My second Tamiya

Here's my Tamiya Super Blackfoot, bought from the Toronto Hobby Show in November 1993. This was my second Tamiya, (excluding QD Pumpkin) after the Grasshopper II. I've always been more of a truck man, and this one was the most impressive truck I had driven up to that time.

I've heard stories of original Blackfoots (Blackfeet??!!) and their drivetrains. You know, tales of driveshafts stripping after only a few runs, so I was happy that Tamiya addressed that issue with this one. I prefer Ford trucks, and when I saw this one out, I knew what I wanted for Christmas! I was about 13, and my parents bought it at the hobby show, but of course I couldn't have it till Christmas! So, I spent those few weeks drooling over magazine pictures and thinking of all the cool things I would do to the truck.

Christmas Day came and it was an easy build. My dad helped with the odd tough part, but I did most of it myself. I took all of Christmas Day to build it, and had it running around the backyard through light snow the following day. I just had a basic Futaba Attack and the stock speed controller. Never liked those controllers, no finesse. I like to drive carefully and usually slowly, and those controllers don't give that opportunity.

So the car was used on and off over the years, and when I was working I bought a Novak Rooster controller, the one currently in the Pumpkin. That ESC gave me a whole new car! Much smoother control, and more fun to boot. Soon after I bought a Great Planes Marine Stinger boat, and made a metal boat trailer for the Blackfoot to pull. It was great fun, cruising that unit around.

After a few years it began to get dusty, so last year I took it apart for a full clean. I guess I didn't clean it that well, for the shocks seized up and were too stiff, not to mention noisy and creaky! I knew I needed new ones! But since it doesn't have too many miles on it, once the dust was off, it looked pretty much new, save for some of the stickers peeling.

I've only recently made mods to this vehicle. Besides the usual ball bearings, it now has a Futaba Magnum Junior radio, an Mtroniks ESC, and recently, Tamiya CVA shocks with HPI blue springs. I do like the box art, but agree with some members who feel it can make the truck look toyish. So, since it's been this colour for so long, it's time for a change. I've seen several nice trucks on here in much more subdued colours that are very nice. If I don't like the colour, just remove the paint and spray again!

This one has definitely been a favourite over the past 12 years. It's half my age, and I'll never get rid of it. I don't feel these vehicles are there to be destroyed, but rather, appreciated. Whether I never drive it or cruise once in a while, it'll always be there for my own enjoyment. If I wanted one to beat up, I'd buy something cheaper than a Tamiya! Hopping it up is lots of fun, it's nice to see the vehicle progress. Thanks for reading, please look at some of my other vehicles, and comments are always welcome! *******UPDATE*********

Here's the truck with the new paint job. It's a Tamiya blue, and it now has King Blackfoot chrome wheels, and though the picture isn't great, Pro-Line Masher tires, along with a KBF chrome roll bar. Hope you like it!