The RC Deep Dive

The Hidden Story Behind Tamiya's Anodized Purple Aluminum Paint

Tamiya's anodized purple aluminum paint for Lexan polycarbonate radio-controlled body shells is a beautiful metallic lavender color and is a better match for lavender than their own lavender paint. But why did they make this color? What inspired it? We uncover the popular car and auto parts colors in the 1990s and 2000s Japan and get the answers behind this color choice for R/C cars, trucks, buggies, jeeps, vans, and busses in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

What Was the Parma Positive Drive System for the Frog and HotShot?

eBay has recently been flooded with the ultra-rare Parma Positive Drive Hubs for both the Frog and the HotShot. What was the Parma Positive Drive System and what did it do? We go back in time and breakdown the genius of this hop-up option that would truly turn your Tamiya Frog into a Mighty Frog in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

HOW-TO: Use Larger Pinion Gears With the MIP Super Ball Diff

When you upgrade your ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) chassis R/C car, buggy, or truck gearbox with the MIP (Moore's Ideal Products) Super Ball Diff, you are limited to only using a 16t pinion gear. However, with an adjustable motor mount made specifically for the vintage or rere (re-release) ORV chassis, you can increase your options. But which options are safe and which one is best for your radio controlled model vehicle? We explain the physics and geometry to help you get the best gearing options in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

How Tamiya R/C Became an Integral Part of STEM and STEAM Learning

Does Tamiya have a history being involved in education? How does R/C fit into all the parts of the new education focuses?  Was it intentional or unintentional? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we uncover how Tamiya's radio-controlled model vehicle and tool kits became an integral part of the modern educational focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). 

How the FAV United Military Modelers and R/C Vehicle Hobbyists

The Tamiya FAV (Fast Attack Vehicle) was a popular 1/10th scale military desert buggy that attracted two very distinct differences to the kit. While it obviously attracted those in the radio control car, truck, and buggy enthusiast community, it also brought in members of the military static modeling hobbyist community too. How did this one R/C buggy to bring two communities together to unite in Tamiya fandom? We uncover the varied reasons in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Dispelling the CRP Softer Shock Springs Myth in the ReRe Frog

One of the myths in the online R/C hobbyist and reseller communities is that the CRP (Custom Racing Products) #1602 rear adjustable coil-overs for the Tamiya Frog, Wild One, and BRAT do not fit the rere (re-release) models. However, this is not true and we prove it with not only physics and geometry but our personal experience. We get out our calipers and get you the measurements of every part on the shock coil-over springs and the dampers that they fit on from both the originals and the rere radio-controlled model vehicles in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Marvel Comics Super-Heroes and Their R/C Model Vehicles

Excelsior! We have previously identified the radio-controlled model vehicles of the DC Comics Universe's JLA (Justice League of America) and so now we are doing this for the Marvel superheroes. We match not only the looks and the colors of these R/C cars, trucks, vans, buggies, and jeeps, but their shared souls in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast because with great radio control power comes great radio-controlled responsibility and it's clobbering time!

Why the Tamiya Club Forums and the r/Tamiya Subreddit on Reddit Feel So Different?

While Tamiya Club is an indispensable well of knowledge and advice on all things Tamiya R/C, some people, especially those from Gen X and the Alpha Generation, find these respected forums to not be as welcoming as the r/Tamiya subreddit on Reddit. Why is this so when Reddit is known for it's snarky trolls and most members at Tamiya Club are heavily invested veterans in the radio-controlled model vehicle hobby? We look into the technology, the procedures, the rules, and the cultures of the 2 very different communities in this episode of the RC Deep Dive and get you those answers.

What are the Best Hop-Ups for the Tamiya Fox and Novafox?

What hop-ups are available for the vintage Tamiya Fox and rere (re-release) Nova Fox 2WD (Two Wheel Drive) 1/10th scale racing radio controlled buggies? We go through all the various hop-ups options and rank them in order of importance for making your Fox or Nova Fox freaky fast and fastidious in this foxy episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

What Do You Need to Know If You are Traveling to Japan for R/C Racing or Tourism?

For many Europeans and North Americans, going to Japan for R/C car racing, going to the Tamiya Festival, or touring Tamiya HQ (Headquarters) is a lifelong dream come true. But there are many customs and expectations for how you should act that is different than the ROTW (rest of the world). We teach you the Japanese radio-controlled hobby etiquette and culture that you need to know before heading to Japan in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.