BBI

hotrodrock · Post by **hotrodrock** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:22 pm

I'm so confused (as Barbarino used to say). Been trying to read between the lines and so forth but still can't figure if its yes or no. Will the Zero be available at TRU? I've seen an answer of no, but at the same time it seemed to be just a guess. And other posts seem to indicate it is not being made at all.

digger · Post by **digger** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:56 pm

Go back and look at all of Mike's responses and he has never said the Zero will be at TRU, and he has had plenty of chances to clear that up. On the other hand where did you see that it is not being made?

hotrodrock · Post by **hotrodrock** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:06 pm

Mikes answer to question #2 was "soon". You ere the one that then said that it answered the question about when will the Zero hit TRU. Then later you said that the answer did not apply to the Zero. Its true that I did not see a definitive answer in any of the posts except for your interpretation of what he meant. First you said yes, then no. Thats why I'm still asking if its going to be at TRU. Which retailer said that TRU would not be getting the Zero and was that a verified fact or just opinion from someone? As far as the Zero not being made, I believe it was on another forum that I saw that and not this one. My mistake on that.

steelbonnet · Post by **steelbonnet** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 1:53 am

There`s a BLACK Kiowa Helo?? I`ve got the green one didn`t know there was a Black one too. Any other differences?

Also is the Australian camo Blackhawk going to become available anywhere else or is that truely an Aussie exclusive?

I`d like to second ScopeUK`s questions too. As a fellow Brit I` love to know IF BBI do plan on the new merchandise being sent to the UK. I`d love to get a Pavehawk & not pay through the nose on shipping.

Though also would love to see the WWII libe become available over here too

So as said I second ScopeUKs questions

ja
Steel Bonnet

digger · Post by **digger** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:50 am

hotrodrock wrote:Mikes answer to question #2 was "soon". You ere the one that then said that it answered the question about when will the Zero hit TRU. Then later you said that the answer did not apply to the Zero. Its true that I did not see a definitive answer in any of the posts except for your interpretation of what he meant. First you said yes, then no. Thats why I'm still asking if its going to be at TRU. Which retailer said that TRU would not be getting the Zero and was that a verified fact or just opinion from someone? As far as the Zero not being made, I believe it was on another forum that I saw that and not this one. My mistake on that.

HotRod - You are right, I said No, then Yes (when Mike gave his answer), then No again when Raiderad was told by his bbi rep that it would not go to TRU. Most of the confusion comes from people over the last few months who insisted they "thought Mike had said the Zero would be at TRU," but in fact he said no such thing and I pointed that out a few times. I also pointed out that he has had PLENTY of opportunity to address that directly and has not.

Then when the question was most recently posed to him with the Corsair & Old Crow, he said "yes" to the entire group, which it now seems was just the US planes. Again, if it were going to TRU Mike could easily say so. For whatever reason he has not - maybe they are still trying to get it there, I don't know. I didn't mean to 'scold' - it is confusing as hell.

EDIT - I believe it was first asked 8 months ago, and every month since. August 15, 2005:

OnWu wrote:
Mike wrote:

"TRU has an embargo on German but they have no such comment on Japanese."
Hmm, this is not what I have heard from other BBI sources. But, OK, when will we be seeing the Zeke in TRU, Mike?

hotrodrock · Post by **hotrodrock** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:51 am

The whole thing is kind of "clear as mud" isn't it. Guess we all just get a little impatient sometimes. On another subject, I just picked up a 21st Corsair. Never seen one of the bbi models except in pics. Probably been answered somewhere on this site already, but are they pretty comparable?

Shin Densetsu · Post by **Shin Densetsu** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 5:39 pm

Mike, I read this over at action-figure.com...

bbi says
Since the release of our fabulous F4U Corsair we have received many comments congratulating us on our excellent detail and features¡ and also requesting us to come out with this mighty U VBird in different schemes.

So just so we can tell you that we "are listening"...... we are pleased to announce the latest addition to the Elite Force 1:18 line up - the mighty Chance Vought F4U Corsair - this one in Marine livery with a few subtle changes from our previous offer - note the armament.

This baby has all the great feature such as the folding wings, moving surfaces and a fabulous pilot figure. The Corsair just looks great displayed gear up or down.

And we know that you need more than one to make the scene and they need to be in different schemes, so there you go!

However the picture they linked is the same as the one on the BBI site, the "marine's dream" corsair with same armnament. I assume it was a stock photo given to them as a placeholder.

So what is the new armnament on the corsair repaint going to be like? Also...

