Yup, having been in the hobby since..... well forever, but channeling my enthusiasm for Associated RC10s on the RC10Talk forum since the latter 2000s, so the Thunder Tiger connection (& compatibility of parts between the BX & B3) is a subject that comes up now & then. You know I enquired about the spare chassis you have, well I do have a Thunder Tiger chassis to go on my poor knackered old B3, but guessing the different plastics that the cheaper car is made from will mean that the car will have more flex once the ’new’ chassis is fitted? Another great video Gavin 👍
My first proper racing RC was a Team Associated T3 2wd truck back in 2000 and it was awesome although I did switch to Losi lol and raced mostly Losi for about 4yrs. Glad to see ya can still buy some of the vintage Team Associated RCs. I remember being very sad when I heard Team Associated had sold out.
Brought one of these from Model Zone .. they was selling them off for £80.00, went straight there after work .. amazing buggy .. one of the best i have ever driven.
Yeah great info if you don’t know Gav :) I was aware of this a good few years ago in fact there was a model shop in Manchester I used to go to , model world or something and they always had the thunder tiger in stock. There’s a fella who races one of these at my club in vintage class as well. The suspension geometry is the same as the B3 although you can alter the rear toe in block In the thunder tiger as the wishbones go through the back plate on the TT on the associated you can alter the rear toe blocks for varying degrees. Cool :)
Had no idea Associated had been sold and was bought by Thundertiger. R/CKicks researching is next level. Why yes, I am attending R/CKicks University, working on my degree in R/C archeology and prehistory. After attending this fine institution it has come to my attention that I myself, am an R/C Fossil.
I saw your B2 and B3 vids. Great stuff there... I to got a AE B3 sport (middle model) not too long ago. It's such a great buggy. Looking forward to seeing more AE stuff on your channel.
It’s harder to get AE vintage kit in the UK but I love the vintage buggies. I hope to add a B4 or B4.1 to the collection. Your Worlds car was what started it all so it’s your fault I have a vintage AE collection.
pretty funny you came across one of these. i happen to have a phoenix st II nib that i havent opened yet. honeslty not even sure what i was going to do with it being i have a couple associated versions. great vid by the way enjoyed it
Yes it was quite big news at the time, although what shocked most people was finding out that Thunder Tiger was already building all of Associateds ready to run models and moulding the plastics for Associateds race kits. It also revealed the size of the rc market when they were discussing the sale and the amount of profit they were all making at the time.
I know as most of the AE Qualifier series of 4wd RCs are basically full Thunder Tiger Tomahawk nitro Sparrowhawk electric trucks/buggies with just mainly electronic changes so older cheaper TT parts fit 90% of current AE vehicles! My AE Prorally is basically a Sparrowhawk BX. Just swapped chassis body/mounts and wheels! Oh and center drive shaft as its a longer wheelbase
I have a thunder tiger ST2 Phoenix stadium truck, I did have the same thunder tiger buggy but it had a serious accident with a car and a curb and at the time I couldn't find any parts for it ,I know between the two trucks share a lot of parts between them, bought the st2 Phoenix and the buggy as spares for £48 3 years ago, the thunder tiger st2 Phoenix is awesome but I want to put different wheels on it but the front axles are smaller than any other rc I have
Did know that - on the frustrating quest of sourcing Idler gears for my b4 ft, i found that the thunder Tiger idler gears fit / are the absolute same....
It would have been good to see the gearbox internals compared. It makes sense that it's so much cheaper if they replace the metal shocks and body parts with plastic, has no bearings and use a plastic that isn't fiber reinforced.
Very interesting, I had no idea! I went straight to ebay and there is only one listed and it looks complete so who knows I may end up with one too now! Thanks for the info Gavin!
Yes already know that they own Team Associated. The Phoenix buggy are a bit light in the front but other than that they are great, there are also a stadium truck based on the rc10 t3 (called Phoenix ST2) and you can still buy them new both the brushed and the brushless version. Brushless version is called Phoenix XB BL and have metall shocks, 3900kv motor and more. And even original B3 bodies fit straight on.
I remember when team associated sold out back around 2006. I use to big on team associated. I had stopped buying team associated after that. I remember that team associated had pulled the parts for older cars Immediately after the buy out. The quality has gone down hill since then.. sad
Thi is an interesting comparison. I was aware that Thunder Tiger purchased Team Associated. At the time I was working in a hobby shop and there were concerns that the quality of Associated cars would decline.
Blimey, for that price it's a sodding bargain, nice one mate! If I had the cash spare I'd get one as a 'basher' of sorts, might see about getting one in a few weeks ;)
There is a problem with re releasing the alloy rc10s again because thunder tiger has the molds and they went out of business or they got burned or melted or thrown out.
