BBI Dauntless...late to the party

Yoxford · Post by **Yoxford** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:31 am

After pre-ordering a Hobby Master Dauntless, I revisited the threads on the BBI Dauntless which I had passed on way back when....I know I must be one of the last, but I Just picked up the BBI SBD Dauntless and am stunneed by the quality and detail... if you are like me and passed on this gem, do yourself a favor and find one before they are gone for good...hope BBI will release another but not holding my breath.

Now i think I should look at the Wildcat.

Dauntless · Post by **Dauntless** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:38 am

It is nice. Wish we'd get a Midway, Coral Sea version or even the 43' version they showed originally.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:50 am

This is an excellent model. In some respects, it is a rather mediocore scheme, but it does have some historical significance with the aircraft having been based on the USS Enterprise and taken part in the bombing of the Japanese fleet at Truk. Given that BBI has released only the one version so far, it really should have been either a Coral Sea or Midway scheme (arguably the two most famous engagements that the SBD was involved in) however, in the end, I'm happy with what we have

Yoxford, if you like the Dauntless, you will also want to get the BBI F4F Wildcat (in a USMC scheme from Guadalcanal) and even the F-4 Phantom

Yoxford · Post by **Yoxford** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 12:54 pm

I do like the Truk version...and with the HobbyMaster Midway on order, I should be good to go...but I am very tempted to get another BBI Dauntless, remove the markings and add these for a Coral Sea version...
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/c ... m=YWD32026

Yup, I am ordering the BBI F4F Wildcat

snake · Post by **snake** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:19 pm

Glad to see you pick up the BBI Dauntless,Yoxford.

It is a pretty nice morel,and probably about a third the price of the excellent Hobby Master model.

Like others here,kind of surprised that BBI only did one scheme,and not a Midway scheme at that.
However,if you have some modelling skills,you can do a conversion.

BBI also did the Wildcat,but only one scheme again..AFAIK,this is the only pre-assembled 1/32 Wildcat available.

The BBI F-4 Phantom is an excellent model.Far better than the Dauntless,and has a real presence to it.
Again,only one scheme.VF-84 Jolly Rogers.

Little surprised that BBI hasn't done other releases of all three of these models.Particularly the Phantom.

Let us know how you like the HM Dauntless,when it arrives.Nothing but very good reviews about this model.Just a little expensive at $150.

ostketten · Post by **ostketten** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:09 pm

The BBI F-4 Phantom is an excellent model.Far better than the Dauntless,and has a real presence to it. Again,only one scheme.VF-84 Jolly Rogers.

Agreed. I just love my Phantom, and I'm seriously considering picking up another just to have around as fodder for a possible repaint at some future date...

Little surprised that BBI hasn't done other releases of all three of these models.Particularly the Phantom.

Me too. I think they'd have been well received, and good sellers. I don't own either the Dauntless or Wildcat, but this thread has piqued my interest considerably, you guys are having a very bad influence on me...

Flak Happy · Post by **Flak Happy** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:14 pm

Recently acquired a Dauntless and Wildcat. Both very nice indeed.

Yoxford · Post by **Yoxford** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:11 am

As you can see below, very nice indeed...Ostketten glad your interest is piqued...best get em while you can, and considering the closest SBD in 1/32 scale with this level of detail is $150.00 the BBI is a steal….

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:46 am

agreed! BBI did a great job on thier 1st 2 1/32 planes. i hope its not the last 2!

Yoxford · Post by **Yoxford** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 2:07 pm

Oh sad day it is their last....saw this on badcats site and the full story also posted on the 1/18 side....best get the Dauntless, F4, and wildcat NOW...

I just received an email from a high ranking BBI employee stating, "Hong Kong has no plan making anymore planes at this time. I hope you still have some of our planes around for keepsake."

ostketten · Post by **ostketten** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:33 pm

....best get the Dauntless, F4, and wildcat NOW...

Agreed. I pulled the trigger on a Dauntless from Small Joes today.

Yoxford · Post by **Yoxford** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:59 am

I took all of your advice to grab the F4 Phantom...fantastic model, and very glad I did... as I snagged the last one Small Joes had...and on that note, Small Joes is a great vendor to deal with. Corey and all at Small Joes rock ...
FYI they still have the Dauntless and Wildcat..
.....last chance troops!

Tanker85 · Post by **Tanker85** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 5:35 am

I was visiting with my pastor today and he was telling me some of his life experiences. He was a grunt in "Nam" and was blown up by a boobytrap, not completely because he"s still alive Thank God. But more interestingly his family military history goes all the way back to WWI and his grandfather. Aside from that I was interested in his fathers service. He was a radio/gunner on the SBD Dauntless. It moved me so much that I have decided to give him my BBi Dauntless. His office is a shrine to his and his families service and I think that he will proudly display it with his fathers memories. I will buy another Dauntless and it will take the place of the one given away. I feel that our friendship will grow stronger as we share our common interest in God and War.

Bought another SBD Dauntless from Small Joes and also noticed that he had S2 12 pk marines for $29.99. Thats a LOw price!!!!

Eric

Eric

snake · Post by **snake** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:42 pm

A very nice gesture,Eric.

I am sure he appreciates it.

snake · Post by **snake** » Sun May 02, 2010 10:09 pm

A couple of weeks ago The Flying Mule had an awesome sale on the excellent Hobby Master 1/32 SBD Dauntless.Very time limited,and these went fast.

These normally go for $150,but were on sale for $50.

The only one that was on sale was the pre war version.USS Lexington,1941.

I would have preferred any of the camo versions,but for that price I just had to get it.

Just opened it last night,and it really is fantastic.Great detail,with a lot of moving parts,and the cowling is removable.The paint on it is also very well done.

Yoxford,when are you expecting yours?

Yoxford · Post by **Yoxford** » Mon May 03, 2010 10:42 am

NICE grab Snake!...
so far expected arrival date for the Lt. Richard H. Best, VB-6, USS Enterprise, Battle of Midway SBD is in the month of May.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Mon May 03, 2010 2:41 pm

YOXFORD:

I preordered my Hobby Master Richard Best SBD Dauntless today. I already have the BBI 1/32 Dauntless, but it doesn't have much history behind it compared to the Best Dauntless. The Best Dauntless is a limited edition of only 500 which will help alleviate the $134 cost.