Jump to content

Search the Community

Showing results for tags 'Tamiya'.



More search options

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • Tamiyaclub.com Forums
    • General discussions
    • Vintage Tamiya Discussion
    • Re-Release Discussions
    • Tamiyaclub News
    • Tamiyaclub Rules and Site Usage
    • Build Tips and Techniques
    • Monster Trucks, 4x4, Wheelie Rigs and Crawlers
    • Big Rigs and Scale Armour
    • All things RC Nitro
    • The Builds
    • TC Designs...
    • All things electric...
    • RC Racing Talk
    • Meetings & Events
    • Sales, trades & wanted
    • Off-Site sales plugs, tips & gossip - Including eBay, Gumtree etc.
    • Related sites
    • Suspicious Traders
  • Tamiyaclub Sponsors Forum
    • FusionHobbies.com
    • Stellamodels
    • Time Tunnel Models
    • Tamico.de
  • Other makes of RC model...
    • Kyosho
    • Marui
    • Nikko
    • Other makes
  • tcPhotos.com
    • About tcPhotos.com
  • The Outside World
    • Anything not RC related goes here

Find results in...

Find results that contain...


Date Created

  • Start

    End


Last Updated

  • Start

    End


Filter by number of...

Joined

  • Start

    End


Group


AIM


MSN


Website URL


ICQ


Yahoo


Jabber


Skype


Location


Interests


TC Subscriber

Found 263 results

  1. First, let me set the scene Way back in 2005 TamiyaUSA was trying hard to get into Monster Truck racing. Earlier that year, Jimmy Jacobson and David Jun finished 1st and 2nd place at the 5th Annual Pro-Line Maxx Challenge Race respectively in the Small-Block class and then for the second year in a row they also finished 1st and 2nd at the Monster Madness race. Once again, a one two sweep of the podium and five laps over third place. The truly remarkable occurred when the two TRF drivers also finished 1st and 2nd in the big-block class, four laps ahead of third, using the same trucks and the same engines! The TNX dominated both classes in 2005 with good chassis tuning and some new option parts that Tamiya subsequently released. The 43508X and its racing experience also formed direction for the TNX 5.2R and the modifications that kit saw. TamiyaUSA released its own version of the TNX labelled as kit number 43508X and it came with a pack of option parts so the user could modify the truck. The main additions were Proline Powerstroke shocks, Proline tyres and wheels and a revised heatsink head. The aim of this build is to create a replica of the racing truck that David Jun used and make it from a 43508X kit.. The race modifications were: Futaba S9451 Digital servos Pro-Line Bowtie Tyres and Velocity wheels Ofna HD Servo Saver Ofna engine starting Back Plate MIP Driveshafts Modified TNX body with a lexan wing Relocation of the RX and battery boxes Tamiya Fuel filter Proline Powerstroke 6025 bypass shock set A lexan wing on the back of the bodyshell First I had to get a 43508X kit! Not sold in the UK I chanced upon one back in 2017 and snapped it up. Very rough but the basics were there. The Proline Powerstroke shock set is expensive and hard to come by. Used sets make £140 on Ebay so I was glad this one was complete. You can also see the modified heatsink head. The body, wheels and tyres (rotten) were scrapped and the car went in storage. Since 2017 I have been collecting all the extra parts I need, tyres, wheels, servos, a new body, OFNA servo saver, MIP drive cups and the OFNA engine backplate. With that now done the TNX has made it to the top of the list for rebuild. Another Race car replica build has started! It's time to get dirty and strip it down!
  2. Hi Guys! Wondering if some of you might be able to help me out here as I am new to the exciting world of RC. A quick briefing: I am looking into getting a TT02 for a project and came across the Eagle Racing TT02 GRT AWD CS Drift Chassis, which I fell in love with as it comes fully carbon & blue bling goodness. Question is, can a CS Drift chassis be run as a Touring Spec Chassis? How will CS differential affect track handling? And would Swapping the CS from front to rear make handling better as power bias would be f75/r35 (roughly) through the drivetrain? Also, are drift chassis more fragile than their Touring brothers? Many Thanks!
  3. One thing I simply can't do when browsing Ebay is overlook Tamiya Nitro that is down on its luck! Over the Christmas period I had been reviewing Ebay more than once a day as I know that loft and attic finds appear at this time of year. Up popped this TR-15t on Ebay and it instantly went on the watch list. Roll on to the last few seconds of the auction and it was mine for £132. Three days later it was delivered to my house. Now the TR-15t was first released in 1993 making this one nearly 29 years old. Kit number 44001 was Tamiya's first nitro, first nitro engine (FS-15) and a foray into something other than electric power. Nowadays a real collectors piece and good ones change hands for around £450. So what did £132 buy me? Today I inspected the car and it;s probably 99% complete. The only things missing from the kit are the servo mounts and when fitted the servos. Thats a really good starting point. The body has held up well and apart from a good clean, another clean and then another clean coupled with some new decals it should scrub up well. The chassis is a little dirty! The tyres are all perished Underside isnt too bad The FS-15 engine is seized. No surprise looking at it but in my experience its unlikely it is locked due to damage. it will be old fuel. The plan will be to strip, clean and rebuild the old girl and assess compression etc. The recoil starter will be rebuilt and I already produce and sell new labels for these. Overall a dirty but dooable (is that a word) project So the plan is simple. Get her stripped down into metal and plastic. Get everything through the ultrasonic and then start assessing each part for the bin, restoration or replacement. The chassis plate will be replaced for a new red (pink) original hop up set. Everything else we shall see as we go!! Wish me luck
  4. Hey guys, sorry it took so long but all of my parts finally came in for the Hotshot build! Shipping things to Canada takes forever sometimes. I'm going to start on the build before the New Year but I'll be in Alabama for work for a few weeks after that so updates will be a bit delayed! So I've got an original YOU-G bumper and aluminum wing, Pro Line rims that I painted white with Prime and Shadow 4WD slicks, MIP ball bearing differentials, a Futaba high torque metal gear servo, a special edition Copperhead 10 ESC, a HobbyStar 540 V3 10.5T SPEC motor, a Futaba 3PRKA transmitter and receiver combo, a Fast Eddy ball bearing kit and finally a Hotshot Dart body by TBG. Let me know if you have any suggestions for other hop ups! Thanks guys and wish me luck
  5. Grastens Builds the: A memorable build of great personal significance begins! Overview (aka Grastens' Understanding of the Buggy Champ and its Predecessors) The Tamiya Buggy Champ was released in 2009, as a re-issue of the original Rough Rider that first appeared in 1979. Along with the Sand Scorcher, it played a role in the popularization of off-road RC buggy racing. The chassis featured full cast-metal independent suspension, which emulated the Volkswagen Beetles that was the basis for many dune buggies of the time. As such, the performance was also quite similar to the full-size subject, which at the time represented an improvement over the current state of off-road RC buggies. The Rough Rider in particular was based on the Bob Maynard Racing Funco SSII, and was set to become a properly-licenced version of his bright-orange racer. However, the deal fell through during the prototype stage, and as a result, the name was changed to “Rob Mitchell Racing” (Tamiyabase has some more information on this for further reading). If nothing else, this footnote reaffirms Tamiya’s attention to authenticity in those early days of their RC venture. The suspension was not the only factor influencing its scale performance: the use of a water-resistant mechanism box to protect the electrical components from moisture damage also allowed the buggy to tackle the elements. This opened up new possibilities for running, which contributed to the chassis’ popularity among more casual enthusiasts. The bodywork did require some deviation from the original Funco buggies to fit the mechanism box, but for all intents and purposes the Rough Rider was an authentic dune buggy at 1:10 scale – and a fraction of the price! The combination of scale aesthetics and performance was befitting the “Model Suitable for Radio Control” philosophy that Tamiya’s nascent RC department sought to embrace. With pronounced positive rear camber and no rear differential, the Rough Rider was really best suited for sandy beaches and dunes – again, like the real thing. As mentioned, the chassis was also used for the Sand Scorcher, which took the Beetle theme even further by introducing a modified Volkswagen-style shell over the original platform. Later, Tamiya would use the chassis underneath a Ford F-150 Ranger body as its own release. In response to the growing number of racers using these buggies, Tamiya would eventually develop the chassis further for the Super Champ (now around today as the Fighting Buggy). The chassis became known as the SRB (Special Racing Buggy), and for all its innovation, there were plenty of improvements that could be made to increase its performance. It has been written that the Rough Rider and Sand Scorcher may have created the “cottage industry” of aftermarket parts (think Team CRP, MIP, Thorp, etc.) as enterprising builders and racers sought to gain the edge on the track. Popular upgrades included items such as lightweight suspension arms, alloy chassis plates, parts to replace the mechanism box with a lighter solution (addressed later with the Super Champ), and an ever-increasing variety of wheel and tire combinations. The legacy of the Rough Rider (and Sand Scorcher) may be similar to that of the later Grasshopper and Hornet, which also brought off-road RC cars to a wider audience. As buggy design evolved into something quite different in the name of outright performance, the scale appearance and driving characteristics of the SRBs remain part of a past era, though revived in other genres such as trail driving! Grastens and the Buggy Champ I bought my Buggy Champ at the local hobby shop (back then, Advance Hobbies near Toronto, Ontario) for what was probably $350. I had been in the hobby for about one year, having started with another Tamiya: the Toyota GT-One on the F103RS. I enjoyed it immensely, and a whetted appetite was now eager to try off-road buggies. At the time, I had little clue as to what the Buggy Champ represented. I found myself living the experience of a Rough Rider enthusiast: once marvelling at its performance off-road, I sought to improve its overall handling by introducing new parts. The modifications I remember the most were the alloy chassis plate, the ball differential, and a succession of coil-spring dampers that replaced the leak-prone originals. I had even considered the RC Channel double-wishbone upgrade for the rear suspension, if only because I found the positive rear camber made handling tricky, and the wear on the outsides of the tires was not looking good… Life intervened, as it usually does, and for a period, the Buggy Champ sat along with my other cars on the shelf. Over time, it was joined by others, and as the on-off relationship with the hobby continued, the car saw less and less action – I would be too engrossed with other projects, like the Lancia Rally that I had taken on and with which I began my love affair with RC rally cars. Unfortunately, life then saw me sell the Buggy Champ (along with the shell for said Lancia Rally) when I needed the funds for a trip. I sold the car to another member on TamiyaClub, who, like me, had been looking for a fun and reliable runner. Perhaps it is best that I have since forgotten this member’s name (and I believe this member no longer frequents the forums), for it broke my heart to learn that this member decided it was not to his taste and sat it on the shelf. I had given him a bargain for it, too… It was at that moment that I came to realize my mistake, though it would take some more time to regret it (after all, it was a good trip!). The Intervening Years Over time, while moving a well-loved car for pocket change to someone who did not appreciate it still hurt, I could also understand that the Buggy Champ was a car best suited for a specific set of conditions. As I grew up and settled down, I would continue to waver between full and zero commitment to the hobby. I struggled with unemployment for an embarrassing amount of time, which definitely affected my ability to continue with my RC cars. Even when I did find full-time work, a diagnosis of clinical depression and the resulting medical struggles changed my life and threw it into turmoil… … And as if in the eye of a storm, I calmly picked up my RC cars again. This time, having finally moved in with my partner and being otherwise completely independent, I found I could focus more time, energy, and (most importantly) money on the hobby that I knew I still loved. The acquisition of a Tamiya Hotshot (courtesy of said partner!) rekindled my interest, and a succession of builds signalled my return to radio-controlled cars. And then: well, where I now live, there is a beach less than an hour’s drive away… Could I really be thinking…? Even with all of the other off-road buggies I have now? A Second Chance Everything pointed me towards another Buggy Champ. Remembering how much I have come to miss my first one, I made the decision to find one – and this time, not let go! Unfortunately, like pretty much everything, the Buggy Champs that were once plentiful online and beyond (namely, the ‘Metallic Editions’ in silver and gold) were now going for way more than I recalled. I had to remember that it had been several years since I last seriously sought one out, but this seemed ridiculous; the majority of them were asking $700 and beyond. The advent of coronavirus inspired me to turn ‘local,’ which is to say to the local online classified ads. There, I found a seller who had a new-in-sealed-box Buggy Champ for well under what everyone else wanted for theirs, out of Toronto. It was even somewhat near where I grew up… I wanted it, but my bank account did not! I made a deal to put down a deposit on it, following which I would come up with the rest of the money in two weeks’ time. I had it all paid for by the next week, and while perhaps I could have negotiated a better price, I felt grateful to have found a brand-new one in the country that did not cost me half a month’s pay! The other nice thing about buying within the country is that shipping is commensurately fast. By the following week, I had it in my hands! When I opened it up and set out the shrink-wrapped box, I just stood there, staring at it: while I may never find my original Buggy Champ again, I have been given another chance to experience it. With the experience I had accumulated with other models in that time, I would appreciate it more than I ever could have back then, and now know better than to part with this one – would you believe I embraced the box and told it I would never let go? I was unaware of the full extent of my emotions until the day it arrived. Maybe it will become a nice memory of mine in this hobby. The Kit Many of you have seen a Buggy Champ before, but for the Gamilans, Betelgeusians, generally-uninformed, and nostalgic types like me out there, I have some photos: Would you also believe I found the box smaller than I remembered? The beauty of a new-in-box example is that I can relive the build, too! That blister packaging brought back so many happy memories: Beneath the blister pack with the tires, there is a special box, decorated with photos of the Buggy Champ in action. The contents of that box: Essentially, it contains all the hardware and most of the main chassis pieces. Under the blister pack with the cast-metal suspension parts, we have the grey three-piece wheels. Sitting in the centre compartment in bags were the bodyshell, the rear bumper, body parts, mechanism box, and the kit-supplied ESC: At the very bottom are those famous box-art decals: And thus, the kit! It will go together in a manner unlike many modern offerings, which I look forward to! The Build The Rough Rider and Sand Scorcher were popular in their day, and the Buggy Champ and re-released Sand Scorcher also enjoyed a following. However, in over a decade since they were re-released, the supply of non-LiPo batteries compatible with the kit’s mechanism box had seemingly gone from small to infinitesimal… There are still several offset-hump Ni-MH batteries available in Europe, and I found myself importing three of them from the U.K. specifically for this model. With the first one, I had the local hobby shop (again, Advance Hobbies) produce some for me from two standard stick packs I supplied. Far away from them or any other suitable hobby shop this time, I went overseas. My experience with the first one showed me that I could not make good use of a ball differential in the back, but that the alloy chassis I had purchased was definitely useful. I found one online, and decided to pair that with a smaller metal bumper for this kit. The electronics I will be using: Pictured are an aftermarket Spektrum-compatible receiver, an old HPI SF-10W servo, an Axial RC LED module that will allow me to fit lights, and a Tamiya TBLE-02S ESC. The last-named is of great confusion to me. I clearly recall my first Buggy Champ being issued with the TEU-101BK, and thought that the original re-issue’s run (excluding Metallic Editions) predated the TBLE-02S completely. There is a thread on TamiyaClub stating that kits are not shrink-wrapped at the factory, so I have no illusions about that. However, is this really as the kit had arrived? While I was at it, I purchased some Sand Scorcher body accessories: The plan had been to use the exhaust pipe from this set on the back of the chassis, though it looks like the Buggy Champ was not issued one for good reason: it is likely not to fit with the shell on the chassis… The build will therefore make use of an aftermarket front bumper and metal chassis plate, but will otherwise be mechanically-stock. LEDs will be equipped using a leftover sprue full of light buckets and lenses from my Comical Avante build, which was a suggestion from Tamiya’s release of the sprue as its own hop-up part. At this juncture, I intend to use the kit-supplied decals, but will not use the suggested TS-12 Orange for the paint. For body colour, I actually have a few options that do not require more purchases: on hand, I have cans of TS-43 Racing Green (the colour I used for my first Buggy Champ, I think), TS-35 Park Green, TS-15 Blue, and TS-8 Italian Red. I even have enough TS-26 Pure White and TS-7 Racing White if I feel so inclined, but at present, I do not. The Racing Green would evoke my first buggy, though the possibilities of the other colours I have are compelling – a decision I am happy to mull over while I build the chassis. The rare revisit of a memory is the subject of this build thread. Onward!
  6. Vintage Tamiya Martini Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI 4WD Nr. 5818 - for sale on eBay. Last of my models .Bought & built ca. 1997/8 and never run in anger. Sold in 2014 to a non-payer, so it stayed with me, but now it has to go. The ad is in German, but basically says: Immaculate. Never run. Displayed for last 25 years or so. Original box, spare decals, screws, cogs etc., instruction leaflet and original documents in excellent condition, original 3-step fwd/rev speed control unused - fitted with C.P.R. P-80F and Servo, Tamiya 1400NP Racing Pack 7,2v 1400mAh NiCd (not charged for donkey's years - has about 2volts residual charge. Any questions - just ask. Thanks for looking and I hope this finds a new home with someone who will cherish it as much as I have for so long!
  7. Recently started a new build. A Tamiya Fiat 1000 Abarth TCR Berlina Coursa ... to give this RC her full name. All the " bling" bits arrived across the period of a month, and now ready to go in . The M-05 hop-ups from the company Venom are new to me , and I found out while assembling them into the chassis that there are NO instructions on how to build them . But that's a story for later on.
