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 Wave Hopper is a large 1/10 scale 9.6V 'Twin Turbo' radio control speed boat, manufactured by Taiyo, and released into the Japanese market in 1989.
The Wave Hopper is also known as the Tyco Unlimited Hydroplane in the US, UK, and other western countries.
Features and Performance
Available in a single color and frequency (27Mhz Red) to our knowledge, it performs reasonably well in the water but can't be compared with a modern brushless lithium R/C Jet boat.
Whatever the case, this model looks HOT! Yes sure, the intakes and 'engines' on the top aren't real, obviously, but it still manages to look menacing.
Taiyo Wave Hopper in Open Box #8910
The Wave Hopper does'nt just look great, it means business with 2 x Mabuchi RK370 motors, the second largest motors Taiyo ever used in their radio control vehicles, second only to the Mabuchi 380 motors in the Super Fast Traxx.
Below we have photos of the motor assembly inside the boat, showing the twin RK370 Mabuchi, one of them with the heat sink removed, and the control unit on the opposite side.
8910 Taiyo Wave Hopper Inside Motor Bay (one heat sink removed)
Immense Size
Did we mention the Wave Hopper / Hydroplane is HUGE? The box itself is about 150% as wide as the Lamborghini boxes which were already large. Check out the photo below! The cool factor emanating from this image is destabilizing!
The Hydroplane is absolutely gigantic. Imagine waking up to this at Christmas!
Recommendation
Both the Wave Hopper and the Tyco Unlimited Hydroplane don't appear very often for sale online, and when they do they're not very cheap.
At time of writing there's one available in the UK, though it's not cheap, and so is likely to sell only to serious Taiyo collectors and R/C boat fans.
Rare vintage 1980's taiyo wave hopper large twin turbo 9.6v r/c speedboat - mint
15 Oct 2023
$121.65
Used
Buy
Rare vintage 1980's taiyo wave hopper large twin turbo 9.6v r/c speedboat - mint
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.
