News on bbi Sherman?

[flayrah]

The sherman and P-51 were announced about the same time, but there's been no news on the tank since then. I wonder if it's also arriving November/December, or if it will be next year, along with the figures? Anyone with information?

[tmanthegreat]

So far, nothing seems to have changed; there's no new info. The only place I know with anything on the BBI Sherman is the online store BigBoysWarToys. They have it up for preorder and say its coming in early November. I've posted the link:

http://www.bigboyswartoys.com/cgi-bin/p ... lite-21370

[momaw nadon]

SBP also has both the Mustang and Sherman from bbi for preorder, but they have stuff for perorder for ever it seems.
momaw nadon

[Teamski]

One thing about the bbi Sherman, the $35 seems like a steal!

-Ski

[coreystinson]

The sherman and P-51 were announced about the same time, but there's been no news on the tank since then. I wonder if it's also arriving November/December, or if it will be next year, along with the figures? Anyone with information?

BBI says this item is shipping in "November". So, theoretically it could be as late as end of first week of December if they hold to their schedule.

[KWR190]

BCA just put it up for pre order 29.95 good price.
Kurt

[flayrah]

$29.95!! That sounds like a great bargain - the same price as the first series 21st Sherman, I think.

[cmelt27]

Were there ever any conclusions on whether the barrel of the bbi Sherman was the correct size for any of the Sherman variants? Or are we all waiting to see what it looks like when it is released?

[aferguson]

i believe the one shown at the recent toy show had a proper looking 105mm barrel on it and a nice commander figure too...

[Tinman]

Does anyone know if the driver and machine gunner hatches open? Apparantly the two turret hatches open, but I'm wondering about those on the hull.

[lablksmith]

Here are the specs I found on a site on the BBi Sherman.

Product Specifications:

M4 A3 VVSS Sherman with 105mm main gun
•Fully functional M4 T48 tracks with rubber chevron.
•Turret with 360 degrees transverse and elevating main gun.
•Functional hatches for Commander, gunner, radioman and driver.
•Functional Engine compartment doors to show engine details.

Figure:
•Tank commander figure - fully pose able with 17 points of articulation
•M3 Grease Gun (Machine Gun) with 2 Ammunition pouches Accessories:

•105 mm Armor Piecing Projectile x 4
•105 mm Ammo Box x 2
•Browning .50 caliber Machine Gun w/ Ammo cradle and ammo can
•Browning .50 caliber Ammo Can x 4
•Browning .30 caliber Ammo Can x 4
•Gas Cans x 3
•G.I. K Ration Carton x 2
•5 Gallon Water Can x 2
•Spare T48 track Links
•Spare V V S S Road Wheels x 2
•U.S. Infantry Back packs x 3
•U.S. Army M1 Steel He

[digger]

That is unreal. If that's the case we have a real financial problem on our hands....I was going to buy a few but I wasn't considering a whole division until now....and I can use the gear with my old M4s...that just all sounds awesome.

[Tinman]

Wow, thank you for the info, lablksmith! In that case, I may just have to pony up and get one!

[lablksmith]

Check out this site for some great pics and more info.

http://www.merit-intl.com/month/bbi21370.htm

I am really happy about this. I have been wondering why 21st wouldnt do accessaries as these would be great sellers. If BBi continues to put out more stuff like this I am going to have to move to a bigger house.

[tmanthegreat]

21st did do accessories, but only with the Halftracks and Hummer. Accessories with vehicles are a good thing. Perhaps the case with the BBI sherman's accessories will bolster the case for WWII weapons accessory packs to come with the future WWII figures!

[lablksmith]

Right... been so long forgot about the halftracks. But what I meant to say was the accessary packs. If BBi does this in a quality way I will really be happy. Something along the line of the quality of the Dragon accessories would be fantastic. However Ill take what I can get. Not long ago it seemed 21st would be going belly up. Now they are going strong and are even getting some healthy competition. Looks like its going to be a great year ahead...

[shorty]

is this sherman model convertable to a 76 mm version?

[momaw nadon]

Did anyone notice that the bbi Sherman's wheels and track look identical to 21st C's, if not are? I was looking at the photos from the link that lablksmith posted, and they look just alike. I wonder? We did notice that they used Star Wars figure parts for some of the stuff they had on display. Do you think they took a short cut and used 21st C's work to complete their Sherman? I guess it is something to think about. Maybe that is why they didn't offer something new like a different tank altogether. Don't get me wrong the Tank looks great and I will be getting some, but if they were going to do a Sherman, why didn't they do M4A3(76)W HVSS version. That would have made them stand out more, because of the new suspension bogies and turret. Which would be totally different than 21st C's Sherman and would sell just as well IMO. I'll just have to wait and see if I'm right.
momaw nadon

[momaw nadon]

That is true, but if I were going to use someone else’s parts I would change it in some little way. Like the return wheel looks identical on both, from what I can see. And the bogies look alike with some down playing. It also could be that they lost some detail like bootleg stuff, because it's not an original mold. Not saying they did that, but it does look odd. As for the drive sprocket looks to be less detailed than 21st C's as do the road wheels. With them being closed in like they are. I would like to hear what others think. Maybe it will give bbi something to consider with their next idea.
momaw nadon

[aferguson]

well since 21c copied tamiya it is probable that BBI copied someone too. Most toys/diecasts these days are copied from existing models. Not surprising the two sets of wheels look very similar......they should.