The RC Deep Dive

The acceptance of female R/C hobbyists in Japan evolved from a male-dominated beginning, sparked by media representation in the 1980s and 90s, that normalized their interest. This has culminated in the modern era where dedicated "Girls Class" races and nationally recognized female competitors are now a visible part of the hobby. We dig into the divide and explore the history of the acceptance of girls and women in the Japanese radio controlled model vehicle hobbyist community in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

During the golden age of R/C, for the ORV (Off-Road Vehicle) chassis radio controlled model vehicles, Thorp Manufacturing a.k.a. Dirt Burners was the solution for putting a bulletproof Ball Differential in your gearbox. In the rere (re-release) era, the answer is the MIP (Moore's Ideal Products) Super Ball Diff plus UJs (Universal Joints) or CVDs (Constant Velocity Drives).Which option is better for your vintage or rere Tamiya ORV radio control car, truck, or buggy? We break down the engineering of both amazing products in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Schumacher R/C Racing was sparked by the invention by Cecil Schumacher of a ball differential for his son, Robin. Then, when his Robin Schumacher started winning all of his radio controlled car races, local hobby shops started asking for ball diffs to sell and Schumacher R/C Racing Cars was born. Cecil's ball differentials would prove unpatentable and so Thorp Manufacturing Dirt Burners, AE (Associated Electronics), and eventually MIP (Moore's Ideal Products) JConcepts, and Tamiya started making them for themselves and others as well. We slip into the history of Schumacher and radio control diff gears in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.

American Hop-Up manufacturers like CRP (Custom Racing Products), Pro-Line, Parma, and Thorp Dirt Burners were wildly popular in the Western world, especially for Tamiya radio-controlled model vehicles, but how popular were they in Japan and the Far East during the radio control golden age? What about now? We stamp your passports and take you on a global journey of discovery in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

This episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast tackles the frustrating search for plus-size R/C hobby apparel, a common problem for enthusiasts seeking to represent their favorite brands in sizes 3XL, 4XL, and larger. We provides a comprehensive roadmap, detailing specific products and purchasing strategies from major retailers, niche specialists, and online marketplaces to help you gear up in your size. 

The unlikely cultural overlap between the straight edge hardcore punk scene (often shortened to sXe, XXX, or just X) and vintage Tamiya RC car enthusiasts is rooted in their shared 1980s origins, a mutual devotion to a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) ethos, and strikingly similar visual aesthetics. We clean up this connection that provides a constructive and sober-minded recreational outlet that aligns with straight edge values, allowing adherents to express the same principles of self-sufficiency and creativity learned in the punk scene through the technical hobby of building and collecting in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Beyond Tamiya's own 540 motors like the Tuned and Super Stock hop-up options, there is a wide array of 3rd party aftermarket 540 motors you can use to hop-up your site and torque. But which ones are any good? Which ones should you avoid? We rev our engines loud and dig deep into all of your motor hop-up options for your radio controlled cars, buggies, trucks, vans, busses, and tanks in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Tamiya, during the golden age of R/C completely ignored the standard type 1 Volkswagen Bug, instead focusing solely on the modified Type One Beetle, the Baja Beetle. Why is this, and do the body shells of on-road Beetles fit on these off-road Baja Beetles? We get inside the people's wagon and put our coleopterologist hats on to answer all of your many questions about the iconic radio controlled bugs in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

This episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast brings out the spooky and analyzes the best Halloween-themed Tamiya R/C monster trucks and cars, comparing the nostalgic charm and delightfully chaotic handling of iconic classics like the Midnight Pumpkin and Monster Beetle against the superior all-terrain performance of their more modern radio controlled counterparts like the Squash Van and the super popular Blackfoot III. 

What is causing Gen Z and the Alpha Generation to get into vintage and rere (re-release) Tamiya R/C buggies, vans, jeeps , trucks, cars, and busses? It's not just Gen X parents introducing radio controlled model kits to their kids, but also from their peers on TikTok. Maybe not too surprisingly to a veteran radio control hobbyist, there's a digital detox and psychological or mental health advantage to youth getting into this hobby from the 1980s. We investigate the reasons that these younger generations are embracing vintage and rere Tamiya RC  in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast.