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.
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.
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.
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
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.
wpDiscuz
