Infinity Speciale Spy Shots
Part of the Infinity team have been busy testing prototypes of their new Speciale (?) touring car at RC Addict in Thailand in preparation for this years TITC race in late February, offering us the chance to get a first glimpse of the new car.
Futaba T6PV Officially Presented
The new 6PV mid-range transmitter from Futaba, previewed here just over two weeks ago, has now been officially presented.
According to Futaba Japan it will be available by the end of January.
Translated product intro from Futaba Japan:
T6PV – High-middle model with fastest response function
This is a mid-high class transmitter that adds elements of the T10PX to the operability of the T4PM Puls. The full-color display allows for intuitive operation. In addition, by supporting the fastest system “F-4G”, it is easier to feel the “feeling function” that gives stability to operation.
*The T6PV is a transmitter that supports “F-4G”, “T-FHSS”, “S-FHSS” and “MINI-Z”.
*The R404SBS and R404SBS-E are receivers that support “F-4G”.
Product Features
● Fast response approaching that of T10PX with F-4G system and UR mode (Note 1)
– Equipped with 6 systems: F-4G, T-FHSS, S-FHSS, MINI-Z EVO, MINI-Z EVO2, MINI-Z FHSS.
– T-FHSS SR mode is not supported, but the servo’s “SR mode” can still be used with the servo settings of the F-4G system.
● Normal, Big and Drift “Model Types”
– Equipped with settings for crawlers
● Feeling adjustment function: By taking advantage of the high-speed response while adding a mild flavor, it becomes easier to drive.
● Supports up to 6 channels (※Note 2)
● Lightest in its class & highly balanced design
– Equipped with a micro SD card slot
– The micro SD card is used to store model data, telemetry data, display photos of your car on the transmitter, and for software updates. (Micro SD card sold separately. Supports SD/SDHC, not SDXC.)
● New wheel unit / APA (※Note 3) / APA Angler / Trigger adopted
● Grip rubber: In addition to the included size (M), you can choose a size that is more comfortable for you from the optional grip rubber (S or L) .
● Wheel position can be adjusted with the steering APA (Accessories: Steering APA (24.0) & Angle spacer (5°))
● Trigger end point adjustment: By using the optional T10PX dedicated trigger setting parts set ( sold separately) , you can adjust the end point in the throttle (=FWD) direction with a spacer, allowing you to tailor the throttle operation to your preferred feeling.
● Setup with high brightness, wide viewing angle, full color LCD and jog keys
-Equipped with a body catch pin holder at the bottom of the grip. (Body catch pin is not included)
● Requires dry cell batteries (AA).
– You can also use the optional LiFe battery ( FT2F1100B , FT2F1700B V2 , FT2F2100B V2).
– For LiFe batteries, you can also use the non-contact charger ( LF-02 ).
– LiPo battery for Tx ( LT2F2000B ) Nickel-metal hydride battery for Tx ( HT5F1800B ) Separately sold batteries can also be used.
● A wide range of options are available to help you create your own unique vehicle.
*Note 1: Be sure to use servos that support UR mode.
*Note 2: When using channels 5 and 6 in F-4G mode, please use an S.BUS2 servo or SBD-2 on the S.BUS2 port of the R404SBS/R404SBS-E.
*Note 3 Adjustable Positioning Adaptor Position change adapter
More here.
New RaceOpt FFV4 Dolphin
Happy to finally see a brand new FWD released with an FF configuration, but there is (a lot) more that is unique about the new FFV4 Dolphin from RaceOpt / SNRC / MTS.
Here’s the short details as published by RaceOpt:
- Optimised and centralised weight balance
- Front motor mount
- Single mid-mount bellcrank steering with rear mounted servo
- Adjustable Limited Slip Differential
- Adjustable drive ratios
- CNC machined Aluminium pulleys
- Full Adjustable torsion plate rear suspension with single RAS Shock absorber
- Legacy RAS Fully Adjustable Shock absorbers feature machined linear taper bore for efficient “progression”
- Integrated rear body mount system
- LCG Adjustable torsion roll bar system
- Simplified tweak free Adjustable battery mount
- 100% Fully Assembled
To see more details, check out their presentation.
Closer Look @ IFMAR Worlds TRF421
The IFMAR ISTC Worlds was held early November at Finishline RC Raceway in California, with Souta Goto from Tamiya Japan participating and TRF421 designer Takayuki Kono joining him as his mechanic.
During the Worlds we got a look at (one of) his cars(s), and his actual race car was then later displayed at the 2024 Tamiya Challenge Cup Final Race in Kakegawa.
Further pictures of this car have now emerged, allowing us to see more details of the car and setup used at the end of the Worlds week.
Compared to the Red RC Worlds photos, this appears to be another car, as there are slight differences in the electronics setup/layout.
