e76: The Buyers Guide Series: Tamiya Hornet

[@CommiePinko101]

I built an original Hornet in the mid 80's, when I was around 11 or 12 years old. These are good for teaching kids how to solve basic mechanical problems 90's, and they'll experience plenty of them.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Aint that the truth! I would tinker with this all the time as a kid....and that MSC....I can still remember the rage...

[@sjaelfre]

Og God, the nostalgia. I can smell it, hear it, feel it. What a wonderful trip.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Haha! thanks man

[@Bayareaglobz]

I'm 24 years old and about 3 months ago to me the hornet was the first rc kit I had ever put together . It never ran as good or as fast as my other rtr's but the satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment I gained from knowing that I put something together from plastic baggies, part trees , and an instruction manual was more than I could describe today and it was the first time in a long time that I had stayed up till dawn working on something. Since then it just sits as a chassis waiting to be worked on again . my final thoughts perfect forma construction for anybody who feels they need that sort of activity in their life

[@AMPROEngineering]

oh yeah, the satisfaction is the best part.

[@paulthurston2883]

You do that too ? Stay up till dawn enjoying a hobby ? I'm afraid I've done that way too many times ! Bloodshot eyes and a humungous hangover, and getting up late in the afternoon, only to do it all again the next night !

[@jeremytart639]

Or add a brushless system, tune it, and build it into a straight line sleeper.

[@----.__]

There's something about tinkering through the night that can't be replicated during the day. _Everything_ epic happens at night! It's gotten to the point where I'm struggling to be motivated to be awake during the day any more, beside shopping and work (electronics engineer) I often spend most weekends burning the midnight oil and suffer the culture shock of waking up at 7am on Monday again!

[@hw97k2000]

Great tribute to the Hornet, had one back in the day and looking to get another for old times sake.

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is a great idea. They are just great to drive around and make you happy.

[@pixelpusher3589]

my Hornet has been running non stop since 1984. it handles shitty for sure, but it is simply.......pure fun!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Wow you are an original owner! That's awesome! It is a terrible car but man, it is fun! I drive my work one almost daily.

[@j0nnyism]

Pixel Pusher hornets are amazing no matter the condition you can always mod and improve. And its such an iconic car

[@danielgiles2579]

j0nnyism certainly is .

[@silviamills5218]

I just got my Grasshopper! I love it! :) It's so great!

[@jimpalmeri5428]

Great Video, I was recently reunited to my very first super hornet . I bought it in 1989 and drove it for some time. At some point I gave it to my best friend. Just this summer he gave it back to me in the original box along with everything I gave him with it. I am very excited to get mine back up and start running it again. Keep the memories alive and feel young again. Thank you

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is wonderful news! I am glad you were reunited with your first car. Great story!

[@JozsefWittek]

Glad I found your channel, finally decided to purchase my first kit and it will be a hornet! WooHoo! Can't wait to build and drive.

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is great news! They are good cars.

[@silviamills5218]

even though I'm too young to get nostalgia I still love Tamiya buggies!!!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

They are great!

[@jonathanpittock1447]

I saved my paper round for one of these back in 1987, took me most of the year including birthday money. Still got it 😀 glad to hear the battery falling out was common, that happened a lot

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh that is a great story! Glad you still have it!

[@wheelie642]

I bought my Tamiya back when these were the cars we raced locally Our park had a race track and it attracted a fair amount of racers. The Frog was the car to beat. I showed up with my first RC and brand new Falcon. I didn’t win any races but it was fun right down to installing and greasing new bushings for the A-main..

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hell yes! haha!

[@Myglowplug]

The Hornet was my first love. ❤👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

Mine too!

[@danielmiller3791]

Just found your channel... Grew up with a Hornet, and your assessment is 100% correct. Great channel.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thanks Daniel. I am glad you liked it!

[@juliusdream2683]

Rodamiss prime in the back round. Only the 80,s kids probably noticed that. Good touch and awesome hornet 🐝…

[@AMPROEngineering]

That's the truth. That one is a first gen masterpiece release. I love that thing

[@obilau5681]

Great video！I am a Chinese concept artist. I just bought a Tamiya Hornet produced in 2004. I like this RC car very much. It makes me feel the beautiful 80s and pure happiness ( Although I was born in 1994 I still yearn for the 80s)

[@AMPROEngineering]

yes me too! It really is a great looking car even after all these years.

[@jakewang243]

Experienced in playing with lots of modern rc products like traxxas(and of course lots of China rc trucks), I was not so into those tamiya vintage cars in the first place, but today I astonishedly kinda want to have one Hornet for my kid(though I have had 3 lunchbox), dude you made a demagogic pitch for tamiya !