  8. for sale only. everything is new and never used. Tamiya 1:10 JTCC HKS Opel Vectra body shell with stickers, masking, spoiler/side mirrors and instructions. Tamiya 5-spoke wheels (white) +0mm offset. Tamiya slick tires with foam inserts. price is 80€ + shipment. pictures:
  9. Tamiya ***ULTIMATE TRF TOOL BUNDLE*** All Included. All BRAND NEW & UNOPENED Also available - Tamiya TRF419XR - 42316 **ULTIMATE BUNDLE** See my other listings for this, plus a load of brand new, unused and very high end equipment up for sale. Why I’m selling: Returning to a 90 hour a week job has left me with no time, so I’m selling an extensive and, in some cases, extremely rare, collection of tools that took a year to source. Some had to be shipped to other countries prior to the UK to enable purchase. As such, what you see took hours of obsessive work to collect. Although anyone can buy and use, the collection is primarily for a Tamiya collector or someone looking for a complete collection. Knowing how hard it was to gather this collection reassures me that any value lies in keeping it complete. As such, to split the bundle will damage it’s value, for me and anyone buying it, so I’m sorry to say, I will not be willing to do so. Anyway, here’s what’s included: Tamiya: 42149 - 7mm Box Wrench 42148 - 5.5mm Box Wrench 42147 - 2.5mm Hex Wrench Screwdriver 42146 - 2mm Hex Wrench Screwdriver 42145 - 1.5mm Hex Wrench Screwdriver 42150 - Ballpoint Hex Wrench Screwdriver 42161 - (-) M Screwdriver 53649 - (+) L Screwdriver 53648 - (+) M screwdriver 42186 - Wrench for 5mm Reinforced Adjusters 42260 - Body Reamer 42276 - Damper Pliers 42122 - Wrench for Blue Titanium Turnbuckle Shaft 42236 - Wrench for Aluminium Turnbuckles 54635 - Aluminium Canberra Gauge Post 42255 - Droop Gauge 42256 - Droop Gauge Block 42199 - Ground Clearance Gauge 53862 - Touring Car Height & Droop Gauge 53861 - Camber Gauge 42241 - Pinion Gear Holder (12) 42371 - R/C car Maintenance Stand (Tamiya Blue) 42335 - Aluminium TRF Tool Stand (got to have somewhere to put this lot) 42292 - Aluminium Parts Tray 42302 - TRF parts Storage Box x3 (8 compartments per case)
  10. If we take a trip in the way back time machine to the mid Eighties, you would find me in the market for a new RC truck. If you were a fan of monster trucks and RC, your choices were limited. There wasn't much in the market for dedicated monsters. There were trucks based on pan car chassis, a few smaller scale kits like the Lunch Box and Midnight Pumpkin, and some obscure ones like the Big Grizzly and Royal Crusher, and let's not forget the Big Bear. At this time, I was really wanting the Pumpkin. I saved all the money I could and was ready to pull the trigger. So the day came when my dad and I went to the hobby shop to get the truck. I looked around with my RCCA classifieds intent on getting the MP, when my dad spotted something completely new and bigger. Suffice it to say, when we left the store I was a proud owner of a Tamiya Blackfoot. My pop even helped me out on the price difference 'cause he knew that the BF was the better choice. Not that the Pumpkin is a slouch by any means. My purchase consisted of the kit, a Protech 702 charger, and a 6 cell Gonzo battery pack. I had a transmitter and receiver already. Fast forward a couple years to when I made a new friend in junior high. We both shared common interests, RC being one of them. So one day I brought over my Blackfoot to show off, and then he brings out his Monster Beetle. I'm like, Whats that all about then??! This kid's got the mother of orv's! The red body, gold wheels, and those beautiful CVA shocks. If memory serves, he even had a Thorp differential. Awestruck isn't a good enough term. Well, time flies by but the memories remain. So now that Tamiya has been re releasing its old school inventory, I picked up a Beetle and this is her story.... I'll post the build pics and continue on with upgrades/changes along the way. Oh, the sight of a NIB model. Look at it, look at it..... The backbone of the Beetle. Notice I am adding aluminum option parts. Yeah baby. No fooling around here. The single most important upgrade you can bestow upon your orv: An MIP ball differential. Added more option parts. And the awesome yellow CVA shocks. Insane amount of speed and torque. A wicked new OFNA red HD servo saver. Traded out the 540 motor and kit esc, replaced them with a Traxxas 12T 550 and XL5 esc. Another angle and a shot of the alloy pinion cover. Aluminum body supports. This rig is rock solid. Started out with Proline Badlands 2.2's on gold anodized aluminum rims and alloy knock offs. Looking tidy. Aluminum chassis skid plate. Battery door must be removed for this. Bolts right to the gearbox. JG Mfg front tower brace. So I went ahead and bought a white Sand Scorcher body off fleabay to use as an everyday basher body. I ordered some custom decals from the UK 'cause I liked the color combo. After a few runs, I was made blatantly aware that the tires were way too soft and the alloy rims wouldn't hold them without glue. Since the wheels are more for show and I already put a couple nicks on them, they were replaced with the kit wheels and tires. Sooooo much better. After about a week or so, I got tired of the white and removed the decals (they were kinda crappy to begin with - quality wise), primed it up and repainted the body and finished her off with the kit decals and three coats of clear coat. Oh, and the B-pillar, door handles and side trim are blessed with bare metal foil. About the paint scheme, I found an image online of a Beetle someone owned back in the day and fell in love with it. So I copied it. Look carefully and you can see the rare JG mfg front bumper. I also added some light pods behind it since the Sand Scorcher body doesn't support the MB's baja lights on the nose cone. Ooh yeah, 7 cells baby! Not going LiPo on this bug. The 12T motor and 7 cell pack is stupid fast already. It would be uncontrollable with a brushless LiPo setup. Installation of lights. Dark outside? No problem. Twiningmike HD steering rod kit. Ultra rare NOS You-G aluminum dampers. More images to come soon. Let me know what you think. Cheers.
  11. Hi guys, its been over 25 years that i made my last Tamiya kit ( yes im getting old! ) As i watch a lot of random youtube clips i stumpled on the clip from Tamiya Legends on his Cobalt Green GT2, and after that i knew i needed to do something similair., the pics of the KUHFARBEN ones and the topic of GermanTA03GUY didnt do any good either i just needed to have a go at this myself after all of those years.. IMHO 993 GT2 is one of the sexiest models Tamiya has ever made.. I started looking around for a complete Tamiya Porsche GT2 kit or body... complete was not easy and i found a unpainted gt2 body from Tamiya from a guy from Germany, bought it.. but still havent recieved it as its M.I.A ( big thx for the fkcup @ DHL ) In the mean time i had bought a Pandora chassis display as i dont have the intention on driving it anyways , just fiddling around with it, painting it... doing some mods on it.. etc... Bought some DS racing DE 5 spoke wheels with the adjustable offsets in gumetal... as i was and still am waiting for the body to show up.. i kept on buying some stuff like.. tamiya cockpit.. styrene stuff for the rollcage, 3dwrapup for the lights, tamiya light kit etc etc etc.. But still no body.... so bought from the same guy a NIB TA02SW GT2 complete kit... asked him to send this one with another shippingcompany and while im still waiting on that to arrive uhmm i literally just bought another NIB complete GT2 kit.. Ordered some different wheels for that one... paint , mods , parts etc all is on its way and ill make a build topic on this here.. Ill start this one of with just 2 simple pics of the pandora display chassis, very simple concept.. will take any 1/10 body, you can change width, length, wheelbase etc etc... quickly mounted my first set of DS Racing gunmetal wheels. A lot more to come very soon!!!! and while it wont be anything new ill try to document this bodybuild for the people who are interested, The GT2 will be a hybrid RWB / trackday kinda style GT2.... For now im just waiting on parts Cya soon!!
  12. Hey guys, new to the forum and somewhat new to the world of Tamiya. I restored some Tamiya cars with my dad that he had kept from the 80's when I was younger but now I've gotten into the hobby myself! I picked up a re release Frog and a re release Hotshot, the Frog is almost done and now I'm just waiting for my parts to come in for the Hotshot. Just curious if there is any interest in a build thread and some running videos when it's done? Also looking for some good hop up suggestions for the build! I'll post some pictures of what I've ordered so far, don't be afraid to tell me if I've wasted my money as I want to be sure everything I've gotten will work. So far I've ordered a cheap Futaba transmitter/ receiver and a Futaba high torque metal gear servo to keep it kind of authentic. A HobbyStar 10.5t 540 brushless motor, a Castle Copperhead 10 ESC, the MIP Super Ball Differentials, the Fast Eddy's Hotshot ball bearing kit and to top it off a reproduction of the Dart body and wing. I am also be running the Venom 7.4V 4000mAh 20C 2S DRIVE batteries which fit quite nicely after a few spacers. Will I need a different sized pinion or anything? Thank you in advance!
  13. Hi All, I'm selling my Tamiya Mammoth Dump truck. I've enjoyed it a lot, yet it's been gathering dust for some time now. So it's time for someone else to enjoy it. Off course you would like to see some more pictures, please email me. It's almost fully original with all the original electronics, of course in full working order. Also including the optional light kit. The tipping truck bed is also in full working order always a blast of fun. I always had a second one for spares, so that is also going, I'll list that one in a bit in a separate topic. I'm not looking for the insane prices asked on ebay, however a fair price for its rarity en originality. International shipping is no problem, it will be packaged safely so it will arrive in one piece.. The offer is the Truck, transmitter and original manual. No box...
