Bluefoot

Surely if Tamiya wanted to keep it's reputation as the leading RC car maker, they would continue to produce new and interesting models? I guess market forces have driven them to make RTR cars, and an endless line of bland touring cars, but there is nothing here that makes me think "I want to collect that" with any of the releases over the last few years. I'm sure they are all good to run and race, but there are equally good cars (if not better) available from many of their competitors. It is sad to think that they have run out of inspiration and given up on the scale realism that was the most appealing thing about the early models. I'm not concerned about the value of these things going down, I'm just bothered that an element of the fun of "collecting" will be removed. The "thrill of the chase" if you like. I'm not sure why the newer kids would want to play with the older cars, unless they are better than the new ones. If that is the case, then Tamiya has some serious problems. I'd rather see a range of new trucks and buggies being released that were as much fun as the old ones, and that would make me think "I want that!" I'd like to see a decent, detalied, Hard-bodied truck on a modern ladder chassis. Preferably using a modern body design. Perhaps the lack of good looking modern cars/trucks to base these on is the problem? I think the "Collector" market is still way too small for Tamiya to be concerned with. There is no money in it for them. As I understand it, the re-release body kits (Countach, Brat, Willys' Wheeler) were gimicks produced for trade shows and only made in very small numbers compared to proper kit runs. Sure, I'd be happy too if they produced a Bruiser and a Scorcher body kit, but only as a limited release. I'd be even happier if they produced something new, that was just as good looking.

Well the re-release thing takes away the incentive to "collect" those models, for me. If it is easily available in the shops then there is no point in collecting it. I have no interest in Hornets or Lunchboxes now, but I might get a Grasshopper simply because it was the first buggy that I really thrashed (and still do) and they are lots of fun. There have been numerous discussions on what Tamiya might and might not re-release. I'd be very suprised if the re-release all of them, and there are a few that I hope they don't re-release, because I would like to have a few that are still "collectable". There have also been discussions on the value of old Tamiyas. The general concensus seems to be that you do this for the fun of it, and not as a money-making/investment scheme. There will always be people who see more value in an "original" release item, and persue those in favour of the re-release. How much of a premium they are willing to pay is up to them. I, for one, wouldn't pay any more for an old Grasshopper, than the new one is worth now. As a collector - I don't want to see any more re-releases. Or at the very least, make some obvious changes so that the re-release is easily identifiable as such.

I have a scratch-built trike (not made by me). You can see it here: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...=06072005113046

This is the Kyosho Sideways: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...d=20646&id=2193 And yes, it is an ultima underneath.

Difference is frequency I think. AP427 is on 27MHz, AP472 is on 72MHz and AP435 is 35 MHz

Ah-ha! It's a good approach - put so many cars around the house that the wife would rather have them "tidied up" and have one room dedicated to them! []

I reckon a funeral pyre will be the way to go. I'm building up a nice stack of NIBs to place the body on, make sure all the TC members in NZ get invited (could be up to a dozen of 'em!) to ensure a great amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth [}] especially when the Hilux goes up!

An ebay seller called walking-man-2004 was selling lots of parts a while back.

I'd agree with Shodogs list. A range of colours of anodised rim covers would be good.

I think the "sport" bit comes into it when it gets competitive. For me this is just a hobby because I don't participate in competitions or racing, just tinkering and bashing. unless you count entering the fray on ebay a sport!

Me too!

Here are some pics of my recent first attempt at stripping using Oven cleaner (Ezy Off caustic in the red can). http://www.tcphotos.com/section.asp?sid=2193&secid=304 This paint was a little stubborn and took a week from start to finish. I kept the body in a plastic tub covered with several layers of newspaper taped down. Washed it off in a tub (while holding my breath). Remember that this stuff is meant to be used in your kitchen, so you don't have to use it outdoors. You do have to wear good gloves.

The Royal Ripper was made by Thunder Tiger, and also sold as Thunder Tigers' "The Tiger". I think they were made in Taiwan under licence to a uS company (like Traxxas products). Maybe this is another Thunder tiger product?

Hey Michael, don't let him wreck it! Buy it off him and sell it to me. Cheers, Don.

Hi Spike, I have a scan of the manual if you still want one. Let me know. Hey David, I could use some Super Trail parts. Rear dampers in particular, and parts in general. I'd be very interested in the secondhand car as well. Cheers, Don.

I think they are just really hard to find. I have been looking for a decent body for my Ascona for a long time.

I have a couple of these. The Hilux and the Baja Bug. The Bug has a VW Beetle body. The Sand Skipper version came with a beach-buggy body like the Sand Rover, only it is lexan. The "gearbox" has a centrifugal clutch in it! I have no idea why you would want a clutch with an electric motor. And yes, they come with a little plastic "bulb" type pump with a needle, to adjust the tyre pressure.

I'm running Magnetic Mayhems and a Traxxas EVX (14.4V so needs two batterys) on mine. Tons of grunt (even on one motor), more speed than you need and lots of fun. The EVX is uS$110 from Tower.

Well my B2B is the least-viewed model in my showroom. http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...d=23726&id=2193 Don't know why - I quite like them. I'd be interested in your chassis if you decide not to keep it.

Most of mine are pretty standard setups. I have an M-chassis that has a few tricks and will have more added as I find them, but nothing like your beast! I have toyed with the idea of doing up a Blackfoot since it was my first Tamiya, but the fact that nothing is available locally has slowed me down. You might have supplied the inspiration to get me started! How do you find the Mayhem goes in this truck? I have a spare Mayhem - might give it a go.

Nice looking truck! I take it you didn't find many of those parts here in NZ?

Well it was in the 1984 Radio Control Guide Book, but not the 1985.

Hey Richie, get an Emaxx! I have hours of fun with mine. A set of GP 3000mAh Nimh batteries will give you a good run time (note that they run on 2 sets - 14.4V). Cheers, Don.

Translucent yellow over chrome as TW says.

I'd help you get the Jugg parts in exchange for one of those sets of decals []