I dont mind it being a copy, if it works as well as the B4 and cheaper then im all for it, gets more people into the hobby for cheaper :)

You really need to get your facts straight!
if punk = Chris Doughty, sponsored by LRP, Team Associated, Atomic carbon, Proline, CML, MK Racing, etc then I would like to be a punk.
No-one is folowing you round and criticizing you because you're new (this is probably the most newbie friendly forum ever!)it's because you seem to have an incorrect opinion on every subject.

Back on topic - After years of 2WD dominance by AE and Losi, good competition is a welcome addition. The mistakes that Kyosho have made need to be learnt from though, if the car is to be a major seller in the UK

has a look of a rb5 to me:wtf:

Thanks for stirring the pot. But even I would have to agree, it does look a bit like an RB5. :confused:

I will have the prototype vehicle hear in the office this week. Should I post pics??? Hmmmmmmmm :wtf:

yes please! :)

There should be some guys running the Academy cars here over winter as helger seem to be pushing it now.

We have heard the same thing, thats a great thing for everyone!

Get a slap if you dont!!!! heehee

Well I had a nice little surprise walking into work this morning after a day of R&D at the local track yesterday, our 2 GV2 Pro buggy samples have arrived. Here are some of the unique features that were incorprated into this vehicle.

-The front bulkhead and shock tower are keyed. Keyed is not a good word for this, its more like the front bulkhead gets hugged by almost the entire front shock tower then gets screwed together. Very very sturdy.
- The front hingepin block is keyed into both the uppbulkhead and also the lower bulkhead and then all gets screwed together
- Front Hingepin block has replaceable teflon sleeves
- Rack or traditional style bellcrank is offered.

I am dabbling with the rear end as we speak, will post more news about this time tomorrow.

PICTURES man... PICTURES!!!!

The rear of the car has some pretty unique features as well:

- Aluminum hingepin blocks have plastic balls that snap into them so that there is not excess force applied to the aluminum when changing antisquat/toe-in

- Steel outdrives with large diff rings that go to the very edge of the inside race of the diff gear. This makes for a longer lasting diff by dissapating heatfaster, and also increases surface area which means less wear on the diff balls.

-Gear cover that is virtally air tight, there is a lip around the entire black molded plastic diff cover that wraps around the aluminum motor plate. No more lost gear cover plugs on this car, the gear cover plug is actually tethered to the gear cover.

-Chunky CVA drives make the rear suspension bind free throughout suspension travel.

-Academy Rear hex rims are standard of course, but for those who want to use LOSI/AE/Proline rear rims, just remove the hex adaptor and use the pin drive instead. The width stays the same being that the ACADEMY rims offset is different then the others listed above.

-Multi Length Pivot (MLP) on the hub carrier and rear arm for long or short suspension geometry, along with vertically mounted ballstuds on the bulkhead are also featured on this new car.

More to come.....

Sorry, Double post

Sounds good but were are the photos :D

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/misc/academygv201.jpg

http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/misc/academygv202.jpg

looks a bit like an RB5:o

looks quite good tho!

Is this going to be MY 2wd for next year Jim?

Doesn't look half bad does it Stu.

I quite like the look of that, not sure about the bathtub rear wing though...:o

Nice, I like the design. I may be tempted

Here are the latest pics!

more...

Well what can I say but the design is outstanding. I like the wing mount design as when they do break it can be a pain to change on some cars and this design makes life simple, 5 seconds and a new one is installed. Very impressed.

I do think that there should be the option of 7 cells positions on the chassis like on the Associated B2/B3 as some drivers like over steer and some like understeer, where as this is set in only one place for the cells so am uncertain and may not buy one due to this one item, as I like the weight more forward.

So add some lead on the servo?

I dislike the wingmount idea as I think it's likely to allow play in the mounts over time. I also don't like the shock top mounts that screw in without being clamped against the shock tower with a nut (like every other car) I'm sure a few whack here will start elongate the holes. Clamping with a nut disipates the force into all the tower plastic that the screw/nut contact against, this will only dissipate force into the plastic the way the screw is pushed (up or down).

Having apparently sounded negative above, I do actually think as a package it looks good and a big step forward on what's come before.

Preddy are you running one next year?

I agree with you on the shock mounts, but I have always replaced the kit ones with what I like, so it isnt difficult to rectify it, and put a longer screw through.

I like the idea of the wing mount as the ones I use always tend to bend after time and with this solution its just a quick change and game on. But yes you are right and maybe there will be some play after a period of time, but never the less the idea is a good one and there is always room for improvement.

Batteries, I suppose I could always do what Brian Kinwald did when he was using 7 cells, and mount one ontop of the first two and use a foam insert at the back, then I will have to find a way to hold the cells in. Still I like the cars design.

I don't know, why what have you heard:confused: :confused: :wtf:

You know are you are Brain "Academy" Preddy;)

Oh sorry, said I wouldn't say didn't I :o

Brain Preddy!! thats funny.....:D

it's an RB5 with a different shell. have to wait and see if the production quality is as good.

HAHA Brian Academy Preddy haha ive heard something but im not saying anything.

A

Whoops, really should read stuff back, we all know there is no brain involved :D

HAHA i never noticed that good spot ellis soon everyone will have nick names Ellis Hawk Eye Stafford:D:D

A

I hear lots of things, from the hotel room I'm in I can hear the sound of trains in Derby station and later likely the sound of the prosers in the knocking shop I'm staying above (alledgedly).

haha! thats not very nice !

Brain, do you wish to defend yourself?

House number and postcode please..........;)

Sorry kev it's women prosers ;)

oh i see!

so its women downstairs, brokeback upstairs?


:D

Unfortunatly in the end I saw no evidence of pro's anywhere :(

After seeing pictures i'll reserve judgement til I see one on the track.

The issue I had with the Griffin transmission was that it would not stay tight. To be honest mine was built by Nick Isaacs, and not very well, I did it again myself but with threadlock and never ran it again. How is the new diff?

I agree with what Dan says on the shock tower screws. But I like the wingmounts, if any slop comes with age then surely a peice of lexan under the bodyclips will tighten it up.... but although its made to be fast to change if broke, how easily are they broken?

looks good!, jus not to keen on the shell... id buy one though, price and spares depending:D

oh, and bring on the purple hop ups!!!!

wash yer mouth out tom, purple *spit* :p