BBI - Blue Box Toys Information Q&A (Mike)

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:49 pm

Count me in for up to 150 for one. So if the A-10 gets built will Chaos reign?

Floods! Hurricanes, Famine, Dogs living with Cats! no price is too big no fee is to big...I must have one! (maniacal laughing and drooling....

)

Quixote511 · Post by **Quixote511** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:55 pm

Really, a c-note isn't all that out of the ballpark. When the F/A 18 came out most of us plunked down about 80 bucks or so ti bring one home. I think it would have to hit 125 before the real diehards started to wince. I mean, look at home much some of the 1/48 diecast birds sell for? Though I think it is a good bit of money, I by no means feel that it is out of the ballpark.
Aaron

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:25 pm

The A-10 is big, but I don't think it is that much bigger. The fuselage is just a little under the length of the F-18. It's real size issue I believe is the wingspan. The wingspan is actually longer than the fuselage!! However the wings wouldn't be attached to the fuselage anyway. Depending on how the wings were disassembled, the engines could stay attached to the fuselage. But I don't see the size being an issue since everyone knows how to put things in a box. If anyone has seen the Target A-10, then they get a general idea of how it could be disassembled for packaging. The tooling in my eyes couldn't be much more complicated than the tooling for the Avenger. Look at the folding wing design on it. The A-10, aside from the size, is a simple and straight forward design to do. No complex landing gear and no folding wings. Just like the real bird, very simple and straight forward. . The price maybe higher but I think it could be done for a $100 or less. It would depend on how much detail went into it. I would imagine this is where building it to a certain price range comes into effect. More detail and more odinance, higher price tag. However I don't think a $100 price tag will discourage people that want one from buying one. I would be willing to pay $150 for one, maybe more. May sound absurd, but think about what you'd be willing to pay or have been willing to pay for that one aircraft your collection can't exist without.

DocTodd · Post by **DocTodd** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:10 pm

Shoot I just dropped $120 for the 1/32 Corgi Mosquito to complement my smaller scale stuff. I would definitely pay that for my very favorite plane in 1/18 scale(A-10). (The Mosquito is done very well by the way)
Todd

Shin Densetsu · Post by **Shin Densetsu** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:23 pm

Dudes,

you guys are lucky. I happen to love the A-10 as well and I love the tomcat a lot more...it is my fav jet after all.

HOWEVER I know that the A-10 would cost a lot less than the F-14 if they were to be made in 1/18 scale. THe F-14 is bigger, has more complex moving parts(just think of the rear landing gear folding into the vanes...whoa...), the size being big as it is and heck the swing wing mechanism itself being able to lock the wings into position and hold without letting the weight of the wings bear down on the joints and result in loose limp swing wings....whoa....

So yea I see an A-10 around the same price range as the falcon and hornet if not a bit higher but not over 100$.

Mike since it is easier to simplify complex planes rather than to make simple designs more complex....

Is there a chance of simplified sized down F-16 and F/A-18s based on the realistic 1/18 molds but sized down to 20/30$ pricepoint for combat command?

That and if you guys make a combat command F-14 that is tons better than hasbro
s gijoe skystriker from 1983 you will have given me some sort of salvation....or something to tide me over till someone makes a 1/18 scale F-14 tomcat realistic style and all.

For combat command....I suggest making all planes no smaller than the 20$ pricepoints......the combat command commanche left a bad taste in many fans mouths'....but the A-10 seems to be doing well at the forums I visit.(guys its really not that bad....its better than most of the gijoe jets I have seen.....and I do have a lot of them...).

Mike will there be higher pricepoints for combat command? Or will 20$ be the highest pricepoint offered?

digger · Post by **digger** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:33 am

Shin, love to have you here on the board....but please, keep the clamoring for the CC line to a minimum....

...I'm sure nobody on JoeCustoms would appreciate if I showed up the minute you guys had contact with a Hasbro Rep to tell them how cool it would be if they shifted the focus away from "Joe scale" to 1:18.....or started asking them to raise their prices to get more accuracy in the Crimson Guard uniforms....

I know the forum is open...just had to let that out....carry on.....

KAGNEW · Post by **KAGNEW** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:48 am

a-10 would look good next to an F-4

USCGSARdog · Post by **USCGSARdog** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:43 pm

As far as if and when the A-10 may be produced, I think we will see it happen and I would say maybe within the next 18 months. Its obviuos that 21C has some interest in doing one, hence the mock-up already put together. (Whether it was a good one or not) With Mike from bbi visiting this board, I think he has a pretty good idea how popular it would be. So, I think the wheels are turning, at least a little.

As far as a time line, well, go to Badcats site and read about how the Zero came to be. According to BCA, the ball started rolling in mid '04. So in my opinion, a total ground up project from start to finish could be to market within about 18 months, that is unless one is already under way.

I do think that bbi will be the one to produce the A-10 given their interest and ability to do large modern subjects. I would rather see 21C do one but I just don't see a small company like 21C putting their necks out on something so costly. Don't get me wrong, I love bbi products and will continue to buy whatever they put out, I just think the 21C stuff seems a little less "toyish" and presents itself more as a "scale replica".

