Radio Controlled Shite

[Pillock]

Hey.

 

One of the options open for Boy at Christmas is a radio controlled car. Now he's been into all the shops and made all the right noises about various things including some with blingy wheels and chassis made from thinner plastic than a yoghurt pot. No.

 

What I think would suit him more is something a bit older where spares are available. And naturally, when I say "him" I mean "him, and me when he's not around". Something a bit more retro. Something..... shite. I figure within hours it'll find itself rammed into something kerb, brick or plantpot shaped so he can learn the art of looking after things or having to pay hard cash, but at least it wouldn't end up in the bin like a £40 Toys-R-Us job. And he seems to get kicks from taking things apart and reassembling which I am keen to encourage, for when we end up with a garage.

 

Are there any autoshitists who know much about these things? I've been hanging my nose over various Tamiya TT01-based cars as I've been led to believe these are pretty much the bread and butter of on-road cars and there's a bazillion different shells available. I need to try to work out if these can be converted to anything slightly offroad (like, rally-style) or if they're only suitable for a flat area. Anything else that can still be maintained, upgraded and worked on? Monster truck style is also a possibility, but there doesn't seem to be a de-facto standard chassis like the TT01 for road use.

 

Because autoshite, have pictures....

 

I used to have one of these, and still have a massive stash of parts. Sold the car for £35 because it was "old". IDIOT! I used to strip the whole thing down and clean it after each off-road run, and invested in ball bearings and a couple of shells... "play" and "shelf queen".

 

I got the Mud Blaster because my mate at school had one of these slowly being built up on the kitchen table, it was his dad's little project. Every time I went round, another few bits were attached. Within a week of it being finished, it mysteriously ended up in the fishpond and my mate wasn't allowed to play out for ages.

 

This is more the thing I'm thinking but obviously needs a nice flat surface to run.

 

And obviously this.... except it wouldn't be built up with all the stickers, it would be built into a facelift "GL" in metallic burgandy.

[Pillock]

Hey.

 

One of the options open for Boy at Christmas is a radio controlled car. Now he's been into all the shops and made all the right noises about various things including some with blingy wheels and chassis made from thinner plastic than a yoghurt pot. No.

 

What I think would suit him more is something a bit older where spares are available. And naturally, when I say "him" I mean "him, and me when he's not around". Something a bit more retro. Something..... shite. I figure within hours it'll find itself rammed into something kerb, brick or plantpot shaped so he can learn the art of looking after things or having to pay hard cash, but at least it wouldn't end up in the bin like a £40 Toys-R-Us job. And he seems to get kicks from taking things apart and reassembling which I am keen to encourage, for when we end up with a garage.

 

Are there any autoshitists who know much about these things? I've been hanging my nose over various Tamiya TT01-based cars as I've been led to believe these are pretty much the bread and butter of on-road cars and there's a bazillion different shells available. I need to try to work out if these can be converted to anything slightly offroad (like, rally-style) or if they're only suitable for a flat area. Anything else that can still be maintained, upgraded and worked on? Monster truck style is also a possibility, but there doesn't seem to be a de-facto standard chassis like the TT01 for road use.

 

Because autoshite, have pictures....

 

I used to have one of these, and still have a massive stash of parts. Sold the car for £35 because it was "old". IDIOT! I used to strip the whole thing down and clean it after each off-road run, and invested in ball bearings and a couple of shells... "play" and "shelf queen".

 

I got the Mud Blaster because my mate at school had one of these slowly being built up on the kitchen table, it was his dad's little project. Every time I went round, another few bits were attached. Within a week of it being finished, it mysteriously ended up in the fishpond and my mate wasn't allowed to play out for ages.

 

This is more the thing I'm thinking but obviously needs a nice flat surface to run.

 

And obviously this.... except it wouldn't be built up with all the stickers, it would be built into a facelift "GL" in metallic burgandy.

[Junkman]

[Junkman]

[TimothyClaypole]

New release of the Subaru Brat, off road so not as limited as to where you can use it and electric so it won't piss off the neighbours like a nitro will.

[TimothyClaypole]

New release of the Subaru Brat, off road so not as limited as to where you can use it and electric so it won't piss off the neighbours like a nitro will.

