287 - Tamiya BBX: Cables Extension

One of the small improvements needed to complete my BBX buggy (and delayed until now also if its need was clear until the electronics has installed) is a extension for ESC/battery wires. For everyone of the guys around the globe that play with Tamiya cars since the good ole days it isn't an hard task whatever is the kind of plugs decided.

From this build I've decided to step back to a full Tamiya's plugs set up, so here it is the extension I've made. Red marks to avoid polarity mistakes during the build are made with a Uniposca pencil and, probably, will disappear with use but at this point, with plugs well assembled,  there isn't any way to be wrong.

286 - Tamiya BBX: Hidden Tips

The completion of my Tamiya BBX build goes on in small steps, sometimes stepping back and doing some adjustments and sometimes doing some improvements suggestedi by Tamiya without mention them in manual.

I'm talking about the holes I've made using the marks spotted on the tail covers of the BBX body set and that are useful to reach two screw to free and flip the rear cage when necessary.

I'd like to point out that I do not consider the missed instruction as a faiult by Tamiya, to me is part of the hobby: we are modellers, we build kits and it is up to us adding some personal improvements or discover some hidden tips

285 - Tamiya BBX: New Video!

 

I've posted a new video on my YT channel and it's about this blog! Well I know that considering a blog the main way to share content about this hobby sounds a bit outdated but I like it and I consider my YT channel only a support to this blog. Long life to the written word 💪

284 - Back to Tamiya Motor Plugs

The choice made weeks ago to direct solder my BBX's ESC cables to the motor isn't a great idea. As usual, caught by the rage for simplify, I forgot that somethimes could be necessary to swap the motor or the ESC with another one or to do some setup with cables disconnected.

Considering that most of the motors and the ESC that I use come with Tamiya plugs and that that I will have to step back to settle the plugging of the electronics I already own and already modified I've made a small stock of Tamiya motor plugs in addition to the stock of battery plugs already made.

With this purchase my exploration of alternative pluggings is ended, proudly back to the origins.

283 - Tamiya BBX: Hole Marks, Again!

Only some days ago I've noticed the mark for making a hole in the tail covers included in the BBX body set. I don't know if other dudes have noticed them I haven't be able to find anything on the Web, IMO they are intended to make easy access to the screws that secure the rear cage and that, if removed, allow it move up.

282 - Tamiya BBX: What a Fail!

The time to take care of my BBX's driver figure seemed to be arrived so, yesterday, I take the parts previously (poorly) sprayed with primer and black to easy complete it with a coat or two of white.

First I've masked the parts with the green tape and I was quite surprised because it has been quick to made and how seemed well made.

After masking I've grabbed one of the Tamiya can laying around and I've sprayed the lower part of the driver figure... and then, only then, I've realized that that can was on its shelf from almost 10 years namely from when I've built my Wild One.

Found a most recent can of white I've sprayed the driver head.

Aftere the remove of the masking tape the result showed is terrible and  witnesses how hard is to gain good result working in rush. Better times will come!

I've already ordered all the new parts involved in the completing of my BBX and, for the next attempt, I will spray the lower parts only in black (as many others guys -smarter than me- around the world have made) giving a proper finish only to the helmet.

281 - Tamiya BBX: Body Sits On Its Own Posts

Well, in the end my BBX body is held in its place by body posts and body clips. Choosing this way haven't been easy because a little of squashing has been needed to allow the clips to slip in to the first hole of the side posts but only in this way the body is firmly settled.

To be honest, IMO, the perfect position should be in between the first and the second hole and I guess, in Tamiya's plan, the body posts included are non intended to be used with this body... who knows?

The front body post has required a rubber o-ring to keep the body at the right height.

 

280 - Tamiya BBX: Mind That (Bloody) Gap!

Since the firsts BBX saw on the Web and after completing of mine I'm obsessed by the perfect match between the two halves of the body especially because mine is painted in two different colors and the two are divided by a black stripe.

Using velcro the mismatch is slightly evident but switching to body clips things are gone wrong and the gap is raised.

The body is well cutted, holes are well made (first time with a reamer) and it's close to impossible that Tamiya made a  inaccuracy like this so I'm pretty sure that I'm doing something wrong and I guess I'm placing the clips in the wrong holes... a newbie mistake.

 

279 - Tamiya BBX: Body Posts and Body Cracks

The slight mismatch between the upper and the lower body convinced me to use the body posts marked as "not used" in the BBX buggy manual in the attempt to reach a better alignement, in addition, today, watching the body I've noticed a pair of small cracks (showed in the pic below) that I suppose are caused by the force applied to free the body from the velcro (that is pretty tought) and that, if the box art decal are used, would be hidden.

Installing the body posts has been a quick work, body holes have been accurate reamed but a better support for the body sides is needed because there is a unpleasent gap between the sides and the upper body.

Front body post...

...  and side body posts.

Overview

Body with new holes reamed.

I've also "shortended" the antenna cable using a tie so the antenna pipe  lay under the cockpit roof.

Cant't wait to shoot some pics outside to give the right light to the metallic green.

278 - Tamiya BBX: Livery Overview

 

A good content creator would plan every post of the week shooting the right pics/videos and saving it for the best moment but (there is always a "but") I'm not a content creator, I'm only a nerd that uses as main media a old and forgotten platform to share his post so, this week, for the mid week update I've only this pic to share.

277 - Tamiya BBX: And, Finally, It Has Its Own Decals!

Yesterday, after lunch, I've been able to stick the decals I've planned to use on My BBX's body. Maily I've used custom decals received from MCI Racing weeks ago and only in a minor part original Tamiyas.

I'm quite satisfied by the final result because decals are well integrated in the paint work and only the black stripe look a bit much thick, unfortunately I haven't found a thinner one and I wasn't much confident to stick it astride the longitudinal body rib, my fault.

I haven't already prepared the body to use clips and body posts but I guess it will be a good solutions to alligning the upper and the lower body easly (in the video body is held in place only with velcro and alligning it results a little bit complex)