At any rate, I really think its just a matter of time. I hope so anyway, this hunger strike stuff sucks.

Shin Densetsu · Post by **Shin Densetsu** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:16 pm

I actually come from joebattlelines.com, not joecustoms. Though I might join joecustoms as well since I lurk there a lot.

And Mike did say the combat command line would not interfere with the beloved 1/18 elite force line...so no worries right?

Anyways the real reason I joined here was not to beg for combat command stuff...but because you guys basically are driving me into the 1/18 realistic scale market. It is true that after many warnings by loved ones, and many buys past....that I truly am running out of room for stuff....and 1/18 scale stuff would certainly kill a lot of space in my room....but...gosh it looks so cool! And I always did want realistically scaled stuff...you guys should have seen me when I saw the BBI F/A-18 for the first time in person.....things online seem a lot smaller than they do in person.

Yes I drooled and later on someone did buy it. Then after lurking so long here, I joined, and then learned that the black skull version will eventually come out. So yea...its getting there fellas....my first entrance into the 1/18 world is coming soon!

That and I really really want an F-14......

and an NA-10B and F-4 phantom II.

I am almost cetain BBI knows a lot of us want this stuff....we got our zero, the A-10 is almost a given I believe...

*Mike did say BBI was already working with northrop grumman on something before target approached them for the combat command A-10......but what was it exactly that they were working on?*

So there ya go fellas....according to my detetive work....and from what Mike said..there is something coming in 1/18 scale that is license approved by northrop grumman.

My guesses?

-Hellcat

-F-14

-A-10

-F-5(smaller than most fighters.....simple, used by as many countries as the F-4, served in agressor units for all armed services in the US, still used, development to simplicity of design and size probably a lot easier in comparison to the falcon and hornet). Not to mention it is vietnam era and can cater to the same crowd who loved 21st century's F-104....not to mention the F-5 itself was more successful than the F-104(though of course this is debatable)

-Wildcat

-F-20...which could be a retool of the F-5

-A-6(people say its ugly, I grew to love it, noones bothered to make it, but hey its awesome. ) I do believe this has the least chance of being made out of all the planes I just listed.

So who knows....I'd love to be surprised.

Post by **aferguson** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:59 pm

Mike wrote:

"for Shin Densetsu

The development of the Combat Command line for target is an on-going task with us and I cannot discuss any details of it.

Just to set the record straight on one matter...I did say we were working with Northrop Grumman before we did the Target A-10....the license for the Corsair is held by Grumman .....care to re-evaluate your detective work now?

for Spare Parts

your comments on tooling costs etc are valid and as I have explained in my earlier emails the decision to tool or not to tool anything is based on deciding if we can make any money on the item and can we make it for a price that the market can accept and turn the volume.

This is basic commercial principles and applies to every item, regardless of size.
I see all the comments saying 'I'd pay $100 to $150" for this...the question becomes..." how many thousand people are prepared to pay $XXX for this?"...because a few hundred does not cut it."

Shin Densetsu · Post by **Shin Densetsu** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:09 pm

aferguson wrote:Mike wrote:

"for Shin Densetsu

The development of the Combat Command line for target is an on-going task with us and I cannot discuss any details of it.

Just to set the record straight on one matter...I did say we were working with Northrop Grumman before we did the Target A-10....the license for the Corsair is held by Grumman .....care to re-evaluate your detective work now?

for Spare Parts

your comments on tooling costs etc are valid and as I have explained in my earlier emails the decision to tool or not to tool anything is based on deciding if we can make any money on the item and can we make it for a price that the market can accept and turn the volume.

This is basic commercial principles and applies to every item, regardless of size.
I see all the comments saying 'I'd pay $100 to $150" for this...the question becomes..." how many thousand people are prepared to pay $XXX for this?"...because a few hundred does not cut it."

Whoa....so northrop grumman has vought's licenses too..........

It would be awesome if you guys make the F-8 crusader and A-7 Corsair II.....maybe I am dreaming to much or dare I say even the super gator Crusader III?

Had no idea northrop grumman had the vought license! You got me on that one Mike!....but also the possibilities for more 1/18 stuff expands...

vought rules.

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:37 pm

aferguson wrote:Mike wrote:

"for Shin Densetsu

The development of the Combat Command line for target is an on-going task with us and I cannot discuss any details of it.

Just to set the record straight on one matter...I did say we were working with Northrop Grumman before we did the Target A-10....the license for the Corsair is held by Grumman .....care to re-evaluate your detective work now?

I see all the comments saying 'I'd pay $100 to $150" for this...the question becomes..." how many thousand people are prepared to pay $XXX for this?"...because a few hundred does not cut it."

Jeez, reading Mike's comments really can put a downer on you if you hope to see any large jet subject like an A-10, since its something that we are basically all just wishing about.

However,

Shakespeare wrote: The lady doth protest too much, methinks

So I guess it does basically come down to:

Mike wrote:

"...wait and see..."

