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.
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:
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!)
wpDiscuz
