Saito2

As I've mentioned in the past, I have always wondered if a buggy version was actually on the design table when the ORV was first conceived. The ORV was the replacement for the SRB. The first two iterations of the chassis were full bodied cars. It seemed to me that, at one point, the the decision to make a competition version of the chassis led to not only the lexan buggy body being designed for its odd chassis shape (which doesn't lend itself to a buggy body very well) but also the diff in the gearbox. Here's a gearbox with smallish internals and the diff parts are made so small, they had to be one-piece (shafts and bevels) pot metal castings. In contrast, the Wild Willy's drivetrain was obviously designed with a diff in mind, birthing the incredibly durable Hornet/Lunch Box diff.

If I read correctly, you do most of your running at home? How big is your yard? I live on 1/2 an acre or so and my Emaxx gets boring quick. I can only imagine what an Xmaxx might be like. The trucks are so big and fast, you wind up tearing from one end of the yard to the other very quickly. They roll over absolutely everything so obstacles aren't much of a challenge. I always feel I need more space to let my Emaxx stretch its legs. If you've got a lot of property or intend to take it out and about, disregard what I've said.

You know, when I saw your midlife crisis backyard RC playground, it reminded me of my attempts to do the same. I figured if I could bring the fun of crawling and a small track to my backyard, I wouldn't have to head out in public, lol.

lol...and I look like Kurt minus the comfort food part. 143 pounds at the moment, which isn't too intimidating. I'd just like to add that introversion isn't totally a bad thing. The brief version is that some of us derive energy from social interaction and become invigorated by it (extroverts) and some of us are drained by it (introverts). Of course, there are varying degrees of each with other factors like social anxiety thrown in. I, for instance, still need a few people that I'm very close to, in my life. That's enough for me, but I still need that much at least. Others will vary.

Same here. I've always been massively introverted and aging has only increased this for me. I need my wife and my child in life and no one else. You guys (and gals) on this forum literally supply all the outside socialization I require. Now, that might be different if we all lived near each other as you all seem like you'd make great friends in person as well . I'll echo some previous sentiments. If I'm running RC with the wife or out with my daughter, then there's no problem. On the very rare occasions I go out by myself (something I really haven't done in years actually), I only run RCs if no one is around. I would seek out empty ball fields. If anyone was around, I'd simply turn the car around and leave. I'm uncomfortable around people and dislike attention, so its easier to just run at home in my case.

Just another random thought for the thread. When early buggies first veered away from scale realism, tires were one of the first things to change. Case in point, the Tamiya Buggy Spike Tire. The tire, while found on countless Hornets and Frogs was introduced on the Super Champ.. I (and others on the forum) have always felt the design of the Buggy Spike Tire was specifically suited to work with the Super Champ. The tire has a rounded carcass with spikes that roll down into the sidewall of the tire. With the radical camber changes in the Super Champ's rear suspension, this tire would have been ideal for keeping spikes planted in the dirt. Full size tires generally don't have spikes and the Super Champ was Tamiya's first "competition" off road model. This led them to design a less-than-realistic tire (compared to the Rough Rider and Sand Scorcher's) for a buggy meant for competition.

I believe the 1:1 versions were made by Ronal.

Good question. I can't even find out the type of medium they used although I think it mixed. I can make out brush strokes in certain cases but in others I imagine only an airbrush could achieve the effect. The style is pretty standardized. Boxart (and securing a good artist) was a big deal in the early days of Tamiya. The early stuff (static models) had backgrounds. There was a definite changeover to their standard white background box, which I love. It looks really clean while emphasizing the model (and the dynamics of the art in motion). Somehow, I always preferred Tamiya, Marui, Nichimo, (and even Royal) etc. with their boxart over the staid photos of Kyosho boxes. Never thought of it that way, but now that you mention it, it makes sense. I remember thinking to myself at times that the artist took some mighty big liberties in some cases. The original Lancia Rally was just a tiny bit different in real life over the boxart . I must have drawn the Wild Willy boxart dozens of times, trying to just that wheelie stance just perfect. Of course I was working with a postage stamp-sized reference from a tiny magazine ad back then. Same here. Still have that old, tattered guidebook too. Somedays, I just sit and chill out, looking at the collection on the shelves with the boxes set above them.

