Catmouth Hellcat review
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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."
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."
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.)
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.)
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by dragon53 on Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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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. 

Paul Hebert
It's been a long road, but I am still in the game.
It's been a long road, but I am still in the game.

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.
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.
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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.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.
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?
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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.

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Good Traders:
KAMIKAZE
Ruger
Olifant
Panzer M
Good Traders:
KAMIKAZE
Ruger
Olifant
Panzer M
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Sorry dragon, I didn't quite mean it like that! I am laughing my @ss off over this though!dragon53 wrote:It appears if I DON'T buy the Cat Mouth, I will suffer a plague of locusts...
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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.
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.
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dragon, trust me, you will be in Hellcat heaven if you buy this. Don't sweat the wings.
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