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 Tyco Typhoon T-3 is a 1/14 scale radio control hovercraft manufactured by Taiyo (Japan), for Tyco Industries, and sold in the US, UK, and other markets worldwide in 1996.
Model 2703-27 Tyco Typhoon T-3 with its box open
Resurrection or Revitalisation?
Tyco's T-3 was released a full 5 years after the original 1991 model debuted in Japan, in an effort by Tyco to release new models and generate as much interest (and sales) as possible during the tough times that would eventually see them sold to Mattel.
The T-3 appears to have been mildly successful, with many available for sale, though that's just my speculation.
Features and Performance
With upgrades beyond the original Typhoon including:
All new lightweight body
Teflon coated skirt
Maximum speed of 20km/h (12mph)
This led to the Typhoon T-3 being the fastest hovercraft that Taiyo / Tyco would ever make.
As one of their most popular products, Taiyo / Tyco sold several other Typhoon versions:
Side of the box for the Typhoon T-3 showing features Rear of the Typhoon T3 box with instructions
Recommendation
Whether you buy the Typhoon T-3 as a collector, or as a nostalgic piece will be entirely up to your own personal experience. It's not one of the most well known Tyco models, however if you had one as a kid in the late 90s you're likely to be quite attached, and we may not see the market for these heat up until ~10 years after the late 80s models for obvious reasons.
So if you're likely to want one, now is the time to grab one before they start going for ludicrous prices (I'm looking at you Tyco Bandit!)
Genuine tyco 9.6v rc turbo radio control 49 mhz transmitter typhoon t-3 working
06 Dec 2024
$49.99
Used
Buy
Tyco typhoon t-3 untested for parts or repair as-is
30 Nov 2024
$49.99
Used
Buy
Tyco typhoon r/c t-3 for parts/repair
19 Nov 2024
$29.95
Used
Buy
Tyco 9.6v typhoon t-3 hovercraft! No remote/tested
28 Sep 2024
$87.96
Used
Buy
Tyco typhoon t-3
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.
