Kyosho Blizzard EV

[Dangeruss]

In 1999 Kyosho released a new option for 1/12 tracked vehicle fans, called the Blizzard EV. Sharing the spotlight with its nitro powered stablemate, the new EV would return to its electric roots, albeit not in twin 380 motor form like the original Blizzard from 1982, which was also sold as the Graupner Pistenbully, but as a single 540 powered model. It would also eschew every part of that first Blizard, save for the tracks, to become the prodigal son of the Nitro Blizzard. As such the Nitro's stamped aluminum chassis with bolt on side plates would continue on to provide support for the EV's torsion spring suspension. But gone was the two-speed QRC transmission, replaced with a simple pinion and spur primary drive that led to the bevel gear differential housed inside its sealed front axle. The servo actuated differential steering though, with its linkages stretching forward in the chassis and applying pressure to a pair of disk brakes, one bolted on each end of the axle, would remain as the source of directional control. Also present and accounted for were the terra firma grabbing rubberized tracks wrapped around ten aluminized plastic wheels, with four road wheels and one chain tension adjusted drive wheel per track. The 90% assembled kit would include a Mabuchi RS-540 motor, rotary mechanical speed controller, and transverse battery mount located under the clear lexan Snow Cat styled body, sold less radio:

[coxbros1]

In 1999 Kyosho released a new option for 1/12 tracked vehicle fans, called the Blizzard EV. Sharing the spotlight with its nitro powered stablemate, the new EV would return to its electric roots, albeit not in twin 380 motor form like the original Blizzard from 1982, which was also sold as the Graupner Pistenbully, but as a single 540 powered model. It would also eschew every part of that first Blizard, save for the tracks, to become the prodigal son of the Nitro Blizzard. As such the Nitro's stamped aluminum chassis with bolt on side plates would continue on to provide support for the EV's torsion spring suspension. But gone was the two-speed QRC transmission, replaced with a simple pinion and spur primary drive that led to the bevel gear differential housed inside its sealed front axle. The servo actuated differential steering though, with its linkages stretching forward in the chassis and applying pressure to a pair of disk brakes, one bolted on each end of the axle, would remain as the source of directional control. Also present and accounted for were the terra firma grabbing rubberized tracks wrapped around ten aluminized plastic wheels, with four road wheels and one chain tension adjusted drive wheel per track. The 90% assembled kit would include a Mabuchi RS-540 motor, rotary mechanical speed controller, and transverse battery mount located under the clear lexan Snow Cat styled body, sold less radio:


Kyosho Blizzard EV.jpg

This is a bitch'n writeup..I had no idea of this version..very cool with single motor...totally baddass

[Elkcycles]

Yep, the cutting brake steering was awesome, but needed a torque-y servo!

[Dangeruss]

This is a bitch'n writeup..I had no idea of this version..very cool with single motor...totally baddass

Yep, the cutting brake steering was awesome, but needed a torque-y servo!

Thank you The EV's are cool, like BattleTrak mentioned previously there was a DF-300 that followed (2006), GP & EP, same as the Nitro & EV but with black wheels and wider tracks. Can't help but wonder... exactly how far down on motor turns can one go before shredding the tracks...

[BattleTrak]

The single 540 motor Blizzard EV & DF-300’s are the best.. I have both of them new in box plus a highly modified brushless direct drive one that is a top fuel tank!

[Elkcycles]

@Dangeruss

It isn't so much about the tracks, but rather the drive cogs and drive chains along with the tensioning band for the rear bogey wheel. Those don't like really high speeds and the impacts they transmit to the suspension. That said, they handle most brushless motors just fine.

@BattleTrak

Nice tracks! Now I want to build a Pistenbully with those. Also, your steering horn and linkage are really well done.

[BattleTrak]

@Dangeruss

It isn't so much about the tracks, but rather the drive cogs and drive chains along with the tensioning band for the rear bogey wheel. Those don't like really high speeds and the impacts they transmit to the suspension. That said, they handle most brushless motors just fine.

@BattleTrak

Nice tracks! Now I want to build a Pistenbully with those. Also, your steering horn and linkage are really well done.

From my experience..pushing 30mph…. the soft, flexible stock tracks are the biggest speed/power limitation. They will easily peel off and/or get damaged if you turn too fast or catch a stick in the yard..no matter how tight you adjust them. The tracks I have on that modified are the Spyker injection molded ones, which are awesome, but unfortunately no longer available.

