Composite Craft RPM '91 Worlds build thread

[Retro rc]

These are what we were running in 94

But my memory must be screwed as I thought they were a 2000 Mah version

[sandkil]

Yep,
Early to mid nineties the Sanyo SCRC 1700 and the Panasonic P170 SCR was the cells to use.

[jcwrks]

Electronics have been selected.

• Big Jim mod is a '94 Kinwald teardown that is new but no packaging

• Tekin G12 esc ('94)

• Tekin TFM 75MHz Rx ('92)

• Orion V-Max 1700 SCRC cells ('94)

• Futaba 9101 coreless ball bearing servo ('90?)

[jcwrks]

It turns out that the Orion battery is actually a RC-1700 (late '97) pack and not SCRC. Fortunately I had a spare pack of Trinity EXR178 Ex-Tech cells.

I was able to get the Futaba 9101 servo mounted up. For the small Kimbrough saver I had to use vintage AE ball cups and a Tecnacraft turnbuckle since the RPM cups and Lunsford would bind.

The large #121 servo saver needed trimmed like a #123 to clear the upper deck. I had to use a MIP BJ ball end that had a slightly shorter neck than the TRC aluminum one. I am able to use my last two RPM translucent rod ends with this modification.

[jcwrks]

The esc and rx are mounted on the chassis, and I have the wires where I want them. I decided to go ahead and work on mounting the body. It's a scoop-less RCPS Turbo Mirage painted by Perry @ SRS Raceway in Scottsdale, AZ back in '93/94. The sharpie around the windows is original and I will not be fixing it. I'll toss a few vintage decals on there to give it some added flair. Wing is a Bud's #5240 Pro-Flow 5.5" with AE aluminum wing things. Wing sits roughly 1/8" above the top of the body. Getting real close to finishing this one up.

[MarkyDents]

Paint job is awesome !! Perfect !

[jcwrks]

Paint job is awesome !! Perfect !

Thanks. It's definitely a period correct paint job, and the scheme is really eye-catching.

I decided to solder up the electronics last night. I swapped the smaller 13 ga positive wire for a 12 ga since I would have hard wired the battery lead to the single run instead of using a separate jumper. I've never understood why Tekin doesn't solder on a 12 ga + from the factory on several of their high end units but includes a separate 12 ga jumper. Seems odd since the manuals state "(3) 12 ga silicone".

The antenna tube is from my spare parts bin I had back in '93/94. The antenna mount is Trinity ('92 EV10ss) and has a slightly lower profile compared to the original AE mount. I don't think I am going to solder the battery up even though I have some snazzy Dan's gold bars. RPM Hydra gear cover found its way into the pic. I keep trying to think of something I would have done different, but at this stage there is nothing I would change. I need to put it on a scale and check the weight.

[jcwrks]

Fortunately I have a decent stash of vintage decals on hand. I didn't want to go crazy putting them all over the place though. I finally managed to find an elusive vintage Composite Craft decal that I will put on the chassis once it arrives. I'll add a few more decals to the body once I figure out which ones to use.

[MarkyDents]

Looking great, must have given you that warm fuzzy feeling inside when cutting away most of the nose on that beautiful body

[jcwrks]

Looking great, must have given you that warm fuzzy feeling inside when cutting away most of the nose on that beautiful body

I made sure to cut a little at a time with my dremel. Fortunately it all worked out in the end.

[jcwrks]

Today I was able to replace the front 8-32 bellcrank screws with shorter 5/8" aluminum screws. I know I could have taken a cutoff wheel to the existing ones, but I actually needed them for another upcoming build. I finished applying the decals, put the RPM translucent Hydra gear cover on, and swapped out the Mip battery brace for the elusive Composite Craft brace. I realize the end of the brace is supposed to slide under the upper lip of the rear bulkhead, but I didn't want to mar the cell since it's a really tight fit. This race ready buggy tips the scale @ 49.5 oz. with 7 gold battery bars.

I still have my Plane Phantom Pro pit box from the mid 90's, so I pulled out the CE Turbo30 and my Futaba 3PB PCM1024. Blast from the past.

I have some Autographics race number decals shipping to me on Monday, so I will eventually add those and post a final pic or two.

[MarkyDents]

Really is a next level phenomenal build

[jcwrks]

It's always nice to hear from people that have had a huge impact on the hobby.

[RPMfieldtester]

It's always nice to hear from people that have had a huge impact on the hobby.
RPM_Royall_email.JPG

Good ol Richard...hopefully get down there to see him soon...

[RPMfieldtester]

It turns out that the Orion battery is actually a RC-1700 (late '97) pack and not SCRC. Fortunately I had a spare pack of Trinity EXR178 Ex-Tech cells.

I ran those 1700 trinity cells in 96 too at the worlds...car is great as is but would be "more correct" with the red 1400 cells too