  14. A New Build! It has been a long time coming, but it is now time for a build thread as I tackle the: I have waited a long time for this model, cutting back in other areas of my finances to keep the pre-order I applied for a long time ago. Naturally, then, I am beyond excited to have an example in my hands. Such is my excitement that I can write an incredibly boring piece about my ruminations of both the Lancia 037 and Tamiya's equivalents On the Lancia 037, 58040, 58278, and 58654 The Lancia 037 is a vehicle that holds a special place in my heart. On the face of it, the 037 is a mid-engine rally machine, a sportscar that can tackle rough roads. It does so with a unique style and flair, with its Italian styling and heritage rooted in the country that produces some of the most soul-stirring automobiles ever made. Perhaps Tamiya did not think of this when they first produced a version of the 037, marketed as the Lancia Rally. As we know, this was an odd contraption, capturing the body’s lines perfectly while parking it on top of quite an awkward-looking chassis. Handling depended on who you ask and what motor you left in there, but the superb shell was difficult to preserve under less-than-careful driving. Today, we remember Lancia’s 037 as the last rear-wheel drive car to win the World Rally Championship for Makes, defeating the nascent Audi Quattro and its four-wheel drive, with supercharging, to paraphrase 037 pilot Markku Alen. We remember it as a beautiful little racer stuck somewhere between the radical Stratos and the terrifying Delta S4, not as accomplished as its angular predecessor and not as memorably intimidating as its successor. It never even had a name outside of its project number. We remember Tamiya’s Lancia Rally quite differently, it seems, and its legacy is a little more divisive. Many bemoan its mediocre handling, fragile shell, and unusual proportions, while others praise its wonderfully detailed body, genuine off-road capability, and unusual proportions. In 2001, Tamiya addressed the non-scale appearance of the original Lancia Rally in a re-release. Now known as the Lancia 037 Rally as on the box, this offering kept the superb shell, added some more detail parts, and placed it on a much more proportionally-correct touring car chassis. While this version lost much of the off-road ability of the original, especially as the special TA-03R-S chassis was a belt-driven one, it definitely looked more serious – even if an oversized bumper was issued with the re-release, like the original’s massive bush guard… 17 years later, and Tamiya has re-released the re-release. The proportionally-correct Lancia 037 Rally has made a reappearance, this time on a shaft-driven TA-02S chassis. The excellent shell and detail parts return, and so does a large snow plow bumper! The last-named still works well to avoid crash damage like that which the great Henri Toivonen encountered with his Lancia… Grastens and Tamiya's Lancias It was through the original-style Lancia Rally that the 037 made its way into my collection. I fell in love with it for its genuine off-road capability – like the Subaru Brat and Tamiya Frog that shared its chassis design – and its lovely detailed body shell. With the swoopy Martini stripes and the big rally spotlights sitting atop an aggressively jacked-up chassis, it looked like it was from outer space. The re-release of the Frog and Subaru Brat also meant that parts were readily available, as were upgrades that improved the original’s driving characteristics. A fast car that can run on rough roads, with easy maintenance and good parts support… It was the rally car I had dreamed of! This was in 2014, which was well after the first re-release 037 was discontinued - to say nothing of the original! At the time, I figured I would never be able to acquire a re-release, and for some time did not want to. The original had that useful ground clearance and actual rear-wheel drive, two traits that endeared it to me over the four-wheel drive touring car-based iteration. Yet by 2017, my Lancia was no longer in running condition, and my enthusiasm for the hobby as a whole had diminished. I had to sell off much of my equipment to fund life, among them my Lancia's bodywork. By reigniting my passion for radio-controlled cars, the latest 037 saved my hobby career. Much of my enthusiasm came from seeing the venerable Lancia being given the re-release treatment, from the new box to the updated photos. Some of it came from the fact that the new chassis for the car was a sealed shaft-driven type, which I figured would be much better for the off-road running I wanted to tackle with such a car. Even limited experience with a belt-driven TA-04 was enough for me to harbour doubts about a belt-driven machine in those conditions. Most importantly, it was a car I had come to adore, emerging at a price well below my expectations for such a fantastic little machine. It simply got me excited again. I placed my pre-order, held course, and finally saw it delivered to my country, where it was dispatched quickly. First Impressions Many people have reservations about the smaller boxes and the unattractive packaging of the re-releases compared to the blister packs of the original models, but I for one love the subsequent savings on shipping. The box was small and sleek: The offsets look off in this box schematic, but consistent with the box art. Many 037s did have their wheels well tucked into the arches. What intrigues me more is the listed wheelbase of 236 mm; I had committed the figure of 237 mm long enough for me to find this particular detail odd, however inconsequential: Was this a detail on the first re-release's box? FCA was not around back then, but Lancia and Martini sure were: The packing is efficient and compact. I had difficulty replicating it following my examination of the contents: And here is the first layer of parts from the box: The second layer I extracted had many of the plastic chassis parts and some body detail pieces: Instructions, decals, and metal hardware can be found near or at the bottom: The decal sheet looks identical to the earlier re-release's, but I had never seen that before and was intrigued by the dashboard decals for the cockpit set at first: The story of me selling my original Lancia Rally shell has an important catch: I sold the one I finished, but had a spare body set. Initially keeping it for spares - I anticipated the worst for what was my most frequent runner - I dug it out to reaffirm everything I knew about the differences between the original and re-release bodies: I assume it is normal for the original shell to have a slightly more yellow plastic The enthusiasm generated by this new Lancia has inspired me to finish my original one; such is the power of this special model. Planning the Build I will likely be building this car up out of sequence, as I have an international order of ball bearings on the way and not enough spares to outfit the entire car. I will be sure to outline steps I follow for specific parts and their places in the manual. The same delay applies to light sets; however I also anticipate that acquiring paint and having good painting conditions will be difficult. Hence, the bodywork may only occur much later. I will be provisioning supplies to finish two bodies while I sort out my original Lancia Rally. It might receive some coverage in this build, but the focus will be on the re-release. Accordingly, I intend to finish the original in box-art Martini Racing livery. This leaves the re-release open to some customization. As for that customization: lots of lovely paint schemes exist for this car, but without custom printing I will either be repeating the box-art Martini livery, piecing together decals for a 1986 Bastos-Texaco racer, finishing up Markku Alen's 1985 Portugal test car, or finally getting Adobe Illustrator and commissioning a printer for a nice set of Jolly Club/Totip decals, courtesy of TamiyaClub's own firefoxussr If I have the time and resources, I have several other liveries from the 1983 season in mind, which I may detail later if they come up as an option. I selected 1983 as I do not feel like parting with the rear bumper (Evo.2 Lancia 037s appeared from 1984 onward, which omitted the rear bumper for practicality). Resources permitting, I also hope to construct an engine bay and roll cage for the model, the first real scratch-building project I will undertake! I hope I can exercise enough restraint to get those finished before abandoning it all to thrash the finished car... The Last Word - For Now If you have read this far: congratulations, and thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts If not: I can hardly blame you. All you need to know is that I am really excited for this model! In any case, I look forward to commencing the build!