[brickwall]

Awesome:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b03KAkE7 ... re=related

[brickwall]

Awesome:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b03KAkE7 ... re=related

[Pillock]

I don't like the new Mud Blaster as much, are they some kind of standard chassis though? From my childhood I know how easy it is to hoon them around till something breaks, and I notice you can still buy spares for the original (which shared a chassis with a Monster Beetle, and a Blackfoot). Whole gearbox is £8, chassis is £18 etc.

 

I am thinking off-road is a better idea. Because as I remember, they still slide around well and with a few tricks get a good turn of speed.....

[Pillock]

I don't like the new Mud Blaster as much, are they some kind of standard chassis though? From my childhood I know how easy it is to hoon them around till something breaks, and I notice you can still buy spares for the original (which shared a chassis with a Monster Beetle, and a Blackfoot). Whole gearbox is £8, chassis is £18 etc.

 

I am thinking off-road is a better idea. Because as I remember, they still slide around well and with a few tricks get a good turn of speed.....

[HMC]

Chronology of my rc cars

 

1. 1985 tandy land cruiser

2. 1988 Tamiya midnight pumpkin

3. 1989 Tamiya Hornet

4- 1993 Tamiya BTCC touring car Mondeo (very realistic eventually had cracked bumpers like the real thing)

5. 1996 Tamiya WRC Subrau Imprezza

[HMC]

Chronology of my rc cars

 

1. 1985 tandy land cruiser

2. 1988 Tamiya midnight pumpkin

3. 1989 Tamiya Hornet

4- 1993 Tamiya BTCC touring car Mondeo (very realistic eventually had cracked bumpers like the real thing)

5. 1996 Tamiya WRC Subrau Imprezza

[willswitchengage]

It's a lot of money, but I really want one of these Tamiya 1/14 trucks for Christmas.

 

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/product ... lobeliner/

 

Quite like RC offroading too, looks fun

 

[willswitchengage]

It's a lot of money, but I really want one of these Tamiya 1/14 trucks for Christmas.

 

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/product ... lobeliner/

 

Quite like RC offroading too, looks fun

 

[RedSparrow]

I had that Vanessas lunchbox truck too. I recall it just switches on underneath and goes in a straight line rather than by remote.

 

I also nearly killed a remote control monster truck in a pond. Me and a neighbor had seen real life ones driving across a lake on TV and so child logic set in...

[RedSparrow]

I had that Vanessas lunchbox truck too. I recall it just switches on underneath and goes in a straight line rather than by remote.

 

I also nearly killed a remote control monster truck in a pond. Me and a neighbor had seen real life ones driving across a lake on TV and so child logic set in...

[Pillock]

Junkman, that Rancho is awesome..... big want, but it would never get used!

 

Brookjim, I saw one of the Landcruisers on ebay just now.... £2k! Boxed vintage. There's a Midnight Pumpkin on my watch list but it looks like it's going to bust past £100 with a few hours to go, although would be worth spending more on as it has loads of parts including motors and gearboxes.

 

Redsparrow, the "proper" Lunchbox was a proper kit, full function. It got a re-release more recently and I think they put it on a worse, generic chassis. Maybe they did novelty ones too.

[Pillock]

Junkman, that Rancho is awesome..... big want, but it would never get used!

 

Brookjim, I saw one of the Landcruisers on ebay just now.... £2k! Boxed vintage. There's a Midnight Pumpkin on my watch list but it looks like it's going to bust past £100 with a few hours to go, although would be worth spending more on as it has loads of parts including motors and gearboxes.

 

Redsparrow, the "proper" Lunchbox was a proper kit, full function. It got a re-release more recently and I think they put it on a worse, generic chassis. Maybe they did novelty ones too.

[dieselnutjob]

I still have my Subaru Brat in the garage. Not sure what it would take to get it going. I think I would need a new transmitter as I think it got broken about 20 years ago. I spent years and years as a kid and teenager racing that thing around.

[dieselnutjob]

I still have my Subaru Brat in the garage. Not sure what it would take to get it going. I think I would need a new transmitter as I think it got broken about 20 years ago. I spent years and years as a kid and teenager racing that thing around.

[matt79]

This brings back memories of being 12 again, when I had the Midnight Pumkin model, bought from Beatties (now long out of business model shop) that I got for Xmas in the early 90's. It was awesome, GR11.1 for drifts on loose surfaces! Me & my mates saved a shit loads of empty drinks cans, filled them up with sand & used them to mark out tracks in the garden or over the local park. Happy days!

The model I always wanted though were the Clod Buster Chevy pickup or Bullhead (based on an american Kenworth lorry cab if my memory is correct), with their bigger wheels, 4 wheel steering etc

 

Once I 'grew up' & my interests changed to trying to cram various parts of my body into any willing female recipient, smoking & getting drunk in the park on cheap cider (circa 15 years old) my beloved Midnight Pumpkin was consigned to my parents loft, were it sat unloved for a number of years, before it was given away to a charity shop about 10 years ago. What a cock-socket I was to do that as I understand original Tamiya models can change hands for mega riches nowdays, enabaling the seller to live like a Euro millions winner. Or perhaps not. (I even had the Beatties branded holdall for it as well). Still, at least it made the local Hospice a few quid.

 

Tamiya used to do 'Quick Drive' versions of some of the models, which came ready bulit & had a simple pistol shaped hand controler, with the steering controlled by a steering wheel on the side of the controler. These models were visually identical to the proper build it yourself versions, & were sold by Argos, etc, not 'proper' model shops.

[matt79]

This brings back memories of being 12 again, when I had the Midnight Pumkin model, bought from Beatties (now long out of business model shop) that I got for Xmas in the early 90's. It was awesome, GR11.1 for drifts on loose surfaces! Me & my mates saved a shit loads of empty drinks cans, filled them up with sand & used them to mark out tracks in the garden or over the local park. Happy days!

The model I always wanted though were the Clod Buster Chevy pickup or Bullhead (based on an american Kenworth lorry cab if my memory is correct), with their bigger wheels, 4 wheel steering etc

 

Once I 'grew up' & my interests changed to trying to cram various parts of my body into any willing female recipient, smoking & getting drunk in the park on cheap cider (circa 15 years old) my beloved Midnight Pumpkin was consigned to my parents loft, were it sat unloved for a number of years, before it was given away to a charity shop about 10 years ago. What a cock-socket I was to do that as I understand original Tamiya models can change hands for mega riches nowdays, enabaling the seller to live like a Euro millions winner. Or perhaps not. (I even had the Beatties branded holdall for it as well). Still, at least it made the local Hospice a few quid.

 

Tamiya used to do 'Quick Drive' versions of some of the models, which came ready bulit & had a simple pistol shaped hand controler, with the steering controlled by a steering wheel on the side of the controler. These models were visually identical to the proper build it yourself versions, & were sold by Argos, etc, not 'proper' model shops.

[brickwall]

  RedSparrow said:

I had that Vanessas lunchbox truck too. I recall it just switches on underneath and goes in a straight line rather than by remote.

 

 

you are correct

[brickwall]

  RedSparrow said:

I had that Vanessas lunchbox truck too. I recall it just switches on underneath and goes in a straight line rather than by remote.

 

 

you are correct

[Lankytim]

I used to have a couple of these, a Lunchbox bought from a mate for £40 and a brand new Bearhawk. Both were great fun although the Lunchbox was very top heavy and not really that quick. The Bearhawk was brill though, it went really well until I took it out on the beach at Barmouth one year and detroyed all the bearings and gearbox with sand ingress. Still went OK though! I gave the lot away to my nephew years ago who promptly sold them to buy fags and alcohol. Little sod!

 

Years later I was offered a FWD tamiya Primera touring car, same chassis as the Cavalier/Vectra pictured above. It had all the "mods"- electronic speed controller, oil filled shocks, adjustable top wishbones and a race motor. What a top car that was! Mega fast and handled just like a FWD car. The motor knocked out a couple of diffs though so it was consigned to the loft.

 

I also bought a Baja King 4x4 buggy which lost a bolt securing the track rod end and the bottom of a shock and was consigned to the loft with the Primera.

