Tamiya Hornet

[Dangeruss]

In 1984 Tamiya released alongside the Grasshopper a higher performance 1/10 2wd electric off-road buggy named the Hornet. As a stablemate to the Grasshopper the Hornet shared the same deeply molded ABS plastic monocoque chassis with integrated shock towers and long front swing arms suspended by sliding pillar coil springs, to which o-rings were now fitted for friction dampening. Steering was also via z-bend tie rods with ball cups and direct mount servo saver in front of the mechanical speed controller and radio gear in the tub just above the longitudinally mounted bottom loading battery box. Out back, however, is where differences started appearing. The rigid axle assembly was now attached to the chassis by a pair of pivoting mounts that allowed the rear end to articulate over uneven terrain and aluminum bodied oil-filled coilover shocks were fitted atop the axle for improved dampening. The axle assembly itself remained unchanged but power was increased by the use of a 540 sized motor spinning the pinion and spur primary drive transmission mated directly to its bevel gear differential with metal axles that left the Super Gripper 16.5-15 spiked rear tires and 4.50-15 Smoothee front tires from the Super Champ on the Sand Scorchers three-piece white plastic bead lock wheels slinging dirt with every tug of the throttle. Unique to the Hornet was its lighter clear Lexan body and wing replacing the Grashoppers heavier molded plastic shell. The unassembled kit also included a large front bumper, nerf bars, off-road light pods, mechanical speed controller, Mabuchi RS540S motor, and Greg Martin driver figure: