magnumcyclonex

Every therapy session costs money. Sometimes there's additional (but optional) add ons. Then there's extra fees for doing therapy at an established location alongside people with the same track of mind. When the therapy session reveals some broken parts, you need to invest more to restore back to 100%

I like using the lines and contours Tamiya builds on to their body molds as part of my canvas, so to speak. For some of the initial bodies I did, I went box art colors, box art stickers. But as time progressed, and as my spray can inventory increased, I became more daring and creative. Sure, masking is a pain, but holding strong to that vision and seeing it through to the finish when you peel off that protective film makes it all worth it! Sometimes, with bodies meant for running/racing, I always feel that tinge of guilt/sadness they are going to get battered, dirty, and scratched up - which is why I always take photos before they go on their first runs. Anyways, down below, I've posted these in the What Have You Done Today thread before in 2024... For the TT01 Fat Fox, I did a multi color scheme, utilizing some vibrant colors, and played with some translucent ones. The translucent yellow stands out a lot. On the rear, I used the translucent red and blue to paint the layout of the Nintendo Switch Joy Cons. Even harder to see are the rear fenders which were painted in translucent red and blue (and pink and green - but those are really hard to see from this angle). I also installed white wheels instead of the kit supplied black ones, and bought the white bumper set to match in the rear (which you can barely see in this photo). For the M-06 VW Type 2 Van, the Corsa Grey color scheme was deliberately picked to not be so flashy. This way, what really pops out (at least to me) are the numerous Peeps related stickers plastered all over the body. You could say that I took some inspiration from the M-05 VW Flower Power Van, which has since been discontinued. I'm particularly proud of the fact that I spent the time lining up the masking tape for the silver portions on the body. The VW logo stands out very well against the white and the PS silver matches the TS silver plastic bumper. Finally, what's a van if it isn't carrying any passengers? Peeps Bunnies took a ride with some cheap Amazon LED lights to shine through the front and back.

I feel the same way. The MB-01 is probably going to replace the M-05 and M-06 chassis moving forward. The MB-01 (and BT-01) share so many parts, along with the TT02 as you mentioned. I also agree that the maintenance of these two newer chassis makes it very easy to swap things in and out.

For the Yaris, these are Gravity RC USGT Pre-Mounted GT Belted Rubber Tires w/GT Wheel (Grey) (4) w/12mm Hex (GRC123), that you can find on sites like Amain Hobbies. For the Mercedes, those are Team Powers Pre-Mounted Touring Car Rubber Tires w/12mm Hex (White) (4) (TPRTPG3604SUV2H) <-- you can select 32/34/36/38, that you can also find from Amain Hobbies and other online RC stores.

Not exactly today, but over the past several weeks, I built two TT02's. I did take their photos today. The PS18 Metallic Purple / PS45 Translucent Purple on the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG Racing Version (58722) will be my AWD/4WD outdoor tarmac runner. Almost mirroring the Indoor TT02 spec that I run, it is equipped with Sealed Ball Bearings, CVA Oil Shocks at 1000wt, TT02/XV02 Oil Differentials, Aluminum Steering Set and Servo Saver, Torque Tuned Motor w/ 25T Pinion Gear, 70T Stock Spur Gear (7.28 FDR), Hobbywing 1060 ESC, WR02 Universal Drive Shafts (54394), 9mm Aluminum Wheel Hexes (54610), FRP Battery Support, Carbon Bumper Supports, Racing Wing A, Yeah Racing Motor Fan, and PSM Body Mount Supports. I did some of the lines and contours in Translucent Purple, and I think it came out quite nicely. It is a bit hard to see from the photos, but any area that is not opaque is either translucent or clear. *********************************** The PS17 Metallic Green / PS44 Translucent Green on the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT / GR Yaris Rally 1 Hybrid (58716) is an experimental car in FWD mode. For comparison reasons, it will be an indoor carpet car. (It's probably not going to handle very well since the motor is set towards the rear of the chassis, but like I said, it's more of an experiment for my own personal curiosity). It is almost fully hopped up: Ball Bearings, CVA Oil Shocks at 1000wt, Front Gear Differential packed with 1,000,000 Grease, Aluminum Steering Set and Servo Saver, WR02 Universal Drive Shafts (54394) for the front, 9mm Aluminum Wheel Hexes (54610), Reinforced Axle (54183) for the rear, 3 Degree Rear Uprights (54733), FRP Battery Support, Carbon Bumper Supports, Aluminum Propeller Shaft and End Cups, Carbon Shock Towers, Low Friction Suspension Balls for the front arms, Adjustable Camber Arms for front and rear set to 2 degrees, Aluminum Servo Mount, High Speed Gear Spur Holder, and PSM Body Mount Supports. A stock motor and ESC from the kit were outfitted for show, but at some point, I will put in a Hobbywing ESC and 25.5T Brushless Motor and a motor fan. The gearing with the Yeah Racing Motor Mount is 44T Pinion / 78T Spur for an FDR of 4.6 (basically whatever gears I had available). As for the body when this car finally hits the track, it will run without the stock plastic wing and side mirrors. Again, here I used the same theme of coloring the body with a Metallic and Translucent color for the contours and lines. *********************************** In retrospect, perhaps using a different color for the translucent areas would have yielded better contrast. Something like PS36 Translucent Silver would work better.

