Tamiya captures the Le Mans winner as a challenging scale kit with F1 tech underneath
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By Peter Vieira
No brand is as well known for scale models—or as accomplished at manufacturing them—as Tamiya. Static-kit modelers and RC drivers alike agree Tamiya kits represent the peak of detail and realism, not to mention diversity of subjects. For us RC car fans, that includes a wide range of motorsports topics, including F1 cars and endurance racers. The model reviewed here is a little of both; it’s built on a version of Tamiya’s F103 open-wheel chassis, but wears a full-fendered body. And what a body: it’s the Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid, Toyota’s victorious Lemans Prototype racecar. Once assembled and decaled, it’s truly an impressive model—and being able to drive it just makes it that much more realistic.
A look under the chassis shows the T-plate rear suspension. The plate tilts from side to side to allow chassis roll while cornering, and flexes to absorb bumps.
The multi-piece body allows the full-size TS050’S signature headlights under glass to be realistically simulated. You can also see the bolt-on canards. Tamiya doesn’t miss a trick.
The friction shock handles bump forces as the motor pod flexes up and down over bumps, while a pair of friction plates damp the pod’s side-to-side roll. The knurled nut adjusts the spring tension on the plates to set damping force.
Six balls in the spur gear and keyed diff rings provide smooth differential action. That beautiful machined cover installs over the adjusting nut and allows a standard 12mm touring car wheel to be fitted to the axle.
The front suspension is as simple as it gets. The steering hubs are sprung, and simply slide up and down on their kingpins to afford a few millimeters of travel. For running on carpet and smooth pavement or concrete, that’s all you need.
The wheels are tires are touring-car sized, and the firm slicks contain strip-style foam inserts.