1/18 Tomcat

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:08 pm

AFERGUSON:

I sure hope you're right it's a BBI.

B-29 · Post by **B-29** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:28 pm

From Badcat:

1:18 F-14 probably a Phantom
. . and I don't mean an F-4. We've been contacted by a number of collectors about a product advertised as a Kawai Toys 1:18 F-14 model airplane. The company is advertising this product as being available later this month but is apparently no longer taking orders and in correspondence doesn't know who actually manufactures the piece.

To my eye, this sounds more than a little suspicious. None of the big (now small) three are in a position or have the inclination to produce such an aircraft. Another, unknown player would have to be in the mix and I don't know of any other company capable of pulling-off such a big complex project.

Demand for 1:18 is about 1/10th of what it was three years ago. At an estimated $200 price tag, the self-imposed $50 ceiling the bulk of 1:18 collectors will pay would make demand for this product dismal at best. Yes, there's two dozen vocal Internet bloviators who will "buy five" but where the rubber meets the road, I don't believe there's enough die hards capable of making this project fly.

As much as I'd like to see an new 1:18 manufacturer enter the scene, this one doesn't add up. New manufacturers popping-up out of no where. New aircraft boasting a record 42" span and length. No preorders available. No contact to us from a would-be distributor. A retailer claiming a release this month but one who doesn't know who the mfr is. Demand dwindling to 10% in the $50 category, let alone the $200 range. A worldwide economy that is in a shambles. At best, there are several pieces of the puzzle missing. At worst, I smell a rat.

Shin Densetsu · Post by **Shin Densetsu** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:04 am

From Badcat: .....

Already linked/posted earlier in the thread

Gaijin Six · Post by **Gaijin Six** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:21 am

All,

On the photo from the HW Japan site, just below the "1000" units number, the two small lines of Japanese text indicate that the body is made of Polycarbonate--the same material as R/C car bodies.

I suspect this is not a BBI, 21C, or AT product in disguise, and is something new altogether.

Gaijin Six
Tokyo

AlloySkull · Post by **AlloySkull** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:52 am

Interesting...

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 5:59 am

probably made out of that material to be lighter.....interesting.

B-29 · Post by **B-29** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:30 am

Shin Densetsu wrote:
From Badcat: .....
Already linked/posted earlier in the thread

Oops..

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:27 am

Not BBI and polycarbonate.....I knew it was too good to be true.

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 9:24 am

so its probably a RC aircraft.....

AlloySkull · Post by **AlloySkull** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 9:26 am

Hmmm... But it's near spot on 1/18, and it's pretty much plastic! Cheer upppp...

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 9:40 am

Thats good news for aferguson he loves R/C Aircraft.

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 9:54 am

i don't love them, they just happen to be useful sometimes.

I wonder if this is the r/c Tomcat i've been talking about for months...cause it's spot on 1/18......wouldn't that be hilarious.....lol..

popeye357 · Post by **popeye357** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:31 pm

No Sir, not hilarious at all. It would be like getting a kick in the sack from the 1/18 world! But if it is R/C, I think I will take a crack at it and order one. It looks great to me.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:50 pm

you know what would be funny a new 1/18th company
comes out but makes the P-51, Stuka, ect.

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:02 pm

VMF115 wrote:you know what would be funny a new 1/18th company
comes out but makes the P-51, Stuka, ect.

Oh don't even say that,

I have more mustangs then I even know what to do with.

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:04 pm

"No Sir, not hilarious at all. It would be like getting a kick in the sack from the 1/18 world"

yeah but how hard can one of those little 1/18 figures kick? I mean, he probably couldn't even reach you..

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:35 pm

Ever wake up in the morning and your hairballs are sore...me thinks they climb in to bed and kick you in the hairballs.

AlloySkull · Post by **AlloySkull** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:15 am

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:40 am

I'm confused - RC plastic, tomcat, hairballs....runs in circles

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:50 pm

Apparently and unfortunately, we're now back to, "Where's the 1/18 Ritchie F-4 Phantom?"

Shin Densetsu · Post by **Shin Densetsu** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:54 pm

If it were an RC aircraft, what would the point be for an opening canopy with seats inside? Also there is no mention of all regarding it being an RC aircraft, just the material.

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:52 pm

I don't think it is RC either.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:59 pm

Could it be a mistake a fluke...something..... it does not make sense.....even bad cat says so. there has been no updates on those websites and eve HW Japan removed it off its site.......

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:20 pm

that probably means a photo was leaked out of a factory - or office somewhere - this is in the works - or may have been in the works.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:53 am

STUKA wrote:that probably means a photo was leaked out of a factory - or office somewhere - this is in the works - or may have been in the works.

And since then been canceled.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

1/18 Tomcat

Big Clue Overlooked: Polycarbonate