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RC models
My collection- Blackfoot Xtreme
- Baja King
- The Hornet
- Lunch Box
- Beetle Frog
- Monster Beetle
- Madbull
- Citroën Xsara WRC
- Boomerang
- Grasshopper II
- The Fox
- Ford F-150
- Sand Viper
- King Blackfoot
- Lancia Delta HF
- Madcap
- Dark Impact
- Suzuki Swift
- XR311
- Tamiya
Brand overview- The 58000 series
- The 58100 series
- The 58200 series
- The 58300 series
- The 58400 series
- On-Road Strategy
- Off-Road Strategy
- The drivers
- XB versions
- RC Guide Books
- Ball bearings
Cliquez ici pour la version Française The Boomerang 
This one is an used model restored with original parts and car by Dollyfanny, a member of the Vintage-RC forum. It is a 4x4 buggy initially released in 1986. The Boomerang is one of the variants form a very popular chassis by the time: the HotShot, the first true Tamiya off-road 4x4 chassis designed for competition.
Its specific feature a a mono-shock system suspension: each drive train only uses one single damper working with an very efficient cantilever system, coupled with anti-roll bars. In general, the design of this chassis was very innovative for its time, apart from little problems in terms of conception and reliability (especially for competition: this access to electronics is not easy, front gearbox weakness on brutal jump landings). Nevertheless, the HotShot proved to be a serious opponent on the tracks.
The Boomerang family
Tamiya released different versions of the HotShot chassis, sometimes with minor evolutions, especially on the suspension system with more classical solutions using two dampers per drivetrain. In order of appearance here are the different models:
HotShot (58047) The Boomerang (58055)  Hot Shot II (58062)  Thundershot (58067)  Terra Scorcher (58075)  |
Super Shot (58054) The Bigwig (58057)  Super Sabre (58066)  Thunderdragon (58073)  Fire Dragon (58078)  |
These family photos illustrate variants in suspension, with 2, 3 or 4 dampers. There are other differences between the chassis shown above, but they do not alter the "HotShot" fingerprint. You can also notice the bodyshell evolution with some that are quite confusing (Bigwig) or futuristic. Note that Tamiya re-released the HotShot in 2007 (but without the golden rims that remain exceptional as almost all the kits were supplied with white rims).
Update october 2008: Tamiya re-releases the Boomerang! Hard for speculators, but great news for me: I will no longer fear to break parts as they will now be easily available.
When it arrived
The least I can say is that it is in perfect shape. All parts or so seem brand new, some show a moderate usage, but no crack or damage can be seen. This model was a shelf queen and was only for display purpose. At home, it will be used for what it was meant: to run. Before that, all parts related to electronics are missing (those needed to transmit servo movements). This requires to disassemble part of the chassis to install them.
The partially disassembled chassis to fit electronics |
Detail of the rear drivetrain: I'll have to paint the driver |
Overall, the model is in such a good shape that I almost have nothing to do to make it run.
Rehabilitation
On the rear part, things get a little bit trickier: the motor was installed without the plates used to set the position of the motor depending on the motor pinion you choose to install. Not counting the installed pinion is an 18T which is not meant for this model (that's why the ratio is so long and the buggy so slow). Hopefully, the parts I need are fully compatible with the 2007 re-released HotShot. When my order arrived, I just had to install everything with a 15T motor pinion that gives the best balance between speed and throttle. Furthermore, I decided to give it a Sport Tuned motor: more powerful than the stock Mabuchi 540, I won't harm the gearbox.
No custom changes: the chassis is already fully ballraced. The only change will be an electronic speed controller to replace the mechanical speedo. For me, this buggy is just perfect as it is: I love it.
First runs
The session ended early because of the erratic electronic speed controller (a plug needs repair). Back home, the check up let me notice the motor pinion is too long and that the adjustment plates for motor pinion are missing. This explains why the buggy was running so slow, even if the stock Mabuchi 540 can not deliver great performances.
Concerning the buggy behavior, it seems very sane and is much comparable to the Baja King's. They have a 20 year difference in conception, but I wouldn't bet which one would arrive first in a race.
I Just have to finish its setup and to run it again to have a better idea about it. Anyway, I love this Boomerang, either for its behavior as well as for its look.
For the second run, I had received the missing parts and fitted them: a 15 tooth pinion, the Sport Tuned motor, and the adjustment plates for the motor. I also changed the suspension setup: for the rear, I added a second big spacer on each damper because they were too soft with only one big spacer. At the front, I replaced the thin spacer by a big one: too hard, the drivetrain became bouncy. So I fitted the intermediate spacer which seems to be the best setup.
With these little enhancements, the Boomerang is nothing else but a true delight to drive. On any aspect, its behavior is as efficient as the Baja King's. The 15 tooth pinion with the Sport Tuned motor make it a fast buggy that corners very well. One of its drawbacks is to sweep all the pebbles that tend to block the steering: sadly, the chassis design doesn't allow any kind of protection. Good news is the 2008 re-release of the Boomerang that comes with the Super Sabre chassis cover: problem solved.
Bonus: the promotional video of the Boomerang when it was released back in 1986 (© Tamiya)
More photos are on the gallery.
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First publication: april 14, 2008 Last modified: august 05, 2009 |