Bwaaatch

This kind of cross-branding happens all the time with Mini 4wd kits, completely legitimately within the Tamiya sphere. Some new stickers, and wrap a cardboard sleeve with (sometimes) low-effort imagery and design around the actual box art. But I agree it does seem pretty new in the RC space. Feels like a positive change and an easy way generate special editions at low cost (but still potentially interesting).

Hey everyone, I just bought some lovely things from a UK-based seller on the 'bay and wanted to share a recommendation. This is not my store and not someone I know, but they have a quirky range of vintage stuff that is, on occasion, not perfectly labelled, making things hard to find (and maybe cheaper to acquire!). Delivery was also very fast, and packaging was great. This is the store Victor101s RC Car Shop: https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/victor101srccarshop?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211 I was drawn in by some vintage Mini 4wd ephemera direct from Japan (old stickers by third parties). Browsing the store I found a very wider range of interesting bits, especially promo items that are usually very hard to get in the UK. For truck/hauler fans: how about this cool set of promo models: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156265470816?epid=2254271334&itmmeta=01JD796374YQ2EW9X7J8SYQXBF&hash=item246225db60:g:FPcAAOSwo4VmdGCD Vintage mini 4wd magnets: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167082351883?itmmeta=01JD79C2FTXN39PD0NC72JAZX6&hash=item26e6e25d0b:g:v9sAAOSwBixnMmq5 MINI mini terra conqueror? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156326338030?epid=20005364740&itmmeta=01JD79C2FTFYGARF7ENKJ2CGNN&hash=item2465c69dee:g:JUMAAOSwSxNmpm5S Promo stickers for RC favourite like this FAV one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167111577871?itmmeta=01JD79C2FTC9SJ2YPX1GY56QKV&hash=item26e8a0510f:g:zGsAAOSwecdnAssS Astute Jr promo mat (like a mouse mat): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156174556952?itmmeta=01JD79N6Q1GMXKN0R9HCBHCFJ9&hash=item245cba9f18:g:wg4AAOSwN5VmIsU7 So yeah, I have no skin the game but thought that many people here might find themselves some treats here - and I can vouch for service quality.

Not a helpful comment, but I hope a supportive one, just to say what a great project this is! Our hobby is full of this kind of ephemera that will be easily lost in the future if we don’t preserve it. And these illustrations are rather lovely. Best of luck!

A man feels fulfilled after a weekend of drill talk. Thanks everyone. I will pause my purchase for now, but might add one to a bigger order later on if the mood takes me. A shame that this tool seems lacking in some key areas, but lots of great tips on this thread regardless.

Interesting. perhaps yeah don’t get these from there standard supplier and they might offer a small advantage in a box stick race? Will take a look!

I stumbled on a review for the 74041 handy drill that piqued my interest. Here it is: https://www.thercracer.com/2020/09/74041-tamiya-electric-handy-drill-build.html?m=0 I’ve seen these drills (and the similar looking router) around for many years and considered picking one up, but this review pushed me into ‘buy’ mode. Why? Because it makes these awesome points: - it’s a kit, you get to build it! - build experience is similar to a Mini 4wd - same motors as Mini 4wd means we have upgrades! So I’m gonna get one and have some fun with it. wondering if anyone else has experience of using or tuning up this useful little monkey? Plan plan is to keep it under the stairs with other ‘everyday’ tools and wait for the moment when I suddenly have a domestic need for thing to get holed. Why… my incredibly overspec’d Plasma Dash-powered handy drill it right here!

I suppose all the Tamiya products are part of a 'Formula' that is designed for fairness, not outright maximum power. I don't think the Unparalleled motor can play a useful part in the racing ecosystem, but is fun for a laugh, or might have useful application in other contexts.