I love Tamiya boxart. If there's one skill in life I'd like, it would to be able to replicate it myself. I showed a trained artist some examples of it (wondering if he could give me lessons working up to that standard) and he was pretty blown away by Tamiya's work. Anyway, in my latest study I wondered just how much the artist(s) had contact with the actually vehicle (for example, did they drive it?) and if they were part of the naming/theme process of the vehicle. Several random observations: The Lunch Box. Ever notice how the LB is one of the few boxart designs that somewhat "twisted" and comical (probably even more so than the Wild Willy). Did the artist run a LB? They seem to get the little van's "fun" and "playful" nature from looking at the finished boxart. As a kid, I saw the MRC photo ad before the boxart. I was surprised when I did see it. I liked how it was a "tightened up" version of the cartoon graphic (minus Vanessa hanging out the window) on the van's flanks. The Clod Buster. The Clod was/is big. The artist must have been aware of this or its importance (selling point) by choosing a low perspective point. The Clod seems to be massive and towering from the vantage point the artist puts the viewer at. Interestingly the Juggernaut's photo box (boo!, I want boxart!) mimics the Clod's stance to a degree. Possibly, not only signifying its size but also that it was poised to take over the Clod's spot in the lineup at the time. The Fox. The stance of the car clearly emphasizes how the body designs mimics a Fox's head. Slender, tapering snout, wing for "ears" etc. The Frog and Grasshopper. Both hop so both boxarts present the cars leaping toward the viewer. The Hornet. Aside form looking like one, the boxart depicts the buggy making an exaggerated, swift turn or change in direction. Hornets and bees generally move in quick darting motions like this in real life too. The Falcon. Now this one can be subtle. Its no too different than the Bigwig for example. However the Falcon body design plus its boxart stance shows the buggy swooping in and down into the frame, much like its namesake, poised to strike. The Boomerang. Another subtle one. The Boomer is pictured making a turn and coming back toward the viewer, much like the real thing perhaps. The Hot Shot. Here's another one where I question if the artist drove the vehicle. Looking at how the front suspension is acting when pitched hard into the depicted turn, while exaggerated for dynamics, isn't too far off the real buggy. The Hot Shot 2. This might be completely in my mind but the buggy's, somewhat like the Boomerang, turning and coming back to the viewer. Perhaps this signifies the "return" of the Hot Shot name in a sense. The Bulhead. Ever drive a Clod or Bullhead? they bounce and bound a lot (much like real 1980s monster trucks). I would have thought, for its massive size, the Bullhead would be shown crushing something or emphasizing its girth. Instead, the artist cleverly zigs instead of zags showing the huge truck leaping into the picture, which actually isn't far off from reality. I love this stuff and probably study it too deeply, lol.

Yes! Very much so! I despise super-magic-mystery-wish-pray aspect of painting (plus god and planetary alignment) required for a good job. I have a back log of shells to paint and buy to finish my collection. 1.Bruiser body 2.Blackfoot body 3.Super Champ body 4.Boomerang shell 5.Hot Shot 2 shell 6.Super Sabre shell 7.Grasshopper 2 Super G body 8. yet unknown shell for my Bennett Clod Buster 9.Clod Buster body 10.Custom painted Clod Buster body for my Sassy Chassis Clod 11.Super Shot shell 12.Midnight Pumpkin body 13.Original boxart RC10 shell 14. RC10 Champ shell in some neon 80's/90's scheme 15. Madcap shell 16. Super Astute runner shell I've probably got to throw $300 into shells, bodies, repro decals and correct paint for all this. I just remind myself, when its done, it will all be over (until the next project springs to mind).

Shocking news. I listened to him on several RC podcast and he seemed like a really great guy. RIP Brian

The other day I was "talking shop" with the owner of my local hobby shop. He said the Tamiya MAP pricing has done wonders for his business. He would bitterly complain about how Tower Hobbies was killing him because he couldn't match their kit prices. Now that everything's level and fair, business has really picked up......and then I woke up from my 1989 dream and found myself back in 2019. 2019, where the closest RC hobby shop is 45 minutes away and they carry Traxxas and Axial, not Tamiya. Oh, and big mean Tower Hobbies went bankrupt and got bought out. Sorry for the sarcasm but with the exception of the Super Astute, my money goes toward used Tamiyas and not into their pockets. Its not that I don't want to support Tamiya. Its that I can't afford to anymore.

As far as vintage NIB? Nope. I'm glad that some people do and I can see their pics online. That's good enough for me. Some should be saved NIB for posterity, I'm just not the guy to do it. If I have a vintage model, its because I "saved" it by restoring it. Its more satisfying for me that way. If I'm running it, I'd rather it be a re-release with fresh plastics. Plus, no guilt of taking a vintage NIB out of circulation. I have some NIB re-releases. They will all be built "some day" however, save one. I'll probably keep a re-re SRB or Egress NIB just because I like the look of the presentation. If It was a typical new Tamiya "parts thrown in a shoebox" and a box lid with a photo sticker slapped on it like a generic CC-01, I could care less. One NIB, blister-equipped, kit is enough for me.

Now this, I agree with. Making a big production out of a "color" edition, that doesn't equate to much, doesn't do it for me but the mystery of not knowing the color would be kinda cool. If you didn't care for the color, you could paint it anyway. Some of the Monogram kits I have in my stash were even molded with metallic in the plastic which looked pretty good sometimes. Looking at what my daughter has available in toy selection, much of it is based on "mystery" or "surprise". Kids seem to dig that nowadays.

In some cases, like this Brat, these "color" editions just seem kinda hokey to me. The more elaborate ones like the blue edition Lunch Box I'm ok with, but just molding the body in a different color does nothing for me. I mean, aren't we always being told we should paint the bodies anyway? The Black Edition Midnight Pumpkin always makes me laugh. Its molded in black. Big deal. Why weren't Blackfoots "Black Edtions" all along since they were molded in black? When Tamiya started molding Monster Beetles in red back in the day, shouldn't they now be "Red Editions"? Forgive my cynicism. I guess RC sales can be tough in this day and age so any gimmick that keeps them profitable is understandable.