Traxxas Nitro Hawk

[Dangeruss]

Traxxas became the first American company to offer a 1/10 gas powered stadium truck when it released the Nitro Hawk in 1992. Heavily based off the Blue Eagle LS race truck released the year prior the Nitro Hawk shared its 4-wheel independent suspension with long arms, turnbuckle camber and steering links as well as bellcrank steering, Pro-Series caster blocks, and axles. While the front suspension with its long blue anodized oil-filled coilovers was lifted entirely intact from the LS, save for a fiberglass shock tower replacing the LS's graphite tower, the rear received a new bulkhead, taller fiberglass shock tower, and extra-long blue anodized oil-filled coilovers. The all-white nylon suspension bolted together on a grey anodized aluminum tub style chassis using, for the first time on a Traxxas vehicle, end threaded phillips head screws replacing hinge pins and e-clips, also seen on the RAD2, Hawk2, and subsequent Traxxas vehicles. The transmission was a nitro version of Traxxas' 3 gear planitary diff equipped box with a bearing supported slipper clutch and nylon band brake, with a battery box was attached at the rear. Rather than source a third-party motor for the Nitro Hawk Traxxas had its own engine manufactured. Dubbed the Image 12, the .12 motor featured a large finned aluminum cylinder head, rotary valve carburetor, and pull starter. The truck was topped off with an A&L MFG. Slam It Low S10 lexan body, white nylon cone dish 2.2 truck wheels with Pro-Trax Spike tires in the rear, Pro-Trax Ribbed tires up front, and bushings throughout. Available in unassembled kit, Assembled less radio, and ready to run versions.

[Lowgear]

Back during this time is when I finally got my parents to agree to buy me my first hobby grade R/C for my birthday. I ultimately narrowed it down to this, a Kyosho Thunderbird stock car, or a Kyosho Nitro Thrasher. I'm glad I didn't pick the Nitro Hawk as my foray into the hobby may have very well taken a different (lesser) path. I don't mean it disparagingly, but the Nitro Thrasher I settled on was the much better choice. I definitely plan on owning a Nitro Hawk one day for the nostalgic reason.