For me, it's the bodies. I come from a Mini 4WD background. From the 80s and 90s, Tamiya released several chassis, and each chassis had several unique bodies that came with the kits. That was my childhood, of having unique bodies, painting them, stickering them up, drilling holes to make them lighter etc. I didn't have to go boxart or box color. I could do as I pleased. Any mistakes, any blemishes, scratches, or lines were mine to own. The same goes for Tamiya's RC cars. With the polycarbonate bodies being mostly 1/10, the "canvas" became larger. I could mask and paint with various colors. 2 tone, 3 tone, translucent, smoke, clear etc. I have so many PS and TS paints (of odd colors) I realistically don't know if I will ever get to use them all. But if I buy enough bodies, perhaps!

This is awesome. I think there are so many ways to enjoy RC. This is one very unique way of doing so. Having them take turns leading, or falling back, staying in the pack, makes them all better drivers overall. In some ways, it's a great exercise, both physically and mentally. I think one can appreciate what they are doing. They have a knack for doing something that is not seeking the best times, fastest laps, or winning a race. What they're doing is enjoying driving their RC cars, in a communal aspect, plain and simple. As for the Blockhead Motors Outdoor Festival, that's a great way to bring together many RC enthusiasts. There is bound to be some activity for everyone with their RC vehicles. Again, it's not all about competition, or racing, or even maximizing performance. It's about taking what you build, and driving it with others who share the same passion and zest for the hobby.

Tamiya being Tamiya. Over their history, they've done an outstanding job of designing and making parts as well as chassis to "future proof" themselves. So many parts are common across multiple chassis. The MB-01 shares some of the same parts as the BT-01. The TT-02 gear (or even oil) differentials can be easily inserted into the BT-01. One can assemble multiple oil diffs of varying viscocities and experiment on the BT-01. The design from a maintenance standpoint is an improvement over the TT-01, because the differentials won't fall out when you take off the gear covers. Perhaps (wishful thinking) this design will make it to the fabled "TT-03", if and when that ever happens.

This is a great tool! Thanks for all the hard work and time to check everything before releasing it to the wild! That said, it would be nice to: 1) Show each chassis' internal ratio 2) The mathematical formula (FDR = [Spur/Pinion) x Internal Ratio] 3) Have another input line to enter desired FDR, and the spur/pinion so users can know what they need. (e.g. if I want to achieve a 4.0 FDR, and I have a 52T pinion, what spur do I need? and vice versa for pinion). Maybe this is asking for too much, but I'm sure what you have already will be of great use for many.

Outfitted the FF BT-01 with the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Yaris WRC body (painted with PS-58 Pearl Clear, PS-30 Brilliant Blue, PS-12 Silver); and a Yokomo RS1 (chassis on loan to me from a friend) with the Raikiri body (painted with PS-58 Pearl Clear, PS-60 Mica Red. PS-1 White) The Yokomo chassis is equipped with a Sport Tuned Motor, mainly just to test on carpet next time I head out to the track. The BT-01 chassis is a work in progress. Still need to solder the ESC to the motor (25.5 HobbyWing FTM). I'm actually intrigued at how easy it is to maintain the BT-01 chassis. Getting to the gearbox/differential is much easier than the TT-02, where I don't have to lift up the suspension system, because the access points are from the front and back. The motor mount and gear case being attached by 2 screws from the bottom makes it easy to change out the gears. I think the next mod I would do in the future is to dremel out one side of the motor attachment holes, so a variable mesh can be used. With the TT-02 High Speed Gear holder piece, I used aftermarket pinion (52T) and spur (86T) for a 4.3 FDR. The front differential has been packed with Anti Wear grease so it's not too loose. Excited to test this FWD at the carpet track as well (will take off the hard plastic rear wing and mount a lexan wing instead).

Not so shameless plug, but the Fun-Vroom was already available for purchase in the U.S. last month (by Tamiya USA no less!), and your truly made a fun little video on it: p.s. I don't understand why the release date and availability of kits is not sync'ed globally. I've been seeing for years some kits are out in the public before the Japan release date.

Just saw this posted a few hours ago (as of writing this post). Paisen RC showcases what Tamiya has to offer at the 2025 Shizuoka Hobby Show. Enjoy!

They have botched some of my orders in the past. Sometimes they make it right. Other times, I'm like Whats that all about then? why'd you cancel without explanation. The cost savings is sometimes too good to beat, even against a more locally favorable Amain Hobbies (if u are USA based). I just take my chances and if it's a wash, I go elsewhere. If not, I save money (which I end up spending on other hobby stuff anyways). With this Flash Sale, I picked up the Top Force, Hot Shot II Blockhead Motors, and DT-04.

Great photos! I was there too in November 2024. Definitely worth checking out. I will say that some of the prices were a tad bit more expensive. They upmarked a body shell I had been looking for (I didn't care since I wanted it), and months later back in the US, I got the same shell for cheaper from a US online store. The Tamiya PlaModel Factory is a treat for the eyes (not for the luggage space - unless you travel by yourself or mail items back). I was just amazed at all the sliding racks stocked full of hop ups. Definitely a good selection, but of course many of the same (e.g. Mini 4WD section). The Aero Avante was the first Mini 4WD to use the AR Chassis, back in 2012 or 2013 I think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y04o8p_Y7as Fun fact, there is a 1:1 Gunbluster XTO elsewhere in Japan. I think at one of the race courses. THAT is the one I'd rather see as that Mini 4WD was exclusive to the anime Let's & Go!! WGP Movie from 1997.

In no particular order for 2025: Honda City Turbo DT-04 Mini Cooper And maybe some TT02s for cheap, including a few hop ups for some projects.