  15. Grastens Builds the Tamiya Bruiser (58519) The Kit Builder’s Build In the midst of the assembly of my Ferrari 312T3, the revival of my original Lancia Rally, and the planning and acquisition of another Tamiya-centric project, lumbered: It has been quite an outburst of RC-related activity lately, which is as sure a sign as any that I am dealing with some serious personal issues; burying myself in projects like this might be the least-destructive way to cope with them. I have never had the luxury of three new kit builds on the go, and the Bruiser will be by far the largest and most involved of them. Those concerns aside, I can point to the Tamiya Bruiser in my possession and say that this is a long-held dream of mine, finally realized! Finding a (Long-Winded) Dream My first Tamiya was a Toyota GT-One on the F103RS. It was a simple chassis that proved to be a good rookie car, if a bit difficult to find the ideal surface for it. I had always been interested in radio-controlled items and cars, so RC cars were a logical culmination. That car felt like a lifelong dream realized; playing video games was much more economically-feasible, and I had neither the money nor the support to treat radio-controlled cars as a real hobby. My childhood aspirations made do with the occasional cheap remote-controlled contraption, to be pitched when it broke after its inevitably-underwhelming performance. I could hardly complain, for I had the essentials covered in life, but I still fantasized about a true hobby-grade radio-controlled machine. Tamiya was even making the cars I saw in my video games – from Gran Turismo to 1:10 scale came the Castrol Celica ST205, the Calsonic Nissan Primera, the Castrol Mugen NSX – and the Toyota GT-One – all by the same company that produced the best static model I had built to that time (another story itself). My involvement in the hobby changed forever when I acquired a Buggy Champ as my second car; with it, I discovered the comparative freedom of off-road running, and nearly all of my acquisitions since have been all-terrain chassis. Along the way, I had been building my collection toward increasing mechanical complexity. I had always been interested in the mechanical aspect of machinery, and around the same time I purchased my Avante Black Special – then the most complicated build I would undertake – Tamiya re-released the Bruiser. It did not matter that I was not alive when the original Bruiser (or Avante, even) was available, for the concept of an all-metal, all-terrain truck with an actual shifting transmission was something that captured my imagination. At the time, I had saved up much of everything I had to acquire that Avante, but despite my good fortune that day, I still ended up wanting a Bruiser. If I were really increasing the mechanical complexity of my collection, the Bruiser seemed like a logical step, in the right direction, especially after the Avante. Instead, time and money (but mostly money) saw me take a different path with my cars, my desires for new challenges manifesting themselves in bodywork as opposed to chassis. I found out that the Avante was not what I envisioned; it had proven expensive to repair and limited in talent. Though Tamiya’s higher-end offerings certainly had my interest whenever they arrived, I probably never really wanted them as each new model slipped away without any further effort from me to acquire one. The Bruiser never totally left my consciousness, though. Eventually, I found that I was running out of spaces to run buggy-type off-road cars, and I was still intrigued by the sophistication of the 3-speed truck, especially as I learned more about automotive engineering. With classic models like the original 4 x 4 Hilux and Blazing Blazer reaching used-1:1-car prices, the Bruiser was the only affordable model until the Mountaineer re-emerged as the Mountain Rider. Even then, they were out of my grasp. It should be noted that the Tamiya Hilux High-Lift was also on the shelf that day at the hobby shop, yet neither that nor the Tundra nor the F-350 seemed to catch my imagination the way the Bruiser did. I passed it over completely. Fulfilling a (Long-Winded) Dream “I probably never really wanted them as each new model slipped away without any further effort from me to acquire one.” It was a trip to my local hobby shop for paints to complete my Ferrari 312T3 build when I finally decided I wanted a Bruiser, once and for all. It was likely triggered by the astonishing stock of Tamiya re-release models in the store: there – in the year 2019 – were new-in-box examples of the Novafox, Bigwig, Blackfoot, Egress(!), Monster Beetle, and a Frog, perched high on a shelf behind the sales counter. Clearly, the employees there had an appreciation for classic Tamiyas, which was encouraging. Pure curiosity prompted me to ask about their prices. I was astonished to realize that this particular shop had nearly closed the gap to online retailers, and every model there was competitively priced – I could have had an Egress for under $500 CAD after taxes! But then I asked the shop owner: “Do you still have the Bruiser in stock?” I saw one long ago, in another visit, and asked in the off-chance that maybe it was still kicking around. I never saw too many visitors in the shop, and the ones that were there either bought Redcats, Gundam models, or paints. “No,” he started, as my reasonable being sighed in relief, “but we can order one. You fill out a form, and we can have it in 48 hours.” My mind started racing, leaving my reasonable being in the dust. There’s no way I could… No way I should… If I have to ask… “How much would it be?” His reply shocked me. They had closed the gap – no, they had opened one up of their own! Even more shocking was learning that the upcoming re-re-release of the Mountaineer/Mountain Rider would be more expensive through the shop’s distributor, by $100 CAD, and not on pre-order. I had believed the Bruiser to be more complex somehow than its sibling, but this was completely secondary to the fact that a metal Tamiya 3-speed was now within reach! I would need to stretch, but within reach! “… I’ll think about it,” I said weakly, and continued searching for paints. I thought about it, all right, and a week or so was all I needed to clarify more than six years of dreaming and a lifetime passion for mechanical objects that begged me to make it happen. It felt like a lifetime had led me to that store the following week, where I sought out the shop owner, looked him in the eye, and said: “I want to order a Bruiser. Give me the form, please.” I was nervous. Last time I was there, I was talking myself out of it by telling the shop owner about my Ferrari 312T3, and laughing that I needed to finish that before thinking about any new projects. I knew I would need to work hard to get that money back, particularly as unlike the 312T3, the Bruiser had been unplanned just a month ago. Yet it felt like I had been preparing for it for much of my life, and all my extracurricular interests had readied me for this moment. Even stranger was that the Hilux High-Lift that I was previously totally uninterested in was still there. It was going for even less than the Egress, and for that kind of money I could have it finished with full electronics – but no, I wanted a Bruiser! As if to firmly put my cards on the table: “I’ll pay for it in full.” What am I doing?! The shop owner started to smile. That definitely lifted his spirits, too! The trip home was an odd mix of elation and fear: I needed a third project like I needed to get hit by a truck, let alone a big, expensive truck that could be worth more than everything I was working on to that point. In my heart, though, I knew I made the right decision, and celebrated my ability to enjoy my hobby in a way I have never done previously. The rest is a short story: having ordered it on a Friday, it arrived on the Monday, and by Tuesday – stopping to retrieve it from the shop during my regular errands – I had it in my hands. First Impressions Well, I had it in my arms, anyway: this box was massive! I had no idea just how large it was until I brought it home, and realized it was almost the width of the doorways in the house! When viewing box art for a kit online, it is easy to forget that the image is nearly the size of the box itself (though not true for some new releases with the “post-box-style” box front). In the case of the Bruiser, that means a large image indeed, and fine details really jump out at the viewer when looking at a box like this in person – this was the impression I was getting. One side of the box: Picture quality at this point was not great, mostly because I did not have a lot of time to take them before I had to find a place for it and continue on with my day. I have yet to even open the box! However, I can at least see what the chassis might look like when assembled: And in detail: The gearbox, which is likely the most compelling feature of this truck, gets another detail on the side, in addition to the inlaid image on the front: And then I had to set it aside. I can only wait so long, though! Planning the Build If you managed to read my lengthy story about how I got to wanting and finding a Bruiser, you would understand why I want to savour this build. I really wish I could go for the speed record, but I anticipate I will be putting in assemblies in a piecemeal fashion. Unlike previous projects, I do have all my supplies purchased at this preliminary stage, from electronics to paint to accessories. Hence, if deliveries are smooth, I should be able to make good time while still enjoying this build. Those electronics will consist of a Futaba 4YWD Attack 2.4 GHz radio and two 6-kg generic waterproof metal gear servos – which will be replaced by a Traxxas 2056 and a Futaba S3003 in the odd event that I fit servos in the build before the intended units arrive, or if their performance is unsatisfactory. I will look to fit one of my Tamiya TBLE-02S units but will soon have the luxury of an Axial AE-5L ESC with LED output. That will allow me to fit at least headlights and taillights immediately, though I had intended it for another build… That being said, I did read on this forum somewhere that one should not skimp on electronics for a Bruiser, and I am inclined to agree! That Axial ESC might make its way into the truck yet. I have yet to see a Tamiya 3-speed sporting a battery under 4 000 mAh capacity, and presently have no working batteries of that specification (maximum 3 000 mAh, and well-used), so it looks like there is in fact one more thing I need. I could get a proper-capacity battery while ordering another Axial ESC, I suppose! As was the case with my Lancia 037 4WD-H, I intend to find a moderate stand between scale realism and the model’s radio-controlled nature. While I am interested in adding things like door panels and a driver figure to the interior, a large part of the Bruiser’s appeal to me is its realism in its drivetrain, so I will be content to run it with a few concessions to scale presence as opposed to all-out authenticity. Besides, the latter would require more LEDs and the MFC-02… My Lancia 037 4WD-H has also taught me that too much complexity is possible in a model, so the emphasis will be on producing a running vehicle, though one with some attention paid to aesthetics. It is still not enough to convince me that I should use Stealth body mounts (it’s an RC car, and RC cars use body posts and clips – I can live with that), but