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes this is something I tell a lot of people. These old cars from Tamiya are from a different time. They are basic and simple but still fun. Compared to anything even close to modern and they are no good but this is not fair. It is like comparing a car from the 1920's to a car from the 2020's.

[@jamurphy8386]

That was a nice trip down memory lane! You HAD to start with the Hornet. It's obviously the one that you've been the most passionate about!! You're completely correct - it's NOT a good car. ......... Neither is the King Cab - but that wouldn't stop my friend, Carmine from pampering it and tucking it in at night, if he still had one!! These are the type of RC vehicles that make you feel just a little better about life. They are icons in the Hobby, and because of people like yourself, some of us more passionate types can now bring these joy on wheels, almost into the 21st Century! Carmine has nearly EVERY AmPro upgrade on his Lunchbox - and the performance is staggering!!! (compared to historical standards) If I knew a young kid, with some mechanical aptitude, I would certainly recommend a Hornet, or Grasshopper or something like that. If he/she loved tinkering and improving, I would also recommend YOU. For some of us, taking a beloved memory and improving it - or at least making it as good as we THOUGHT it was, is way more satisfying than any shelf queen - or even some top line, modern car that's SO good, it's predictability is BORING!! Alberto, you've made a whole bunch of people fall back in love with these gems!! Kudos, my friend. Murph

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah I am not a fan of shelf queens. No offence to those who have them it is just not my style. I do take care of them but for me they are not static models. I do hope that I am getting people back into this hobby in a different way. It seems all these new cars available are bland and soulless. I mean they are probably awesome but they will be used and tossed when they are broken in my opinion. They don't have the heart that a lot of the original cars from the golden age do.

[@jamurphy8386]

You're right, many of the newer cars are pretty soulless. I saw a couple of videos about the history of Tamiya, and those classic Buggies were designed with PASSION! Not some bland, RTR, where opening the box is the hardest thing you'll do to it..... Carmine and I try to explain that to people. You ARE getting people back into the Hobby! My best friend is a perfect example! Carmine had dropped out of the Hobby in 1997.... Trucks, his favorite, had become nothing more than lifeless Moon Buggies, as he called them. Flat pan, heartless machines, with the wheels stuck out about 3 feet *beside* the fenders! Then, Traxxas was almost singlehandedly causing the cost of R/C to rise sharply, and the near death of kits! 😦😟 Then, he was looking at Model Railroading videos one day, and stumbled onto a couple of your videos. ... That re-ignighted his passion for the Hobby!! Dragged me back in as well. Your parts singlehandedly made him want to go back to Memory Lane, and try to build all of the wonderful Rigs we had as impulsive teens - starting with him building the *Perfect* Lunchbox!!! Carmine bought ALL of AmPro's parts for it...... and ended up with a Lunchy that spends MORE time on its wheels than its roof!! 👏👏👍👍😎 Yeah, YOU did that! You are responsible for igniting our love for the Hobby again, and countless others too!! 👏👏👏🍺🍺

[@jamurphy8386]

He and I think very highly of you.... That's why he came to you, bearing his soul and breaking down, to ask for help........ Last week, ALL he ate, was 10 slices of DRY bread! 😢😦 They're really hungry. If there was any time to decide to help them - it's NOW.

[@freewill51]

I love the example that you are showing. It even has the old futaba "G" plugs. What radio are you using for it? An Attack or a Magnum sport, maybe? It does have a tower hobbies receiver, so maybe a tower futaba knockoff? My friend had a hornet in about 1988 when I had an rc-10, so I cut the wires off of his speed control that went to the white resistor, and soldered them together so that as soon as his servo moved, he was at full throttle. He loved that mod and it made the car feel faster to him.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hey Chris, glad you like it. That car is my only MSC equipped car. I really don't like MSC's but that car keeps me grounded. That car does have a licensed MRC receiver and servos that was made by Futaba but I never had a matching radio. I know it looks like a tower hobbies one but man does it predate it! I use one of my Airtronics Blazers with end point adjustments with that car. Oh man you made his car a one speed! HHAHAHAHHAHH! Ah the joys of being a kid....

[@euanlaing]

Built one of these with my dad back in the early 90s. Dad wasn't too impressed with the mechanical speed controller either and ordered up parts to build an electronic one. It worked perfectly, though we ended up having a big heat sink sticking out the back. Thanks for the video =)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Sure thing!

