Model: (Click to see more) 58056: The Falcon
Status: New built
Date: 15-Feb-2014
Comments: 21
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My latest purchase and my case for the Falcon…



THE ONE:


Wanted one of these for a long long time, have been waiting patiently for the right one to come along. It’s a time warp example, nearly perfect and mint except for a few rough cut edges on the body in places. Its like it was bought and built then put away in a vacuum environment for 25 plus years. None of the painting has been done. Came with complete period electrics, an Acoms Techniplus Mk3 consisting of the transmitter, 2 servos, receiver, MSC, and onboard battery holder. Even has a period black-end 540 motor fitted. This has not a single scratch on chassis, never ever been run me thinks.



ADDITIONAL ITEMS:


Also came with a Tamiya/Beatties bag like brand new, 2 boxes of brand new unopened oil (hard and soft in both). A set of tyres, front and back, unsure what Tamiya these are for? possibly the Fox.



CASE FOR THE FALCON:


In the beginning I didn’t really take much notice of the Falcon. But the more and more I learnt about Tamiyas the more I realised what a classic it is. A bit like the BMW E36, the falcon in my eyes, is a misunderstood-masterpiece.


Yes it has its foibles as nearly every Tamiya does but forgive these or work your way around them and you’re rewarded with a very nice buggy indeed. 1) It is possible to reinforce the front end; brass plates. 2) The shocks should be adjusted; a) Adjust spring preload correctly so as vehicle sags under its own weight. b ) Internally limit the rear shocks extension so as to help keep those dog-bones well within their cups; they usually pop out during crashes and vehicle rolls. 3) Keeping your driving skills and terra-firma choice within the scale of the vehicle; oversized out of scale jumps and off-road terrain with stones as big as half the size of the wheels is scale suicide! Don’t Do It!
Now your Falcon should give you much longevity and run trouble free, especially as it performs very well from engineering alone; it was one of Tamiya’s first all plastic rear 2 wheel drive buggies, with full independent oil suspension. To aid performance further try weighting down the front end, putting a Sport tuned motor in and let that plush CVA suspension soak up the hits. It’s just beautiful to watch and it’s made for donuts!


The engineering is just one facet of the Falcon, but I also think this buggy is the look of the 80s, how garish and flared is that paint job! Yellow??? But yes it was the 80s and the Falcon has carried it very well into the 21 century, a time piece in itself. The body design at the time was deemed modern; I still deem it that way now, however it looks retro at the same time now, go figure. Aesthetically it’s a sin not to give this 80s icon some well deserved tyre lettering; it’s the cherry on the cake.


One of the last things that makes this a great must have is that they’re getting pretty rare, especially in good nick. But the one bonus is… should I dare utter it? Mr Tamiya has yet to re-release it. That should be enough in itself to make everybody want one….


Tweak it for performance and longevity, rarer by the year, 80s iconic looks… I rest my case.



Comments and opinions welcome, cheers.



UPDATE: NEED 3 DECALS! 1 x frantic freddie that goes below the windowscreen on the bonet, and 2 of the driver/name decals that go below either side of the drivers side windows. Anyone?






If you liked those pictures, you should see these...
Falcon I (AFTER/LIGHTS OFF)

Comments

Klausen

15-Feb-2014

Nice score, seems to be in very good condition. Yep the extra tires are Fox/Wild One tires.

Dirt-540

15-Feb-2014

@Klausen: Thanks for the tyre info, and yes its like brand new, sad to say this will only ever see the shelf once Ive painted it.

Klausen

15-Feb-2014

Perfectly understandable. I have one in about same condition, and it will also keep the shelf warm

Dirt-540

15-Feb-2014

@Klausen: I think I may have to get another for a runner as thats what I originally planned but I found this shelfer instead

JWeston

15-Feb-2014

Looks Perfect.

MAD-BEE

15-Feb-2014

I totally agree mate the Falcon is a misunderstood masterpiece. A Classic for sure and I love the looks of these too! Some don't like the box art but I think its great! and yours will look fantastic on that shelf!!

Dirt-540

15-Feb-2014

@JWeston: Tah mate. I think once I've stripped it and took care of all the little loose ends it'll be nearer perfect then. Quality paint job, smoothing the rough edges of the body, a bit of tyre lettering, decal adjustments and then some nice photographs should make it look the best it possibly can. Photos will follow in my usual compulsory '(AFTER)' post.

hammerstien

15-Feb-2014

thats is clean looks great

Dirt-540

15-Feb-2014

@hammerstien: Just a bit of dust mate.

Dirt-540

15-Feb-2014

@MAD-BEE: To be honest I got a bit of an obsession with these lately, so much so that I cant go on fleecebay for fear of what i may do. Besides I'd like to keep my partner; she doesnt give me a hard time but sometimes I forget everything when I get fixated. These are just great though and capture that magic perfectly from the 80s and I think they are well designed. I have an idea of what I'd like to do on a project with one of these, really unleash its visual potential But that wil have to wait for another day as I got one major project on the go and cant seem to get it finished due to running into probelm after problem. Wouldn't mind another Falcon for a basher though

Dirt-540

15-Feb-2014

@MAD-BEE: Forgot to mention I love your stealth Falcon!

MAD-BEE

15-Feb-2014

I get fixated a lot and my wife can get a bit peed off with me sometimes but she is cool if I make her a cup of tea!

I love my Cornish Falcon! pleased you like it! but like you i could do with another Falcon to drive like I stole it!!

stevepi

15-Feb-2014

Get that shell painted

Dirt-540

15-Feb-2014

@stevepi: Yes sir

BigDuke

16-Feb-2014

I love the Falcon. This is great! Ive recently restored my original Falcon, check out my showroom. It was my favorite car of my 80s Tamiyas. it had a hot motor and was driven hard every day. I had all the issues that you mention happen to mine but only after it had an extremely hard life. Glad I kept and restored it. Great car.

Dirt-540

16-Feb-2014

@BigDuke: Wise choice in keeping hold of it, nice to know you've now restored it to some glory, as they deserve it. Will check it out.

Jimbo

16-Feb-2014

Welcome to 1986, one if tamiya's best years!

warlord62

17-Feb-2014

A true Tamiya classic and a nice easy build, I've restored a couple of these beauties and would love one more (to run).Nice job on your one!

Dirt-540

17-Feb-2014

@Jimbo: From what I understand, 86 was a top year for Tamiya buggies; falcon, bigwig and supershot I think.

Dirt-540

17-Feb-2014

@warlord62: To be fare I obtained it in this top condition, havent done a thing to it yet. Will do though at some point, painting body, driver and tyre lettering. Need a few box-art decals too, to make it box-art perfect. Yes wouldnt mind another 2 of these; one for a runner and the other for a different colour scheme other than the box-art.

Jimbo

17-Feb-2014

And the Fox [Click here]


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