The fragile suspension parts are another obstacle…
My front brake setup has carbon discs and are finely adjusted so that just a micro servo is all that is needed..also notice the springs between the brake pads to prevent dragging. It really doesn’t need much effort to steer and you don’t want them to be too strong because it will cause a wipeout or cartwheel which will damage all 4 corners of the suspension..which is why I have the wide stainless steel rod bumpers.

[BattleTrak]

These Blizzards also share the same diff components as the Super Ten and can be upgraded with steel gears and aluminum diff case.

Kyosho 39509 - FZW13 - FZW15 - FZW25

[Dangeruss]

From my experience..pushing 30mph…. the soft, flexible stock tracks are the biggest speed/power limitation. They will easily peel off and/or get damaged if you turn too fast or catch a stick in the yard..no matter how tight you adjust them. The tracks I have on that modified are the Spyker injection molded ones, which are awesome, but unfortunately no longer available.

The fragile suspension parts are another obstacle…
My front brake setup has carbon discs and are finely adjusted so that just a micro servo is all that is needed..also notice the springs between the brake pads to prevent dragging. It really doesn’t need much effort to steer and you don’t want them to be too strong because it will cause a wipeout or cartwheel which will damage all 4 corners of the suspension..which is why I have the wide stainless steel rod bumpers.

What motor are you running your Blizzard? When I saw your pic's the first thing I thoughts was... ooo, bumpers... I bet that things fast. (30mph is serious, saw a Youtube video of one at 20mph and that thing was a rocket)

My guess was at any real speed a hit to the track would take out the drive wheels instead of just popping a ballcup like on a buggy/truck. Also assumed with enough RPM to crown a tire, the Blizzard would just throw the tracks. Never thought about the brakes though... talk about traction rolling

@Elkcycles ...Indeed, I could see the tracks handling most brushless motors... unfortunately I can't shake the visions of a dual 2.5 turn twin ESC land missile

[BattleTrak]

From my experience..pushing 30mph…. the soft, flexible stock tracks are the biggest speed/power limitation. They will easily peel off and/or get damaged if you turn too fast or catch a stick in the yard..no matter how tight you adjust them. The tracks I have on that modified are the Spyker injection molded ones, which are awesome, but unfortunately no longer available.

The fragile suspension parts are another obstacle…
My front brake setup has carbon discs and are finely adjusted so that just a micro servo is all that is needed..also notice the springs between the brake pads to prevent dragging. It really doesn’t need much effort to steer and you don’t want them to be too strong because it will cause a wipeout or cartwheel which will damage all 4 corners of the suspension..which is why I have the wide stainless steel rod bumpers.

What motor are you running your Blizzard? When I saw your pic's the first thing I thoughts was... ooo, bumpers... I bet that things fast. (30mph is serious, saw a Youtube video of one at 20mph and that thing was a rocket)

My guess was at any real speed a hit to the track would take out the drive wheels instead of just popping a ballcup like on a buggy/truck. Also assumed with enough RPM to crown a tire, the Blizzard would just throw the tracks. Never thought about the brakes though... talk about traction rolling

@Elkcycles ...Indeed, I could see the tracks handling most brushless motors... unfortunately I can't shake the visions of a dual 2.5 turn twin ESC land missile

It has the Hobbywing EZRUN Max10SCT-3660-4000kv combo direct driven to the diff. I was originally wanting to use a 3S Lipo but there is so much violent power there, I cut it back with a 6 cell Nimh. Even then..If you go full throttle from a stop it’ll flip on its lid like a turtle! Any wipeouts at those 20+ speeds will destroy the BL6 & BL7 suspension parts..which is why I have the bumper rods…and I’ve tried carbon fiber, aluminum & titanium rods.. only the stainless rods can handle the abuse.

[Dangeruss]

It has the Hobbywing EZRUN Max10SCT-3660-4000kv combo direct driven to the diff. I was originally wanting to use a 3S Lipo but there is so much violent power there, I cut it back with a 6 cell Nimh. Even then..If you go full throttle from a stop it’ll flip on its lid like a turtle! Any wipeouts at those 20+ speeds will destroy the BL6 & BL7 suspension parts..which is why I have the bumper rods…and I’ve tried carbon fiber, aluminum & titanium rods.. only the stainless rods can handle the abuse.

Sweet motor, really like your direct drive too, that's a nice piece. Never thought about it flipping on its back... ...but if a buggy/truck will do it, makes sense the Blizzard would too.

....wheelie ski?

Tricky balance, fragility vs. speed, one affecting the other... Yours getting 30mph is still ripping fast, top fuel tank indeed.