[wmosner]

I have the BBD that came in the special edition box and have noticed no major quality issues. Mine, however, came from a small local store that (according to the owner) deals directly with 21st Century. Maybe he gets better quality shipping that way. I don't pay much attention to the pilots, so I am going to have to take a look at the face of the BBD pilot and check out his eyes.

[dragon53]

Guys,

Thanks for the info.

Question 1:
It appears the old-box/Wal-Mart BBDs are all defective, so that rules them out. Has anyone with a defect-riddled BBD ever dealt directly with 21st Century to see if they will stand by their product and exchange a defective plane for a new-box BBD?

Even if 21st Century sends me the missing parts, my BBD will still have the red-nose and silver blemish problems, etc. There's no warranty on the box, so I'm curious if 21st Century would like to have a good relationship with its customers, particularly since it appears many BBDs are defective.

Question 2:
21st Century's website is still down, so does anyone have its customer relations email address?

I almost bought a Blue box "Killer" P-51 on ebay, but I specifically wanted a BBD.

Thanks again for the info.

[dragon53]

My BBD odyssey is over.

I exchanged BBD #2 for a third BBD. I looked in BBD #3's box window and saw no defects. However, when I got home, I found a big 1-1/4" glue smear on the wing's lower surface and gouges on two propeller blades and excess glue and paint nicks. I'm returning BBD #3 this weekend.

I went to another Wal-Mart which had one BBD and bought it. At home, I found BBD #4 had no serious cosmetic defects so I assembled it. Then I noticed the forward screw would not screw into the receptacle on the cockpit floor and the canopy would not close---because the cockpit floor assembly was not properly located into one of the brackets on the cockpit wall. I used a knife to gouge out one part of the bracket and part of the cockpit floor and used pliers to pull the cockpit assembly into place. Now the wing is attached and the canopy closes (some force required). I'm keeping BBD #4.

Bottom line: I got four BBDs and all four had serious defects. I was hoping to buy 21st Century's 1/18 F-4D Phantom II flown by Steve Ritchie because the F-4 is my favorite plane and Ritchie is from my home state of North Carolina. But after my BBD experience, I will probably pass over 21st Century's F-4 in favor of Blue Box's 1/32 F-4.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Happy to see you got a better BBD after the 4th try....I will be getting the 1:18 Phantom when it comes out for sure..
That is there biggest aircraft yet they will be making and remember don't buy it at Wally world check at a hobby store
or order it online...You just might get a better Phantom that way...I was going to get the 1:32 Phantom as well....But not at that price for one
that is almost in the 1:18 scale price range.
JP

[tank nut]

When are they suppose to build that b-25 lol that is just going to be WAY to big for me!!!

[Steve1971]

I feel your pain and I have been through it. I head to literally search through 6 boxes of Old Crow's to find a decent one. I did and it is my last 1/18th Mustang or any plane for that matter. I am switching to 1/32nd Planes until the Dauntless comes out which from what I understand wont be for awhile. Anyway I was tempted to get a BBD in the Special Edition box but I'm a 357th guy so I'll stick with my 357th Mustangs only. 21st has some QC issues no doubt but so does BBI. I say BBI because of their excellent Hellcat. The problem I had with my Hellcat was the gaps along the fusalge spine and underneith along the belly of it. None of their Corsair's or Mustangs had this problem but to me its still a masterpeice. What I did was fill the gaps with modelling putty and that fixed the problem along with putting on a spare set of Avenger tires. Now my Hellcat is my all time favorite of my 1/18th collection. But ya I'm not buying anymore 21st Century planes either unless they come out with something I cant live without. Old Crow finishes it.

Speaking of BBI aint they supposed to be releasing a 1/32nd Dauntless?

[dragon53]

STEVE1971:

Here's a link to photos of BBI's 1/32 SBD Dauntless and F-4J Phantom II (the F-4J is available for pre-order).

Small Scale Military Headquarters :: View topic - BBI debuts 1:32

It appears BBI's F-4J only comes with one pilot. I'd like to see an 1/32 F-4E in Vietnam camouflage with the Tigershark nose and/or Steve Ritchie's F-4E. Also, Duke Cunningham's F-4J.
Also, Admiral is coming out with a 1/18 Dauntless at militarytoyshop.com for $64.99.

[Steve1971]

Hey dragon,

That 1/32nd Dauntless by BBI rocks like hell. I wonder when they will be hitting the stores. I have the 1/18th Dauntless from Admiral on pre-order but I will tall ya it seems that it will be awhile before they release it. I heard they were haveing some tooling problems with it. When it does come out I think it will be the jewel of 1/18th aircraft and thats coming from me, a guy who considers his Marines Dream Corsair and his Hellcat to be the curent jewels of his collection! But back to the BBI Dauntless. This is one plane along with the P-51B Berlin Express that I have my sights on. I cant wait to get both.