The Red RC photos are from practice, and like most drivers they will have had a couple of cars to test different setups during practice.
On this actual race car there are several small differences, with for example different springs and a rear chassis flex plate.
In addition you can see setup differences if you look closely at spacers, screw positions used and so on.
On some of the photos the lower arms also appear more greyish, which would indicate a different material, but this might also just be due to light and reflections.
Personally I used the TRF420X rear chassis flex plate during testing this summer, but the one used here is specific to the TRF421 and longer.
In the photo below you see that it is attached with one screw in front and one rear, both on the centerline.
Above you also see the soon to be released aluminium chassis for the TRF421 (#42290 as reported first here).
The upper deck braces used front and rear appear to be 1mm thick.
All-in-all it’s good to get a more detailed look at Souta Goto’s TRF421 as it was finally run at the Worlds. Thanks to Rockwave RC for the photos!
Let’s hope that Tamiya in addition to the alu chassis also plans to release some of the other parts seen here, like the heavier battery holders, rear flex brace, knuckle arms, upper deck braces and/or different upper decks.
Kyosho TC Prototype – December 2024
Just a couple of new spy shots of the the Kyosho TC prototype.
I have already posted several times about this TF-8 prototype, and it still looks the same as in the last photos. But these most recent ones (December 2024) are a bit better quality so you see a few more details.
Still no information on any possible release, but these cars are raced by some Kyosho drivers in Japan for some time now.
TRF421 After Season Inspection
This year was obviously the first with the new TRF421 chassis from Tamiya, and I did quite a bit of testing with it during the summer, with around 150 packs or 3000 laps.
I recently took my TRF421 apart to check for wear after one summer season, and was quite surprised to find a very minimal amount of wear.
During testing I did not replace any major parts (except one broken rear upright and one wheel bearing), and the only real maintenance was to clean and re-grease axles, as well as rebuild the dampers a few times.
Above you see the motor mount and center pulley. The pulley still spins super free and there is only minimal wear on the side flange, but no visible wear on the pulley itself.
Despite coming with alu outdrives, these also show minimal wear both on the front spool and rear diff.
The diff, built with original o-rings and gasket, has also stayed consistent throughout all the testing. When checking weight now after the season it was 0.1g lighter compared to new.
The driveshafts are where you would expect most wear, but these still look very good.
There is some slight wear on the low friction cross joint and pin, but no real wear on the driveshaft itself.
The blades are the same that I built the car with. The “wear” you see is from sanding them when building the car, but wear during use has been minimal.
For the front DCJ’s it’s more of the same, with the wheel axle showing some wear, but the other parts show almost none. Most surprising is to see no rear wear on the alu cross joints!
The front blades that I used when assembling the car were some older stock ones that did not need to be sanded down , and on them you see there is almost no wear marks.
Both the front and rear driveshafts still have not really developed any play.
Both belts still look quite decent as well, but I will replace them for next season.
Damper shafts show some wear, but less than on some other cars I have used. Damper parts have for a long time been of really good quality on TRF cars.
What’s not so good though is they often leak a bit too much when built with standard o-rings. This I sorted early with using Axon OR-SO-001 o-rings, but I plan to experiment more next year.
One thing to note is that the ball quite quickly gets a bit tight in the plastic damper ends when dirt is built up (like in the photo), so it’s important to keep an eye on this as you want these to be free.
………………………………………………………………………
Overall the TRF421 shows very little wear after one season of outdoor running, which is good to see.
There is a bit more play in the steering, but for example the lower arms – or really the complete suspension still feels super good with no excessive play anywhere. Obviously the upper arms could be a bit tight from new, but if you want to remove this fully you can cut them like I did. On the other hand I also heard that the latest batch of these to come from the factory don’t have this issue anymore, but that’s just second hand information and I have not seen these myself.
Having now inspected the car, I know that I don’t have to replace many parts for next season, which is great news going into next season.
Hopefully Tamiya have some new TRF421 parts coming so I can instead spend that money on those!
Futaba T10PX Black Edition
Futaba have introduced their new T10PX Black Edition transmitter.
It gets a new all black and carbon look, but also a some other changes, like aluminium steering housing and brake lever.
See machine translated image below for further info.
Full Details on Axon Short Dampers
Full details are now available on the new shorter dampers from Axon for the TC10/3 chassis.
DC-AX-031 HIGH BIG BORE SHOCK5 CONVERSION / For TC10/3
DT-AS-005 HIGH BIG BORE SHOCK5
Release is scheduled for December 10.
Here links to PDF versions of these documents from Axon.
HIGH BIG BORE SHOCK5 CONVERSION MANUAL
TC10/3 “High Big Bore Shock 5 Conversion Basic Setup”
TC10/3 Setting sheet BLANK v1.3
BLOG KENTECH 