Tamiya Hornet & Wild Willy 2
Discussion
Hi all, first post in model section...
I've started browsing to get my step-son an RC car for Xmas and the memories are flooding back, esepcially as to my delight, Tamiya still do the Hornet and Wild Willy, which my brother and I had as youngsters.
I just wondered if anybody has, or has tried the re-released models. I'm now thinking of getting the Hornet for myself and WW for my step-son.
Thing is my memories aren't completely clear and I don't really know what age I was when we had these cars. Step-son is 9, do you think the WW may be too fast for a first proper RC car? If I remember rightly, the original version could take a thrashing though.
I think I must have been around his age when I had one though, as I never built it, that was my dad. So this leads me onto another question, how hard are these things to build. I'm shamed to admit it, but I'm not particularly handy. Putting up shelves, assembling flat pack furniture and mowing the lawn are pretty much my limits.
So can an office waller handle a build of one of these, or should I go for an XB (though not sure if I can afford that)? I'm perfectly able to follow instructions, but do you need to be able to understand batteries and motors etc?
Final question, if I don't go down the kit route, can anybody suggest a decent factory built car that comes with everything for about £100. In my day, it used to be all kit cars but I know you can just by a box with everything now that will provide pretty good performance compared to kit cars.
Any help, advice or experience appreciated... can't wait to get back into this
I've started browsing to get my step-son an RC car for Xmas and the memories are flooding back, esepcially as to my delight, Tamiya still do the Hornet and Wild Willy, which my brother and I had as youngsters.
I just wondered if anybody has, or has tried the re-released models. I'm now thinking of getting the Hornet for myself and WW for my step-son.
Thing is my memories aren't completely clear and I don't really know what age I was when we had these cars. Step-son is 9, do you think the WW may be too fast for a first proper RC car? If I remember rightly, the original version could take a thrashing though.
I think I must have been around his age when I had one though, as I never built it, that was my dad. So this leads me onto another question, how hard are these things to build. I'm shamed to admit it, but I'm not particularly handy. Putting up shelves, assembling flat pack furniture and mowing the lawn are pretty much my limits.
So can an office waller handle a build of one of these, or should I go for an XB (though not sure if I can afford that)? I'm perfectly able to follow instructions, but do you need to be able to understand batteries and motors etc?
Final question, if I don't go down the kit route, can anybody suggest a decent factory built car that comes with everything for about £100. In my day, it used to be all kit cars but I know you can just by a box with everything now that will provide pretty good performance compared to kit cars.
Any help, advice or experience appreciated... can't wait to get back into this
Hi,
I built the re-released WW2 a couple of years back so I'll pass on what I remember (still have the model and recently changed the reciever / tranmitter). As with most Tamiya kits, you can build out of the box or you add "hop ups" such as bearings / shocks etc. The gearbox came pre-assembled (unless you want to take it apart to replace the bearings with ball bearings) and everything else pretty much bolts or screws on. The mechanical bit took me less than a day to put together and I was not rushing so if you are not totally ham fisted you should be OK. Body work as with any model will take as long as it takes to get the finish you need but if this is for youngsters you may not want to spent a whole wedge of time detailing it for them to drive it into walls etc. so gluing it together and adding the stickers may be enough.
Driving wise, this is a real wheely monster so it will flip and pull wheelies very easily but it does have a roll cage that looks like it is made from metal with a plastic coating so this will help keep it in one piece but expect it do a few rolls if driven with enthusiasm and consequently things will come off.
I built the re-released WW2 a couple of years back so I'll pass on what I remember (still have the model and recently changed the reciever / tranmitter). As with most Tamiya kits, you can build out of the box or you add "hop ups" such as bearings / shocks etc. The gearbox came pre-assembled (unless you want to take it apart to replace the bearings with ball bearings) and everything else pretty much bolts or screws on. The mechanical bit took me less than a day to put together and I was not rushing so if you are not totally ham fisted you should be OK. Body work as with any model will take as long as it takes to get the finish you need but if this is for youngsters you may not want to spent a whole wedge of time detailing it for them to drive it into walls etc. so gluing it together and adding the stickers may be enough.
Driving wise, this is a real wheely monster so it will flip and pull wheelies very easily but it does have a roll cage that looks like it is made from metal with a plastic coating so this will help keep it in one piece but expect it do a few rolls if driven with enthusiasm and consequently things will come off.
I have a Hornet dating back to 1986 which I found in the garage. A bit of fixing up and a few improvements got in on the road again. In fact, my 6 year old son and I have had so much fun with it, it has undergone a complete rebuild with new body and chassis! They are not difficult to build and part of the fun of ownership. I would much rather get a kit than a ready built.
I did put a hotter 15 turn motor on it (standard is the 27 turn), but it was too much power for the grip and my 6 year old could not handle it without lots of crashes, so standard motor gone back in. I changed the radio for a Carson RC 2.4GHx set (Modelsport £37) pistol style set. I cannot really get the hang of that, but my son does well with it. I think if kids 'get it', then they can do OK with a model of this type. Much better that the rubbish £50 cars from toy shops when you can have a proper RC model with lots of spares available from Ebay. Go for it!
I did put a hotter 15 turn motor on it (standard is the 27 turn), but it was too much power for the grip and my 6 year old could not handle it without lots of crashes, so standard motor gone back in. I changed the radio for a Carson RC 2.4GHx set (Modelsport £37) pistol style set. I cannot really get the hang of that, but my son does well with it. I think if kids 'get it', then they can do OK with a model of this type. Much better that the rubbish £50 cars from toy shops when you can have a proper RC model with lots of spares available from Ebay. Go for it!
Seems they aren't too tough to build from your replies so I think I'll give it a try. That way I can also learn about the different parts which will help with future upgrades.
Now I just have to subtlely get my step-son interested, as I can't just ask if he wants an RC Car, because he'd wonder why Santa delivered it. Personally, I know he doesn't believe in Santa but his mum's not ready to let go yet ;-)
As much as I'd like him to have a WW, I think I may have to go down the ready built route for him, as perhaps it's not fair to give a 9 year old a box of very small intricate parts on Xmas day. Hopefully Santa will be bringing me a Hornet though.
Thanks all, will probably be posting again once I start building and driving.
Now I just have to subtlely get my step-son interested, as I can't just ask if he wants an RC Car, because he'd wonder why Santa delivered it. Personally, I know he doesn't believe in Santa but his mum's not ready to let go yet ;-)
As much as I'd like him to have a WW, I think I may have to go down the ready built route for him, as perhaps it's not fair to give a 9 year old a box of very small intricate parts on Xmas day. Hopefully Santa will be bringing me a Hornet though.
Thanks all, will probably be posting again once I start building and driving.
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