[@breakingsilence7428]

I love the older cars I have 3 now all in good shape when thy brake ill be ordering from u thanks for the vids thy are great

[@AMPROEngineering]

Great to hear! What do you have? I am happy you like my videos, they are great fun to make.

[@----.__]

I had a Taiyo 4WD Bullet as a kid (think it was called the Jet Racer in the USA) and it was a better version of the old Jet Hopper. I thought the car was mint, and then my best friend/neighbour got a Hornet for Christmas one year. We spent the day building it and my mind was blown. From that point forward I was a Tamiya fan! Even today I prefer Tamiya for their designs more so than performance. I have an X01 and still use my Hornet more often. Building a Lunchbox this Christmas and will be pursuing a lot of the Tamiya range over the coming years. Great cars for reasons beyond the ridiculous performance of modern cars.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I did a review on this. Episode 356 for the US version. The hornet is such a little gem, i totally get it! The CW01 is another work of art!

[@thudtheace]

For me the most magnificent of the hopper cars is the Grasshopper. Has the body that adds structural support, the solid axle that does not have the pivot like the hornet/super hornet (and the little pivot springs that wear out). And the little RS-380 motor that can't get the car in too much trouble. And of course the magical charm that goes along with having a Grasshopper. Cheers!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah the GH is an icon!

[@skullcrusher8581]

I still run my Hornet from the early 80's. I changed the bumper, put an aluminum shock tower/ chassis strengthener, a 4 link custom rear suspension and trinity shocks. Futaba controls and esc. It handles so much better. I never had battery cover fall off. I replaced the chassis 2 months ago. Ready for years more of fun.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Impressive. I have never had any of mine stay on for a single run. Given the 10k of those doors people have bought, seems like you are one of the few! Get some lottery tickets!

[@webreakforsquirrel4201]

My first car was the Grasshopper. I did like the hornet but didn't like how the floating rear would wrap up and make that noise when accelerating. With all the complaints you address and flaws in the design that some wish they would have corrected like the battery door. I can honestly say I'm over the moon they didn't fix its quirky design flaws. To reproduce something exactly as it was released nearly a half century ago is bold and admirable. If they had made it modern and fixed its flaws it wouldn't be a hornet. Reliving the same frustration today as when the battery door flew off as a kid is something that can only be relived through experience. I will probably get a new grasshopper hoping that battery door falls off. I drove the crap out of that little buggy and memory of the battery door is subconsciously missing but I vaguely remember incidences of it happening where my NI-CAD would be dragging under it. I think I rigged some way to prevent battery ejection issues so I didn't have that problem.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah the car was great as it. The flaws are nostalgic for sure...but dragging a lipo is...flammable. Hahah!

[@bespincustompropsbombarta8300]

Love the hornet, was my second car after the xr311 and I still have them both. The Hornet is a tank, it takes a beating and keeps on going, only things I ever broke was a one of the brass steering nuckle ball screws and one of the rear shell clips. I run it in the rain and the snow, it handled awsome on snow. Was definitely better on tarmac than off road. As you said, you can put on different shells, mine has a Subaru Brat shell and rear tyres. Love the car and will not part with it. Great that you're doing all the suspension mods, it's how I found your channel because I want to design a Independent rear too.

[@AMPROEngineering]

It certainly is a gem and will always be one of my faves. There have been a lot of rear IRS mods and I love seeing them. Peoples creativity is the best part of the hobby.

[@harryrupertus2075]

The hornet was my first real rc car. Got it in 1986 when I was 12. I still have It but it's just sitting in my shead with my Blackfoot 😁 the hornet was fun but I used to have to replace the chassis about once a week or so because it always snapped where the steering servo comes through and the one side was very weak and and it usually snapped when you smacked a curb. I got really good at changing out them chassis 🤣 anyway they are fun and easy to work on even for a kid. I think I'm gonna get mine out dust it off and have some fun with it 😂 great video, inspired me to get mine out again. Thanks 👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

I know that part was super weak on the hornet. Since you can get anything for it now it is a good time to break it out of there! Plus MIP now makes a ball diff for the blackfoot. I covered it in an earlier video.

[@ozziejim8472]

I remember these when they first come out, mum never got me one😒.... but I’m glad you speak highly of them..... hmmmm kids birthday coming up🤔

[@AMPROEngineering]

It is a great RC for a little one. They are really easy to assemble and perfect to get kids into tinkering. My all have them!

[@skrewdriven6891]

i love the looks of the older style buggies. Probably just because its what i always wanted as a boy.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Same here, I am no into these new AERO style buggies.