enough for me to at least attempt to produce a neat paint job – the static modeller in me is still alive somewhere! Since I cannot afford a used vehicle, and therefore by association a classic Hilux 4 x 4, I have elected to pay tribute to it with a Czech-made custom step-side rear bed. Doing so means I will be unable to use the bed topper that is standard in the Bruiser kit, and I will need to do some drilling and cutting for this custom bed to fit the chassis. Roll bar options for the 122 mm width of the rear bed seem to be limited – thankfully, I have an assortment of styrene tubes and rods on the way, which could enable me to build one from scratch. As before, I will be adding a driver figure and hopefully some simple styrene cuts serving as door panels. I am seriously entertaining adding a passenger – I was previously intrigued by the possibility of reworking a resin figure kit into a seated passenger, but the expense and detail are too high for the purpose I have in mind. As such, any passenger will almost certainly be a reworked 4 x 4 driver figure – though the extent of the “rework” remains to be seen… The chassis will be stock – having a Bruiser is enough of a novelty for me to be happy with its stock performance for a little while. If I feel the need to upgrade, chances are I would find a higher-turn brushed motor for it first, and even then, that might suffice. Paint is at this point going to be mainly TS-43 Racing Green. If I elect for graphic accents, I will add stripes in TS-26 Pure White and TS-8 Italian Red, as an homage to my previous Avante Black Special and Astute hybrid – I had forgotten how popular those designs were when they made their debuts and feel that this combination could work on a truck like this. Even if it does not, it works for me! The Last Word – for Now Going through literature, accounts, and reviews of the Bruiser, as well as the depth and breadth of custom projects involving the model, has made me realize that I know precious little about trucks and their culture. Knowledge at this point might be dangerous, since it could compel me to spend even more money on accessories (how about that K5 Blazer shell from RC4WD?!), but anything I can learn about pickup trucks, show trucks, mud/bog racing trucks, and any combination thereof will be interesting to me. It feels a world removed from my regular research on rally racers, sports prototypes, and other genres, and it gives me something else to look forward to as I start this exciting RC adventure. “Yes, [I’m] really in Hog Heaven [now that I] own a Bruiser!” – Tamiya promotional spot, c. 1985
  16. I dont need these as I have a complete fleet setup and done testing. each 6€ 1. Robinson Racing Steel 14T 48P 2. Xray 18T Steel 48P 3. Yeah Racing Hard coating aluminium 19T 48P 4. Robinson Racing Steel 28T 48P 5. Robinson Racing Steel 32T 48P 6. Robinson Racing Steel 36T 48P Tamiya 53422 45T 0.4M Tamiya 53425 51T 0.4M 1. Xray 18T 48P pinion BLACK 6€ 2. Robinson Racing 14T 48P pinion 6€ 3. Robinson Racing Steel 28T Pinion 48P 6€ 4. Robinson Racing Steel Pinion 32T 48P 6€ 5. Robinson Racing 36T 48P Pinion Gear 6€ 6. Tamiya 45T 0.4 Pinion Gear 53422 6€ 7. Tamiya 51T Pinion 0.4 53425 6€ Shipping should be at 5€ worldwide
  17. I came across some old Tamiya slot cars and a track and need assistance with finding out some more information and what their value might be. I have 3 racers fitted with a. FT-16D Mabuchi racing motor which there is also a container with a ton of spare parts I.e - wheels etc. 3 custom slot racers which all scale to 1/24 they are the following: Lotus-30 light weight die-casting chassis Lora T-70 spring suspention chassis The 3rd one is manufactured by Hasegawa and is a Ferrari DINO-166P The track has a figure 8 one the lid of a blue box and is labeled Tamiya circuit slot racing set
  18. All BRAND NEW & UNOPENED. Why I’m selling: Returning to a 90 hour a week job has left me with no time, so I’m selling my TRF419XR as well an extensive and, in some cases, extremely rare, collection of upgrades that took months to source. What you see includes some almost unavailable and therefore very rare items that took hours of obsessive work to collect. Knowing how hard it was to gather this collection means it’s for someone who wants all options available for the amazing TRF419XR, so I’m sorry to say, I will not be willing to split it. I wish to return around 80% of what it all cost me, so any purchaser is not only benefiting a reduction in retail price, but also from the reduced purchase hose prices from buying abroad, which I had to do to finish this collection but from the hours and hours it took to gather everything. Moving on: The main upgrade included in the bundle is the TRF420 Suspension upgrade. To prove how extensive the bundle is, it also comes with the rear Toe Control Rear Suspension Set for the TRF420. Also included is the correct 3mm TRF drill bit to ream out the arms, and I even managed to find the unique carbon fibre alternative arm connectors that are only available with the actual TRF420 kit! That wasn’t easy. Before we get to the collection: I’m also selling a complete (and I mean complete) TRF Tool Set to go with it, as well as some top line professional equipment, please see my other listings for full details. However, to wet your appetite, here’s a few of them so you get the idea as to the level of what else is for sale: **THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS BUNDLE BUT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY. HOWEVER, THEY WERE BOUGHT TO GO WITH THIS KIT SO I WILL DISCOUNT ANYTHING BELOW BY 20% IF BOUGHT BY WHOEVER BUYS THIS BUNDLE** - A Complete Tamiya TRF tool set - - Futaba T7XC Transmitter - - Futaba HPS-CB700 Brushless Servo - - Team Orion Vortex R10.1Brushless ESC - - Team Orion Vortex DSB-R Program Box - - SkyRC T200 Duo AC/DC 12A Charger - - Intellect LiPo LiHV 2S 1000mAh 7.6v Batteries (2 available) - - TRF Trolly Bag - + more..... ** THE ABOVE ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE SEPARATELY. ** I WILL DISCOUNT ANYTHING ABOVE BY 20% IF BOUGHT BY WHOEVER BUYS THIS BUNDLE** (Please see my other listings for full details) AGAIN THESE ITEMS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS BUNDLE Finally, here’s the list of what’s included in this rather unique bundle: **TO BE CLEAR, THE FOLLOWING IS EXACTLY WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS BUNDLE: TAMIYA: - 42316 - TRF419XR Racing Chassis - 54886 - TRF420 Suspension Upgrade Set - 54887 - TRF420 Toe Control Rear Suspension Set - 1980322 - (unique) Carbon Fibre Arm Connectors - 42303 - TRF 3mm Straight Reamer - 54413 - Aluminium High-Efficiency Roll Damper - 42325 - Aluminium Gear Differential Case - 42310 - 37T Aluminium Differential Pulley - 42309 - 37T Aluminium One-Way Pulley - 3454938 - Drive Pulley Assy (Blue) - 3454936 - Main T-Pulley (Blue) - 53906 - 5x5mm Alumium Hex Head Ball Connectors X2 - 53907 - 5x8mm Aluminium Hex Head Ball Connectors X3 - 54648 - Flurine Coated Stabilizer Ball Connector Set - 42327 - 5x 3x6mm Hi-Grade Aluminium Hex Head Screws (Blue) X5 - NAR-306TB - 3x 3x6mm Hi-Grade Aluminium Hex Head Screws (blue) (by SQUARE) X3 - 42329 - 5x 2x8mm Hi-Grade Aluminium Hex Head Screws (Blue) X3 - 42330 - 5x 3x8mm Hi Grade Alu C/Sunk Hex Head Screws (Blue) X3 - 42328 - 5x 3x6mm Hi Grade Alu C/sunk Hex Head Screws (Blue) X3 - 53773 - 5x 3x10mm C/sunk Hex Head Screw (Blue) X1 Moody Fools: - 1509786741 - 6x 3x8mm C/sunk TITANIUM Hex Head Screws - 1509786741 - 38x 3x6mm C/sunk TITANIUM Hex Head screws Back to Tamiya: - 53646 - Wheel Spacer (Blue) X3 - 54863 - Aluminium Hi-Torque Servo Saver Cap (Blue) - 42248 - Aluminium Direct Servo Horn (Tamiya/Futaba) (Blue) - 54862 - 4x Aluminium Servo Screws (Blue) - 42224 - 04 Module Hard Coated Alu Pinion Gear (25T) - 42229 - 04 Module Hard Coated Alu Pinion Gear (30T) - 42269 - 04 Module Hard Coated Alu Pinion Gear (39T) - 42201 - Glass Tape (15mm x 50m) (Blue) 3RACING: - M04M-07/LB Aluminium Motor Heatsink With Cooling Fan (Blue) TOTAL COST TO ME £ 1,420.00 The following items are FREE: - 42250 - Maintenance Mat (1250x600mm) Black with TRF logo (opened to be used in my photos, but unused otherwise. - DTDR01001B - Hobbt Details Aluminum Magnetic Body Mount Set for 1/10 Drifting Cars Set A Type Black DTDR01001 Aluminium (Blue) - Aluminium Adjustable Magnetic head for Body Mount (Blue) - Velcro in Blue to match Tamiya Blue - Zip Ties in Blue to match Tamiya Blue - A4 Carbon Fibre Self Adhesive Sticker Sheet (it is in the image, but hidden under all the parts in the top right of the image) The FREE items cost me around £50 Dispatched with Hermes Tracked.
  19. Hello! After recently completing a CC01 Defender, I fancied something that would handle better on tarmac, as well as a bit of off-road. I also liked the idea of having a chassis that I could upgrade as I went along, and there looked to be loads of options for the TT02. I’m also a big fan of the Integrale! And so after a few days wait. As I’m sure there have been loads of TT02 builds, I’ll spare you the details! The only thing I couldn’t resist was to detail the brake discs, not that you can see them that well through the wheels. And so after roughly a day of building. After airbrushing my Defenders body, I thought I’d use the proper stuff and use Tamiya polycarbonate paint this time. Not sure how much easier it was though as it really gave off fumes, and seems to really attract dust between coats. When I’d applied 3 or 4 white coats, I applied a few layers of smoke for the windows. Id also read from this forum about using washing up liquid to apply the stickers, and a hairdryer to help mould the stickers and fix into position. This worked way better than just sticking them on as I had with the defender. But what a lot of stickers! I think it took half a day to get this far! Used some satin car paint on the grill after masking. And after a day of stickering! Really happy with how it turned out, although a few little mistakes with the stickers. Took her down the park for a test drive and handled well on Tarmac, but she seemed to really struggle on grass! But handled a lot better than the defender that wanted to topple over on every turn.
