Expensive though they may be, they do exist, and it’s amazing they’ve survived unbuilt over the decades, hidden in attics and the back-rooms of hobby shops around the world…. The rear dampers are some really nice, metal, oil-filled units however, that do a reasonable job. Sometimes things are overpriced out there. Thanks again for the helpful tips. In Stock. The kit shown here is a “late vintage” Hornet, in a nice condition box with all parts complete inside. 5 posts • Page 1 of 1. matthew john Banned Member Posts: 302 Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:07 am Location: hawaii. After doing some more research over the years, I have found that Tamiya published several similar photos of the hornet – each slightly different (as you can see from the angle of the car, and the background colour), but featuring the same two example cars. Make sure the transmitter steering is centred (including the steering trim lever). Handling is another matter though, and the car has a tendency to swing it’s tail about and can be a bit of a handful on a loose surface. £109.65. Even the box art was consistent with this throughout the company. You really got all the info and even the commercial in it. Inside the kit, the Hornet is a relatively simple model to build. For example, a Tamiya Hornet kit back in 1985 might have been about $150. I personally don’t have much interest in the re-released Tamiya cars. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery . I know I would be?” – Tamiya101.com. View in shop. Enter your email address to follow R/C Toy Memories and receive email notifications of new posts. it wasn't until two years ago I got my hands on a re release hornet, i spotted it on the website of my local hobby store and went their directly from work and brought it with out even thinking about it. 3.8 out of 5 stars 15. But nothing will ever surpass an original release for it’s cultural impact or it’s place in history. Came in two box styles. In terms of the Hotshot, another change is that the iconic round silver resistors under the rear wing are non-functional (because it comes with an ESC), so they just sit there and do nothing. I remember the protective balloon for the speed control was a really neat feature and also remembered it being FAST. Yeah I was rapid for RC cars 25 to 30 years ago. I think I was about 8 or 9 years old and my family had been invited to some kind of dinner party at a friend’s house. This article (and in fact this website) will only ever discuss the original models.Tamiya Hornet Re-release. Many collectors of Tamiya cars consider the first 100 Tamiya models to be a “golden era” as these were the cars released at the height of the R/C craze in the 1980s, and are now the most collectible. It was a fairly lightweight buggy for it’s time too, and the gearbox transfers the motor power quite efficiently so that it’s main strength is straight-line speed. tamiya america, inc. tamiya europe gmbh. Personally I never had that much trouble running cars with them (albeit not in races), and they certainly were repairable and cheap. But moving on now… let’s look at Tamiya model number #58045, The Hornet. So let’s say a “bit of plastic” sells for $150 under bidding, and someone else lists an identical one for buy-it-now for $150 (or thereabouts). Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. I picked up a Tamiya Hornet re-release as a summer project for the kids. Euro RC FI. As always, restoration of an original with original spare parts, is the most satisfying project if you really want to relive this classic as it was. Used examples are still quite numerous as it was such a popular model. But when I was about 11, I had the fortune of getting my hands on my first Tamiya catalogue – a glossy, printed gallery of incredible plastic and R/C models that included a page featuring the Hornet. This was the genius of Tamiya’s design work during the “character car” era. And this is also how the manual suggests you build and detail the model. Of course, you could paint and decal your Hornet any way you liked, but as with all my Tamiyas I think I love the original designs too much to deviate. Tamiya,Plastic,Model,Scale,Miniature,R/C,RC,Car,radio,control,4WD,Dangun,Racer,Hobby I remember the old nichrome charge leads; hooking them up to his mum’s old Corolla, and then forgetting about them. Tamiya Hornet Spares / Parts. lol cheap that way some of the parts tress are the same It’s quite subtle, but the result is a sort of subliminal appeal – the familiar look and colouring of an animal, combined with the name, plus the obvious, aggressive baja buggy shape. It all comes together as one perfect package that somehow was incredibly enticing to children and adults around the world. Original, unbuilt kits are the most highly sought-after of course, and are harder to track down. Learn how your comment data is processed. It will be a lot easier getting the old Hornet going now that interest and parts have become more available do to the rereleases. Store. Cookies are required to make this site work. And remember also that re-releases have caused values of originals to drop quite a bit in many cases, because of the ongoing conflict and debate surrounding which items people prefer to collect and restore. Position the horn back on the servo in a centred/upright position allowing for it to turn left and right. Countless afternoons after school were spent running that car around makeshift dirt tracks near my house, usually only for 10-15 minutes at a time though as that’s all a typical 1200mAH Ni-Cd battery would last for in those days. I also write about other retro toys sometimes. Price . Look out for many of those cars to appear in future posts 🙂. These are attached to the lexan body, and may be lost due to rough