[@stewmac8507]

Love the Hornet. It is no way a great modern buggy. If you want a good buggy get a Tamyia DT-03. If you're a kid of the 80's you get a Hornet cause it is just as much fun now as it was back then.

[@modelnutty6503]

bang for the buck, Traxxas Bandit basically another RC10/Losi clone can be set up near any way you like. Hornet has its issues but yes they've always been fun and funny. back when, I made loops from steel pallet banding strap to put the battery behind the motor pod would do wheelies 40-50ft. dressed in a VW bug body was fun to see, kinda handled more like a VW too.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I have heard that. The DT-03 looks like a good car. You are right though, the Hornet is as good today as it was then.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah the Bandit is one of those good cars that costs nothing. There are so many of them today. LOL love the battery upgrade you did too!

[@modelnutty6503]

+AMPRO Engineering think the best Hornet mod I'd done was cutting away and replacing taller at rear of battery compartment to take a 6 cell saddle pack vertically as far back as it'll go (nowaday's I'd use velcro!). better f/r weight distribution, more rear traction, nicer airborn pitch control w/throttle bumping too (hated how stock usually nose down and land on front wheels hard from a jump). balance point shifted back near 3/4", you might like it other than the butchery involved to get there.

[@alonsocayodelcarpio8082]

I think this buggy is garbage , I think is just the sentimental feeling why the people buy it and i had the golden arrow when I was a child and i always wanted a Tamiya similar bud really I think it sucks even after I pud oil shocks and other updates bud even for playing on the backyard it's super unstable that even the kids loose interés after a few minutes

[@SolRC]

I just bought a midnight pumpkin because it's not good, it's great lol, strong work 🤙.

[@AMPROEngineering]

LOL! exactly!

[@normancronk505]

I loved Tamiya it's all we really had in the town i love in, I'm a Canadian guy but this and all the cars and trucks that are built off this chassis are awesome another thing i loved about these are the fact that these are built like the radio shack Golden Aero which was what i had as a kid but it beat my buddies grasshopper and my other buddies Challenger kangaroo

[@AMPROEngineering]

The golden arrow is an amazing car. Those were based on the Nikko Rhino and were way more refined and had better electronics. Super cool cars.

[@normancronk505]

@@AMPROEngineering i just found 2 GO/RadioShack flame throwers both in they're boxes just one I'm having problems getting it going they left the batteries in and they musta gotten wet but ya I've gotta good cleaning ahead of me but those "cheapies" i like the Areo was close to hobby grade these 2 are toys

[@jeep-australia]

My first RC , Hornet and still have it. 😊

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nice! I love mine.

[@flatfender1947]

I still run mine original that I got in 85, actually the Bolink Scorcher bodied one is almost a twin to mine. I have been looking at a new one to build as a shelfie.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh nice! I run mine all the time too! I love it with that bolink Scorcher shell.

[@TheCarTakerGarage]

Love these "buyers" guide videos of yours...I just love em!Recently got myself one of my childhood "dreamcars"..The Nikko Dictator,First version.Just an awesome looking car,,and pretty "high tech" for its time. Gonna do some more videos myself of my Rc"s ,But for now, i have just done a couple vids of some of my cars in my "Rc garage"...So i guess my 1/1 cars will soon get some company when doing some Rc videos :).Thanx again for super nice videos :)Greetings from a Tamiya and old school Rc cars fan from Norway :)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Glad you like these! They are a good way to fill the gaps between designs! I really like the Dictator. That is a cool car. I need to check out your videos!

[@TheCarTakerGarage]

hey there mister.Thank you and again..you are welcome.And you are also very much welcome to check out my videos...the Rc videos are abit further down on my "video" list...there is two vids of the 2017 big wig...a little collection video..and two videos of my Kyosho Inferno mp9 Tki3 KANAI replica tribute build :)Greetings from Norway, Stefan

[@AMPROEngineering]

I am thinking about getting a big wig. I will see yours this evening!

[@PFinkoloTL87]

I've got one. I love it. My LiPo fell out often and never exploded or spew fire.

[@AMPROEngineering]

What a bad design on that door. I do make a replacement that solves that issue. I think it is one of my very early videos.

[@simpleisthebest73]

Btw, I’m totally agree with the battery door lol Duck tape was best friend in late 80’s Now masking tape my new friend lol

[@AMPROEngineering]

LOL!

[@homeworkpictureshq]

Love the hornet .... Welldone bro.. nice video

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you!

[@roadrunnerorange]

Just bought an original Hornet with futaba stick radio for $150. It was my 1st real rc back in 1990. Lol i had that same Nikko white turbo panther too👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

Very nice! I love me some turbo panther!

