This Week in Radio Control: Vintage Tamiya, Beginner Yokomo and the Growing 1/28 Scale Scene
RC News for September 5–11, 2026
Tamiya turned back the clock this week, Yokomo built a bridge between beginner and serious racer, and the rapidly growing 1/28 scene acquired even more tiny equipment for losing under the pit table.
Here is what caught our attention.
Tamiya’s Falcon Flies Again
The Tamiya The Falcon 2026 Limited Edition recreates the distinctive rear-wheel-drive buggy originally released in 1986.
The new kit retains its bathtub chassis, polycarbonate suspension components and classic body shape. Updates include universal driveshafts, ball bearings, CVA oil dampers and revised vintage-style graphics. A 540 brushed motor and ESC are also included.
Tamiya officially describes this kit as limited edition, although a production quantity has not been published. Vintage fans may therefore want to avoid the traditional purchasing strategy of waiting until it is discontinued and twice the price.
47532 Tamiya Falcon 2026
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
Tamiya’s Lamborghini Cheetah Returns to the Desert
Tamiya also announced a new version of its wonderfully unconventional 1/12 Lamborghini Cheetah.
The military-inspired model features a hard desert-yellow body, detailed interior, hidden body mounts and updated semi-pneumatic tires. Its chassis uses double-wishbone suspension, adjustable torsion-bar springs, a duralumin chassis plate and a sealed gearbox.
A torque-tuned brushed motor and ESC are also included.
58754 Tamiya Lamborghini Cheetah
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
A Limited-Edition Countach for the Shelf or Street
The third notable Tamiya announcement is the Lamborghini Countach 5000S Limited Edition.
Based on the beginner-friendly TT-02 shaft-driven 4WD chassis, the kit includes a clear Countach body, white mirrors and rear wing, plus plated light housings. A 540 brushed motor and ESC are also supplied.
At a listed price of $189, it offers a relatively approachable route into building a licensed on-road kit. Just remember that recreating the Countach’s dramatic door operation remains the builder’s problem.
47525 Tamiya Lamborghini Countach 5000S
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
Yokomo Upgrades the Rookie Speed
The Yokomo Rookie Speed RS2.0 Team Spec is aimed at drivers who have progressed beyond an entry-level touring car but are not ready to adopt a full professional racing budget.
The dual-belt 4WD chassis receives graphite shock towers and upper deck, short aluminum shocks, aluminum steering components and upgraded center-pulley and bulkhead parts. Yokomo lists the kit at ¥49,000, but you’re looking closer to $200 for US pricing.
This could make an excellent intermediate build: capable enough for club racing, but less intimidating than purchasing a flagship chassis and immediately discovering seventeen different flex options.
YOKRSR-020 Yokomo Rookie Speed RS2.0 4WD Touring Car Kit
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
Small-Scale Racing Is Becoming a Big Deal
Team Associated’s first 1/28 International Race reportedly attracted approximately 200 entries. That level of participation reinforces what new chassis and equipment releases have been suggesting: micro racing is developing into a serious category rather than remaining a rainy-day diversion.
Team Associated also introduced a Factory Team 4.5mm short nut driver designed for 1/28- and 1/24-scale wheel nuts. Its compact aluminum construction should be easier to use around tiny wheels than a full-length workshop driver.
Small cars may require less track space, but they have apparently decided they deserve a complete pit box anyway.
21694 Team Associated FT 4.5mm Short Nut Driver
Link: www.TeamAssociated.com
Furitek Adds a Faster Micro Steering Servo
The Furitek Raptor 11KG High-Speed Steering Servo is intended for Furitek’s Titan Buggy Ultimate 24 and Titan Buggy 18 platforms.
Its specifications include an aluminum case, 11kg-cm of torque and a claimed transit time of 0.08 seconds per 60 degrees. That combination should appeal to drivers looking for quicker steering response without adapting a larger servo.
Compatibility should be checked carefully before using it in other vehicles; “micro” remains more of a suggestion than a universal size standard.
FUR-2837 Furitek Raptor 11kg High-Speed Servo
Link: www.Furitek.com
Exotek Revises Its Short-Stack Motor Heatsink
The updated Exotek Clip-On Aero Heatsink V3 is narrower for improved fit around modern short-stack motors.
Designed for 1/10 and 1/12 pan cars, the aluminum heatsink weighs 8 grams and uses shaped fins to guide air across the motor. Its low-profile clip-on design leaves room for many rear-mounted cooling fans and low bodies.
Exotek lists it at $16.95 but also notes that it is not compatible with the company’s F1Ultra chassis.
2220 Exotek Aero Clip-On Heatsink
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
Injora Adds Weight to the Redcat Vertex
Injora released brass front portal knuckles and brass differential covers for the Redcat Vertex-10 and Vertex-10W crawlers.
Both upgrades place additional weight low on the axles, potentially improving stability on steep obstacles. The machined components also provide more durable replacements for the original parts.
Brass upgrades can help a crawler, but adding every available piece is rarely the answer. Install weight with a purpose, test the vehicle and remember that gravity accepts all aftermarket accessories without question.
VER10-01 Injora Redcat Vertex-10/Vertex-10W Brass Front Portal Knuckles
Link: www.Injora.com
