Kyosho Blizzard DF-300 EP New Release!!

[racingdowantheM64]

Has anyone else seen the new release blizzard, you can get it nitro and electric!!

It looks much realistic than the others and is about the same price

 

search for it in jr-rc shop on ebay if you want more details

marcus

[ChrisB]

Yeah - I have just seen the first few of these come up on ebay. They look to be much more detailed than the original versions - I like the look a lot. Sadly I can't justify getting another one as they still aren't exactly cheap, but would be interested to hear from anyone that gets one.

Particularly interested to see if the running gear has been changed at all, and whether the new bodies would fit on the Blizzard EV chassis without too many mode.

Cheers,

Chris

[richytanimal]

The new body looks great, love the wiper and mirrors!! Never mind does it fit on the EV, does it fit on the nitro chassis[]

[Stefan(2)]

about the same as crisB

want more info!

 

lol, thats great.. just bearly got all the parts together for the resto of the old blizzard .. then they come up with this one!

 

<pffffff >

A well.. still got repairs to make on a NIB body kit []  , so.. nice excuse to get me one of these new one's maybe!

[ChrisB]

Hehe - sympathise with Stefan as only a few months ago I spent a fair bit on a spare bodyset, tracks etc for my Blizzard. Don't regret it at all though as its great to see Kyosho updating this model and improving the detail.

I am sure the day will come when I can afford to upgrade. From the info I have seen posted before on this new model I don't think the electric version is actually much different from a chassis point of view to the EV. Hopefully this means the body might be a retro fit, and maybe even some of the chassis spares.

As far I'm concerned everyone is a winner with releases like this and kudos to Kyosho for bringing it out. It can only mean spares and parts being more widely available, which in turn means its less expensive to keep mine in use as a runner, which for me is what its all about.

If anyone gets one though please post some detailed pics in your showroom so the other "Blizzard Junkies" like me can get a fix [].

Cheers,

Chris

[backtomyroots]

WOW [H].  Now I have to sell my new built Blizzard EV to upgrade to this sweet ride !  Now accepting offers.................................

[fastfordrc]

Hmm, from what I have seen of it, it looks to be the same chassis as the mk2 Blizzard (the EV/GP one). Apart from the body, the only differences I can see are that the wheels are now black instead of chrome, and it looks like they have strengthened the ties between the chassis plates - if you look at the pictures on jr-rc's auctions, the plastic front bulkhead is slightly further back, and a metal rod is in the place where it used to be. The big fault of the mk2 Blizzard was the chassis plates speading apart under load because they were only joined by plastic at the bottom, so hopefully this will fix it (I might incorporate this mod into mine as I'm reworking the bottom and front in aluminium to mount the mk1 blade I've got). In fact, when I took the front bulkhead off the first time, I put it back upside-down, and it had the same effect of moving it back - maybe that is all they have done to create space for the metal rod?

There are some good pictures on the Kyosho Germany site of the nitro version that show the chassis, and it's exactly the same as the mk2 GP, apart from the front bulkhead and a couple of threaded rods for extra strength:

http://www.kyosho.de/?page=shop/flypage&am...d_title=product

and here is the electic version - again, exactly the same:

http://www.kyosho.de/?page=shop/flypage&am...d_title=product#

I guess this means that this now becomes the 'Mark 2a' version?

Of course, this should mean that the new bodyset should be a direct swap.....so where do I get one?!?!? I'd better get an order in to Conrad for some more 'rundumlichte' units too!

 

Andy

[ChrisB]

I'm also interested in the bodyset as a retrofit - I suspect the chassis strengthening is something as you point out can be done using a few alu rods and a tap and die set []. WOuld be event better if it was possible to get the detail items like the wingmirrors and wipers as seperate parts.

Things like the black plastic wheels are probably where Kyosho have cut the costs to reduce the price a little. They will probably look better after being used for a while, although don't look quite as nice as the silver ones to my mind.

I am struggling a bit with the flashing lighting rig setup on my Blizzard I have to confess. Electronics was always a bit of a weak spot for me, and those Conrad rundumlichte's are fiddly wotsits to wire up. Each "beacon" has 4 tiny bulbs, each with 2 wires and there are 2 beacons going on mine!!!! I have a nice control circuit that allows programmable flashing sequences on 4 channels, with programable speed and duration, but again its a mare to wire up. Have to work out all the resistor values I need for the bulbs and hope I don't blow any of them.

I may have the head and taillights working for Kidd, but its looking a bit touch and go. I don't think the beacons will be sorted by then sadly.

[fastfordrc]

Hi Chris,

I've had mine apart tonight to compare the differences with the new version and I think it's even simpler than I thought. all they have done is replace the two adjustment screws for the front sprocket axles with that new bar - I guess there is a thread at each end, and the sprocket axles screw onto it, so where they had circlips at the outer end to hold the sprockets on,  now they must have a screw or hex head. This would provide extra strength for the chassis and a far easier way to adjust/secure the sprockets (I had to put loctite on mine as they were always coming loose). The parts should be a direct retrofit, should they become available.

In my experience of Kyosho bodies, the plastic parts are normally available separately so hopefully you should be able to get them. It might be best to have a word with Time Tunnel to see if/when the spares will be available? The black wheels do make it look a bit more realistic (though new wheels with tyres like the mk1 would have been better), but the chrome does look a bit more 'bling'.

If you want any help with the beacons, drop me a PM. I wired them so that each beacon ended up as 5 wires - I joined one from each bulb together to become the common ground, then had the other wire from each bulb is the live. You just need to be careful to attach them to the circuit board in the right order to get them rotating! (I put a dab of colour on each wire to mark them, as I got it wrong the first time).

The bulbs are  rated at 6V, 50ma. I assume you are using one board to drive both beacons, so 2 bulbs will be on at once, i.e. a draw of 100ma. If you are driving from 7.2V, then to get the value of the limting resistor, the formula is

R= (Supply voltage - Bulb voltage)/Current

In your case, we get (7.2-6)/0.1 = 12, so you ideally need a 12 ohm resistor. Luckily for you, Maplin sell 12ohm resistors (code M12R). You will need 4 - one for each of the positive outputs on your board.

Andy

[ChrisB]

Thanks Andy for the info. I hope the details parts are available seperately as this would keep the costs down for me.

I am using a single control board, (although not the Conrad one), but was planning a seperate 4.8v battery power source to power all the lighting on the Blizzard - might have to rethink that in light of the 6v bulbs - have to confess I am used to working with LEDs rather than bulbs!!!! I can still work out the correct resistor value using the formula you gave though [].

Chris

[fastfordrc]

Hi guys, a bit more news for those looking for parts. I have been in touch with Kyosho UK (aka Kyosho France). According to them , parts support for the new Blizzards will be available from early June, so if you are looking for the new bodyset or front chassis brace you should be able to put an order in about then.

On the subject of the chassis brace, I've found some interesting information relating to it. It was actually a strengthening kit that was made available by Kyosho USA when it was realised the front of the chassis plates was bending under the load of the tracks on the EV/GP Blizzards. It consists of an aluminium tube and a M3 threaded rod, and the part number is BL-36, 'Threaded rod and tube set'. However, before you go off to order the part or make a replica, there is another issue. It seems that there are 2 designs of sprocket axle (part 14 in the BL-13 shaft bag) out there as well, and the strengthening kit only works with the later one. The earlier design is the one that has a groove and circlip on the end to hold the sprocket on. The later design has a hex head machined on the end instead. If you have the circlip version (like I have), you will already know it is difficult to tension the drive chains properly as there's nothing to stop the axle turning while you tighten it, hence why the later version has the hex head. The strengthening kit needs the hex head version as there is no longer a screw head to tighten at the other end of the axle. If you need to upgrade to the new design axles the part number for these is BL-37.

Andy

[ChrisB]

Nice one Andy - I might consider this once the parts become more widely available. I am currently running an 11 turn motor in my Blizzard and whilst it improves the speed a fair amount, I feel that maybe a different spur gear / pinion combo maight be a good move to up the speed a little.

Whilst I like the new bodysets, I already have a spare EV set, so its mainly the detail parts like the wipers and wing mirrors I am interested in.

Cheers,

Chris

[fastfordrc]

Bit more information on the parts front for anyone wishing to upgrade their EV/GP to a DF-300- the parts codes for the new body and accessories are:

BL21 Plastic Accessories Kit (includes wiper, mirrors, lights and new bodyposts - they are slightly longer)

BL22 Body with Masking

BL23 Decals

These, together with the chassis brace an axles I mentioned previously are the only differences between the two models.

Andy

[supergreg]

Wow, that's a nice one! I'm now thinking about upgrading my old DX with some of the accessoires. But then: It would not feel very 'original' from back in the day. I know I will regret later, so maybe I should get one DF300 too? []

[focus1]

I just bought one. I once had a nitro blizzard but I hated nitro. The thing was very nice thoe. Well this is gona be a box art runner I guess, love all that new details they put on it, and that the are going away from the crom.

A few questions. What motors have you run in yours? I am thinking 55 turn, but also sportstuned?

Also that snow plow would be great to have. I have seen in sombody's showroom that Kyosho made it at one point? But where to gett it or somthing simular now?

Cheers 

[fastfordrc]

Hi,

 Congratulations on joining the Blizzard club! You should post some pics of your DF300 - I don't think I've seen any built ones yet (I've got the bodyset to put on my EV when I get the time).

My Blizzard EV is currently running the stock silver can motor, which has been plenty enough so far. What motor you use depends on what you want to do with the Blizzard - for realism, crawling, possibly pushing stuff around with a plough then a 55t lathe motor would probably be best (this is what I'm aiming for when I get the blade working eventually). Some people run them for speed though, and put tuned motors in there. If you are going to run it fast though, I would suggest some modifications to the steering brakes, as they would be far too sharp at high speeds.

 As far as the plough/dozer blade goes, Kyosho did originally make one for the original Blizzard DX. I was lucky enough to find a NIP one which I'm trying to fit on my EV. However, the EV and it's descendants were never made to run a blade, so there is literally no space in the front of the chassis to mount a servo/linkage (the DX had the gearboxes in the back). I have seen some people rotate the body 180 degrees on the chassis so the drive system is at the back (and run the model in reverse). This allows the empty space in the back to be used for the blade mechanism. I think you would have to come up with your own blade though, as the DX accessory blade is rarer than hens teeth. I did see somewhere that made plough blades to put on a Clod, but there is no way to raise and lower them.

Hope this helps,

 Andy

[focus1]

Thank you Andy. Yea it helps, guess I am going for a Lathe solution in the end, but I am going to test it with the original silver can first. The chassis came pre asembled, I picked it up yesterday. I will post some pic's when I have buildet it. My first impression is that the box looks nice. It also has some scale reference pic's to the real thing with a big blade mounted. Also is a web address there to the manufactor of the real DF-300. The chassis looks the same exept from the black wheels. First impression is very good, it looks like Kyosho is taking their job as recreational RC car builders serious again:-)

As for the blade, I figured it would be hard to find. I will try to find one of some sort over time. Kyosho should start make them again, and also release the detail parts for this kit, as a special kit with blade.

Thanks

focus1

[Guest joelvardy]

can't wait to see it.

[focus1]

And now to work[<)]

Wondering about the paint. I don't like that boxart red! And PS-15 witch I have a can of, I am unsure of because of the metallic? That green maybe... It sure do look pretty, it was a good buy to. I Payd 1800 nok, witch is the same as 213 euros. The person I bought it from had bought it from a hobby shopp in Denmark and it had been hit by custom bad! All the recietes where in the box, he had ended up paying 2900 nok for it!!! The shipping had not been cheap either. I found it on finn.no listed for 1800 nok just 30 min after the listing and had talked to him on the phone a few ours later. Many people had then showed there interest, I know one of them[] It was also listed at QXL at the same time, but no bid was enterd yet so he could stopp it. This is one rc toy I have always wished for! And now I have the upgraded version[^] Yea I almost forgott, I also gott some servoes!

[focus1]

Here it is[<)]! Camel yellow turned out good I think, what do you think? Here are some dark pic's after a long and funny day of cutting, painting, decaling and some testing! I have been over at my buddy Cato's place witch has a very good basment workshop. He have built a TLT while I have done the body work on this[]

 

[Guest joelvardy]

mint focus can't wait to see it in action. *hint, hint*

thanks for the updates

[focus1]

Thank you joelvardy. It is not at all mint, but I am happy with the result. As you can see I have some small symentric faults on the front light decals. And also the decaling of the rear part of it became a little bubbely. There is also a lot of cutting involved in building this, and that also did not turn out mint. I will try to fix it a little thoe. As for action pic's I am waiting for the snow[]

Cheers

[Guest joelvardy]

your making me cry now they few shells I have painted are hmmmmmmmmmmm.............. (look at one of the wrecks on the shelf................... No way as good as yours.[:'(]

BTW - We got any pics of the TLT

[focus1]

I am in a debate on a Norwegian forum about the Blizzards histoy, and he irritates me a little. He says the first Kyosho EP Blizzard came with two electro motors!? If he's right I will have to eat my hatt!

A nother question is, because all of us is just guessing, if anny one know for sure the aprox release year of the first Kyosho Blizzard.

Manny thanks

Anders

[fastfordrc]

Focus1,

Better get some salt and pepper ready for that hat [] The original version of the Blizzard was called the Blizzard DX, and did indeed come with twin 380 motors, one driving each track. It was completely different to the current Blizzard EV/GP line - it used a bathtub ABS chassis, metal suspension parts, 2 motors and gearboxes (one for each track, with the drive sprockets at the rear of the chassis), and a very special MSC setup to control it. I wrote a short history of the sub-versions of the Blizzard DX in this discussion:

http://tamiyaclub.com/CS/forums/thread/136014.aspx

A brief 'family tree' of the Blizzards would be:

Blizzard DX -> Heavy Metal -> Blizzard EV/GP -> Blizzard DF300 EV/GP

According to an old magazine I have which shows the 1982 Nuremberg Toy Fair, the Blizzard DX would have been released in Europe in 1982. It might have been available in Japan a bit earlier though.

Hope this helps,

Andy