[@marcospagan7345]

Good video the bugys is my favorite Cars too good comparison . 😎👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you, I love the Hornet!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you Marcos, I love them too!

[@jesseboombatts8399]

I wanted a Vanessa’s Lunchbox so bad in the 80’s but like you said it was very expensive in a time when you could go to Radio Shack or Kmart and get an RC car. Now that’s apples and oranges to us but to my folks, $50 vs $180 or more for an RC vehicle was the end all. I waited a whole year, no birthday gifts no Christmas etc so I could get my VL! But dam did I have fun with it!!! Next I got a Midnight Pumpkin and then the Grasshopper! An hour to charge for maybe 10 minutes of all out driving... now 30’min gets me 2 hours of crawling on my Lipo... I built a modern Midnight Pumpkin on an SCX10 deadbolt chassis.. so much sexier both the body and graphics...

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh I hear that! Man did I want one sooooo bad. I did get lucky enough to get one in the 90's (well, my Pumpkin as the LB was discontinued). I got my Nikko turbo panther in the 80's and that was a hard thing for my parents to do but man did I love it. God I remember the charge times....4 hours to charge my Tyco bandit...that was hell. That is a good idea to park that shell on a modern chassis. I did that with my Lunchbox lid. Slapped it on my own printed chassis with some WPL axles and 1:18 scale tires. Finally, the scale van I always wanted!

[@pandora8478]

Got mine when I was 15 in '85!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Very cool!

[@binksy69]

I have an original Unbuilt Boxed as new Hornet under my bed. Open to offers. Just had a look the Box is a tad Sun Faded

[@AMPROEngineering]

Very cool!

[@rworden96]

Debating on getting the kit or XB version. Advantages of the XB is prepainted driver/body and ready to run although I will take it apart and install ball bearings before even driving it. Hmmm.....

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes the expert built bodies are beautiful but then you are stuck with the box art. All depends on the look you're going for

[@paulalejandro6656]

Another car that is almost the exact same car is radio shacks golden arrow. I had one, the front suspension is different and more upgradable. Wish I could post a pic of it.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh I know it well. I did a review of its foundation, the Nikko Bison.

[@kentdegama1218]

I will say this.. Yeah as a kid it was tremendously exicting stuff. Look every kid wanted a turbo hopper. They were allot of fun. That was the ultimate Christmas present. My next sort of move was saving up for a kid for a Hornet. That was exiting stuff for a twelve year old. You work paper routes for that. There is somethiing exciting about opening Tamiya kit. It's just so well presented inside the box. Half the fun is building it. I ran team associated cars later. Early Traxxis things. Some Shumachers. Hard at that time to get parts for those. I actually don't reccomend Shcumacher. Look the fun is the race and I am not into shelf queens. I did win a ROARr championshpi sponsored by Bolink. I have to say I tended to prefer team Losi in terms of off roaad cars. That's a preference. That's a racing thing though. At this point to me it;s kind of what's just fun for everybody. Here is my opinion on the Hornet. I wan;t one. It's virtually bulletproof. My only real complaint is yes. The problem with the battery door opening and dragging the battery. Noe that has been addressed by now. But I would say it should have been fixed on re releases. This is to be noted however. Depending on the surfaces you run on with the same motor. A Hornet is faster than a team associated RC10. There is less drag in a solid rear axle than rear independent suspension. The handling is kind of the issue. It;s a great design for what it is. Now I don't know this and I hope somebody can answer this question. Will an original hornet body fit on a super hornet or rising fighter? Now we are talking if it does.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah the hornet is great...and terrible. I have had mine for going on 30 years along with my RC 10 and though I love them equally, they are two different paradigms for sure. They fact that tamiya never fixed the battery door in a world of LiPo batteries is unreal. This is why i developed a solution to it. In fact, i think that was way back in episode 1... The hornet body wont fit the Super Hornet or RF unfortunately.

[@davidacave]

I would like to know about the modification for the front suspension: the double wishbone arms and oil filled shocks.

[@AMPROEngineering]

We cover that in episode 3 and 7.

[@richardpelser903]

Nice video dude!!! what year was KBF released? also very little / few tip video on this vehicle. Thanks man!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you! The KBF was released July 1997 and was available until 2003ish. I got mine in late 1997. I have found that overall, these trucks are not well liked. I think it has to do with the body as the chassis is no worse than the original ORV. I really like mine and use it often. It has been a wonderful truck and I need to really upgrade that awful steering it has. I just ordered my central servo mount and will do a video on the installation.

[@NordicRC]

Very nice video and very true ... and, ohh, lost my concentration when you pulled out that magnificent white Panther! What a beauty. ... but what on earth is that spaceship-car in the background? :-)

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh thank you! Yes that car is in like new condition but it had fried electronics so now it is fully modernized internally. The car in the background is a recent release of a Transformers toy from the 1986 movie. His name is Hotrod and it is the Masterpiece MP-9 edition. A truly amazing piece of engineering to transform him.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh I will have a video of my Red Turbo Panther and my Black Turbo Hopper very soon too!

[@gazcbm]

Great video thanks. How does a complete ampro parts replacement change/improve the stock hornet? It would be good to do a side by side comparison / video similar to this on the ampro upgraded hornet

[@AMPROEngineering]

Well, the Superfly version is a big improvement on the front end in terms of road holding. Obviously the battery staying put is a big one too but you cant beat the oil filled front suspension and lack of camber gain. I have had a comparison planned for a long time so I will need to do that!

[@wizardwithguns1]

HOT ROD in the background!! ♥️

[@AMPROEngineering]

LOL! oh yeah

[@tferguson3292]

All right I love to see that you’re replying to these is this the old one or the new one? Just wondering because I have the old one and it’s got an insane motor on it it probably goes like 50 miles an hour but it’s been wrecked so much I’m planning on just getting a new one

[@AMPROEngineering]

The original and re-re are mechanically the same. If your old one is too fast, swap out that motor. None of my hornets have anything most than a hot stocker.

[@tferguson3292]

@@AMPROEngineering thank you

[@darcywelbourne6349]

on my hornet my chassis broke were the servo is in the front and I'm waiting for my new chassis

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah, totally a weak spot. I made a cage to solve that but man is it weak in that area.

[@billcox87]

great video bro! the tamiya bug has bitten me bad and i've started my collection and was wondering ,if you had neither with your knowledge of both, which would you buy first, the hornet or the frog? of course i will be buying both, but which one first??

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hmmmm....that is a great question. If you buy the Frog, you will be disappointed with the Hornet. The Frog is way better but it was also sold at a higher price point. The Hornet is amazing for me for the fun factor that the Frog lacks simply because it is much more capable. I would start with the Hornet and then upgrade to the Frog.

[@codyburns1278]

My friend gave me his old grasshopper and I’ve never seen a more destroyed car in my life, it is literally held together with duct tape and gorilla glue. I have a 3d printer and was wondering if you offered the stl files for any of your upgrades?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah they can be pretty battered! Right now, the stl's are not available but the bigger issue is that they are designed for SLS Nylon and a lot of the filament printers (I have one) will not print these properly. I am about ready to sell mine as Shapeways is so much cheaper for me to print!

[@silviamills5218]

NiMH battery! No splosions! Also duck taped the battery door.

[@AMPROEngineering]

True!

[@normancronk505]

You know if live to see a video on the Challenger Kangaroo they were a very nice car

[@AMPROEngineering]

Those are cool! I sadly dont have one to review. I hope that changes!

[@silviamills5218]

What are all the parts I would need to buy to put the rear suspension of a Hornet onto my Grasshopper? I want to do that but don't know what to buy. I've been told before that the GH body won't fit it but I can just make some modifications to it. I will be keeping my GH tires and body. Can you list all the things I'd need to make a "Hornet in Grasshopper's clothing" the manual is kinda confusing to me and I don't know what all the parts are called so if you could tell me the names of them that'd help.

[@AMPROEngineering]

The GH body will not fit for sure. You will need to modify the rear wing area. You need the trans sliders, the rear shock mounts, the rear shocks and the upper shock mounts. Sadly, due to the costs of all the parts new from Tamiya, you might as well buy a used junker hornet and start there. I can make a video covering that soon.

[@silviamills5218]

You should get a ClodBuster.

[@AMPROEngineering]

I have actually never been a fan of that truck but I have seen some cool ones. Maybe...

[@Tracks777]

Keep it up!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Will do!

[@dhooter]

We put Mr. Twisters in everything lol

[@AMPROEngineering]

Love those motors p

[@silviamills5218]

Can I fix the chassis with duck tape?

[@AMPROEngineering]

You could but epoxy is better depending on the damage.

[@grandadgamer8390]

So the reissue still has mechanical speed control?! Still gonna pick one up as it was my first RC car!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Early reissues did (around 2007-2008) but the current ones have an ESC (not a good one though, they are not LiPo compatible for reasons unknown to anything logical).

[@PFinkoloTL87]

@@AMPROEngineering it isn't the tble-02s anymore?

