BlackSeaRC

Actually it is slowed down to 0.8 of the real speed! The manufacturer makes some rather exaggerated claims about the top speed (70kph for this brushless version) but I reckon that straight from the box it is closer to half that. It feels fast when you are in a small space though.

It is about time that the FeiYue FY-03H Desert Eagle got another run. A few years ago, the FeiYue FY-03 series and the WL Toys 12427 / 12428 buggies started a trend by offering gradually greater and greater speed in a cheap RTR 1:12 scale off-road buggy platform. Initially, the FY-03 started out with a brushed motor and was suited to trail running and general off-roading. Then the FY-03H got a brushless motor and was sold as a bit of a speed machine (even though the chassis still used basic suspension that didn't even include oil-damped shock absorbers). Recently, this trend has continued with products such as the latest Rlaarlo 1:12 scale buggies and cars. For some reason people demand ever faster machines just for the sake of a high maximum speed number. In reality, this often makes these buggies very hard to control when the going gets rough. In my opinion, this high speed is rather unnecessary and you can have just as much fun at a speed where you can at least test your driving skills without crashing every few minutes. Anyway, I present a short video of the FY-03H in action so you can see for yourself whether this buggy is just too fast (or whether I am simply a bad driver): BlackSeaRC

When you look at past products such as the SC10B, it makes you wonder what Associated were thinking.

My thoughts exactly. What a couple of ugly ducklings.

That's the impact of an importer plus import taxes and VAT I'm afraid. Kyosho is another example. I bought a Mini-Z from AsiaTees at a substantial discount over the UK price.

Kyosho Double Dare monster truck in 1989. Awful to build and performed even worse. Totally riddled with design faults and put me off the Kyosho brand for decades. Why didn't I just get a Clod Buster instead?

Pegasus Models was my local model shop when I first got into RC cars (then called Galaxy Models). Was good for Tamiya back in the day and you could watch the Tamiya promo videos on a small TV in the shop window. Then there was Kellers in Norwich city centre (now gone), Langleys and even Kerrison Toys had RC cars in the old days but now they are just selling toys. For a while there was the huge model shop at Snetterton but that's gone now as well.

Very limited choice I'm afraid. I have to do most of my RC shopping online.

Should be a great build, looking forward to seeing the end result!

There are some great beaches for running RC cars all around the north Norfolk coast. Hope you are lucky with the weather!

Norfolk coast?

Sounds right to me. Hope you can find a new owner who will enjoy it!

How many turns did you back off the nut when you adjusted the clutch?

I have quite a few different RC brands and in general I'd say that Cross-RC is one of my favourites. I once had a Kyosho monster truck that had numerous design flaws that were far more annoying than this. I think almost every product has a feature that you look at and wonder why they designed it like that. When my slipper clutch first came loose, I was annoyed because I missed a great opportunity for a snow run but when it was fixed and I took the AT4V for a run over the rocks by the river, all was quickly forgotten as it performed very well.

The holes are very close to the edge on this plate with virtually no metal around the fixing. By coincidence I broke mine doing exactly the same thing but luckily it was only one position and I just superglued the bits back because it looked as if one fixing wouldn't really make much difference. Plus, I couldn't find the plate on its own, just a whole gearbox parts group that would mean lots of extra parts I didn't need.

I did have a quick look because I was considering trying to order direct from Japan. Haven't seen any BBX kits delivered to customers yet. I would assume that the Japanese market will get them first. Modelsport is still quoting 01 May as the expected date but if the stock is shipped by sea I would expect the arrival date to be 2-3 months after the release in Japan.

Do they have complete Tamiya kits, for example the new BBX at good prices?

This won't be everyone's cup of tea but I found it interesting nonetheless. This is the brand new McLaren MCL36 F1 car in 1:12 scale by Rastar. Yes, it is toy grade and the performance won't wow you but you have to admire the officially licensed scale-realistic body and detailing. This RC car is based on the car McLaren used for the 2022 season and the livery is specific to the car driven by Lando Norris (#4) at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy. In this race, McLaren achieved their best result of the 2022 season (third place). In the video below, I unbox the car and show all the details, test drive it and there are also lots of other titbits of interesting information about the real car. These Rastar models are well made and relatively inexpensive to buy, plus you can use them as display models when not driving them. Maybe it would make a good toy to hobby grade conversion project if you like that kind of a challenge. Certainly, I think the use of hobby grade electronics, brushless motor and LiPo battery would transform the car. BlackSeaRC

Absolutely! Even with 1:10 scale I sometimes find myself wishing for more challenging terrain but with something like 1:18 or 1:24, you can always find somewhere to drive it.

Oh, I should think around 124 GBP...

I'm using the FS-GT5 for mine but that has used up all the available channels. CH1: Steering servo CH2: ESC CH3: LED light control switch CH4: Gearshift servo CH5: Rear diff-lock servo CH6: Front diff-lock servo

If the aftermarket parts companies are continuing to sell T*****S products but with the T*****S name replaced by "T-word" or "TRA", how is that any different to before except that the T*****S company gets their name used less?

Nice to see you went with an authentic motor. Just don't go too crazy with a high power battery, this is a delicate vintage RC! Personally I would have stayed with a Tamiya connector and NiMH battery.

...and the original style heat sink beside the chassis.

Plus it has the battery box for 4x 'AA' batteries in the early days before BEC.