RC Airplane World Forum

Ahh, last night was one of life's "happy moments"... I found out (seemingly later than the rest of the world) that my favourite rc car, the Tamiya Rough Rider, is to be re-released this July to celebrate 30 years of the original's launch back in 1979

It's my fave simply because it was the first proper rc model I ever had, albeit a completely thrashed second-hand one, somewhen back in the early 80s! I've got very fond memories of that buggy, and a couple of years ago I did pick one up from eBay - there are still plenty of originals around (along with the more popular and sought after Sand Scorcher), but the prices are just crazy; these things have become sooooo collectible

Anyway, I shall be purchasing the new Rough Rider (will be called the Buggy Champ) when it comes out, the forecast date for release is July 16th apparently. Way to go Tamiya!!!

Are there any SRB fans reading this?? If so, let us know what you think!

Although quite late from 22 June 2009, yes someone is reading.
I might be interested for the occasional riding it in the big paved school yard on the next street.

I have a Tamiya "Mini Cooper" that I have run only inside the house doing circuits around the living room, dining room and kitchen. Sometime investigating the bedroom and crossing under the beds. It is a fun little machine but much too fast for in house riding.

I can operate it only on the first activation of the speed control loops: Anything more and it is difficult to steer without hitting furniture or table legs.

I would like something that I would not mind getting dirty outdoor.

I have another electric item which is a "Wing-Dragon". Three channels on 27 Mhz. Elev, rudder and throttle. It got picked up by a gust on landing and cart-wheeled. The pusher prop chewed part of the trailing edge of the foam wing. I did not repair it yet.

It is not a priority. Some day it will get a bit of surgery

KILOP

That's an excellent example of a Tamiya MC, Paul - nice job! I actually have one of these kits in my parent's attic - I probably won't make it up though, but put it on eBay and let it go to an enthusiastic collector - to help pay for my Rough Rider!

Hello to any "down to earth" drivers

A few days ago I finally broke down and decided to get my Mini Cooper dirty.

I charged the batt, read the voltage on the transmitter and went to that big yard at the school on the next street.

Boy Oh Boy . . . does that thing move ! ! !

There are large paintings on the asphalt for the kids to play games. So I did like kids do . . . but with the car. Steer and stop on number 1, then on number 2 and so on to number 10.

Another game that I suppose kids play that has a big square painted around it about 30 feet on the sides. So here I am trying to steer the Mini Cooper on the straight sides of the square remaining on the painted surface that is about 1 foot wide. I do not want the wheels (any wheel) to get off the painted surface.

It is not easy due to a very sensitive steering and yes some slop in the steering linkages.

Hey . . . I had some fun for over an hour when it got dark and I have no headlights on the car. A friend saw me and reminded me that in this area of the world the law is that one must have his headlights on 30 minutes before sunset.

Well, I took a chance and drove the Mini Cooper home keeping within a foot from the curb stones. What was funny is that two cars came by and saw the miniature driving along the road at a fair speed. Both drivers stopped and watched the little car passing them. So I stopped it and a fellow got out of his car and came close. I thought he might try to pick it up and I think he had not noticed me a hundred feet or so behind the little car.

I gave the Mini a burst and it spinned the tires, jumped ahead about 20 feet and I applied the brakes. The fellow walked toward the Mini and as he was close the Mini took off again and went into my driveway at home.

I then talked to that fellow and had him drive the minicar in the street in front of my home.

He said "I have to get one of these for my son, where can I get one?"

A bit of converstion ... now ... and he found from me that the price is $250.00 and the fellow said "I'll give you the $250.00 right now, can I take it home?

I told him that it was a gift to me from a dear friend that would be very frustrated if I sold it.

I did not want to sell it anyway.

Hey that was an evening of fun without having to race anyone.

KILOP

P.S.: See the Mini Cooper picture a few posts away.

Great story, Paul - sounds like a lot of fun to me!
That's the great thing about rc, it always seems to attract somebody's attention and interest. I wonder why that is??....

My re-release Rough Rider is well under construction now, I'll post it all on the main site when it's done. It's an impressively complex kit and I'm having a great time putting it together, although I can only manage an hour or so at a time in the evenings. With so many metal parts, everything is so clean and shiny, I'm not sure I'll want to get it dirty!!