Tamiya TXT Review

The Tamiya TXT-1 is a mean and ruthless truck from Tamiya USA. TXT stands for Tamiya extreme truck. The power, the body, the heavy duty chassis all are pure 'extremes' when compared to ordinary puny monster trucks. Straight from stock, the Tamiya TXT-1 looks as if it's been modified by a pro - Tamiya has definitely pulled out all the stops on this 4x4. Here we'll outline some of the pros and cons, and you can also see pictures and videos of the TXT-1 in action!

Tamiya TNX 5.2R - Supreme Commander

The Tamiya TNX 5.2R has come to new heights since Tamiya first launched the TNX series in mid 2004. The older TNX 3.0 was heavier, had air leaks in the fuel tank, and generally was a lot weaker. Now, the new and improved TNX 5.2R is loaded, at 1/8th scale and from 2-speed transmission to super tough steel drive shafts, this thing will blow your mind. It's contenting for top spot for 2007's best gas powered monster truck, with good reason. But what makes this RC monster truck so great? Lets take a look at some of the pros and cons of the TNX 5.2R, although, there's not very much negatives to say about this mean machine!

In-Depth Into Tamiya's TNX 5.2R
Pros
Comes with a rear exhaust accompanied by a TM-7 muffler that doesn't melt under heat.
2.5mm thick reinforced durable aluminum chassis, attached to steel drive shafts. Very very tough!
5.2cc engine with an oversize head, creating a huge amount of power. Seriously, this engine is massive and is designed for optimal cooling.
Comes stock with ball bearings rather than bushings - which is great to keep out dirt and grind, as well as minimize friction and lasts a lot longer.
Comes equipped with a start button, so you don't have to pull start this beast.
4 wheel drive chassis evenly distributes engine power from the transmission which is located in the center of the vehicle - in addition, has a 2 speed transmission which is desinged for more efficient gear shifting, better durability and handling.
Redesigned to make it lighter, weighing in at 4.3kg (10 pounds).
Improved shocks for better handling of jumps and rough terrain.

Cons
Very difficult to get parts for, so if you're looking to customize the TNX 5.2R, you're going to have to dig.
Clutch can wear down pretty fast, especially with such a bigger engine
Differentials can be a little weak

TAMIYA 74004 Straight Tweezers

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Tamiya Products

TAMIYA 74004 Straight Tweezers

Tamiya Aluminum Dampener

I am trying to work out which dampers can be exchanged with each other and wanted to know whether anybody knows the following damper lengths...
1) Low Friction TA03 damper I believe is the same length as the Mini Hi-Cap Damper but I dont know how many mm's that is?
2) Short Tamiya Aluminum Dampener Set TXT-1?
3) Tamiya Aluminum Dampener Cylinders F201 with Tamiya Low Friction Dampener Piston Set Front F201
4) Tamiya Aluminum Dampener Cylinders F201 with Tamiya Low Friction Dampener Piston Set Rear F201
5) Tamiya Aluminum Dampener Set TGM-02 6) Tamiya R/C Tractor Truck Oil Shock 7) Tamiya TRF shocks (for Ta04/414) If anybody can help I would appreciate it. Thanks

Tamiya RC Car

Tamiya Incorporated (, Kabushiki gaisha Tamiya?) is a Japanese manufacturer of plastic model kits, radio controlled cars, battery- and solar-powered educational models, sailboat models, acrylic and enamel model paints, and various modeling tools and supplies. The company was founded by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, Japan in 1946.
The metal models were produced from plans which had the concept of being "easy to understand and build, even for beginners." Even the box art was consistent with this throughout the company. It had the best developing power in Japan. In the same vein as everybody being able to build the models, they made the parts accurate and with a high degree of detail.

The company has gained a reputation among hobbyists of producing models of outstanding quality and accurate scale detail, a philosophy reflected directly on the company's logo “First in Quality Around the World” as well as winning on a regular basis each year, the prestigious Modell des Jahres (Model of the Year) award, hosted by the German magazine Model Fan.

RC Cars
In 1976, Tamiya entered the RC market with their first RC model, the Porsche 934 Turbo RSR Now, having just passed the 30th Anniversary of the first Tamiya RC model, they are sold in markets both within the country and worldwide. Cultivating skill by all the RC cars they had made until now, they decided to revive the experience in a limited release of models to commemorate their 30 years in the RC business in December 2006. They recently released their flagship model, mustering all their skill into the Porsche Turbo RSR 934 Racing Edition, which had been a part of the developing phase of Tamiya's RC career.