As a current Team Associated B6.X/T6.2 & TC7.2 owner along with many previous Associated vehicles yes I did know about the Thunder Tiger thing really no different than Horizon owning Team Losi/TLR. Vehicles like the Associated Rival MT8 is literally just a rebranded Thunder Tiger product same goes with some of the smaller scale stuff Associated sells. It is what it is the B6 is still the dominant 2WD buggy at my local carpet track with plenty of parts support. I’ve been done with the whole brand loyalty thing for a bit if XRay parts suddenly dominated the shelves at my LHS or I got a sponsorship like the guys at my track that run the XRay buggies then that would be what I race too same with (enter brand here) 🤷♂️
I was aware that Team Associated was bought out by Thunder Tiger. Team Associated had close out sale on all of their parts. I bought some of those parts. Very sad when they left California. Thoughts?
Aren't what you call uprights actually shock towers? The uprights are at the wheels unless I've got it all wrong. I had one of these years ago but was sadly stolen when I was burgled. I only paid 50 pounds back then but not as clean as yours gav
Thunder tiger rc cars wise has basically gone to sleep... Did have some very good cars but i think from memory they have drifted into boats and submarines with camera inbuilt.. . I just went to check their website and from Australia it doesn't seem to be functional.. A particular car i would suggest is the thunder tiger go kart.... A brushless little weapon with a driver figure... I'll send through a couple of pics of said go kart.. when they were originally sold it was a $100 car in Australia (2014. Wise I'd bought two.. )
Yup, having been in the hobby since..... well forever, but channeling my enthusiasm for Associated RC10s on the RC10Talk forum since the latter 2000s, so the Thunder Tiger connection (& compatibility of parts between the BX & B3) is a subject that comes up now & then. You know I enquired about the spare chassis you have, well I do have a Thunder Tiger chassis to go on my poor knackered old B3, but guessing the different plastics that the cheaper car is made from will mean that the car will have more flex once the ’new’ chassis is fitted? Another great video Gavin 👍
My first proper racing RC was a Team Associated T3 2wd truck back in 2000 and it was awesome although I did switch to Losi lol and raced mostly Losi for about 4yrs. Glad to see ya can still buy some of the vintage Team Associated RCs. I remember being very sad when I heard Team Associated had sold out.
Huge fan of Thunder Tiger. The MT4 G3 is an absolute beast and my favorite rig for many years.
I had one I bought towards the end of their run...a rtr brushless b3 clone for about $200...it was great.
Yep, these are a bit of a bargain.
Brought one of these from Model Zone .. they was selling them off for £80.00, went straight there after work .. amazing buggy .. one of the best i have ever driven.
Fantastic rc channel. Come in RUclips algorithm this channel needs 100k subs!
I wish!
Yeah great info if you don’t know Gav :) I was aware of this a good few years ago in fact there was a model shop in Manchester I used to go to , model world or something and they always had the thunder tiger in stock. There’s a fella who races one of these at my club in vintage class as well. The suspension geometry is the same as the B3 although you can alter the rear toe in block
In the thunder tiger as the wishbones go through the back plate on the TT on the associated you can alter the rear toe blocks for varying degrees. Cool :)
Great value buggies, I have three of the trucks from Thunder Tiger, two ST2's and one hardly run ST1 which is collecting dust.
Found one of these in a hobby store brand new in box, works awesome for what it is, I’m putting factory team parts on it as i come across them.
Had no idea Associated had been sold and was bought by Thundertiger. R/CKicks researching is next level.
Why yes, I am attending R/CKicks University, working on my degree in R/C archeology and prehistory.
After attending this fine institution it has come to my attention that I myself, am an R/C Fossil.
Will have to get now, use for slight bashing and informal racing on a dirt track.
I saw your B2 and B3 vids. Great stuff there... I to got a AE B3 sport (middle model) not too long ago. It's such a great buggy. Looking forward to seeing more AE stuff on your channel.
It’s harder to get AE vintage kit in the UK but I love the vintage buggies. I hope to add a B4 or B4.1 to the collection. Your Worlds car was what started it all so it’s your fault I have a vintage AE collection.
pretty funny you came across one of these. i happen to have a phoenix st II nib that i havent opened yet. honeslty not even sure what i was going to do with it being i have a couple associated versions. great vid by the way enjoyed it
Hello, molds might have been slightly modified as phoenix is metric screws and bearings. I guess not all part are fully compatible
Very interesting. I didn't know. I love the memories of my B2 and B3
Yes it was quite big news at the time, although what shocked most people was finding out that Thunder Tiger was already building all of Associateds ready to run models and moulding the plastics for Associateds race kits. It also revealed the size of the rc market when they were discussing the sale and the amount of profit they were all making at the time.
I know as most of the AE Qualifier series of 4wd RCs are basically full Thunder Tiger Tomahawk nitro Sparrowhawk electric trucks/buggies with just mainly electronic changes so older cheaper TT parts fit 90% of current AE vehicles! My AE Prorally is basically a Sparrowhawk BX. Just swapped chassis body/mounts and wheels! Oh and center drive shaft as its a longer wheelbase
Thunder tiger also had copies of losi cars and trucks as well
Yes I thought they had a Losi truck. Glad someone else remembers that too.