[@AMPROEngineering]

@@PFinkoloTL87 As far as I know they are only LiFe Compatible. If something has changed, please let me know.

[@silviamills5218]

You mentioned how comical it is when it flips over for no apparent reason but it's not very comical to me when my Grasshopper flips over and scratches my pretty blue painted body :( will Hornet shocks help stop it from flipping so much? Will they fit my Hopper? Also you talk about the Grasshoppers/Hornet transmission being super tough but the first time I jumped it I accidentally landed hard on the throttle and immediately chipped a tooth off of the counter gear, although IDK who was driving it before me maybe a five year old back in the 80s landed hard on the throttle hundreds of times. Also am I supposed to put oil in the little thing that says oil on it?

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is one of the reasons I dont like the hopper. The ABS body degrades fast. The Hornet shocks help but the car is still awful off road. They trans is rock solid but any car with out a slipper will break gears when you land under throttle. As for oil, never put oil in there. I run some Tamiya grease but that is all.

[@tomcook5813]

What is the brass fitting with a wire to there end?

[@AMPROEngineering]

It is a rare (and useless) rear swaybar that You-G and lots of other brands made for the hornet. The Panda Cyclone also had one.

[@jameswestwood]

Looking to buy some of your printed parts but I'm a bit confused as to what I need. I'm looking for the trans upgrade (3rd shock replacement part) and also the battery lid upgrade with pins. Can you point me at what parts I need on Shapeways and I'll get an order placed. Great videos. Many thanks.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yes, there are way too many options. Major difference is if you have the original Hornet (can have a little tab on the leading edge of the trans) or the re-release (does not have the tab). The tabless one is stronger as it if from the midnight pumpkin. Let me now and Ill forward you the links.

[@jameswestwood]

@@AMPROEngineering I have a new re-release so assume tabless

[@AMPROEngineering]

Ok then you need these: shpws.me/OxQH shpws.me/Oxy5

[@jameswestwood]

@@AMPROEngineering thanks. Didn't see the reply. Will get them ordered now. Cheers.

[@simpleisthebest73]

We were more happy with simple things back then. Back then we didn’t have much choices. Nowadays, too many choices that we don’t even know what we really want in our life anymore..

[@AMPROEngineering]

I totally agree.

[@crispycrunch1077]

Good handling cars are boring to drive at home, The old ones rule!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Damn right!

[@kreyz1]

Can I get a link for the roll cage and front lower arms and rear body mounts

[@AMPROEngineering]

All links can be found in the video descriptions of the Corresponding installations. You will see all the part numbers as well as any additional material or parts necessary to complete the installation.

[@kreyz1]

Thanks. On shapeways the website gets hard to follow sometimes. I am the proud recipient of the door and anti slap.. nice designs!

[@silviamills5218]

Battery door falls off. Does that mean I should use a NIMH battery? If so, good. LiPos to expensive!

[@AMPROEngineering]

Nimh batteries are WAY safer than Lipo batteries. Either way, the door must be secured as dragging any battery is bad but a Lipo can cause an explosion or fire.

[@silviamills5218]

What's the best cheap vintage buggy that'll hold up no matter what I jump/lunch it off of?

[@AMPROEngineering]

The "best" is a Hornet but they have their limits too. Nothing will hold up with constant abuse.

[@silviamills5218]

@@AMPROEngineering will a Grasshopper last about equally long?

[@LeNacso]

Hi, im a noob to this sorry, around 8:09 you mention the ball bearings needing to be changed, where exactly is that?

[@AMPROEngineering]

That is a good question. The car has plastic bushings and one brass one when new. They are on the rotating parts like the front rims, rear axles and counter gear in the trans. There are 9 5x11 bearings and one 5x8 bearing ( think anyway). Hope that helps!

[@juliusdream2683]

Yes the cars are awesome but who else noticed Rodimus prime in the backyard when he had the hornet 🐝

[@AMPROEngineering]

hahah! Yeah I love my G1's!

[@Boussini1984]

ironhide got replaced by hotrod it seems...

[@AMPROEngineering]

LOL! Never! They all get switched around. I have a ton of the Masterpiece TF's. Ironhide is on my other desk and I felt Hotrod needed some airtime.

[@mosmith3026]

What's the part number for the battery door?

[@AMPROEngineering]

It is 045006-02 with the hornet logo, 045006-01 without. You also need the retainer depending on what trans you have. With tab: 045005-02, without tab: 045005-03

[@ProjectADChaos]

Are you a Transformer fan? do you collect ? Hot Rod is standing in the background ....

