The RC Deep Dive

Radio control used to be known as R/C in it's abbreviated form throughout most of the twentieth century. However with the rise of RTR (Ready-To-Run) radio-controlled vehicles like those made by Traxxas, Losi, and Arrma, the abbreviation of RC started to be used. Why did this change in abbreviated nomenclature happen and who to l do many companies like Tamiya and many in the vintage and rere (re-re...

While we at the RC Deep Dive podcast do not use LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries in our Tamiya vintage and rere (re-release) radio-controlled model vehicles, preferring NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride) and LiFe (Lithium Phosphate) R/C batteries instead, we know some listeners want to do so, but only with the safest LiPo batteries available. So in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we investigated...

No tricks, just treats in this happy Halloween episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast where we go over the alternative clear Lexan polycarbonate body shells that Tamiya and other 3rd party aftermarket hop-up option manufacturers made and still make for vintage and rere (re-release) Tamiya R/C model vehicles like the Porsche 936, the Mighty Frog, Grasshopper, Hornet, Blackfoot, Boomerang,  ClodBuster,...

CowRC started way before it incorporated. And by CowRC we aren't talking about the Tamiya 1:10th scale Hornet Jun Watanabe Special Edition radio-controlled buggy. It originally was a garage hop-up options part manufacturer. However, they made a huge pivot and transitioned to manufacturing the things that every single R/C model vehicle hobbyist in the entire community needs and made the best qualit...

Play ball! In today's episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we build the perfect defensive baseball team (pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder) using vintage and rere (re-released) Tamiya R/C cars, trucks, buggies, and from the radio-controlled model vehicle golden age. 

Why were Tamiya's experiential radio-controlled truggy (truck and buggy combination made popular by Traxxas, Arrma, and Losi) and futuristic buggy known as the Vajra and Leonis such a rare failure for Tamiya? And why in 2026 are they such highly desired rare R/C model vehicles? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we investigate these 1/10th scale experimental anomalous radio control failur...

In a previous episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we have already covered why you need an analog turntable, record player, or phonograph in your R/C hobby workshop, but in this episode we go over exactly which of these hi-fi (high fidelity) vintage music players are three best to have onto of your radio-controlled model vehicle hobby workbench. 

In today's episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we go over step by step how, as well as what sandpaper products to use, to perfectly sand your expertly or amateurishly cut or snap lines on your radio-controlled model car, truck, buggy, jeep, van, or bus as well as going over exactly how not to do it, and what can cause a less than perfect R/C sanding. 

There's lots of misinformation on various forums about the few options for replacing the dogbones in the Tamiya HotShot family of 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) 1:10th scale R/C buggies with CVDs (Constant Velocity Drives) or UJs (Universal Joints) driveshafts. So in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we look at some of the often suggested options and explain why half of the hop-up options suggested...

Here's a secret to from the 1970s and 80s that is still absolutely valid today. An analog phonograph or record player helps prevent model marker myopia,  hobbyist hunch, and injury. It also helps you follow the pomodoro technique of productivity which makes your build, teardown, hop-up, rebuild, or wrenching session even more productive. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we explain the e...

If you've decided to get an alternative head to put on your driver body of your 1:10th scale Tamiya radio-controlled car, truck, buggy, jeep, van, or bus, you have a lot of options. But how do you find the best one for you and your R/C model vehicle? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we break down the differences between resin and 3D (three dimensional) printed heads, and how to truly fi...

Many people like to use an airbrush to paint their radio-controlled model vehicles' Lexan polycarbonate or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) body shells. But which is the best airbrush for each type of plastic, and is there any all in one airbrushing solution? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we review and rate airbrushes and find the best solutions for R/C car, truck, buggy, jeep,...

Some people prefer too use airbrushes to paint their radio-controlled model vehicles' Lexan polycarbonate or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) body shells and some people prefer to use Tamiya's spray paint rattle cans. Why such a disparity? In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we look at both the positives and negatives of each method and answer which option is best for you, the R/C car...

While the reres (re-releases) of the Tamiya HotShot family of 4WD (four wheel drive) R/C buggies had some serious updates over the iconic vintage originals, there are still a lot of hop-up options available for this entire family of icons, both for the vintage and rere editions. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we rank them and put them in tiers of necessity to build the ultimate 4WD bu...

The HotShot Family of 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) radio-controlled buggies were iconic and each new family member was an improvement upon its previous kin. But when Tamiya re-released these R/C buggies they made massive improvements both family-wide but also to each individual radio control model vehicle too. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we break down each of these major improvements to...

In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we look at the chemistry behind the physics and give A to F grades to the big 5 radio-controlled model vehicle hobby lubrication manufacturers, AE (Associated Electronics)/Team Associated/FT (Factory Team), Hudy, JConcepts, 1Up Racing, and Tamiya/TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory). The analysis utilizes a grading system (A-F) based on six distinct vectors: Repu...

A listener challenged us to act as the hypothetical General Manager and Head of Scouting for the newly formed "Shizuoka Drivers," American football team. We have been tasked with an unprecedented challenge: building a complete, 11-man starting offense from the Tamiya vintage and rere (re-release) radio-controlled model vehicle catalog. This is not a "dream team" based on aesthetics or popularity;...

It's the 40th anniversary of 7 iconic Tamiya radio-controlled cars, trucks, and buggies and in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we celebrate and break down all seven 1986 hobby grade R/C model vehicle kits: the 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) off-road buggies, the Super Shot, the Boomerang, and the Bigwig; the 2WD (Two Wheel Drive) monster truck and car, the Blackfoot and the Super Beetle, the 2WD...

Gimbals, often called sticks on an R/C radio transmitter are a mystery to people who learned on pistol grip radio transmitters, but in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we explain exactly how legacy gimbals work and how the new modern gimbal sticks work differently, along with how you can upgrade them to work even better for your radio-controlled model vehicles. 

There's only one way to truly get all of the air out of your silicone damper oil in your radio control shock absorbers and it's the Tamiya Extra Long Shock Oil Air Removal Tool, but it only works if you use it right. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we take you through how to use this tool and teach you the physics of how and why it works so well. 

It may look like free weights for curling, but it's a secret weapon for cornering grip on your radio-controlled car, truck, buggy, van, jeep, or bus. Why is the Tamiya Camber Gauge praised over both digital camber gauges other analog camber measurements tools? We get into why and how it works so well in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

Cheapest and best aren't always equitable, but when it comes to skateboarding launch ramps that are good for radio-controlled cars, buggies, trucks, jeeps, vans, and busses. In this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast we take the measurements and give you the advice for the best and budget minded options for your air launching needs when bashing your vintage and re-release R/C model vehicles. 

You might think that an elementary or primary schoolyard is a great place to run your radio-controlled model vehicles, but it's actually a really bad idea. Why? We go into the real dangers not only for your R/C car, buggy, truck, jeep, van, bus, or tank, but also for you in this episode of the RC Deep Dive podcast. 

We had a listener ask about how to properly drain your silicone damper oil out of your R/C buggy's Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers before changing your oil's cSt (centistokes). They asked because the process can be very different on Tamiya's TRF (Tamiya Racing Factory) Aeration Oil-Filled Dampers because of the materials used in the manufacturing of these radio control model vehicle racing shocks. So,...

These days a lot and of men and women don't want to have a stag party for their bachelor or bachelorette party the night before they get married. Instead, they want the party to be focused around their hobbies or interests. In this episode of RC Deep Dive podcast we go through multiple great options for making an incredible bachelor /bachelorette or even a birthday party for a radio-controlled mod...