Monster Beetle re-release #58618

[speedy_w_beans]

What makes the Super Blackfoot or King Blackfoot gearbox better than the Monster Beetle gearbox?

[B.M.T.]

What makes the Super Blackfoot or King Blackfoot gearbox better than the Monster Beetle gearbox?

Inch wide, beefy gears, much like a Blitzer Beetle and double wishbone rear end, so no ejected drive shafts from trailing arm flex. And twice as much travel, too.

[GregM]

The differential on the SB/BD/KBF is encapsuled. The diff of the MB is not, and thus the outdrive gears are pressing against the flexing metal gearbox case under load.

[speedy_w_beans]

Ah, ok. It's like the difference between a Grasshopper diff (open in the gear case) versus a Mad Bull diff (assembled as a complete unit). Interesting the open diff in the Grasshopper/Hornet/Lunch Box is so robust...

[GregM]

Yes it is pretty robust despite the non-encapsulated design thanks to oversized plastic gears and the plastic gearbox case being very sturdy. I think the solid axle design also helps reducing the forces that try to separate the gearbox halves under load.

[IBIFTKH]

I really, really like the look of the Monster Beetle so I really, really want one.

But... I had an original Frog way back when, and it was a bit of a nightmare! The usual story, constantly chewing up diff gears. Has the re-re Frog gearbox housing and/or differential been improved or upgraded in any way to improve reliability? If not, I think we'd better stock up on diff gears!

I'm not really familiar with the King Blackfoot type models. Are the gearbox parts common to other models and relatively easy to source? I don't want a brushless monster, I just want a reliable runner so if the KBF gearbox etc is obtainable I might go for that.

cheers,

Rob

[chickenman242tk]

Have we got a price and release date? I think i want one but i just lay-byed a super clod

[zomboided]

Makes me sad that I spent as much as I have on some of the parts for my original, but makes me happy that hop ups will likely appear!

[RCcoachworks]

Have we got a price and release date? I think i want one but i just lay-byed a super clod

The retail price on the tamiyausa site is $274. Nothing official on the release date, but folks are saying it will be in October.

[Ian_Gsi16V]

Boohoo for the eBayers selling the E-Parts for ridiculous amounts of money!

Time to complete my vintage along with having a modern runner

[NWarty]

Definitely happy for you guys to be able to restore your vintage bugs and have a runner now also

[europro975]

Update,

Hobby Company (Tamiya's UK importer), state end of September for release

Antony

[RCcoachworks]

The specifications say "NEW PARTS: Rear universal drive shafts transfer power smoothly, and come with rubber boots to protect outdrives from dust." I wonder if that means the kit is coming with these - https://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=53908

[mynameisdannyowens]

My guess is its coming with regular dog bones and the original full length rubber boots....

Tamiya make a sono and dance about 'bonus parts' (note the plural) being included with other re-releases such as the Stadium Blitzer and all it turns out to be is a second pinion gear.....which means there's two to bin instead of just one!!

I can't see them giving proper universals away but I'll be very pleased if I'm wrong

[Wandy]

I'd say with 99% certainty that it will come with the exact same transmission components as the re-release Frog and Brat.

[BigSteve]

Hi all price now confirmed on Fusion Hobbies website at £135 delivered (£121.50 after TC discount). According to the description rear transition is new (probably re re frog/brat) and paint is required TS-8 Italian red. Also looks as if it comes with plastic bushings as Fusion show DF-02 bearing set as possible extra requirement.

Steve.

[Wandy]

Hi all price now confirmed on Fusion Hobbies website at £135 delivered (£121.50 after TC discount). According to the description rear transition is new (probably re re frog/brat) and paint is required TS-8 Italian red. Also looks as if it comes with plastic bushings as Fusion show DF-02 bearing set as possible extra requirement.

Steve.

It's highly likely to be cheaper to buy this one in the UK than from Asia. And the price won't be anything like £190.

T-USA's MSRP for the Monster Beetle is almost 3% cheaper than that of the Subaru Brat....and Fusion Hobbies' price for the Brat is £135.

So it's entirely possible that Fusion's price for the Monster Beetle will be £130. And with your TC subscriber discount that would take the price down to £117.

Stella's price for the Brat works out at approximately £135 delivered, so even without any TC discount it is no cheaper to buy from them than Fusion for that kit. I can't see it being any different for the Monster Beetle.

On the other hand, nobody does the same World Class packaging as Stella, so those wanting a guaranteed immaculate kit box might still want to go with them.

I was £5.00 out on the kit price, and £4.50 out on the price after discount.

[BigSteve]

I was £5.00 out on the kit price, and £4.50 out on the price after discount.

I think for most UK TC members Fusion will be the best option. Joanne is taking pre orders I believe.

Steve.

[Sandster]

Is this going to be a limited release like the boomerang and TA02SW or a permanent addition to tamiyas line up?

[4ferraras]

It's now on the tower hobbies website for $238. A bit higher than I'd hoped to see. I thinking it should be around $185

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFNZP&P=7

[Mr Big]

**** it. I was really hoping it wouldn't happen or that when it did it wasn't on the ORV chassis.

But now I've got to spend more money. And then I was thinking it would be cool to have a blitzer beetle and a scorcher to display with them. In the garage with the 1:1 beetle. This could get messy....

[RCcoachworks]

It's now on the tower hobbies website for $238. A bit higher than I'd hoped to see. I thinking it should be around $185

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFNZP&P=7

Yeah, I was hoping for somewhere between $160-$180. Although, nearly 30 years ago when I got my first one it was something like $160, so that's not too bad. With the super-saver club deals on tower, that puts it around $205.

[Terz1]

I think for most UK TC members Fusion will be the best option. Joanne is taking pre orders I believe.

Steve

Steve.

Excellent. Will Joanne be in tomorrow. I'll have to give her a ring if she is.

I've been wondering whether to run this kit or have it purely for display. I'm leaning towards the latter. I was so desperate to get a monster beetle when I got back into the scene last year that I bought a mud blaster 2, kamtec sandscorcher body which was then sprayed red and fitted with the monster beetle decals.

I was so disappointed they didn't still sell them. My wt01monster beetle is near indestructible and I can bash it without any regrets. So display model it is.

[BigSteve]

Excellent. Will Joanne be in tomorrow. I'll have to give her a ring if she is.

I've been wondering whether to run this kit or have it purely for display. I'm leaning towards the latter. I was so desperate to get a monster beetle when I got back into the scene last year that I bought a mud blaster 2, kamtec sandscorcher body which was then sprayed red and fitted with the monster beetle decals.

I was so disappointed they didn't still sell them. My wt01monster beetle is near indestructible and I can bash it without any regrets. So display model it is.

You could try phoning Jo tomorrow I've spoken to her on Saturdays before now. If not message her through Facebook.

Steve.

[4ferraras]

I wonder if that is like the seasonal price. Maybe after the holidays the price will go down...This will help out the Blackfoot folks too! J tree has rear body mounts and the front uprights that always crack....