The RC Deep Dive

The Mazda K360: The Livery Inspiration for the Tamiya Mighty Frog R/C Buggy

Tamiya's the (Mighty) Frog radio-controlled 1/10th scale 2WD (Two Wheel Drive) model buggy kit has box art livery and instructions that direct you to paint it like the Mazda K360 three wheeled delivery trucks that were famously called Frog Delivery Trucks in Japan. We drive deep into the swamp, below the lily pads, and get you all the details on the correct information for Tamiya's first national off-road R/C buggy race winner in this mighty episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Hobby Grade Radio Controlled Model Vehicles vs. Toy Grade R/C

On the RC Deep Dive podcast we constantly talk about how Tamiya, AE (Associated Electronics), Kyosho, Schumacher, Losi, Arrma, and Traxxas are hobby-grade R/C cars, trucks, buggies, tanks, busses, vans, and jeeps. But what is the exact fine line between toy-grade radio control vehicles and the superior hobby model kits, and how has this line changed over the last half century? In this episode we define this moving point of hobby-grade and toy grade radio-controlled model vehicle separation. 

When and Where Should You Use the Tamiya Electric Handy Router?

We have covered the Tamiya Electric Handy Drill in a previous episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast, but today we still drill down to the route of when and where you should use another handy tool, the Tamiya Electric Handy Router. They absolutely are not the same and should not be used for a job associated with the other handy craft tools. However, some, but not all of the same suggested hop-ups are applicable to both tools. Let's take a deep dive together! 

Why are Toroidal Inductors Important in Radio Control Model Vehicles?

In this episode of the RC Deep Dive we power up your knowledge of how toroidal inductors, known as ferrite rings in the R/C hobby, serve as a cost-effective and essential solution for suppressing high-frequency EMI (electromagnetic interference) from powerful electronics to prevent control glitches and ensure reliability in high-performance vehicles. 

What are the Most Popular R/C Model Vehicles for Women and Girls

While women and girls are welcome to participate in the R/C hobby as much as men and boys, there are certain patterns and preferences that are different among the majority of female radio controlled car, truck, buggy, van, and jeep builders, bashers, collectors, crawlers, displayers, drifters, on-road and off-road racers, and speed runners. We identify these differences and lean into the women's point of view on radio control in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

R/C Cars, Trucks, and Buggies in Professional Music Videos

Did you know that whether you see them on the screen or not, that R/C cars, trucks, and buggies have long been an important part of professionally made music videos like the ones that used to be played on MTV (Music Television) and VH1 (Video Hits One)? You may want your MTV or want it off the air now, but we pump up the volume and give you the jamming details in this hard rocking episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

R/C Model Vehicles Merit Badges in Boy Scouts and Girl Guides

Did you know that Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and Girl Scouts around the world can earn merit badges and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) awards by building, repairing, and hopping-up their radio controlled model vehicles? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we take a hike into the depths of the twin international Scouting and Guiding Movements and explore the badges, merit badges, and other awards that radio control enthusiast Scouts and Guides can earn for their participation in the diverse R/C hobbyist community. 

The Slow Acceptance of Women and Girls in the R/C Hobbyist Community in Japan

The acceptance of female R/C hobbyists in Japan evolved from a male-dominated beginning, sparked by media representation in the 1980s and 90s, that normalized their interest. This has culminated in the modern era where dedicated "Girls Class" races and nationally recognized female competitors are now a visible part of the hobby. We dig into the divide and explore the history of the acceptance of girls and women in the Japanese radio controlled model vehicle hobbyist community in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Which is Better? Thorp Dirt Burners' Ball Differential or the MIP Super Ball Diff?

During the golden age of R/C, for the ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) chassis radio controlled model vehicles, Thorp Manufacturing a.k.a. Dirt Burners was the solution for putting a bulletproof Ball Differential in your gearbox. In the rere (re-release) era, the answer is the MIP (Moore's Ideal Products) Super Ball Diff plus UJs (Universal Joints) or CVDs (Constant Velocity Drives).Which option is better for your vintage or rere Tamiya ORV radio control car, truck, or buggy? We break down the engineering of both amazing products in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Let's Get Into Schumacher: Inventor of the R/C Racer Ball Diff

Schumacher R/C Racing was sparked by the invention by Cecil Schumacher of a ball differential for his son, Robin. Then, when his Robin Schumacher started winning all of his radio controlled car races, local hobby shops started asking for ball diffs to sell and Schumacher R/C Racing Cars was born. Cecil's ball differentials would prove unpatentable and so Thorp Manufacturing Dirt Burners, AE (Associated Electronics), and eventually MIP (Moore's Ideal Products) JConcepts, and Tamiya started making them for themselves and others as well. We slip into the history of Schumacher and radio control diff gears in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.