Tyco Taiyo Collectors is an information resource for enthusiasts of 80s, 90s, and 00s toys produced by Tyco®, Taiyo (Japan), Metro R/C, Dickie Toys™, Nikko America Inc., Nikko R/C (Japan) and is not affiliated with any toy company. We are funded by ads and affiliate links, and aim to support and grow the vintage toy collectors community.
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The Taiyo Jet Fighter is a 1/14 scale radio control model, launched in the Japanese market in 1987. This is the local (Japanese) edition of the Jet Fighter, which was also made available in a Global (English/French) for western countries.
8714 Taiyo Jet Fighter in Red8714 Taiyo Japan Jet Fighter in White8714 Taiyo Jet Fighter in Yellow (Global)
Inspiration
Regarded as one of Taiyo's greatest ever creations, the Jet Fighter boasts a well engineered, high quality construction with an efficient design that mirrors many of the popular Tamiya buggies from that time, such as Tamiya's The Fox.
Original Tamiya The Fox
Unlike Tamiya cars, the Taiyo comes in a more compact, cost-effective, ready-to-run package, making it more easily accessible for the general public, often sold at department stores, toy stores, as well as hobby stores.
As with most versions intended for the Japanese market, this model is manufactured in Japan. Was also sold in the US and other western markets as the 1989 Tyco Turbo Fighter.
1987 Taiyo Jet Fighter in White with Controller
1987 Taiyo Jet Fighter in Red
Performance
Debuting just a year after the original Taiyo Jet Hopper (Tyco Turbo Hopper), the Jet Fighter is larger, bolder, and features a more advanced design, with convenient battery accessibility.
Key features include:
Large 1/14 scale chassis
9.6v 'Turbo' 8xAA batteries with Power LED
Battery access along the vehicle's underside, far better design than the Jet Hopper requiring removal of the body to access batteries.
Oversized rear shocks and advanced front suspension system
Rubber off-road tires
Maximum speed of 27km/h (17mph), equaling the Jet Hopper despite its increased dimensions
1987 Taiyo Jet Fighter in box with instructionsOpen the box, and inside is the Taiyo Jet Fighter neatly packaged with car, controller, instructions, accessories and minor replacement parts.
Recommendation
The Jet Fighter is a stunning model - I'm quite fond of the yellow especially - developed during Taiyo's heyday, and surprisingly released around the same time as the original Turbo Hopper / Jet Hopper. For a collector of Taiyo or Tyco, it may be a crucial addition to any enthusiast's collection.
Prices in USD. NIB = New In box, MIB = Mint in Box, EC = Excellent Condition, VGC = Very Good Condition, GC+ = Good condition plus, GC = Good condition, PC = Poor Condition. With Controller = Car with controller. With Box = Box, Car, and Controller. We make all efforts to ensure data is accurate, but cannot guarantee it is.
Information here is to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing, and is frequently updated and improved as I learn more. Contact Me for Feedback or Corrections.
