BBI 32nd scale SBD Dauntless

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:13 am

tmanthegreat wrote:Funny how the discussion for the BBI SBD reads almost exactly the same as the earlier one about the BBI F-4. There is no reason why any of you cannot add it to your collection if you want it so badly... Just save the money, get it and stop being your own roadblocks in this case. If you don't want it, then end of story

Of course I'll buy the darn thing but it is pretty darn expensive...
My hope is that BBI can find a big box store to carry these things and drive the cost down.

The flip side is that one of the local WMs is putting all their 1/32 on clearance. I haven't had a chance to check the others, but my fear is 21C has seen this account go down the tube. Does this mean an end to cheap 1/32? We have all been pretty damn spoiled...

aktiger · Post by **aktiger** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:12 pm

Still waiting for pics, unless I missed something.
For those of that have the plane, I would also like some information on one detail: In the Bad Cat pics it looks like the fuselage seam of the plane does not run up over the tail but bends around, so the tail piece is entirely on one of the two molds (looks like the left side on the pics). Is this the case? If so, is the seam tight and barely visible? Is the tail straight or does it lean slightly to one side?

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:17 pm

That is what the seam does. The tail on mine is straight. The only thing is that the horizontal stabilizers seem to droop
a little. They are on correctly and secured tight. The drooping, however, seems to be noticeable on actual examples of the plane (photographs were checked for reference) so its really not a big deal. Overall, though, it is still a great plane and worth the price

On another note, I have solved the "missing legs" problem for the gunner figure by customizing my own. This was done by cutting off the legs from a 21c Macchi pilot. Those legs are thin and pushed together enough so that they fit through the MG ring on the Dauntless. I then painted the legs a tan color that matches the gunner figure's uniform. I also designed the legs to be removable. The results actually came out better than I expected!

Pictures will be posted later on tonight

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:27 pm

Sounds like you have a leg up Tman.

Quixote511 · Post by **Quixote511** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:23 am

I am cool with the half legs. You can't see them when he is in the mount and it makes it much easier to adjust him. I thought it was well executed.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:45 am

post deleted

jlspec · Post by **jlspec** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:39 pm

Any word on the 1943 paint scheme (red outline) number 45 shown on the bbi site under 1/32? http://www.blueboxtoys.com/bbi2005/

AlloySkull · Post by **AlloySkull** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:49 am

I really want one of these now. Perhaps for Christmas.

The dive brakes would have been a really cool feature though, especially because I use them so much on IL-2. (I love dive bombing) But like others have said I wish someone like TRU or Target would carry the BBI 1:32 line. They make planes I'd love to have and their Phantom is one of my prize pieces, but an SBD at $40? I can see $25-$30. It does have high quality paint and sturdy construction.

But 21st pulls off a plane of the same size with moving parts and at general retail sells at ~ $20. I will pay $40 for it only because it is so nice. If I knew I wasn't going to get such a good product, I wouldn't. I really can't wait to see the Hellcat and F-104.

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:20 pm

OK, ok, I have one on the way with my 1/18 Messerschmidt. This had better be good for $50!

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:56 pm

Maybe BBI avoided a 1/32 Midway SBD and chose a Truk SBD because Hobby Master released a Midway/Wade McClusky 1/32 SBD.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:36 pm

AlloySkull wrote:...but an SBD at $40? I can see $25-$30. It does have high quality paint and sturdy construction.

But 21st pulls off a plane of the same size with moving parts and at general retail sells at ~ $20.

21c does indeed sell their products for half the price, but they are, over all, not as sturdy and there are more QC issues.

I ordered my BBI Dauntless blind, but had faith I'd get a good example. I did. Then, when the plane showed up at my local Hobbytown USA store (should have put off ordering online) all six of the planes they have stocked have perfect paint schemes. With 21c, it seems to be more hit-and-miss and you really have to search to find a plane at the level BBI consistently gets correct.

Also, the BBI releases go to the small retailers first, thus giving ALL collectors an equal chance of finding the items. While they would sell for a bit less at mass retail, there would be the usual distribution woes. As I so often state, I'm tired of hearing about people in one area finding droves of the new items at Wal Mart, while other, perhaps more economically viable areas of the country are left high and dry.

So, I'm pleased with the great job that BBI does correctly each and every time

AlloySkull · Post by **AlloySkull** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 2:23 pm

Yeah, it all makes sense. BBI is excellent. I'm hoping I can find one locally.

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:54 pm

I have got to say that the BBI Dauntless is worth every penny. I say that begrudgingly but am glad to see BBI in the game. At $45 a pop I won't see an entire squadron flying from my ceiling though...