Kyosho Javelin

[Dangeruss]

In 1986 Kyosho released the Javelin as an open bodied counterpart to the Optima 1/10 4wd off-road buggy. As a new version of an existing model it used the same aluminum frame and fiber reinforced molded nylon suspension as the Optima, with twin square tube aluminum spars and four end plates that attached to nylon bulkheads, bookended by an under guard up front and motor guard in the rear as well as the 4-wheel independent lower a-arm and adjustable upper camber link suspension with red anodized, oil-filled, adjustable collar, aluminum coilover shocks supported by short alloy towers front and rear that doubled as upper camber link mounts. The twin bellcrank steering system with threaded tie rods and built-in servo saver positioned aft of the front bulkhead under the fiberglass radio plate that provided lateral support to the chassis and held the transverse mounted battery and necessary electronics was the same as well. Contained within the enclosed bulkheads was also the Optima's 4-wheel drive system with its rear mounted motor, adjustable slipper clutch equipped pinion and counter gear primary drive, bevel gear rear differential and sealed chain drive to the bevel gear diff in the front bulkhead. Steel dog bones transferred power through bushing equipped aluminum knuckles up front, and plastic hub carriers in the rear. Differences, while obvious, were exclusive to the outside of the vehicle where the Javelin sported three piece spoked nylon wheels wrapped in spiked Sand Super tires and a molded plastic roll cage in place of the Optima's lexan body. A large plastic front bumper, Mabuchi RS 540 motor, mechanical resistor speed controller with three forward speeds, braking, two reverse speeds, and a step-down circuit were included in the unassembled kit, but a radio system was not. The Javelin was also sold in German by Graupner: