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Thanks to this thread I've bought an MJX Hyper go from AliExpress. The sale is on for anyone interested. It's for the lads Xmas but I'm just as excited.
How about some vintage RC cars and buggies?
I use to work in a LHS back in the very early 80's and raced early buggies 1/10 and 1/8 and then circuit 1/8. Here are some of my collection, mostly finished and all running.
I have a few more, inc a PB Mustang 1/8th buggy and a PB Nova 1/8th circuit car - work in progress
Oh a Re-Re Sandscorcher almost finished
So I've been dipping in and out of this thread for a while and now considering dipping my toe.
I like the look of crawlers for fairly accessible dicking about with hopefully less outlay on crash damage. Those FFX models would be great if it wasn't for the fact they come ready built. Is there anything available in kit form or even convertible with lower gearing that could scratch both itches and even go for a razz in the car park? Is that even possible?
I like the look of crawlers for fairly accessible dicking about with hopefully less outlay on crash damage. Those FFX models would be great if it wasn’t for the fact they come ready built. Is there anything available in kit form or even convertible with lower gearing that could scratch both itches and even go for a razz in the car park? Is that even possible?
@squirrelking I asked a similar question last year. Just had a look for it and it's on page 53 of this thread (sorry, don't know how to link to a specific post). I haven't bought one so far but there are some answers/comments in discussion there which I'm still tempted to follow to scratch that itch at some point.
Like you, I'd also want it to come in kit form. However the crawler world does look like 90% RTR and there were some wise words to the effect of - "best way to get a crawler kit is buy a RTR and take it to bits". That's probably not for me though.
If you’re after a crawler kit I’d either recommend one of the Traxxas TRX4 kits if you are happy to spend a bit of money on it. Or if you’re after something a little less pricy one of the Carisma or Element kits.
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/electric/models/rock-crawler/un-assembled-kit?
SCX10 comes as a kit but tbh it's not the best way to buy one. I went that road just because I didn't like any of the complete builds, they all had at least one thing I didn't like
A chinese clone kit could be a good option though? Something that can still use an existing ecosystem of parts and aftermarket. If I were building a new crawler today, I reckon I might go that route except put a bit of money into the strongest, heaviest, turn-angliest axles I could.
I've built a Carisma - pretty good for the money. Bushings and bearings in the right places (if you're planning on getting it wet - I replaced all the bushings with bearings as I'm not).
Oh those Traxxas kits look lovely but, lovely price too!
Hmm.
It really sounds like I'm looking at spending R2R money either way and I have an annoying habit of always buying the "wrong" kit in terms of customisation support and such. Maybe best go away and have a rethink after I've looked at the options you gave.
Cheers guys!
TBH it'll most likely end up getting torn apart and rebuilt regardless of what you buy... I think the main thing I learned from mine is to try and stay with standard parts where they break- I got some really nice axles but it was 6 weeks for a replacement when I broke a uj, and nothing else fitted. I redid it with stock axial internals, and cheap chinese steel axle housings and brass knuckles and got a pretty awesome combo of super heavy, strong, cheap and easy to live with. But during lockdown especially being able to get bits from a load of different sources was hugely useful.
I love the dragging through aliexpress looking for the perfect bit though 🙂
Yeah that sounds about right.
In the meantime I've ordered an HBX 16889A Pro with spare batteries. Go figure. Vaguely justified by the thought that if I got bored then the motor and ESC should probably work with an Outback 3. Probably.
@Merak - lovely work as usual! The trouble is seeing what you achieve always puts me off doing my own. Still haven't got any further than cutting out the replacement Lancia shell and I now have a Proline Power Wagon one for my crawler to attempt too.
Or if you’re after something a little less pricy one of the Carisma or Element kits.
I've got a Carisma and an Element crawler, definitely got the Element one if you go this route. Designed so much better and far more capable too. The Carisma also uses an odd wheelbase size so if you want to do different bodies it can be hard to find one that fits.
I went for a Gmade BOM kit and it has been great. Build instruction not as good as Tamiya but the parts seem decent quality.
Schumacher have released a Classics version of the Procat
https://www.racing-cars.com/news/news283/procat-classic-launched
Brings back many happy memories! And some less happy ones of getting those crucifix joints into the axles, and avoiding the main belt slipping off the front diff!
Finished this yesterday.
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@merak I'm doing one of those (badly) for my Lancia xv 01
What order did you do the paint on the suits?
It doesn't help my eyes have degraded in the last 30 years and I have to aim for the blur.
I'm quite enjoying a peaceful hour after the kids are in bed consisting of glass of wine, music, and cack handed painting!
Understand! This is my first one so I'm no expert but TS black for the body, v important to mask drivers as photo.
Then Tamiya acrylics then flat clear!
That's very cool
(anyone notice their HUGE hands?!)
Just had a trip to Modelsport to pick up one of these so I can play out with my son and his Lunchbox. This makes me happy.
Get yourself a set of magnifying specs, look geeky but make a huge difference to painting miniatures and the like, that and a proper light. I thought I had bad hands, but it turns out I just couldn’t really see!
Another cockpit build finished. These are a lesson in patience. I'm in awe of the stuff on the Airfix thread.🙌
+1 for magnifying specs and a proper light
Its like having superpowers!
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Yass! After Banggood cancelling my first order (supplier took too long to fulfil) my HBX turned up! Pretty impressed tbh, solid chassis and the metal drive train looks decent. Only issue is a lack of charging bag but will pick one up tomorrow.
FTX crawler probably coming soon 😂
Finished the Terra Scorcher chassis and built up the Christmas Midnight Pumpkin for my boy. Also bought a TL-01 for the radio gear and having never bothered with this style of chassis before am finding it enormous fun! Looks like touring/rally cars are another rabbit hole to go down! Got a cheap Focus body for it as the original was shot.
I noticed a couple of days ago that make it build it had a sale on and a hundred quid off the rival mt8 bringing it to £354. I was mulling it over, went beck to look again last night and it's no longer available. Booo. But good for my finances!
Probably dodged a bullet on that one, the MT8 is known to be quite fragile. The MT10 though is seriously tough, I was going to get one but while waiting for then to come back in stock a few weeks ago I ended up buying an Arrma Typhon 3S BLX instead.
Which reminds me I need to update this thread with a few new purchases!
Yes I'd seen a few trashed on YouTube, so you are probably right!
Just an FYI for anyone interested in an FTX Tracer, I was told today that they'll be releasing the brushless one in the UK within the next few weeks for about £110. At that price I'd be surprised if its not the same spec as my HBX Pro so brushless, LiPo and full metal drive train. I paid only a bit more than that for mine but with 3 batteries.
I've got the MT10 and it's brilliant fun. Mad on 3s as well. There's a version 2 out apparently with a different body shell and other tweaks.
Finished building this up today, been at it for ages now so will be hoping for some decent weather over the weekend to get it out for its first run.
useful info on the tracer. we have 2 trucks between 3 of us, so I was planning on getting a third for myself
Thanks. Took it out and made a bit of a mess of it today.
@bigginge that looks tidy!
I built up an XV-01 a few months ago as a MK1 Escort. It's a heap of fun.
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Nice!
just gone over my 8th buggies last week or so, rebuilding diffs and shocks (and stripping the oldest down to use for spares) planning to rejoin the club this year and start driving again now i have a bit more time.
Also did a stock take. I might need to rationalise on cars soon!
And batteries.
Also did a stock take. I might need to rationalise on cars soon!
Bad idea. All you’ll do is check eBay and forums to gauge prices, then see something you never knew you wanted. Next week the parcels start arriving.
I might need to rationalise on cars soon!
I'm willing to take donations to help you out.
Assuming my kind offer above is rejected, anyone car to give their thoughts on this as a starter car (for me)?
Assuming my kind offer above is rejected, anyone car to give their thoughts on this as a starter car (for me)?
I bought the brushed version for my little boy for Christmas, he bloody loves it and has used it pretty much used it every day it hasn't been pissing down since. Quality is great for the price and touch wood seems pretty indestructible even with a 5 year old at the controls. Size and weight are great for chucking a bag and gets taken out with us quite ofter. It's plenty fast enough so can only assume the brushless version will be pretty lively!
Only things worth mentioning... the battery that came with it is tiny so quickly bought a higher capacity one (may not be an issue with the brushless version) and the shocks aren't oil filled so it's quite bouncy - upgrades are available from FTX for about £10 an end I think (again, not sure if the brushless gets better shocks).
Would deffo recommend.
😀 Nah, no more cars.
Two Serpent Project 4X cars, one set up as a super stock for indoors/outdoors and one as a mod car, got either a 3.5 or 6.5 turn in there at the moment, can't remember...
3 team X-Ray buggies, 2x XB9e and an XB8e-19, going to either strip one of the XB9s for spares, or do a GT conversion. Might get the-21 update kit for the -19 too, changes it to a saddle pack layout, if they've made one available of course!
And then my old 10th scale buggies, which aren't really useable on the current track. DEX410 and a 210, plus a 4210 hybrid, which is pretty rare, think they only made about 50 of the chassis plates.
Oh, not forgetting the kids ones as well, couple of 14 scale race buggies.
@luket I saw that one up on the TC forum, looks nice. I may have also just finished (about an hour ago) building an XV01 rally car up. That paired with the new transmitter which arrived a few days ago should mean me and LittleGinge can get both out for a race now.
@mashr I just got one of those from Banggood (HBX 16889a Pro) and it's a hoot! Hoping tomorrow is dry enough to take it for a proper spin but I'm well impressed. The speed controller is handy for over enthusiastic kids (big and small) and it took no effort to dial in the tracking. Well recommended!