  20. An exciting new-to-me project has appeared with the: This was the result of my wonderful fiancée finding one for me for our anniversary! It helped that I got her an expensive gift as well! Excitement is high. (A Loosely-Researched) Overview The Tamiya Hotshot was Tamiya’s serious entry into four-wheel-drive off-road buggy racing. It was notable for its use of shaft-driven four-wheel drive at a time when most competitors were using chains, pulleys, or belts to connect the front and rear wheels. A unique suspension system, using monoshocks at both the front and rear of the chassis, was also novel. Like a number of its competitors at that time, the Hotshot bore a resemblance to the full-size off-road racing buggies of the period, even if it was more of a passing one compared to its predecessors in the Sand Scorcher and Rough Rider. Resplendent in an aggressive red colour scheme, accented by bright red plastics for components like the monoshocks and suspension uprights, the Hotshot eventually found success. For a short window of time, it was the car to beat, until the competition elevated its entries even further. This would spur the development of the Avante – another story in itself… The Hotshot became something of a classic, with interest further renewed in 2007 when Tamiya brought it back as part of its nascent re-release program. Minor design changes were implemented, such as the redesign of the monoshock internals and the use of a dog-bone propeller shaft, but in many other ways it was true to the original kit. It was in this form that the Hotshot was introduced to new audiences and reacquainted with its original fans. The consensus would appear to be that the Hotshot, despite lacking the cornucopia of high-end materials like an Avante or inherently-complex mechanisms like a Bruiser or a 3-speed truck kit, remains a desirable kit to build. For all its reported flaws, such as the lack of space or accessibility in the monocoque chassis or its bump-steer issues, the Hotshot has a character all its own. Even the unique suspension system is prone to issues, yet it remains part of its fundamental appeal. This would be all up for discovery in this build thread… Grastens and the Hotshot To me, the Hotshot was unique, but not really the kind of kit I aspired to build. I was drawn more to the aforementioned cornucopia of high-end materials in the Avante and the inherently-complex mechanisms of the Bruiser. For a time, my interests also appeared to be rooted in two-wheel-drive buggies, on-road racers, and rally cars. Flipping through the manuals available online for the re-release kit still did not pique my interest. That changed after the Avante had been built and sold, and the Bruiser project stalled (to this day, I still have to finish it – bodywork is my nemesis). I found I missed the Avante dearly, and having it sold off to a collector who did not appreciate it in the same way I did hurt a little. It left a four-wheel-drive buggy-sized hole in my collection – and my heart, in a shape that could not be filled by the Comical Avante (despite sharing the same basic parameters!). The Hotshot had never left my consciousness. Even when I was out of the hobby, I was still ordering Hotshot decal sheets specifically for the “Hotshot” script I was so fond of putting on the back of each of my ice hockey helmets: I also liked the “Are You Hot?” stickers for their obvious cheekiness! They helped connect my past and present in a unique way, as maybe the only Tamiya enthusiast to tend goal for the area’s ice hockey teams. The picture shows the first helmet that I adorned with these decals; the red shell made obvious the connection to the Tamiya buggy. Even when I switched to different-coloured helmets and masks, Hotshot decals remained a fixture on the back of each one. It inspired a new, aggressive personality in the net, modelled after what I thought a Hotshot would be, and even produced some writing projects on the side. In a way, I suppose I began to embody the Hotshot itself: my own approach to sport was offbeat and distinctly “old-school,” much in the way that Tamiya’s buggy was on its re-release. For a while, too, I was the goalie to beat – again, until the competition stepped up their game even further… This must have been how the Hotshot eventually found its way back into my heart, and it was near the top of my wishlist for Tamiya kits. At the time, they were even affordable, with both standard re-release kits and the Metallic Special available for about $250 CAD. Sharing space on that list with the Avante 2011 and the Buggy Champ, it was far easier to justify, too! I left the hobby for a long time in the middle of 2020, having been actively employed since the start of the pandemic (meaning little down time), and with bigger life plans (I was saving for a house with my fiancée). Bigger life obstacles hit, too, with my diagnosis of depression, and the long road of treatment to get it to a manageable state. All of this left me little time, means, or motivation to do anything with a radio-controlled vehicle. Fortuitously, I ended up buying an electronic tablet for my fiancée as part of our anniversary proceedings. With such an expensive purchase for her, she seemed eager to splash out for me, too. What would make me excited? A list of RC cars came to mind… And so, on the day, she handed me a big box wrapped in gold paper. I was able to guess what it was based on the size, but that was not about to diminish my mood. Sure enough: More valuable than the gift itself was the joy I experienced. Hobby things and toys seem to elicit the same reaction in my adulthood as from childhood, so I was quite happy! More importantly, after my hobbies had proven detrimental to my future planning (and therefore discontinued), this was at least some form of approval to continue pursuing the things I loved. It came at a good time, too: I received notice that I would be effectively laid off from work, pending medical clearance to return. I had relapsed in my depression to the point that I was felt to be a liability. The nearest appointment I could book with a professional was three weeks away – and suddenly, my schedule emptied itself… I found myself with the RC kit of my dreams, and now I found myself with nothing but time on my hands. It is easy to guess what happens next! First Impressions and Build Overview Ultimately, this is a Tamiya forum, and so the personal story ends there. It gives some context to the build – as if I needed much more meaning in a kit this extensive: The box is divided into three sections: the central one contains the body, wing, tires, wheels, and miscellaneous items; the left one (viewed from opening the box) has most/all of the plastic sprues, and the right one has many of the metal bits and some specialized plastic sprues (suspension arms and uprights, for example), sitting in its own special box. The contents of said box-within-a-box: A stylish partition separates the left and central sections. I enjoy these: Almost as much as I enjoy the unique non-box-art images on the box-within-a-box: It even has a basic creed for running RC cars – possibly useful for me after a long time away: Some items of curiosity for me were the already “assembled” steel antenna mast: As well as the decal on the otherwise-humble silver can motor: My positive reaction to the motor decal reaffirms that I am a sucker for marketing! A small sample of the equipment and other parts I will be using: The driver set and torque wrench proved to be overkill, so they were omitted early on. This is unlike the tub of white lithium grease pictured here, which I normally use for my bicycles. Also making a special appearance in this project: The driver parts tree was actually from my dearly-departed Astute, which ultimately never got a driver figure before being sold on. I wanted to experiment to see if a larger driver torso would fit in the Hotshot; in the more-likely event that it did not, I at least wanted to use the helmet. Its styling felt more appropriate for a radical off-road racer like the Hotshot; as a reminder, this figure is typically used in the Bigwig and the Fox/Novafox. The ball bearings were spares left over from when I ordered a full set for a re-release Terra Scorcher, only to realize that the kit always had its own. They were all usable sizes, though, so I was not displeased with this development. The Hotshot does use plastic and metal bearings in places, so these spares will see use in this build. The biggest acquisition/cop-out for this build was a pre-painted bodyshell: Bodywork takes space I do not have, and my own painting skills with bodyshells leave a lot to be desired. This set was expertly-prepared by an online Japanese seller, and will ultimately cut down on the painting required to finish this kit. Many of my stalled projects get hung up at the painting stage; this body kit will hopefully make the remaining painting required (the driver figure) manageable enough to see this particular build through. It also allows me to concentrate more fully on the chassis build, which at this early stage promises to be quite engaging! With everything reviewed, it looks like time to begin the build!
