Leftover part after finishing Grasshopper?

[Jorgen 56]

Does anyone know what this is for?

Its not in the manual (that I know of)

First I thought it was a  pinion for converting to a 540 but that should be metal right?

[Saito2 6686]

The Grasshopper's gearset was originally designed for the the first Wild Willy, which did use that gear pictured. Tamiya then re-used the gearset in a number of vehicles like the Grasshopper, Hornet and Lunch Box, etc., only those vehicles don't utilize that gear. Tamiya never took the gear out of the mold and just kept sending it along with the other gears, thus confusing people like us for (literally) generations to come. 

[Jorgen 56]

Thanks a lot. Problem solved!

[zakspeed 187]

Well everyday is a school day... I often wondered that but never thought to ask 

[Frog Jumper 3658]

That's the Grasshopper hood ornament...

Terry

 

[MrBlz 21]

Just started working on the Hornet with my grandson and also wondered what it was for. Since everything works I thought about it, laughed about it and forgot about it.  On a different subject, I have a Manta Ray from 1991 and I am frustrated in my search for replacement tires. Anyone have any suggestions?

[taffer 948]

eBay UK has lots of manta ray tyres from Tony's tamiya parts