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Radio Controlled (R/C) Car Modeling

A Cool Diversion

[Tamiya 1/10 Scale Subaru Impreza WRC 2008 Image]

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Why R/C Cars?

The short answer: it's a fun diversion. Of course, the driving aspect is fun, and it's by far the best, most respectful, least damaging, and cheapest way to get your motorized machine fix. The scale modeling and the miniature engineering involved is also appealing. Finally, since my professional work is cerebral in nature, being able to switch gears into the tangible realm is a welcome stress reliever. After a long absence (a common story with many adult modelers), it is a privilege to be back in the hobby, and living out some very old dreams.

Kit Builds: The Complete Modeling Experience

It used to be that all R/C hobby-grade cars came in model kit form, where you must assemble the car yourself. In the age of the "ADHD"/instant generation, pre-built "Ready-to-Run" (RTR) cars have become the dominant format. Their appeal is that it takes an absolute minimum effort to start driving (basically unpack, charge up the batteries, and go), in the identical way as toy-grade cars.

Resist the urge.

RTRs might seem enticing at first, but you'll reap much more out of a kit. A large part of the enjoyment in modeling is the building process. While it may take a bit more effort, time, and patience to build a kit, the investment is worth it. You'll also gain valuable knowledge in terms of understanding how your model works - knowledge that will be useful in maintaining, tuning, troubleshooting, and repairing your model. Getting your model in kit form also gives you the freedom to paint and finish the body any way you like. Finishing your own model, and watching it come to life from a box of parts, is a satisfying experience no RTR can match. You'll treat your creation with respect, and you're more likely to stick with the hobby.

A final point to consider is that RTRs bundle basic entry-level radio systems to keep cost down. Once you progress beyond a rookie, this is probably not what you want. With kits, you have the freedom to use your own better-spec radio system to suit. I am definitely of the old school viewpoint when it comes to kits vs. RTR.

Tamiya R/C Models

[Tamiya Logo]

Tamiya is a major Japanese manufacturer of a wide variety of plastic models. Tamiya's R/C models are my hands down favourites. In fact, they're the only classic scale (1:10) hobby-grade cars/kits I find worth following (new releases are continually made throughout the year), and they're the ones that I would consider purchasing the most. Tamiya makes the widest range of R/C cars and trucks anywhere, and so there's truly something for everyone.

[Tamiya Unimog 406 Series U900 Image]
Tamiya Unimog 406 Series U900

It seems that the majority of so-called hobby-class R/C car models are designed around achieving over-the-top and ridiculously out-of-scale speeds, with a scale realism and appearance as an afterthought. Cheesy, unlicensed knock-off models-a-plenty with a deformed, ill-proportioned, ridiculously coloured Hot Wheels child's toy look; in other words, a concentrated shock of ugly. I would argue that these are toys, the difference being that these are intended and priced for adults - while being an absolute embarassment for any adult to have displayed on a shelf. It's a little sad that this is where the "mass market" finds itself today.

This just doesn't do it for me. Scale realism, and immersing yourself in your own imagination, are a huge part of the enjoyment I get out of R/C modeling, and I will gladly trade off on brute speed to get it. I guess I'm just not the thrill-seeking pure speed type, and I suspect that this difference in personality influences my outlook alot.

[Tamiya Scania R470 Image]
Tamiya Scania R470

Of all the players in the industry, nobody does scale realism across the board like Tamiya. With just a few exceptions out of a vast product line, Tamiya's R/C models are engineered to actually look and behave like the real thing. As Tamiya aptly puts it, they really are "models in motion". Excluding some original creations, the majority of Tamiya's R/C models are officially licensed pieces. These have detailed, scale accurate, and proper proportioned bodies, plus accurate decaling and accurate wheel designs (which are often specific to the particular car/kit, instead of some generic wheel shared across umpteen wildly diverse kits).

[Tamiya Tyrrell P34 1976 Japan GP Image]
Tamiya Tyrrell P34 1976 Japan GP

Tamiya R/C models appeal to both R/C enthusiasts and scale modelers too. Undoubtedly, most Tamiya R/C kits are destined to be built and run. However, owing to their quality and scale realism, many Tamiya R/C kits get built and displayed in pristine state on a shelf. Other hobbyists are content with simply leaving a collection of kits NIB. This wide range of end uses speaks to the lasting quality and value of the Tamiya recipe.

I happen to engage in a bit of all of the above, so I like Tamiya's stuff. I guess it's also smart business to spread your appeal to a broader market.

Far be it for me to be the blind-brand-loyalty-put-my-self-esteem-on-Apple-fanboy type. Take a look at Tamiya's lineup, and then take a look at the other guys; nobody else comes close.

[Mitsubishi Racing Lancer Reference Image]
Exhibit A: Reference photo, Mitsubishi Racing Lancer (i.e. the real McCoy)
[Proline 14RS Body on Traxxas Slash Chassis Image]
Exhibit B: Pure cheese, Proline model "14RS" body on a Traxxas Slash chassis
[Tamiya Mitsubishi Racing Lancer Image]
Exhibit C: Scale accuracy, Tamiya Mitsubishi Racing Lancer (kit #58421)

Tamiya makes such good stuff, you have to acknowledge that they've inspired a legion of fans, enthusiasts, and collectors over the decades. I could be eating my words later, but I have my doubts that the cars from the likes of Traxxas, Associated, Losi, etc. will be as classic, aspirational, or desirable in 20 years' time. As one poster at Tamiyaclub.com pricelessly put it, "I wear a Tamiya T-shirt, a Tamiya cap and I would eat a Tamiya pie if they made one".

I'll be fair and give credit where credit is due. Kyosho is the best of the rest. In particular is Kyosho's mini and micro scale R/C series, which are nicely scale accurate models. HPI has a handful of scale-realistic models, but for the majority of their offerings, they seem obsessed with recreating the "slammed" and tuner racer look (even when a real-life counterpart doesn't even exist).