  21. Time on my hands, and kits in my stash. I now have the pleasure of building a: (A Loosely-Researched) Overview Following the failure of the Avante to either place well in competition or sell the expected volume of kits, Tamiya sought to improve the original concept. In many ways, the Avante was innovative, but it was also deemed overweight, fragile, overly expensive, and difficult to drive. Its use of many different materials was one source of its issues; pioneering several different types in the same chassis meant that it would always be difficult to perfect the design. Said materials also increased the cost and complexity of the kit, and when the Avante’s inability to fulfill its promise became apparent, units stopped selling. Stories abound of retailers moving Avante kits at heavily-discounted prices, even removing the included RX-540VZ Technigold motor in a bid to recoup some of their costs. The Vanquish was developed in part to amend this. Released as kit number 58076, this new car used the same gearboxes, shaft drive, longitudinal motor position, and suspension configuration as the Avante. However, it differed in several important ways. The Vanquish would use a longer wheelbase than the Avante, adding stability at speed where the Avante was found to be lacking. The suspension system now used plastic lower front arms and plastic ball ends, reducing weight and wear. The Avante’s aluminum dampers disappeared; in their place were yellow plastic C.V.A. types. The tool-free “Cam-Loc” wheels were replaced by a lightweight one-piece design, with staggered widths front and rear. This change helped to address problems with unsprung weight and turn-in response. The double-deck FRP chassis was swapped out for a plastic “bathtub” chassis, reducing both complexity and cost. This also enabled the design to dispense with a separate undertray, simplifying the kit. Almost every piece of fibreglass-reinforced plastic from the Avante was substituted by plastic in the new car, with the exception of the steering plate. The Vanquish would also be issued with a standard 540 motor, instead of a specialty type like the Avante, and was designed to accommodate a mechanical speed controller. By including the MSC, which the Avante was unable to carry, the Vanquish was more accessible to hobbyists at the time. The design was topped by a sleek new shell, whose design ethos probably owed more to the earlier Thundershot than the model which gave its basic design. Forward and futuristic, its aesthetic may have been less radical than the startling Avante, but still conveyed performance and style. A driver figure was still included, but this time was attached to the bodywork via a single screw in the roof, as opposed to a separate cockpit sitting on the chassis. Interestingly, it appears that the Vanquish was not pitched as a successor to the Avante, but rather a development. The new model performed better; however, it was aimed more at casual RC enthusiasts, suggested by its standard MSC and motor. It was not until the Egress was released, combining parts from both the Vanquish and the Avante, that the concept returned to top-level racing. Today, the Vanquish is well-regarded by collectors. For a time, following the re-release of the Avante, it was considered much rarer and consequently more desirable. With a distinctly-different appearance from the Avante, it would always remain in demand by enthusiasts who appreciated the Avante’s original concept, but wanted something just a bit different from it. The Vanquish, of course, was re-released as the VQS in 2020. It may have been rebranded partially in consideration to the Mini 4WD cars that borrowed its design. With new-design CV joints, modern pin-drive axles, and a sturdier steering rod, the kit re-emerged in the 21st century with a few updates, but otherwise as the same model. In so doing, the story of the Vanquish makes it to a new generation of hobbyists – and is retold to the ones who remember the original! Grastens and the Vanquish/VQS Since I bought and then sold an Avante, I have come to regret the decision to move it on. Not only did I lack a four-wheel drive off-road buggy, but I lacked a model with the same spirit of the Avante. Even when I did have one, though, I remember being drawn to both the Vanquish and the Avante 2001. To me, these were models that simplified the original design to its benefit – a bit of an evolution. While the Avante 2001 did so more directly, both in aesthetic as well as chassis design, the Vanquish was an interesting answer to the Avante’s issues. It also did not look like the Avante, which added to its intrigue. As I struggled on with my car’s maintenance issues, the Vanquish seemed an appealingly-simpler alternative, while keeping much of the Avante’s spirit. However, as it had yet to be re-released, it was much harder to find an affordable example. Harder still would have been finding the parts required to keep it running. My experience with an original Audi Quattro reminded me that 1980s plastic tends to get brittle… I cannot say I had the same emotions for it as other models, like the Rough Rider/Buggy Champ, Striker, or even the Avante; inaccessible as it was, I could never imagine actually owning or driving one. When the news came that the Vanquish would be re-released, I was still quite excited. It may have changed its name, but in almost every other respect it was the exact same car! I recall scarcely believing that Tamiya was producing the plastic bathtub chassis again, to say nothing of bringing back a car almost exactly as it was from the past. I placed a pre-order with my local hobby shop and waited the long months for its fulfillment. The irony is that once it arrived, my life had taken a different direction. In the midst of my employment and ongoing struggles with depression, I had again lost interest in the hobby. I tucked it away, still in its shipping box, and there it stayed for several more months! It changed when I acquired a Hotshot, which was a gift from my fiancée. The experience of building and running it, as well as the tacit approval I got for my hobby, emboldened me. Additionally, I was placed on a Leave-of-Absence from work; suddenly, I had much more time on my hands… … And so, we find ourselves with another build – and another build thread! First Impressions and Build Overview I have a habit of calling it the Vanquish, or even the Vanquish VQS. One look at the box shows why: To me, it will always be the Vanquish. I actually do not mind calling it the VQS, but as it is so much the same car, and is one less syllable to say, I continue to use Vanquish. Typing it out, though, as on here, I will likely refer to it as the VQS. Names aside, the inside of the box looks like this: A fair number of people do not seem to like the pre-painted and pre-cut bodies in some of Tamiya’s kits. I can be counted as a fan. The VQS kit has one in the box’s central section: Hard to argue with black paint, I guess. The Vanquish was not an unsightly car! There are more parts hiding under the orange insert. Fully disembarked, the contents – including those special chassis mouldings: The left-hand section has plenty of sprues: We get another box-within-a-box, too. I am not sure I will ever tire of these: Unloaded: Tire foams are a nice addition: The basic creed for RC car running is printed on the inside of the box, on an insert: I may never tire of these partitions, either. I appreciate some presentation: And making their special appearances: The ESC is an inexpensive brushed waterproof ESC from overseas. The more unique development would be the incorporation of a full-armed driver figure in the cockpit. I have always maintained that I would put one in any Vanquish/VQS I own, mostly as there are plenty of angles where the lack of arms on the original driver bust are all too apparent. I understand that this is due to clearance issues for the steering rod attached to the bellcrank, but I would like to see if it can be done. I have already seen this effort, using a Wild Willy torso. This is from TamiyaClub member Chip1: And just as I write this, I see that TamiyaClub member pininy has also done this, using a Ferrari 312T3 cockpit as a base: Come to think of it, I have the parts for that, too… However, the part was previously being prepared for my Hotshot build, but never used. With it being partially painted, I will look to use it in the VQS. Oh well – at least I have never put a figure with arms in a Vanquish/VQS! This will all be new to me. I do not mind the pre-painted shell, as I am just fine with the box-art scheme. Cosmetically speaking, the driver figure may be the only modification I undertake. The build itself will feature nothing else exciting: I have a generic waterproof servo and a Spektrum receiver set aside for it, and I will in all likelihood use the stock motor. The fact that this car is essentially a time-travelled Vanquish will be enough for me. And just like with any other time-traveller, I would be remiss to keep it waiting much longer! On we go!
  22. After some investigation about this Tamiya Model I decided to sell the Renault 5 Turbo, RA1226 from about 1980-1982. It is an unbuild Tamiya Scale Model, no packaging inside the box was opened. The box itself has some minor scratches on the front but no cuts or cracks. I kept this Model since my Father passed away in 2013 and since I am not into building Tamiya Models it is best to give it to someone who has the enthusiasm and love for these Tamiya cars. The price I am asking is 1.350,00€ + shipping (worldwide, tracked shipping) from AUSTRIA (not Australia). If there is no interest in this group, I am going to list it on Ebay with a Buy Now Price of 1.500,00€ within the next weeks. The Ebay offer will be higher regarding to the provision Ebay is asking. Dont hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if you neeed more pictures.
  23. Hi, ....any tips/help/pushes welcome....thanks in advance. I've hit a wall. I bought a Hornet kit and an additional battery pack which i was told gave me everything i would require. I think I am however missing a receiver ? The pack i received included the battery pack, charger, servo, cable and rechargeables for the remote controller which was also included. Included with the remote controller was a wee box with a wire and a female connecter. I presume the receiver or the part i need marries up the female with the male. I have attached a pic (not shown is the battery pack/charger) but what do i additionally need and what model/make would you recommend. thanks again.....
  24. So what RC channels do you watch.. I'm really liking "RCing around" at the moment, it's not all Tamiya, but he is a Tamiya enthusiast. Recommend me some more please,
  25. Hi I brought a Tamiya 1:10 Quick drive Ford Focus 2001 car and remote off eBay, and all working fine, but since it’s been in a loft for 20 years (previous owner), I have bought a new battery, but wondered if there were other “parts that could be upgraded” , would like to convert from 2wd to 4wd and upgrade the motor and suspension etc to give it a new lease of life for when the RC clubs start up again i hope someone can help
×
×
  • Create New...