Hornet EVO Build - write up on page two.

[MadAnt 732]

Yes, I know, some people are not really thrilled about the Hornet evo and it's looks and that better buggies can be had for cheaper. But I do this hobby because I can build what I want or like, sometimes for as little as possible too. I have done enough to now want something new again and it just so happens the Tamiya engineers have already done the work for me, so really that saves me time and money. When I first saw the hornet evo, I found it odd, but it soon gained my interest. So now with it on pre-order from the hobby shop I go to and having to wait till early December, I figured that it would be a good time to prep for it. I mean I have already been prepared for some time, but I've collected so much used and new over the years that now I have more to choose from.

For the steering a decent servo will be necessary, as this buggy will be ran harder than my usual hornets and hoppers. So I have decided not go with a plastic gear servo. So I've narrowed my choices between the Tower Pro and Rage metal gear high torque servos.(Probably the faster one.)

Not to brag, but I do have doubles and triples of some of the servos here, so I am not spending the money to buy another servo, I'll just use what I have.

For the receiver I have two choices, both are 2.4Ghz S-FHSS and will work with my Futaba 2PL an 3PL. I use to just swap receivers from model to model, but that gets annoying when the collection grows.

Sticking with 2.4Ghz because it's 2024 and getting interference should be a thing of the past, although I am tempted to use some of my old 75Mhz radios, lol.

The last piece I need is a painted body, because it's cold in December, which means no spray painting for me. I had bought a spare body for my hornet in the past, so now it will be painted for the new car.

I'll try and paint the body this weekend, it will not be black, but I think gunmetal will look pretty sweet.

It's weird, this kind of seems backwards, but I guess that's a good thing. 

[Carmine A 3121]

It's YOUR hobby! No other mantra do I believe more...

I'm on board! Please be thorough. I'm actually curious, and hope to be able to save up for one.

[MadAnt 732]

36 minutes ago, Carmine A said:

It's YOUR hobby! No other mantra do I believe more...

I'm on board! Please be thorough. I'm actually curious, and hope to be able to save up for one.

When I get it in early December I will document a lot more than what we have already seen so far 👍. This is going to be a little bit of a research project for me and hope to have fun with it.

[Carmine A 3121]

Thanks. I know it's part DT-02, with a new front suspension.... but that's it. I'm genuinely curious. 

[TurnipJF 10804]

Looking forward to watching this develop!

[MadAnt 732]

Well... this is weird. Tamiya has a new part number for the body. I wonder what the differences are between the Evo and the regular body?

Anyway, I did some painting. Cut and trimmed everything first, then taped up the windows, then wiped the inside with a rag damped with alcohol.

I did about 8-9 coats of Gun Metal color to get full coverage, it was a bit cool outside so after each coat I dried the paint with a heat gun.

As you can see in the picture below the body is now Corsa Grey...

Lol, I'm just kidding, that's the back coat. Most lexan bodies I paint get a back coat to help make the paint less transparent in the light and give metallic colors their pop. I used Corsa Grey because I wanted a back coat that was darker than white and I had some cans leftover from years ago when I painted my M06 Beetle. I think it was a good idea, it was not too dark and not too light.

Then I could just not help myself, so I peeled the plastic off.

Yes the roll bar is the same color. No, I don't care, I like it like that.

Could you imagine those sweet new Hornet Evo flame decals on a body with this metallic color? It would look freaking sweet! I'm liking this Gun Metal color.

Anyway, back in the bag the body goes, now we wait.

[Twinfan 2306]

I suspect the new body part number is because the body will have different cut lines. The Evo has a big cut out at the year to fit around the DT-01 gearbox.

[MadAnt 732]

1 hour ago, Twinfan said:

I suspect the new body part number is because the body will have different cut lines. The Evo has a big cut out at the year to fit around the DT-01 gearbox.

Hmm... yes. Looking at some of the images I see that now. Should be easy enough to fix on the regular Hornet body, so I'm fine with that.

[Phil_H 427]

Yes, rear has a cut out for the gearbox, and front arches have slightly bigger cut outs as the EVO has a couple of adaptors that go over the front shock towers. So they are wider. 

[MadAnt 732]

16 minutes ago, Phil_H said:

Yes, rear has a cut out for the gearbox, and front arches have slightly bigger cut outs as the EVO has a couple of adaptors that go over the front shock towers. So they are wider. 

