Everything you’d want to know about the Tyco Turbo Hopper also known as the Taiyo Jet Hopper or Dickie Jet Hopper
As a young kid, the best toy I ever owned was a Metro Jet Hopper, known in the USA as the Tyco Turbo Hopper. In Japan, the original product is known as the Taiyo Jet Hopper.
I ran my car until the rear tires were bald, and they almost looked like Nascar slicks. Mine was a Red 27Mhz, and the older kid across the road had a Black 49Mhz which looked mean. Eventually I lost the controller, and it just sat there, but it was still cool.
If you’re interested in how the Turbo Hopper came to be, and the history of Tyco R/C or Tyco Toys as a company, then checkout our article on the History of Tyco Toys.
Specifications of the Turbo Hopper / Jet Hopper
Designed by: Unknown, but likely Shohei Suto (Japan), Steven Glatt & George Tauber (Australia)
Manufactured by: Taiyo RC
Made in: Japan, Singapore
Released by: Tyco R/C, Taiyo, Metro R/C and others
Release date: 1986 – 1992
For further details such as suspension, steering, batteries, model number and valuation / price, please see individual page for each model below.
Heads Up! Turbo Hopper Commercial
Do you remember this TV Commercial? As an Aussie, I don’t sadly, but I love listening to these 80s American commercials.
Here’s every Tyco Turbo Hopper we have on our site!
1986 Tyco Turbo Hopper MK1
The first version released in the USA/Canada, it was an instant smash hit, and began the Tyco R/C dominance for nearly a decade.
1986 Taiyo Jet Hopper
The original Global/English release by Taiyo of Japan, it would set the standard for radio control cars for years to come.
1987 Tyco Turbo Hopper MK2
Released later that year, the MK2 version improves top speed and other, tires, and other aspects, making it an even better R/C buggy.
1987 Taiyo Jet Hopper MK2
Taiyo Japan finally released its successor to the hugely popular MK2, with an increase to 27km/h top speed, new front tires, etc..
1988 Tyco Turbo Hopper MK3
Does it exist? We don’t know.
If you have photos of a Turbo Hopper with upgraded *front* and rear wheels, just like the Taiyo Jet Hopper MK3, then contact us please!
1988 Taiyo Jet Hopper MK3
The final version of the original Jet Hopper perfected the tires, and added active steering making it far superior to earlier versions.
1988 Tyco Aero Turbo Hopper
The first Aero released in America, aerodynamically styled, which was fashionable and futuristic at the time… ah the 80s, how quaint!
1987 Taiyo Aero Jet Hopper
First ever Aero version released, and sporting new upgraded front and ear tires several years before anywhere else.
1989 Tyco 4WD 9.6V Super Turbo Hopper
This massive upgrade was an entirely new 4WD twin motor RC car as a one-off mega release, packed full of features that even today it makes us go… “wow!”.
1988 Taiyo Max Hopper 4WD
A 1/12 scale behemoth with twin motors, metal parts, and just incredible features for a supposed toy-grade model.
1990 Tyco Heads Up! Turbo Hopper
Finally the true successor to the Turbo Hopper, in a bigger, better package that improves on the original in every way.
1988 Taiyo Jet Hopper 2
The Jet Hopper 2 was a complete revision of the original design, but done carefully to ensure the car still looked, felt, and drove like a Jet Hopper. Perfect.
1990 Tyco Wild Thing Turbo Hopper!
Finally the true successor to the Turbo Hopper, in a bigger, better package that improves on the original in every way.
1989 Taiyo Wild Thing Turbo Hopper
Do you have photos of the Taiyo Wild Thing Turbo Hopper? Please contact us so we can share them with the world! contact us please!
If you read this far, we have something extra to share…
1995 Tyco Dallas Cowboys Turbo Hopper
Five years after the last car was officially released, Tyco would make a short run of this Wild Thing Turbo Hopper styled to commemorate the Dallas Cowboys Superbowl win. Very rare, and seriously cool!
View the Dallas Cowboys Turbo Hopper!
Want to buy a Turbo Hopper, or Jet Hopper?
Open the eBay Deal Finder
But wait, there’s more!
- Check our list of all Tyco RC cars, Taiyo RC cars, and more.
It’s a visual catalog of 300+ R/C cars from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s. - Or if you’d prefer, you can checkout our library of many different Tyco RC TV Commercials, all carefully restored
- Or go to our Homepage to see what else we have!