WGP Klaus · Post by **WGP Klaus** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:55 am

[/quote]

Jeez, reading Mike's comments really can put a downer on you if you hope to see any large jet subject like an A-10, since its something that we are basically all just wishing about.

However,

Shakespeare wrote: The lady doth protest too much, methinks

So I guess it does basically come down to:

Mike wrote:

"...wait and see..."

Just a word of caution, don't count BBi out just yet, I suspect we'll be suprised within the next 10-12 months, as to how suprised, that remains to be seen!

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:46 am

Hopefully we will all be surprised with something else we are begging for (A-10). The indecision to produce the A-10 by BBI or 21st is the surprising part. Hopefully it will go the way of the Zero.

USCGSARdog · Post by **USCGSARdog** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:52 pm

Who's to say bbi doesn't already have a Warthog in the works

It really wouldn't suprise me if this were the case. As tight lipped as Mike is you just never know.

-Rob

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:42 pm

I posted some pics of a 1/48 scale A-10 and 1/48 scale F-18 in the "I'm on a Hunger Strike.....for an A-10" thread. Gives some size comparison.

viewtopic.php?t=2446&start=20

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:59 pm

I've been out of town, so this may have already been answered - will the Zero only be at BadCat, or will we see it at TRU? I will be getting multiples of this, but would prefer to have different paint schemes. But, if Badcat's is it, I'll preorder all I want now.

fredricchio · Post by **fredricchio** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:29 pm

Bad Cat's is an exclusive paint scheme, that much we know. Mike has said that TRU has no ban against Japanese product the way they do German, but he also hasn't confirmed it will show up there. But it probably will at least be available at other online retailers in a different paint scheme.

SGT. Saunders · Post by **SGT. Saunders** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:10 pm

Hi Mike

Thank you for your fast reply. I will also like to say thanks to you and BBI for those great looking 1/18 WWII Paratroopers, I have them hanging in my office at home. Will there be ground ready Paratrooper to follow in the future?

I would like to know whats is your thoughts on some WWII 1/18 Brittish reg Infantry figures/ Brittish Paratroopers figures? Could this be somthing we could see soon? And could we have 1 hint to what the next 1/18 figure line will be (Modern or WWII)

Thanks again.
SGT. Saunders

Post by **aferguson** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 6:00 pm

Mike wrote:

"for SGT. Saunders

My thoughts as always would be "wait and see".
Nice to hear your kind comments on our Paras...thanks.

I can say that our experience with non-US figures from our 1/6 line is that they are not as well received in the US and sales numbers become an issue. Of course this may not be the case in 1/18 scale ...so we'll have to "wait and see"

I trust that both answers and does not answer your enquiry.
As for any hints of what is coming next...well you would not be getting any of those from me."

digger · Post by **digger** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 6:48 pm

I thought 1/6 guys love the German stuff....I know us 1/18 guys do

I'm glad you guys realize the difference

SGT. Saunders · Post by **SGT. Saunders** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:09 pm

Hi Mike

Thanks for the reply. Well here's to Hoping and Waiting to see if there will be some 1/18 WWII Brittish figures

.

Thanks
SGT. Saunders

Birddog · Post by **Birddog** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 3:56 pm

Mike,

I travel alot and visit many TRUs around the country. I have been noticing something a little distrubing in quite a few......a huge reduction of shelf space given to BBI's products. Instead they are piling the cheap knock off military products on the shelfs like crazy. I know they still carry the BBI Elite Force line because the Corsair, Mustang, and new Paras have still been showing up. I've even seen the Super Humvee in the same style box the Corsair is in. It just looks like they are trying to slowly choke BBI out of the store with that crappy knock of line. I know this may not be in your field with BBI, but do you know why this is happening? Is it just their distribution? Does it even mean anything?

Thanks for your time as always.

fredricchio · Post by **fredricchio** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:59 pm

I think what you're describing might be a seasonal thing, I've seen the same thing at my local TRU. When they do their reset they take the bbi product off the main shelves and cram it all onto an island, along with other misc. military stuff. They downsize the space allotted to vehicles and this time actually crammed all the figures onto a sidecap. But, after the holidays are over bbi always ends back up in its proper display section with more space.

My guess would be that, despite being the Christmas season, the cheaper PTE stuff sells better. Parents probably look at Elite Force and think its just too high-end for kids.

edit: actually I just remembered a time when I was at another TRU and I actually saw some kids, couldn't have been more than 8 or 10 yrs old, looking at the Corsair and Mustang with their mom and trying to decide which one to get. I think they ended up going with the Mustang; it was just cool to see that even younger kids are into the line

Post by **aferguson** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:17 pm

Mike wrote:

" for Birddog and fredricchio

Ah yes...the ways of retailers are mysterious indeed...there are far too many factors for me to be able to answer you fully...let me just say that bbi and Elite Force will have a continued presence in TRU."

Small Scale Military Headquarters

BBI - Blue Box Toys Information Q&A (Mike)

re

UUmm....

re

Wow