Oh snap! Thank you. I'll keep that in mind when the time comes, then do the necessary trimming.

[Losi XXT-CR 514]

On 11/1/2024 at 3:14 PM, MadAnt said:

For the steering a decent servo will be necessary, as this buggy will be ran harder than my usual hornets and hoppers. So I have decided not go with a plastic gear servo. So I've narrowed my choices between the Tower Pro and Rage metal gear high torque servos.(Probably the faster one.)

 

As a lightweight 2wd buggy. Surely pretty much any servo should be strong enough. Just go with whichever is fastest. If they are all the same speed. Then it won’t really matter which one. 

[MadAnt 732]

5 hours ago, Losi XXT-CR said:

As a lightweight 2wd buggy. Surely pretty much any servo should be strong enough. Just go with whichever is fastest. If they are all the same speed. Then it won’t really matter which one. 

I'm more focused on durability and speed, if the buggy were to be a light runner, I'd use a standard servo.

[MadAnt 732]

Update! As some of you may know, people are getting their hands on the Hornet Evo kits. That means my Hornet Evo build should be happening soon, I may even get the kit this week. My fingers are crossed, but we will see.

Anyway, the other soon to be Dagger build will need to put on the back burner until after the holidays. 

Another update:

So I've done a little bit more prep and assembled some shocks. I don't know if they are correct, but judging by the photos at the time, the Hornet Evo's front shocks appear to be the super mini CVA's. We'll find out soon from somewhere I'm sure.

[Carmine A 3121]

I've never been so excited about a Hornet!!! I'd love to get one myself. I'm certain it will never win a race.... but Tamiya addressed nearly everything that was "quirky" (WRONG!) with the original Hopper chassis. I hope to get one at some point. 

[MadAnt 732]

I got some good news!

ETA is this Friday on December 6th. While I'm picking it up I need to pick up some other stuff too for other projects. So I might get it sometime this weekend when I don't have work. Lol, I have multiple projects that I'm excited for.

[Carmine A 3121]

@MadAnt I'm excited for you! I still think this is the Hornet they SHOULD have made, before all those re-res.... So far, only the most ignorant are finding faults with this EVO. 

(Sorry, but staring at death's door, has made me a bit more "fearless". Read: GRUMPY OLD FART!!) 😜😂🤣

[Carmine A 3121]

I WANT ONE!!

[MadAnt 732]

On 12/4/2024 at 4:57 PM, MadAnt said:

I got some good news!

ETA is this Friday on December 6th. While I'm picking it up I need to pick up some other stuff too for other projects. So I might get it sometime this weekend when I don't have work. Lol, I have multiple projects that I'm excited for.

Not happening this weekend, still has not been delivered to the hobby store. I'll update when it does. 

This not the only thing I'm waiting for, I have ordered other stuff elsewhere (ebay sellers and other places) and I'm still waiting on the tracking info. It's very strange that multiple orders from multiple places are this slow. Maybe it's normal this time of year with the holidays and whatnot? I'll assume that and not worry, it is what it is.

[MadAnt 732]

I just ordered a new camera for my cellphone, let's what comes first lol. 

[MadAnt 732]

Just picked up the Hornet EVO. This is my first modern Hornet, I don't even have a re-re, all of my other Hornets and Hoppers are vintage. This should be an interesting build for me.

[Carmine A 3121]

1 hour ago, MadAnt said:

Just picked up the Hornet EVO. This is my first modern Hornet, I don't even have a re-re, all of my other Hornets and Hoppers are vintage. This should be an interesting build for me.

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing it. The only thing I've heard so far that's bad is, the rear axles are a little soft, and can bend.... but maybe there's axles from something else that will fit.

Or maybe this guy was just too hard on it! Enjoy!

[TurnipJF 10804]

I wonder if the rear axles are the same as the long ones from the TG10? If so, hardened versions are available, as seen on the front of the G6-01 for example. 

[Carmine A 3121]

...... aaaaand there's already an answer!! 😀

Even if stock G6-01 axles fit, I've used mine as a proper basher, and haven't bent an axle yet. Time will tell... build it, enjoy it, then see what you need 😉 

[MadAnt 732]

Before  I start, I need to replace the camera.

Update! Camera has been replaced and is seems to be so far so good. The old camera is in the pic below. These stupid phones cost a lot of money, if I can fix it, I will.

[MadAnt 732]

Update again. BOX!