2-Will weathering remain on upcoming releases? I for one think it is AWESOME!(I just got the KIller P-51D and I LOVE IT! Very cool...as a matter of fact...I picked it up over the old crow that I saw next to it for the simple fact that the killer had weathering, and the old crow did not). And I also think only show birds(blue angels, thunderbirds, russian knights et al) should be the only ones without any weathering.

3-So TRU already got the old crow and black kiowa, and soon to be repaint corsair. Anything else? I know the apache , hornet, and falcon are set for reissue later this year, are they going to TRU as well? How about the black/pave hawk? I know the fandom orders a lot of stuff online, and I do as well, but I prefer to buy at brick and mortar since I do not have to wait for shipping and can get it right away.

4-Is the Zero coming to TRU? And if not, why? We want something for our corsairs and mustangs to fight! Also...if 21st can sell wwII japanese soldiers and german soldiers/fighters at walmart, I don't see why TRU can't sell the zero@TRU. (I have heard many things about the zero but nothing definite so I am asking for the sake of all of us).

5-Will the corsair have structural/quality control improvements? I heard the landing gear was a tad loose.

6-Any chance for shark mouth P-51, falcon, or apache? Shark mouths are awesome.

7-With the P-51 pilot, is the oxygen mask supposed to be removable or can it be placed over the pilot's mouth? I was attempting to do this but stopped in fear of it breaking.

GREAT job on the mustang! Tell the design team I said thanks for making it. Very cool toy!

Post by **aferguson** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:27 am

Mike wrote:

"To all
The mystery of the Zero in TRU...let me explain..TRU have accepted it but we are awaiting their official order...nothing happens without paperwork, it is that simple.
Having said that, getting the paperwork from TRU can sometimes be very difficult. Rotating repaints like the Old Crow is easier as they are current models in stock.

So be patient..we are working on it

For those that asked about the Australian version of the Blackhawk...this was never made and was posted by an Australian website unmkown to us...we have no plans for such a version

to scope Uk

Revell is only doing the Historic figures and we are working on a new distributor for the EF line in the UK.

to shin densetsu
so may questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not sure why the new Cosrais image was not shown as we have released it...if you guys join our member club then you will get an email with all the latest news and images

As for weathering...they were all new once...nothing came out of the factory weathered..so we will mix them up.

The Corsair is teh same version as our original in terms of structure.

The only shark mouth Mustang was "Duffy's Delight" or the silver Australian version we did...not available outside Oz.

The mask on the pilot can be fitted and removed."

Moth · Post by **Moth** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:54 am

Exellent news!
A Zero in ToysRus!
BBI will get a profit from me!
Im happy

scope uk · Post by **scope uk** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:03 pm

HI Mike thanks for the reply i haven't bought any of the knights yet but i am very tempted!!! they all look really cool!! I mainly collect Modern but i love your whole range!!!

Would it be poss to keep us updated when a new distributer is found in the UK i dont want to miss out!!!.

Have you got any info on the new modern paratroopers that have been posted on your website and the other new figs that have been found. I.E. what gear will they come with and are there more then just the two modern para's i hope so as the pictures look very cool!!!

The new Black KIOWA looks nice too!! Was SFOR put on the side for any particular reason?

hotrodrock · Post by **hotrodrock** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:53 pm

As Elvis would say, "Thank yah-thank yah very much" for the info on the Zero at TRU. Now we know. I'm sure you will still get bugged occasionally about whether they have sent in the paper work, but this info should hold us for awhile. Good info!

aktiger · Post by **aktiger** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:56 pm

Miike,
What s the story with "Old Crow" only on one side of the fuselage (nose)?
This was posted on the discusion board in BBI Finds and was suggested the question could be answered here.
Other models (including Corgi) depict the Name on both sides of the nose. Was this a mistake or is someone else misinformed?

MiG29K · Post by **MiG29K** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:54 am

Now if bbi were to hook us up with a VF84 / VF103 Tomcat or a generic one with option for custom squadrons...and a FULCRUM...that would be balls dude!

R

scope uk · Post by **scope uk** » Mon May 01, 2006 3:10 am

Hey Mike i was just wondering if there were any plans to make the new figs available to the online retailers with a better box breakdown. At the moment the box appears according to reports to have 4 modern paras but 8 reissues of the WWII guys and am guessing this will be the same for the other new guys. Any chance that the smaller retailers could get boxes just filled with the new figs? am not thinking of them am thinking of us guys out of the US that want to get hold of them.