driving. Hi dude, I too grew up in the eighties and could never get my hands on a Tamiya and I’m with you 100% on that score. $179.99 ... Its history stretches back to the 1950s, and includes the 40 serie Add to cart. Only the 1984 Tamiya Hornet is the original vintage Hornet. The decals are pretty iconic too. the esc not working you need a new one or need to be a pro at electronic to fix it 99. If you grew up with R/C cars sometime between the late 1970s and early 1990s, then you're sure to find something fun to read about here. Tamiya Paire de Jantes Av Hornet 0555066. Add to Cart. It all comes together as one perfect package that somehow was incredibly enticing to children and adults around the world. Categories: Electric Off Road, Tamiya, Tamiya Kits, Tamiya Kits. Each of these videos of The Hornet feature different narration, music and footage, as they were released as part of different promotional “showreels”, released at different points in time by Tamiya. It was featured in the manga and anime Dash! I remember subscribing to “RC Car Action” magazine as a kid and spending all of my money upgrading my stuff. The Hornet is of course based on the Hornet insect, most likely the European Hornet with it’s black and yellow body colouring. Note the blister packaging – a lot of collectors love the way original Tamiya kits were presented, with big dividers covered in pictures of other cars (you could only dream of owning them all! It was a lot of fun and an honest hobby. It’s no wonder Tamiya’s R/C model sales took off in the early 1980s. My wife isn’t going to like my eBay purchases 🙂, This website is fantastic. Obviously there’s the black body covered in striking yellow-orange-red decals. If you ever hear anyone complain that their Hornet broke or that this car was inherently weak, remember that there are fools in the world who will drive their R/C vehicles off the rooves of houses, or set them on fire. And the fact they are so fat – particularly at the rear – is all part of that 70s/early 80s-philosophy where a lot of cars in various motorsport around the world (even Formula 1) were thought to perform better if they had massive, fat rear tyres. This is because it has become cheaper to manufacture toys as time as passed, and Tamiya has also cut costs by no longer manufacturing many … super hornet The place for all things Tamiya. But the impression I got growing up in Australia was that this was by far the most popular Tamiya buggy of the era. Thanks Chris! Some spare parts, such as the original body set, are also becoming harder to find these days, even on the collector’s market. Also it uses the original Hotshot II’s chassis top which has a hole for easier access to the electrics inside. Good point there about the mechanical speed controllers. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY MY HORNET WILL GO FOWARD AND BACK BUT WILL NOT STEER. Tamiya Hornet Kit. We offer a wide range of spare parts for these R/C cars including the Rear Tyres, Front Tyres and many more. Tamiya The Hornet - Rakennussarja. Surely the vintage model is more to be proud of? shipping cost. It would go on to become one of the most popular R/C kits of all time and was re-released in December 2004 with a few alterations. Original, unbuilt kits are more likely to be somewhere in the range of $350 – $450. I actually don’t have a built Hornet worthy of display just yet, so this article will feature images of one of my new-in-box original kits…, Because, speaking of the fun of hunting down original parts, it’s still possible to hunt down original unbuilt kits as well. please log what you think of the 2 different cars vintage and rerelease, I have This meant that in some cases, there were two or three different videos for one particular model, and this was the case with The Hornet which had two videos in total. This just added to the car’s character and even little things – like the positioning of the bonnet number “7” off a bit to one side – are just little touches to add a bit more individuality. Euro RC FI. I think I’ll try and get that going too. You would have. wont part with any of them. Trustpilot. Tamiya Hornet re-release review, 40th anniversary edition This is my first Tamiya. Other than the Hornet and Monster Beetle, I still have a Porsche 959, Lunchbox and believe it or not, I have a Toyota Bruiser that still runs. Equipped with that polycarbonate body, tough bathtub type chassis, and big flexible front bumper, the car is as tough as they say. Such awesome memories. As such, I think they ask the modeler to appreciate them as completely different models. Among them, the Hornet was the 45th model to … And the re-release differs very little from the original Hornet. Surely there’s more satisfaction in owning a true original from the 1980s, than a reissue. Even the headlights are way down the front – like a pair of eyes. Among them, the Hornet was the 45th model to be released. Broadly, you might refer to these buggies as “character cars” due to the fact they came in eye-catching shapes, colours, and with quirky decals and unusual names. But also note the angular profile, suspension arms, bumper bar, side nerf bars and so on…all are slender and black, similar to a set of black legs supporting a body. And the fact they are so fat – particularly at the rear – is all part of that 70s/early 80s-philosophy where a lot of cars in various motorsport around the world (even Formula 1) were thought to perform better if they had massive, fat rear tyres. 