Individual Wikipedia articles exist for each of the following models: Countach Competition Special, Super Champ, Ford F-150 Ranger, Toyota Hilux 4x4, Chevrolet Blazing Blazer, Hilux 4x4 High-lift, Mountaineer, Ford F-350 High-lift, Can-Am Lola Racing Master Mk.1, Subaru Brat, Lancia Rally, Grasshopper, Mighty Frog, Wild One, Hornet, Hotshot, Desert Gator, Sand Viper, Avante, Avante 2001, Top Force, Dyna Storm, Dark Impact, Keen Hawk, Avante Mk. II, Twin Detonator, Wild Dagger, Double Blaze, Blackfoot Xtreme, Clod Buster, TXT1, Tamtech Series, Terra Crusher, TNX (Tamiya), TNX 5.2R, Nitrage 5.2

History of Tamiya

Tamiya ventured into the modeling business in 1948, with a scale wooden ship model kit. Since then, Tamiya has been striving to offer merchandise that can truly be called "First in Quality Around the World."

Now Tamiya is offering more than 300 different products, both in the fields of precision static models and high performance radio control vehicles. These products are not only sold in Japan but also exported in vast quantities to the United States, Europe, South East Asia, and to many other parts of the world. The standard of excellence achieved by Tamiya is regarded as among the very finest in the world of model hobbies.


History of Tamiya, Inc.
1946
Mr. Yoshio Tamiya founded a saw mill/lumber factory in Shizuoka-City.
1947
A wooden model department was organized within the lumber company.
1953
Sawmill was closed and Tamiya became a specialized wooden model kit maker.
1960
Tamiya began producing model kits.
1968
Tamiya became the first Japanese model kit manufacturer to exhibit at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany. The 1/35 scale Military Miniature Series was started.
1976
Tamiya released the 1/12 scale electric powered R/C Porsche 934 Turbo that triggered radio control cars' booming popularity.
1977
Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya became the president and Chief Executive for Tamiya Plastic Model, Co. The 1/24 scale Sports Car Series was started.
1981
The 1/12 scale Motorcycle Series was started.
1984
Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya became the president and Chief Executive for Tamiya, Inc.
1987
1/32 scale motorized "Racing Mini 4WD" cars, which were first introduced in the previous year, recorded a total production of quantity exceeding 10 million units.
1988
Founder Mr. Yoshio Tamiya died at the age of 83.
1989
Tamiya America, Inc. was established in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A. Tamiya Europe was established in Germany.
1995
Tamiya Philippines, Inc. was established and started model kit production.
1996
The Tamiya Kakegawa R/C Circuit was opened in Kakegawa-City, Shizuoka, Japan.
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What cars can drift?

What cars can drift?
Basically, ANY 4WD chassis, be it electric or nitro. RWD cars such as the Tamiya M-chassis cars simply can't drift. I know it's hard to believe, and it contradicts most drifting knowledge. But then again, R/C cars don't really follow common car knowledge.

What do I need on my car in order to drift?
Electric powered cars:
A simple begginer's setup is totally fine. All you really need is a 4WD chassis, speed control (electronic is preferred), batteries, radio gear, and a good, torquey motor. 27 turn stock motors are best. If you have an old Tamiya silvercan motor, you can drift. The lowest turn motor I would recommend for drifting would be a 19 turn. The newer brushless systems are extremely efficient, and they provide tons of runtime.
Nitro powered cars:
Same as above, but you'd be using a nitro engine. DUH! The only thing I can tell you is to tune your engine and then richen the fuel mixture by 1/4 to 1/2 a turn. Since you'll be running the car at WOT a lot, the extra fuel will keep the engine cooler.

What can I use for tires?
You can always use rubber, but drifts will be short and less showy. Here's a list of what you can use as drift tires...
Yokomo Zero-One or Zero-One R drift tires and rings
Yokomo drift radials
HPI Stage D tires
Kawada Drift Radials
Pit Shimizu Drift Radials (These ones are cool because Dunlop makes them for Pit.)
Tamiya's upcoming drift tires
Rubber slicks wrapped in electric tape
ABS pipe
PVC pipe
Polyethalene pipe
How do I setup my suspension?
For ABS, PVC, polyethalene, Zero-One, and Zero-One R tires:Run zero degrees of camber on all four corners. You'll want your suspension to be as soft as possible to start with. Then you can tweak it from there. Then dial in zero to one degrees of toe out in the front and two degrees of rear toe in.For rubber, drift radials, and taped tires:You'll want a hard suspension. As hard as possible without having your car hop all over the place. Then run one degree negative camber in front and two to three degrees negative camber in the rear. Toe settings are the same as above.

