1/18 Francis Gabreski P-47D Thunderbolt---I love that paint scheme---and no folding wings.

Dragon, you will be missing out if you don't get this. In my opinion this is the best 1/18th offering to date in terms of detail and accuracy. Remember that on this board we tend to pick everything apart. If the rivet count is off and the tires are too thin a model get indicted. Look, if you want to play vigorously with this airplane like you were ten again save your money. If you are going to display it there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Let me say this again for clarity: the BBI Hellcat is the finest 1/18th AC offered by anyone and it has no inherent design flaws or terrible inaccuracies. Buy one or you will forever regret it.

Wow, that was like word of God or something, huh?

AlloySkull · Post by **AlloySkull** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:20 pm

Quite like the master himself, Oli.

I wish I could get one at TRU, though, I'd definately get the Catmouth, it's so aggressive looking... My next paycheck is going to 1:18 figs for my diorama and 1:32 tanks, and if I can find 'em, planes.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:47 pm

It appears if I DON'T buy the Cat Mouth, I will suffer a plague of locusts...

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:50 pm

That is true, those locusts can get rough this time of year.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:03 pm

SABREFAN:

I'd settle for a plague of BBI 1/32 F-4 repaints, an F-15, an F-22...(I hope BBI reads these posts).

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:05 pm

dragon53 wrote:It appears if I DON'T buy the Cat Mouth, I will suffer a plague of locusts...

Sorry dragon, I didn't quite mean it like that! I am laughing my @ss off over this though!

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:06 pm

I am with you there. I hope BBI makes lots of F-4J repaints. I will have all of those. I would really like for them to make a 32nd scale F-15 Eagle. How nice would that be?

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:10 pm

OLIFANT:

I know. I was kidding, too. But like I posted earlier, the Cat Mouth owner comment from Badcat put the fear of god in me about the wings.

I do like to hold my planes up and look at them. When I did that with my Big Beautiful Doll, it rattled and wobbled. But my BBI Donald Duck is sturdy. With a Cat Mouth, I don't want another Big Beautiful Doll.

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:12 pm

dragon, trust me, you will be in Hellcat heaven if you buy this. Don't sweat the wings.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:14 pm

SABREFAN:

I'd like to see BBI do a 1/32 F-15C from Desert Storm with one Iraqi kill painted on the side...and an operational F-22.

I'd said this before, but I hope BBI releases a 1/32 Steve Ritchie F-4D and beats 21st Century to the punch. A 1/18 F-4 is too big.