The Fire Power is a radio controlled car with toy rocket launcher that springs up from its rear, firing soft foam darts. Manufactured by Taiyo (Japan), it was released into the US, UK, and other markets worldwide in 1994 by Tyco Toys.
Features
If it wasn’t obvious already, the Fire Power is a mobile rocket launch vehicle. On the side of your controller is a button, and when pressed the rear of the pickup will spring open revealing 5 rockets. Keep that button pushed down, and they’ll fire, one after the other until empty. And they go a fair distance!
Performance
This isn’t a speed machine, but it’s not meant to be. The chassis selected by Tyco was a workhorse of the 90s, featured in many other toys including the Tyco Python and Taiyo Suzuki Vitara amongst many others.
With most drivetrain components located externally, it allowed plenty of room inside for gadgets such as foam dart launchers, spring up water spraying pythons, and sound effects chips. This means a little extra weight on the fairly tame 6.0V car, however as an ‘Off-Road’ style model, it’s not meant to be agile, just capable.
European / Global and Japanese models
Model 2847 is Tyco’s European release, with the main difference just being packaging and multiple languages on the rear side.
TV Commercial
“It’s here… FirePower! Burn’in up the road more than the usual R/C.
Sure it’s fast (not really) with rechargeable 6V Turbo Speed, this truck’s packing more than horse power. FirePower’s also the fastest secret weapon!
Raise the hidden radio control cannon, now it’s an RC mobile attack vehicle!
When you’re driving with FirePower, you call the shots!
FirePower! Battery pack required, sold separately. Tyco R/C. Maximum Heat!”
– From the 1992 TV Commercial for the Tyco FirePower
Availability and Collectability
I must admit my bias for the 90s Tyco models. You’ll either love them or hate them, with many feeling that Tyco (and Taiyo) betrayed their late 80s push for near hobby-grade cars at toy store prices. And while it’s true that they’re often just gimmicks, some of them such as the Fire Power, Python, and Rebound do a great job of reminding us what toys are all about – good clean fun!
You should have no issue finding an unboxed Fire Power (US or Euro models), but boxed and especially ‘NIB’ versions such as those in the gallery are very rare, with those photos being the only new in box I’ve ever seen. Japanese variants are a little easier to find boxed, but unfortunately rarely new.
And as for collectability, well, this is one of those cars you’ll either love or hate. Personally I think these are awesome, and have several US and Japanese versions, so it gets my vote for absolutely being worth adding to any Tyco Collector’s stash.
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