Tag: remote

Tamiya Volkswagon Camper Monster Truck

I picked up this kit last week in the modelzone sale but only just received the additional parts needed to complete the model.

It was about half the going price online and eBay.

The box shows it painted white and red but I decided to go for white and orange instead.

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The free bonus parts included are ball race bearings. Its pretty handy seeing as the first thing I usually do is replace Tamiya’s crappy plastic/bronze bushings with bearings.

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Aside from the paint, I also needed to order a servo for the steering and a radio receiver. As usual I went for a Spektrum receiver in the hope of unifying all my radio gear under one compatible type.

E Gemini Hovercraft Kit Unboxing

My biggest undertaking so far.

Hull and fan duct
Hull and fan duct

This is a model hovercraft kit I have just received.

It looks to be both a unique and challenging build.

You can find out more about the kit here.

Team C Jekyll Kit 13×3 Motor 8.4v Battery Ball-Raced

Testing my team C Jekyll buggy. I am impressed with the performance but it is overheating my esc so I need to sort that out.

13×3 Orion Motor.

Mtroniks 10t limit sniper esc

8.4v 5100 Orion Rocket Pack Nimh

Spektrum DSM radio.

Team C Racing Jekyll build

When I first saw this kit on modelsport I was intrigued. It was only £39 and I wanted to know just how good a car you would get for the price. You have to supply your own Electronic Speed Controller, Servo, Receiver and Motor bringing the total minimum build price to around £70- £80. I spent a bit more as I wanted to but some more decent bits in it.

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The packaging and parts were a decent quality considering the price and the manual was easy to follow. This would make a nice inexpensive first kit.

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Things I used to complete the build:

  • hitec servo £6
  • 10 turn limit mtroniks sniper esc around £25
  • 13×3 Orion Motor £18
  • Spektrum 301 DSM coated reciever £23

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It seems I made a bad choice with the esc as the 13×3 motor seems to overheat it very easily, I am looking into a solution for that. On top of this I melted a battery connector to the esc so I ordered some traxxas connectors to deal with the current.

WP_000386Soldering the new connectors

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I also ordered a set of UK buggy bearings to ball race the kit. These replaced the bronze bushings that come as standard.

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I do intend to replace my battery connectors with deans but the reason I went with a traxxas in this instance is I got this rocket pack battery in a sale. Its a 5100Mah 8.4 V Orion Rocket pack and really makes the thing go.

The bad thing is its too big for the battery compartment so I have to tape it in each time!

In summary this kit is easy to build, robust and well its cheap enough to buy a second one for a complete set of spare parts. I will upload some videos of it in action soon!

Thunder Tiger Buggy Orion 12×2 Motor Tyre Ballooning

My stock 17.5 Thunder tiger smoked out last week so I have replaced it with an orion 12×2 motor.

Modelsport is currently selling orion motors at half price.

I am tempted to pick up some more as spares.

Water-Proofing My Buggy For Sundays Rain

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I wrapped my receiver up in a party balloon and taped it and the Electronic Speed Controller up for use in the rain on Sunday. This worked fine but unfortunately did not stop me burning out my motor. This the first time I had a motor smoke and burn out on me and it was not that old.

Getting Some Air With My Twin Hammers

Twin Hammers airtime
Twin Hammers airtime

Today I took my Twin Hammers to the local skate park. It gets some nice height on the jump there, much more than my other cars.
Here is a highlight clip from the session. I have much more video footage also including my micro short course truck to upload later.

Installed Aluminium arms on my TT01 chassis

Installed Aluminium arms on my TT01 chassis

It’s getting pretty blue with hop ups now. I can now set the camber on all 4 wheels. Not played with it too much but will adjust it for drifting.

Twin Hammers Rock Crawler / Buggy first drive

A short video of my first drive with the Twin Hammers Rock Crawler / Buggy.

I was not going full throttle as I was only driving with one hand and this was towards the end of the battery.

Its great fun to drive and I was surprised at how often it wheelies from a standstill. It is very easy to tip over at speed and therefore requires much more brake control than most vehicles.