[@AMPROEngineering]

Well I hate to call myself a collector, lol. I do love the G1 toys as I grew up with them. All of my original ones I had as a kid are all in a case in my studio and a completed Devastator is on the book self in the living room (with an assebled GoBots Puzzler). The advent of the Masterpiece line has been a great series as they are insanely detailed and look how they always should have. The Hot Rod you see is the first of the Masterpiece versions and an all time favorite. Are you into them?

[@silviamills5218]

I'm a kid so I've never had one what's wrong with MSCs

[@AMPROEngineering]

Ill do a video explaining that.

[@jamurphy8386]

Hey, I have a question....... Have you considered making parts for not only a non-Tamiya, but out of the league of anything you've done in any of your videos? 😲 My friend has wanted a Comp Scaler Truck for years. As I'm spending nearly every penny I make into trying to singlehandedly keep a roof over their heads, and keep them fed, I GOT Carmine the Truck he always wanted - sort of...., No way I could get him a $400+ Axial or Vaterra - so I got him a $75.00, HG P402 rolling chassis kit! Believe it or not, in Europe, Russia and Asia, they're quite popular. They're loosely based on the SCX10 1, but do have some cheap, flimsy soft plastic parts. Some in critical places. Like the upper links, they make the King Cab's control arms seem RIGID! Have you seen any? Would you do some parts for it, like the upper Y-links or maybe a bracket to mount the steering servo on the front axle? The Servo bracket would need to be designed from scratch........ In stock form, the steering servo is mounted on the frame. In something better, with metal frame rails, metal suspension links, and just made to higher standards - the CMS is desirable and looks much more Scale. THIS Rig would perform better, if the Servo was mounted above the front axle, like the original SCX10. Something that you might think about?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Yeah, you are spot on. I know that they are really popular but some of the parts are really too soft. I have a Trailfinder 2 and have been meaning to upgrade that thing but I need to look at those trucks also. I don't own one but I have a friend who would let me borrow his for some upgrades.

[@jamurphy8386]

That would be awesome!! Now that iv built my rolling chassis, I've come up with some other ideas.... A longitudinal battery tray, that would mount to the frame, in front of the gearbox, to add more front weight bias, and clear more rear area for things like a flat bed, Truggy Cage, or a full interior SUV, like Carmine wants to do with his. Also, some better bracing, to reduce chassis flex. Something that could mount to where the trusses drop,contoured to fit in the frame rails, needing to drill a couple of holes in the frame to mount. According to my best friend, slash mechanical genius, that would greatly improve torsional rigidity! And, if it's chunky enough, will add some desperately needed weight, low in the frame. OR, leave a flat cavity (reducing cost), so the user can add lead wheel weights or something similar.

[@butchmeister80]

I want one cos it’s retro looks cool but it sounds like it’s pretty rubbish ha think I’ll get one to match my lunchbox and also get a newer Chinese toy

[@AMPROEngineering]

So it is pretty bad but in a good way? If that makes sense, haha!

[@butchmeister80]

@@AMPROEngineering yeah I still want one ha bad as in fun plus I love retro

[@butchmeister80]

@@AMPROEngineering bought a modern ftx instead this is still on my list

[@danwalker2110]

I came here to listen to you say ‘lip balm.’ 😂

[@AMPROEngineering]

Hahahahha!

[@silviamills5218]

How many Hornets do you have?

[@AMPROEngineering]

Um...as for standard hornets and not any derivatives...10? Those are all the ones that run and include Super Fly 1 and 2. I think i have a few others in a bin for resto.

[@Powershotknecht]

nice

[@AMPROEngineering]

Thank you!

[@steveh8224]

Watching as I build my re release hotshot👍

[@AMPROEngineering]

Now that's a combo!

[@wheelie642]

The spikes on the rear tires wear down quick. Double quick if you run on pavement. My 2 cents. Buy spare tires.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Oh yes they do...really fast.

[@luketutolo]

Ben and chippy

[@AMPROEngineering]

Indeed

[@creationlabsinc.189]

Your way off in the price of the hornet. I saved for a year for one and it ran approximately 275.00 in 86’. 75-80$ fir the kit. 35$ for a single battery, 50-75-$ for a fast charger, 100.00 for the Magnum Jr.

[@AMPROEngineering]

Seems like your prices are different. Mine are what I paid. Time, location, sales, and what was available alters prices.

[@silviamills5218]

Do you purchase this for a child?! Well me a child says YEEEEEESSSSSSSS YOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU SHSHSHSHOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AMPROEngineering]

I am glad you love it. It is great to hear that.