I have a thunder tiger ST2 Phoenix stadium truck, I did have the same thunder tiger buggy but it had a serious accident with a car and a curb and at the time I couldn't find any parts for it ,I know between the two trucks share a lot of parts between them, bought the st2 Phoenix and the buggy as spares for £48 3 years ago, the thunder tiger st2 Phoenix is awesome but I want to put different wheels on it but the front axles are smaller than any other rc I have
Did know that - on the frustrating quest of sourcing Idler gears for my b4 ft, i found that the thunder Tiger idler gears fit / are the absolute same....
It can be a lifesaver
It would have been good to see the gearbox internals compared. It makes sense that it's so much cheaper if they replace the metal shocks and body parts with plastic, has no bearings and use a plastic that isn't fiber reinforced.
thankz 4 letting me no i ues 2 have a volvo 850 in rydells coulours back in 2000s
Very interesting, I had no idea! I went straight to ebay and there is only one listed and it looks complete so who knows I may end up with one too now! Thanks for the info Gavin!
It’s an interesting one for sure.
Yes already know that they own Team Associated. The Phoenix buggy are a bit light in the front but other than that they are great, there are also a stadium truck based on the rc10 t3 (called Phoenix ST2) and you can still buy them new both the brushed and the brushless version. Brushless version is called Phoenix XB BL and have metall shocks, 3900kv motor and more. And even original B3 bodies fit straight on.
Also renamed AT-10 rc10t3 clone
Where can you buy these? I have a beaten XB BL and would love to refresh it with a new one.
You got a cracking deal there Gav, I'd like one myself. Can I ask where you got yours?
eBay
I remember when team associated sold out back around 2006. I use to big on team associated. I had stopped buying team associated after that. I remember that team associated had pulled the parts for older cars Immediately after the buy out. The quality has gone down hill since then.. sad
Thi is an interesting comparison. I was aware that Thunder Tiger purchased Team Associated. At the time I was working in a hobby shop and there were concerns that the quality of Associated cars would decline.
Blimey, for that price it's a sodding bargain, nice one mate! If I had the cash spare I'd get one as a 'basher' of sorts, might see about getting one in a few weeks ;)
Thunder Tiger take over of AE coincided with the move over to metric hardware, as parts were no longer manufactured in the USA.
There is a problem with re releasing the alloy rc10s again because thunder tiger has the molds and they went out of business or they got burned or melted or thrown out.
As a current Team Associated B6.X/T6.2 & TC7.2 owner along with many previous Associated vehicles yes I did know about the Thunder Tiger thing really no different than Horizon owning Team Losi/TLR. Vehicles like the Associated Rival MT8 is literally just a rebranded Thunder Tiger product same goes with some of the smaller scale stuff Associated sells. It is what it is the B6 is still the dominant 2WD buggy at my local carpet track with plenty of parts support. I’ve been done with the whole brand loyalty thing for a bit if XRay parts suddenly dominated the shelves at my LHS or I got a sponsorship like the guys at my track that run the XRay buggies then that would be what I race too same with (enter brand here) 🤷♂️
I was aware that Team Associated was bought out by Thunder Tiger. Team Associated had close out sale on all of their parts. I bought some of those parts. Very sad when they left California. Thoughts?
Can't seem to find this for sale anywhere
One just sold on eBay Uk a day or two ago so just keep an eye out and one will pop up soon enough.
Don't thunder Tiger own team associated?
It’s like the full video Lee lol hehehe
it was a thunder tiger nitro rtr
Interesting, I’ve never heard of these..
I’ve done a B2 and B3 unboxing video with some history on RCKicks.com 👍🏻
hello , can you tell me where you can buy this one , very good look like Asso B3 for vintage races
EBay
Hi Gavin
Do the shells fits ?
Hi B2/B3 bodies fit straight on.
Yep this, the B2 and the B3 can use all the same body.
2009 is vintage. I'm old 😭
Hehehe 👍🏻
Aren't what you call uprights actually shock towers? The uprights are at the wheels unless I've got it all wrong. I had one of these years ago but was sadly stolen when I was burgled. I only paid 50 pounds back then but not as clean as yours gav
Hi what days do you live stream
Only on random occasions Mark, no set days
I'll keep my eyes open.its a great channel
Isn't thunder tiger from Japan? They got very popular raptor helicopter one of the best helicopter of all time.
I just had a look and I found this: Our dedicated team of engineers located at a cutting edge facility in Taichung Industrial Park, Taiwan
I paid 45€ for very good one
Associated Electronics is owned by Thunder Tiger
Thunder tiger rc cars wise has basically gone to sleep... Did have some very good cars but i think from memory they have drifted into boats and submarines with camera inbuilt.. . I just went to check their website and from Australia it doesn't seem to be functional..
A particular car i would suggest is the thunder tiger go kart.... A brushless little weapon with a driver figure... I'll send through a couple of pics of said go kart.. when they were originally sold it was a $100 car in Australia (2014. Wise I'd bought two.. )