BBI F4U CORSAIR!

[DocTodd]

You guys might want to buy this plane before they sell out.
Todd

[Sentinel]

This is a small stroke-of-luck for me. I had three original XD Corsairs and sold them right before the better repaint came out. I didn't buy the newer ones. I am a WWII plane kinda guy, but the XD version Corsair never quite did it for me, and I tried really hard.

I hope this new BBI model gets some great re-paints like their P-51. Then my Corsair needs will be finally met.

BBI - a FW-190A and Zero soon please!

[Teamski]

[Teamski]

Several interesting points that were brought up.

As Andrew mentioned, it is interesting that the wings lay flat with no dihedral. The XD Corsair photos had the same thing going, so I'm sure that they will have this fixed as did 21st prior to release. Maybe the canopy can be fixed as well. Eliminate the braces altogether if necessary.

The paint scheme is the worst possible for the configuration. Rockets weren't used until maybe mid-late 44', so having such an early paint scheme is just wrong. I don't get it sometimes with these schemes..... I will pass on this one if they stick with this scheme and hope for a later war version.

As mentioned above the fogged canopy won't be a problem. I'm sure the production model will be clear. If you remember the original P-40 shots, it also had a fogged canopy. I think this is done because they are prototypes with no real interior detail just yet. Just a guess.

If it wasn't for the flaps, I'd write it off altogether. But those...flaps... are so.....sexy!

-Ski

[RobC70]

http://www.badcataviation.com/blboxtof4uco1.html

The wings do look very FLAT here....I'm sure the final version will look great.

I think the P-51 is incredible, especially when you consider the amount of time and $$$ it would cost to build one. I think the only kit that could match it is in 1/24 scale.

I really wish someone would make an FW190A:)

[digger]

You guys might want to buy this plane before they sell out.
Todd

No chance - I would only order one from BCA if you wanted it ASAP. In that regard they are good with new releases - but they said themselves they got a small share, so you know there are others....

As for "the marketplace as a whole" - see my comment on Tiger tanks. It is surely in their best interest to play it safe and make only the most famous and popular planes - but that doesn't mean we have to be excited about it Aside from some variety in my column of Shermans, bbi has yet to add a damn thing to my WWII collection.

[donnieboy]

Hey Guys: I'm not a Corsair expert so don't tear me a new one here. Regarding the canopy on the new BBI F4U, it looked a little odd to me, so I consulted some of my aviation books. The F4U-1 had the low "birdcage" canopy. The F4U-1A had a raised "blown" canopy with two diagonal top braces just like the BBI model (The 21st Century Corsair has 'em too). The F4U-1D had a high "blown" canopy with no diagonal braces. The "Marine's Dream" restoration in P-51s posted pix looks to me to be an F4U-1D also. I don't know which model the actual "Marine's Dream" was. Anyone feel free to jump in here.

[p51]

The Marine's Dream I posted is a FG-1D (Goodyear built).

[Teamski]

Not all F4U-1D's had braceless canopies. The early production aircraft still had them. As Britt mentioned, all FG-1Ds had the braceless canopies. Today, FG-1D's are far more common than their Vought counterparts since Goodyear produced them late in the war while Vought re-tooled for the F4U-4.

That reminds me, I had the good fortune back in 91' to visit the Bradley air museum (now the New England Air Museum). There, they have the prototype F4U-4. What I didn't know until then was that the early production F4U-4's featured the same windshield as the -1D. If you search through Corsair photos, you will occasionally catch a -4 with the early windshield........

Cool, here's a photo of it:

http://www.neam.org/images/corsair_lg.jpg

-Ski

ps. Awesome..... as a side note, I got a tour of the "behind the scenes" of the museum. They were in the process of restoring the world's last B-25H (I believe). I forgot all about it and then I saw this photo of it:

http://www.neam.org/images/b25_lg.jpg

Sweet, hey?

[p51]

For comparison, here's the Planes of Fame Museum's F4U-1A Corsair:

[Teamski]

Thanks for the picture, Britt. I know it's neat to take up passengers, but I am not a big fan of the passenger windows. Too bad Vought didn't put the 2 seat version into production. We could of seen a couple of these flying around today:

http://www.corsair82.com/corsair/seats/seats.html

Hey, whatever happened to the Birdcage Corsair? I believe it was restored after it flipped over. Anybody here know it's whereabouts??

-Ski

[Rogue]

I last saw it at the Breckenridge air show. (years ago)
I hear Breckenridge is coming back, always my favorite air show.
Nelson=

[Charlemagne]

OK,

I think I speak for a lot of us and I know it's been pretty much said but I gotta vent. I just saw the new BBI F4U on Badcats website and I have to say it's a great looking piece but what in the crap are they thinking??? Why waste their time,talent, and money on something that has been already done??? I understand the P-51 because as Rogue has already pointed out that the original 21C version was not that good but the 21C F4U was pretty good so why redo that?? For Pete's sake do something that has not been done. Hellcat, Dauntless, Zero, Hurricane, YAK 9, P-39, ME-262, Mosquito. It's like freakin fingernails across the chalkboard to me. They need to reach back and grab both ears and pull their heads out of their rearends!! OK now I'm done screaming and I feel semi better. Thanks for letting me rant.

