...let's continue the history of development...
In 1976, the Japanese company Tamiya released its first set of the radio-controlled machine in scale 1/12 with the name Porsche 934 Turbo RSR, which dispersed in the amount of 100,000 pieces in just one year. Before that, Tamiya was already quite popular and famous company as it produced sets of plastic stand models.
The first radio-controlled cars from Tamiya were quite expensive, but it did not prevent them from selling quickly enough. Soon they began to produce more universal sets of models, which could be run on any terrain. In fact, Tamiya became the first company to start producing all-road radio-controlled buggy models. In 1979, they released models Sand Scorcher and Rough Rider. The design of these machines was copied from the real sand buggies. Advertising models Sand Scorcher and Rough Rider, shown on TV in 1979, is presented below.
Since then, the golden era of off-road models has begun. This class began to develop rapidly both at the club level and at the household level, increasing the popularity of this type of hobby around the world. The company Tamiya continued to produce various off-road models. At that time, almost everyone heard something about Tamiya Frog and Hornet buggies. Also, the company began producing models of truck pickups, such as the Toyota HiLux Pickup, with a realistic 3-speed transmission and spring suspension. These models looked realistic, were sturdy, and could be easily adjusted and repaired in the event of a breakdown. Radio-controlled cars from Tamiya have become so popular that, in fact, they can be classified as one of those models that made a real boom in RC hobby in the early to mid-80s of XX century and set the basic canons of development for all modern radio-controlled car models.
The first models from Tamiya and, in particular, the first off-road models are especially appreciated by collectors. The opportunity to get one of such models in the collection does not stop collectors to pay for 3000$ and more. Sometimes such vintage samples appear at Internet auctions in their original form, i.e. as a set for assembly. The continued popularity of the models of those years prompted Tamiya to start the re-production of these machines now (for example, Tamiya Hornet), with minor changes.
Another important innovation in RC hobby in 1980 was introduced by the British company Schumacher Racing. It invented a customizable ball differential, which allowed to bring the adjustment of models to a new level. Previously, almost all on-highway radio-controlled models were fitted with solid front and rear axles, while off-highway models used gear differentials.
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In 1984, Associated Electrics Corporation (now known as Associated ) introduced its first electric off-road model for competition - the RC10 buggy. It was designed with a focus on high performance and the ability to withstand high loads. Its design used high-quality aluminum, the shock absorbers (also made of aluminum) were filled with oil, the suspension could be adjusted, the transmission used ball bearings with protection against dirt, and the wheel rims were composite, made of high-strength nylon. The RC10 buggy quickly gained popularity and became the dominant off-road electro 1/10 class.
The RC10 was the first off-road model from the Associated. Prior to that, the company specialized exclusively in highway models with nitro engines.
In 1986, the British company Schumacher Racing presented a buggy model called Competition All Terrain or CAT for short. Quite quickly this model won the title of the best all-wheel drive radio-controlled car of those years, and in 1987 it won the world championship. It is also worth adding that the CAT buggy has significantly increased the interest of modelers around the world in the 4WD Off-Road electro class.
Another great contribution to the RC industry was made by a man named Gil Losi Jr. His family owned and operated the off-road track "Ranch Pit Shop R/C", located in Pomona, California. At Moose College, he showed interest in the study of technology as well as injection molding technology. Ultimately, this interest resulted in the creation of Team Losi. The first model from Team Losi was the 2WD buggy JR-X2, released in 1988. The release of this model was the beginning of a serious rivalry between Team Losi and Team Associated, which continues to this day.
Team Losi has received numerous awards for achievements and innovations in the field of RC. One of the important achievements was the start of the production of natural rubber tires. Other achievements included the launch of the first all-wheel-drive buggy model assembled in the U.S., as well as the invention of the Mini-T off-road electric model at a scale of 1/18, which became the founder of a new class of car models.
In 1990, Team Losi and Team Associated had control over the main part of the U.S. market of radio-controlled vehicles, but by that time, companies such as Traxxas and Japanese Kyosho had already appeared, which also began to produce competitive off-road models. At a time when Team Losi and Team Associated were busy competing with each other in the U.S., the company Schumacher Racing was gaining popularity in Europe.
In 1994, Traxxas released its first 2WD monster track model Stampede, and the Japanese company HPI released its first radio-controlled Super F1. Until 1994, HPI only produced optional parts and accessories.
An interesting fact is that since the existence of the two main classes of radio-controlled machines (nitro and electro), both classes have undergone significant changes in terms of powertrain used on the models. In the electro-model class, the use of brush electric motors and NiMh batteries is gradually abandoned in favor of more powerful and reliable collectorless electric motors and lightweight LiPo batteries. While in the nitro class, there is a noticeable gradual increase in the working volume of the engine. Now it is difficult to meet gage motors with a volume of 0.12 and 0.15 cubic inches, but the number of motors with a volume of 0.32 and 0.46 cubic inches is steadily growing.