Tamiya Mini Chassis (M Chassis) Class

[Tamiya Mini Cooper Image]

Tamiya Mini Cooper

Out of all the categories of R/C car kits Tamiya produces, the Mini class (formally designated as "M chassis&auot;) is my favourite. These are a unique breed of R/C cars, that offer something a bit different from the ubiquitous 4WD touring car. They run very well straight-out-of-the-box (entertainingly fast and nimble), and you do not need to go nuts on upgrades ("hopups") to enjoy your M chassis car (if you get into organized racing, some hopups are advisable, so that you're competitive with the field). Tamiya minis can't be made into the highest performing cars of the hobby (the platform can't handle unfettered amounts of power), but it doesn't matter - I get the most enjoyment out of them. The kits are affordable and easy to build, making them an accessible and popular cost-controlled class amongst R/C hobbyists.

Especially interesting is how the Tamiya Mini class cars are modeled after real-life mini cars (i.e. subcompact A and B segment cars). These are usually overlooked in the R/C and the wider modeling world in favour of the usual testosterone cars. The small size of the subcompact cars means they need to run on a smaller chassis vs. standard touring cars, in order to be properly scaled and proportioned. Popular Tamiya Mini kits in the recent past have included the Mini Cooper (both the classic and more current BMW R56 versions), JWRC Suzuki Swift, classic Volkswagen Beetle, and Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Note that the Mini Cooper kits (both the classic and modern variants), despite their popularity and being the body style that introduced the M-chassis cars to the world, have been discontinued since 2015. These are now rare and hard to find; NIB kits and body sets are going for 3x their face value on eBay. Word is that there was a disagreement over licencing terms with BMW (owners of the Mini brand), so as a result Tamiya ceased production and use of all BMW trademarks and IP.

Scale realism is the theme here. The Tamiya Mini class cars are created to the same quality and accuracy benchmarks you'd expect from Tamiya. These are indeed 1:10 scale models, but are more compact and nimble in smaller spaces - a simple reflection of the 1:1 scale counterparts.

Obviously 4WD is the pinnacle of R/C handling performance, but Tamiya's core Mini class road-going cars are 2WD (front or rear wheel drive), just like the real thing. To further the scale realism, Tamiya usually (though not always) has FWD bodies matched with a FWD chassis, and RWD bodies on a RWD chassis.

In mid 2015, Tamiya introduced the MF-01X, its first 4WD mini chassis that targets small SUVs/trucks and 4WD rally cars (FWD rally cars continue to come on the M-05Ra). These are a distinct subcategory of mini chassis cars. So far, four models have been released - the Suzuki Jimny JB23, Mercedes G 320 Cabrio, a classic VW Beetle in a rally setup, and a European rally Ford Escort from the 1970s. I have a lengthy build queue at the moment, but a MF-01X kit is def. in the works for sometime later.

Mid 2023 sees the introduction of a new and versatile MB-01 chassis, that has the potential to usher in a new era of M-chassis. This is a unique design that can be built as either FWD or RWD, and in all 3 wheelbases. Now one chassis can do it all!

Many old 1:12 bodies originally produced in the early 80s have made brief returns on the Mini chassis platform. These models tend to be designated as limited 84xxx, 92xxx, & 47xxx series kits.

Mini class cars require a bit more finesse and driving skill to pilot, vs. brute force "point & shoot" 4WD full size touring cars (esp. the rear wheel drive minis, but Tamiya claims that the latest generation RWD M-06's driveability is significantly improved). The 2WD drivetrain also gives curiously longer runtimes, due to lower drivetrain frictional losses compared to 4WD.

Interesting Development: Tamiya brought the full size FWD touring (i.e. standard, not mini-sized) back with the June 2010 release of the FF-03 chassis. This is a welcome nod to scale realism and it offers a different driving experience vs. the common 4WD touring car (to quote the Tamiya ad copy, the "FWD offers a refreshing driving experience"). The market reception has been positive, especially on introduction. The FF-03 is a more adjustment-laden racing oriented chassis, vs. the simpler and beginner-friendly M-chassis series.

I happen to find 1:1 scale small/subcompact cars cool, and an unexpected amount of this transfers over to the R/C world. The Tamiya Mini class has a reputation as one of the most enjoyable R/C classes around, and I didn't think that the modest differences over regular-sized R/C cars would amplify the fun quotient so significantly. Try one!

Tamiya M Chassis Kits

As per typically the case w/Tamiya, you have a good variety of kits to choose from. Body styles run from retro all the way to modern. M-chassis kits have had a continous run in the Tamiya lineup since their introduction in Dec 1994. While this lends to an extensive back catalog of past M chassis kits, you'll need a lot of effort, plus a lot of $ on the secondary market to find one of these new-in-box. Many older body styles have gotten subsequent re-releases on an updated chassis. I submit that most of us should stick to the wide range of recent and currently available M chassis kits out in the wild today:

Tamiya Japan maintains a convenient list of almost every M chassis kit ever produced (it's missing several releases from the early years of the M-chassis, and all mentions of the Mini Cooper releases have been removed). Tamiya USA list is limited to current kits). Do keep in mind that the older discontinued kits (in new-in-the-box form), are normally almost impossible to impossible to find. Again, due to the desirability and collectable nature of Tamiyas, expect that the asking price for older sought after discontinued kits to be multiples over face value. I would suggest skipping these greedy opportunists, and opt for a more readily available kit instead. As the above list shows, there are plenty of other easier to find choices to enjoy M-chassis. Plus, you never know what re-release surprise Tamiya has up its sleeve!

Tamiya R/C on the Web

Some excellent links:

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