 

Recently got back into it all, thanks to having a 2 year old I can re-live my childhood though. Got the Primera down and fixed the Baja King. Also obtained an original Hornet which is GR9 fun. I bought a Grasshopper2 from ebay a month or so ago and it was totally knackered and has been used for spares, the nice radio gear being used on the Hornet. Also just bought a Tamiya Fighter for a mate so we can race each other.

 

I'll grab some pics and stick them up so all the other sad case Tamiya pervs can have a look.

[Lankytim]

I used to have a couple of these, a Lunchbox bought from a mate for £40 and a brand new Bearhawk. Both were great fun although the Lunchbox was very top heavy and not really that quick. The Bearhawk was brill though, it went really well until I took it out on the beach at Barmouth one year and detroyed all the bearings and gearbox with sand ingress. Still went OK though! I gave the lot away to my nephew years ago who promptly sold them to buy fags and alcohol. Little sod!

 

Years later I was offered a FWD tamiya Primera touring car, same chassis as the Cavalier/Vectra pictured above. It had all the "mods"- electronic speed controller, oil filled shocks, adjustable top wishbones and a race motor. What a top car that was! Mega fast and handled just like a FWD car. The motor knocked out a couple of diffs though so it was consigned to the loft.

 

I also bought a Baja King 4x4 buggy which lost a bolt securing the track rod end and the bottom of a shock and was consigned to the loft with the Primera.

 

Recently got back into it all, thanks to having a 2 year old I can re-live my childhood though. Got the Primera down and fixed the Baja King. Also obtained an original Hornet which is GR9 fun. I bought a Grasshopper2 from ebay a month or so ago and it was totally knackered and has been used for spares, the nice radio gear being used on the Hornet. Also just bought a Tamiya Fighter for a mate so we can race each other.

 

I'll grab some pics and stick them up so all the other sad case Tamiya pervs can have a look.

[PhilA]

Ha, brings back memories

 

Still got my Tamiya Bush Devil in the roofspace of my parents' house.

That was my beater after it got a bit "well loved". Despite that I think it has ball race bearings all round, fully electronic speed controller, it had the best battery you could buy at the time (1200mAh!) and was an absolute blast. It got updated a little with an amber light-bar for the roof and various lights under the shell for headlights etc. Took the decals off because it at the time didn't suit what I was doing with it.

 

Kept with the electric ones, and upgraded to the 4wd Tamiya Escort Cosworth.

That got ball race bearings and a "super gold" motor (forget who made it, but it was the "must-have" race motor of the 90's, all adjustable timing etc). The control gear- radios, speed controller got switched between the two because they were the expensive bits!

 

That one got outfitted with headlights and tail lights and a dash that lights up. Spot a trend

 

Got the Futaba Attack-SR controller for it, all grubby but when I checked it about a decade ago it worked, and a quick charger for the 7.2V NiCd batteries, which will be completely shot by now

 

Fun times

 

--Phil

[PhilA]

Ha, brings back memories

 

Still got my Tamiya Bush Devil in the roofspace of my parents' house.

That was my beater after it got a bit "well loved". Despite that I think it has ball race bearings all round, fully electronic speed controller, it had the best battery you could buy at the time (1200mAh!) and was an absolute blast. It got updated a little with an amber light-bar for the roof and various lights under the shell for headlights etc. Took the decals off because it at the time didn't suit what I was doing with it.

 

Kept with the electric ones, and upgraded to the 4wd Tamiya Escort Cosworth.

That got ball race bearings and a "super gold" motor (forget who made it, but it was the "must-have" race motor of the 90's, all adjustable timing etc). The control gear- radios, speed controller got switched between the two because they were the expensive bits!

 

That one got outfitted with headlights and tail lights and a dash that lights up. Spot a trend

 

Got the Futaba Attack-SR controller for it, all grubby but when I checked it about a decade ago it worked, and a quick charger for the 7.2V NiCd batteries, which will be completely shot by now

 

Fun times

 

--Phil

[Lankytim]

Here's my current collection...

 

Primera

 

Baja King

 

Hornet

 

Kippered Grasshopper2

 

And the best one... The Daughters PeppaPig car!

[Lankytim]

Here's my current collection...

 

Primera

 

Baja King

 

Hornet

 

Kippered Grasshopper2

 

And the best one... The Daughters PeppaPig car!