Kyosho Scorpion

[CoolHands]

This is the rerelease version. I bought this in 2014 and have now got around to it. My first ever Kyosho new build

1st job is to get the chassis rails together and put the front shock towers on. I had the optional carbon ones that I bought at the time. Then assemble front steering part. I also have the option parts hard chassis rails and arm shaft blocks. They are CNC machined (rather than folded tube, in the standard kit I believe). And hard anodised so they have that greenish look to them.

Then you put together the gearbox and motor assembly. The ball diff comes ready assembled. The gearbox is metal and has bearings etc. It is nicely made. Then attach motor and gears, add rear shock tower. Again I had option part carbon tower. I bought a new brushed le mans 490 to go with this car.

 

 

[CoolHands]

Add rear plates upper and lower to the chassis rails. The option part rails taper down to neatly meet the lower plate. I think the standard kit parts don't do that.

Then assemble gearbox and motor with cage and join to chassis.

Next add rear suspension arms (metal!) and shock absorbers (after you've filled with oil etc)

Add front steering arms (metal!), shock absorbers, links etc (I have option parts CNC castor lock set - can be seen below)

 

then find out after an hour or two of messing about and not understanding why steering geometry is wrong, that the reason is the option parts shock towers are taller!

They require the HG option parts shock absorber set, which I don't have and didn't buy. Didn't know these carbon shock towers were taller. Apparently they do 2 sizes of carbon shock tower but I don't want to spend more money.

So back to original ally towers then chuck the wheels on in excitement!

[CoolHands]

I'm sure there was a lot more to it, but I didn't take pictures of the electrics fitting etc. I fitted a period Vega ESC and then out with the soldering iron for tailoring the wires to this buggy. A 2s lipo hardcore fits in the battery compartment. So arranged the wiring, receiver & so on; fitted (cheap noisy) steering servo - but it's what I had to hand & does the job.

By the way I have the option part black tub and wing (kit ones are yellow as per box art)

The power of Le Mans!

I bought the option parts spot lamps and roll bar to go with them (the kit roll bar is different and doesn't have the fittings for the lamps)

Then on with the paint

[CoolHands]

I intended to use a tin of PS-46 Iridescent purple/green tamiya paint that I had. But disaster! As when I sprayed it on, it came out in splurts and was all blotchy. However too late as I had sprayed it on. 

So I had to change tack and used some PS-44 Translucent green as that would help to minimise the damage of the blotchy iridescent green. A few coats then I backed it with multiple coats of a bright Ford silver from Halfords. Then finally backed with black. You can see the blotchiness in this pic

For the driver I used a trick I read about - I used a scalpel to remove the thin paint mask (which lexan shells have) around the driver. I decided he would have a yellow race suit. So remove protective film and spray. 

When finished and you peel the film off, you get left with just the driver in yellow.

 

Finally add decals, spray helmet (I used red) and so on. And finished.

 

 

 

[CoolHands]

Took it around an astroturf track while I was there with my 1/10th racing buggy, to let it get out for an occasional run!

 

 

[Grumpy pants]

Very, very nice 💥

[Andreas W]

You gotta love a Scorpion. For a not optimal paintjob it turned out well. 

 

Even with 2,2' wheels it looks good. Nice to see you went for the lovely JC wheels and not for dishes. 

[RichieRich]

Looks great! I built mine with the optional red tub and wing. I display this one with my re-release gold pan RC10.

[CoolHands]

Took it for its annual outing today up some rural pathways and in some woods. Created some dust storms on the gravel track. Goes well, the 490 motor is well suited to it. I will change the speedo to one with reverse though as it’s annoying for a fun car when you get stuck.

By the way, the suspension (standard) hasn’t leaked so that’s a result. And it certainly gets a work out. It’s quite soft and works well for general use (not good at jumping).

 

 

 

[Grumpy pants]

Looks great and it’s good to see that you are enjoying it.

10th anniversary of buying it next year! 

[CoolHands]

time flies! I’d better finish building some of my other models, I have an optima that I started about 18 months ago then abandoned! As well as various tamiya models lol

[CoolHands]

Had a day off so took it out again

also bought some Ballistic mini spike tyres (mounted on JC Racing rims) as I like the old school look and will use them on school playing fields.