OK, nerd alert … I tested the following motors with these results … Silver can FA-130 Tamiya Plasma Dash Auldey Super Power Auldey Fighting Power Unparalleled! Claimed RPM 13,800 rpm ?? 25,000 rpm 25,000 rpm 33,000 rpm 66,000 rpm Km/h in test mule (F-MA chassis, stock in all regards) 19 Km/h (already run in) 38 Km/h (already run in) 34 Km/h (fresh from box) 39 Km/h (fresh from box) 54 Km/h (fresh from box – terrifying) I used the official Tamiya speed checker. Made some quick comparison photos below, but my conclusions are … The Auldey motors are not perfect clones of the Plasma Dash, but are very close. Main differences are visible on the end bell (second from last pic). They are both fast, and I would imagine that after running for a while the 'Super Power' would hit similar speeds to my already broken in Plasmas Dash, and that the ' Fighting Power' would go further beyond it. The Unparalleled motor was positively dangerous! No way for me to know if it really could deliver 66,000 rpm, but a 14 Km/h speed advantage over the rest of the field is pretty staggering considering that a plasma Dash is genuinely banned from most competitions for being too quick. If you want what the Plasma Dash offers but don't want to spend huge money and don't mind the knock-off label, I think an Auldey Fighting power will meet your needs! If your aim is to injure people and pets, go Unparalleled! *JOKE* Please don't injure people or pets, but please do take actual precautions before putting this motor out in the wild. Mine is missing the original plastic container, and the background is ripped (and would normally be blue). This link suggests Tamiya Motors have sometimes been made by SMC and STD: https://mini-4wd.fandom.com/wiki/FA-130_Motor#:~:text=The single-shaft FA-130,Mini 4WD PRO car kits.

Nice haul! both WW and Neo Burning Sun are rare ones, not often re-issued. if you can't clean the corrosion, upgrades gold terminal sets are available, but possibly easier and cheaper to just buy a whole new kit :-)

My Auldey copies arrived today. Comparison incoming …

Awaiting the deliver of all my new motors, but in the mean time I can confirm that a plasma dash in a Wild Mini 4wd with the (very rare) high speed gear set goes at about 12 or 13 kph and WILL get round the loop on the Mini 4wd circuit. The problem is keeping it on the track consistently round the bends. Current plans involve low level weights.

We never got either of the TV shows in the UK, let alone the manga. Tamiya UK distributor stopped importing them in the mid-nineties. One local shop near me told me that they did not comply with EU rules, but that’s a fig leaf for all kinds of stuff over here! Italian interpretation of EU rules seemed ok with them, and modern boxes certainly carry the ‘CE ‘ mark. In a way, I think the market for these cars was simply a different audience from the one the UK distributor wanted to handle. “Toys, they are!” And UK toy shops gradually stopped restocking model kits around that time. So the basic issue in the UK is: nobody sells or markets them, and no one is willing to take the risk (which may indeed relate to cost factors) However, I also think there is a cultural thing about shared experiences and physical proximity. In South East Asia I think the idea of sharing the track and gathering in groups to enjoy it maybe more comfortable for people?

Two things … Finally got setup for a first proper try at Street Mini 4wd (it worked, we had fun, I followed this guide), then did some work in the evening on a Wildsaurus duvet cover for my daughter (birthday present request )

Pretty much all the currently available chassis are equally 'tinkerable', but especially those released since 2005 or so. So you will be safe with any currently produced model, with the exception of specific retro re-res (such as the set of Dash Warriors from a few years ago, which come on Type 3 Chassis first released around 1988). But even back to the older chassis, swapping bodies is usually drop and go – though you get a few exceptions and sometimes a bit of body cutting is needed. The overall length of the body (front clip to rear clip) is standardised, although the wheelbase and width of the different chassis varies by a few mm from generation to generation. So you can feel safe that MOST parts fit MOST chassis. This Tamiya EN page is pretty up to date: https://www.tamiya.com/english/cms/mini4wd_chassis_select.html Most of the serious tinkering is either about making them more effective on track 9 in which case exact parts compatibility is worth checking) or making the super beautiful (in which case do as you feel!) http://condele.club

Ahh screw it … I've ordered both the Auldey motors! For science! Both can be found on this listing (scroll through the images): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000926484604.html