Dan

[MightyMustang]

Charlemagne,

I'm with you on this one. Even though I like the BBI F4U I'm still wondering why they wanted to do something that has already been done to death by 21st. BBI had a chance to do a Hellcat which would have been an obvious choice but they dropped the ball. Imagin what a 1/18th scale F6F would look like next to the up coming Avenger? That for me would have been nothing short of awsome.

BBI could have also done a Zero which would have been another obvious choice. My Kepford F4U is getting lonely with nothing to shoot at.

I'm not only angered with BBI but 21st as well. BOTH companies are missing the boat by not producing an F6F or Zero. Everyone wants them made but our requests fall on deaf ears. Whats the deal. And dont tell me theres not a demand for both fighters because there is. 21st instead of re-tooling their Mustang should have done a Zero or Hellcat first and BBI? Instead of making ANOTHER F4U should have went another direction and made a Zero or Hellcat if 21st has no interest in doing them.

Very frusterating for me indeed.

[aferguson]

remember, there is another 'unamed' bbi plane coming soon..

[MightyMustang]

aferguson,

Where did you hear that? If that is indeed true then I hope and pray its a Hellcat or Zero and not another 21st carbon copy if you know what I mean. I hope BBI dont do another P-47, ME-109 ect. Please BBI do something different.

[digger]

remember, there is another 'unamed' bbi plane coming soon..

I have a feeling there will be at least one thing at Comic Con that will cause some members to sh&t their pants....sorry for the language but I mean it.

[p51]

As soon as I can get to a computer Wednesday of the con I'll have photos.

[Coreyeagle48]

Guys,

Why is it so hard to understand why BBI made a Corsair. It's the same reason that the company went ahead and made a Mustang. Like it or not, you ask any kid to name one World War II airplane I would be willing to bet that they would say either a Corsair or a Mustang. These American planes are known because of restored versions at airshows, lore, and just because these two planes are so ingrained in our society.

Remember BBI does still sell through TRU. And they want something that will go off the shelves there. I am not convinced a Zero would, and probably some PC group would be offended by it. I can't help but wonder if BBI hasn't done a Zero because they are afraid TRU will pull it or someone will be offended by it. I know it would sell well with us, but BBI might know perfectly well how 21st got chucked out of TRU and may not want the same thing. That exclusive deal might be worth a lot of cash to them.

Regarding the Corsair, I am sure if it looks decent, people will buy it. I have said this numerous times, but I am not going to pay $50 for a plane with glaring quality control issues. I remember the Corsairs 21st had at TRU, none in my TRU was flawless and they all had paint problems. I remember someone looking at them and walking away from a couple Stukas because they had paint problems. I know these are toys and not perfect, in fact I can go to every plane in my collection and find something minor that is not perfect. But, glaring paint problems are a major issue, and for me the hinges breaking were worse. If the BBI Corsair corrects these problems and looks good, then people will buy it.

And honestly we may notice the canopy problem, but the average buyer, will not.

[OnWu]

Whether your 21st or BBI, choosing an aircraft to model will cost about $150K for a basic aircraft and more for something like the TBM. If someone were to walk-in to either organization with this kind of cash and requested a F6F, they would probably make it for them. Everyone seems to have a passionate opinion on what should be made (myself included). The question is, if it were your 150K, would you be so confident on what to make next?

In the end, it's easy to tell someone else how to invest their money but the bravado would evaporate if those loudly commanding BBI and 21st had their necks and wallets on the line.

[OnWu]

Excellent points, Corey.

The tooling's useful lifespan for the F4U is probably 3 years or so. During the next three years, the F4U will almost certainly pay for itself with thousands of sales. Both the P-51 and the F4U have the long-term popularity that makes them a good investment.

[digger]

As I said before - we shouldn't be surprised about a Corsair, but we do NOT need to be happy about it. Just like when the M113 was a huge let-down after a long wait and people complained, this is similar. We waited a long time only to find out we are not getting anything really new. Was it a good investment for bbi as people above suggest? Probably. But is it anything for us to be excited about? Not really.

If bbi does not diversify soon I'll bet anyone a Marine's Dream that 21st is back on the shelves of TRU before Xmas.....anyone?

[MightyMustang]

Ok I agree that the F4U and P-51 are ingrained into peoples minds and they are first to come to mind when you mention WW 2 Fighters. I wont argue with that at all. All I'm trying to say is just do something different thats all. Ya I know I'm not the one putting my neck on the line if the Zero or F6F didnt sell but I believe they WOULD sell. Hell how many times have we all discussed wanting a Hellcat or Zero on these boards? Many times but I guess we are just a small group out there that wants these two important fighters made. I'm a die hard fanatic of the P-51 Mustang and I once said that "the more Mustangs the better" but I was not saying dont make anything else different. I'm sure BBI's Corsair will sell and it may be a huge improvement over the 21st version but BBI should take a different direction and make something that hasnt been done before, like the Zero and F6F. Maybe just maybe they will but right now it dont look promiseing.

[Morian Miner]

I wonder if with the sale of TRU to the investment group, we will see a return of 21C to the shelves there.

As for the BBi F4U, I'm not too excited. But, we can hope that BBi is going to give these birds something to shoot at soon.

[OnWu]

I'd wager the P-51 and F4U are simply the cornerstones of a much larger stable. If true, this release is just the beginning. Certainly that WOULD be in our best interest.