Also the pics from Toyfair seem to show different modern figs to what is now being seen are they? will they be released soon? if you cant comment on these things dont worry.

P.S. I love the new figs we are seeing!!!! Any chance we will see a weapons pack with the new stuff in? i just love that new M-4!!!!

KAMIKAZE · Post by **KAMIKAZE** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:16 am

Old Crow Mustang and New Corsair at
Toys used to be Us in San Antonio.

Mark

JimBob55 · Post by **JimBob55** » Thu May 04, 2006 3:49 am

Mike:

The BBI Pearl Harbor Zero was a very authentic paint scheme...great job!

What is the background for the markings on the green Zero? I've only seen reference to a Phillipine-based unit.

Thanks,
JimBob

Post by **aferguson** » Sat May 06, 2006 4:53 am

Mike wrote:

"for aktiger ...I will check out Old Crow and see what went wrong, sounds like somebody goofed

for scope uk
the figure assortments are standard and difficult to change..I will take a look at it though
new figures are rolling through at the moment with more to come

for Kagnew on the topic of uncuffed P51 props....you are very well informed...especially on the maintenance issue"

digger · Post by **digger** » Sat May 06, 2006 4:57 am

the figure assortments are standard and difficult to change..I will take a look at it though
new figures are rolling through at the moment with more to come

Wow - awesome news. Gotta say the bbi figures have really reached a new level. I didn't think I could be more impressed than I was with the WWII infantry but I might just be by the new modern guys. THANK YOU for the new helmet!!

SGT. Saunders · Post by **SGT. Saunders** » Sat May 06, 2006 12:48 pm

Hi Mike

Hope all is well with you.
Just seen the pics of the new Modern Paratroopers very nice, 2 thumbs up BBI. Im deff going to get those Modern Para's. I remember you saying that more WWII 1/18 US Infantry figures will be coming, Will that be soon? before the end of summer?

Has anything come of the drawings that I sent you?

Thank you for your time.
SGT. Saunders

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Sat May 06, 2006 12:49 pm

Though I doubt I'll find these in my area (they never got the WWII infantry in any of the two TRUs around here) great work on the new modern figures. The older BBI modern figs had previously set the standard and now your company just out did itself. Someone help me if you come out with new regular infantry as I just may have to replace the 50 or so BBI modern figures I already have

scope uk · Post by **scope uk** » Sat May 06, 2006 6:56 pm

Hey Mike thanks for the reply i have seen the pics of the new stuff that has come out and if we are to see even more that would be excelent!!! you have so many new accessories in these items that they just rock!!!!!And combine them with the new G36 weapons sets and i could spend lots of money. I really can't wait to see what BBI does next!!!! More new modern figures of this calibre would be briliant!!! can you comment any further? i know you probably can't as you don't want to disappoint us if things don't go to plan but you have weted our apetites and we want more

.

I would be grateful if you could look into the packing of these figs for the online stores as we outside the states have to rely on them to get all these brilliant figs unless there is any way of buying direct? only kidding i know i would have to order a massive amount to make that worth while for you but seriously there are guys like me and Steelbonnet (Hope you don't mind me including your name Ja

) that are real fans of the stuff that you are doing and would love the opportunity to get multiples into our own collections.

I have been to the states several times in the past and each time i have come back my suitcases have been filled with BBI i just want more more more just like all the other guys on here.

Anyway congrats on these new guys they really are grate!!!!

steelbonnet · Post by **steelbonnet** » Sun May 07, 2006 1:56 am

Happy to have my name used there mate

& I too would like to echo ScopeUk`s questions & praises of what we have seen so far & moreso what we Are to see in the future (Sneek Peek written or picture

).

Also The TARGET BBI exclusive sets,has BBI tried to push that onto UK High Street Stores at all? To me the likes of UK Toys r Us or Woolworths aka Big W would be a few great place to market the Target line too. Hell even the Normal BBI lineup too

Ja
Steel Bonnet

Post by **aferguson** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:47 am

Mike wrote:

"for Sgt Saunders

your answers are "yes" and "yes"..then wait and see"

digger · Post by **digger** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:59 am

aferguson wrote:Mike wrote:

"for Sgt Saunders

your answers are "yes" and "yes"..then wait and see"

Gotta say it is a good time to collect 1/18. Being a figure junky the news keeps getting better and better.

KAMIKAZE · Post by **KAMIKAZE** » Mon May 08, 2006 7:45 pm

I just love it when you guys talk dirty about toys!

Small Scale Military Headquarters

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

zero

?

Green Zero

cool