50. The Hornet stands as one of Tamiya's most popular R/C cars ever released, helping launch a 2WD R/C buggy boom worldwide. The Grasshopper was released a few months earlier and I will discuss it in detail another time. This is required to restore the car back to original state. Condition: New product. So it’s impact on the toy market has been massive. [1982] Two first “Mini 4WD” series released Ford Ranger 4×4 and Chevrolet Pickup released simultaneously. You would have to ask yourself how badly you want something that looks only 50% like a Sand Rover for $150 or so, when an original, used Sand Rover made in 1982 might be found for $300. It’s not overpriced. If they weren’t available the moment you searched, they may have required waiting for a few months to see them appear. This perfect scale replica of the famous off-road Mercedes Unimog 4WD truck is one of the nicest looking ready-to-run R/C models produced in the 80s. If buying a used example, ask about the history of the model and whether it is 100% original or the remake, or a mix of the two. Overall length: 400mm; Overall width: 230mm; Overall height: 150mm; Weight: 874g; Solid bathtub frame with side bumpers; High performance Type 540 motor Add to Cart. Dad had to get a new one too, and I picked up an M05 Mini Cooper. Initially it was positioned as a “running plastic model”. Great article! Échange sous 30 jours; Satisfait ou remboursé; Besoin d'aide ? And many collectors today remember seeing them playing in stores, in their youth. Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class. Details . Unavailable for purchase. First released on the 9th of October, 1984, I suspect it went on to become Tamiya’s biggest selling R/C car ever – although I have no specific proof. Perhaps it was the fact that my parents could never really afford to buy a Tamiya during the 1980s, but for whatever reason I developed something of a reverence for the Hornet – and indeed all Tamiyas. after running both cars one after the other I still prefer the original car Come with battery & … That incredible, dynamic box art of the Hornet as it leans out through a turn and kicks up dust, is actually one of my earliest Tamiya memories. Hey dude thanks for a ton of useful tips on the hornet. Pictured below is a vintage new in box kit of the Hornet. Rear wing. If you ever hear anyone complain that their Hornet broke or that this car was inherently weak, remember that there are fools in the world who will drive their R/C vehicles off the rooves of houses, or set them on fire. Used product. I wanted something super robust. Or how about the rare Wonder Woman figure that’s worth over $20,000 alone? Keen eyes have uncovered many small things over the years. (I remember stacking the two servos in the tiny radio box was tedious on the Wild Willy, even for my dad) Ah, but the Hornet was simply awesome back then. I also lusted after the hornet but never had the money to buy one. like you the hornet was the first RC car I ever heard about and holds some fond childhood memories. I remember falling in love with it the first time I saw an advertisement in a magazine. Throw in 3 RC10’s, a Marui Hunter and Mugen Bulldog and I had quite the collection when I was a kid. And this is also how the manual suggests you build and detail the model. Some years ago I obtained what I think was the most complete collection of these videos that have been available, and from the source I divided them into clips of the individual models. Great story, and that’s a pretty big collection you have going there – you always know someone’s quite an enthusiast when they start talking about Mugen Bulldogs and RC10s. The first time I ever saw a Tamiya Hornet in action was also the first time I ever saw a Tamiya. Featuring excellent performance on both dirt and on-road tracks, this awesome buggy can take on any type of terrain. This is a pretty standard desire among every single collecting community in the world. To me though, there’s actually another golden era within that first 100, and it consists mainly of a group of early off-road buggies that were actually inspired by animal concepts and symbolism (plus a few buggies either side of this period). Perhaps it was the fact that my parents could never really afford to buy a Tamiya during the 1980s, but for whatever reason I developed something of a reverence for the Hornet – and indeed all Tamiyas. They seem to have satisfied enough fans to cause the price of original examples to fall a bit, making it more affordable to restore a true original – which is great. Yes it would introduce Pink Floyd to new listeners, and I understand the re-release Tamiyas offer a cheap, brand-new thrill for those looking for an out-of-the-box kit experience. The Legend Lives On! And it’s also something that no other R/C model manufacturer was ever quite able to replicate. To me though, there’s actually another golden era withinthat first 100, and it consists mainly of a group of early off-road buggies that were actually inspired by animal concepts and symbolism (plus a few buggies either side of this period). The Hornet stands as one of Tamiya's most popular R/C cars ever released, helping launch a 2WD R/C buggy boom worldwide. All content © R/C Toy Memories and it's author, 2012 - 2020, unless otherwise credited. However, check out the re-re Sand Rover or Holiday Buggy and compare those to the originals. Things are only worth what people are prepared to pay. The rear dampers are some really nice, metal, oil-filled units however, that do a reasonable job. frog The Hornet stands as one of Tamiya's most popular R/C cars ever released, helping launch a 2WD R/C buggy boom worldwide. ), and blister boxes with lots of little labeled items. ), and blister boxes with lots of little labeled items. I’ve always really loved Tamiya’s own descriptions of their vehicles, and here’s one of the official Hornet summaries…. Soon as I got growing up in Australia was that this was the model... You continue to use cookies they weren ’ t going to like my eBay 🙂... 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