Who makes drift bodies?
In all actuality, any body can be drifted. But if you're looking to go for a true drift car, you'll want to look into some of HPI's bodies. Yokomo makes a full line of drift bodies, in both street style, and D1GP replicas (STREET: AE86, 180SX, FC3S, S15. D1GP: HKS S15, Apex FD3S, Blitz ER34, Top Secret S15, Kei Office S15, and soon, HKS Altezza). There are other companies that make "JDM" drift bodies, like Northcraft, Speed Way Pal, and Cross.

Make Your Own Tamiya Drift Tires Drift Tires

Back before Tamiya RC drifting become as commercial as it is today, we used to use a couple of tricks to get ourselves sideways, I explore a little drift history and explain how you can make your own drift tires on a shoestring.

As soon as I realized that 1/10 scale remote control cars were almost identical to real cars, I knew they would drift, the only problem was that without an incredibly powerful motor and a huge tire budget it just wasn't a reality.

At first we tried to change the surface, as there quiet a few places where you can drift really well on rubber tires, underground parking lots for example. It wasn't until a few months later that we started to experiment with changing the tires to drift, the first thing we did to tape the tires, this involves using insulation tape to leave the tire without any traction, there is a specific way which works the best, you only tape the outside edges of your tire, or what I found also works as taking a strip down the center of each tire, but leaving the edges open rubber.

You need to experiment to find out what works best with your particular car and driving style.

It wasn't long after we first started drifting that other types of tires started to pop up, Tamiya released a drift tire which was a very hard rubber, this gave a little too much traction, but with a nitro car they are just perfect. Yokomo had a set of tires that included two hard plastic rings, they were replaceable, but at a pretty steep cost, they later retired these for a solid center replaceable ring, that still wares out too quickly and costs too much to replace.

Currently the tire of choice is a completely hard tire made from polyethylene, which give a very nice amount of grip for drifting, these are last much longer than the tape or hard rubber tires. In me experience the polyethylene tires can last well over a year.To fit the polyethylene tires the best way to do it is to heat up the tire and cool down the rim, I put the rims in a fridge for a few hours and use a hair dryer to heat up the tires, then they slide over each other and when they cool down / heat up the polyethylene tire will fit snugly on the rims.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a Tamiya Tamiya drift tire is what everyone else is using, it's difficult to compete with people who are using a different type of tire as it will make your car perform differently to the one on the track, if you have too much traction you'll have too much speed, then you will out run the others, which would be a good thing if you were racing. no enough traction and you won't be able to keep up with the big drifts.

Taping your tires is a great place to start, but it doesn't last long, at best only a couple of runs, and it's not something you can use in a competition and expect to place.


Feature
Super Tamiya Driftech Tires come conveniently pre-mounted on stylish chrome-plated wheels. These tires are made from low-friction resin material, enabling effortless drifting and reducing tire wear.24mm width makes them compatible with any Tamiya touring car chassis as well.

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Tamiya JAPANESE NAVY DESTROYER YUKIKAZE

After the withdrawal from the Naval treaties, plans were laid to build Kagero-class warships. The Yukikaze was the 8th completed destroyer built of the Kagero-class in January 1940. The Yukikaze saw fierce action at Midway, Guadalcanal, Mariana Islands, Leyte Gulf, as well as serving in other battles throughout the Pacific Theater. Furthermore, she also served as a patrol ship and assisted in transportation duties. At the time of her completion, she initially came armed with three dual 12.7cm gun turrets and two quadruple 61cm torpedo launchers, but in the latter stages of the War, her armament was strengthened with a compliment of AA guns as well as radar changing her beautiful silhouette into one of ferociousness. Even at the Ten-Ichi-Go operation in April 1945 where she fought hard alongside with the doomed Yamato, she was able to save many survivors and return safely to port. The Yukikaze survived WWII relatively undamaged she was therefore named“the Lucky Destroyer”. After the war, she was used to ferry Japanese soldiers and personnel back to Japan. Later, she was transferred to the Republic of China for war reparation and served with distinction throughout the 1960's.

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