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Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:24 am
by keithrc
Better do what the sheriff says, don't want trouble with the law

Since the stuff up with the yellow Turbo body and over spraying black around the windows I've been a bit reluctant. I'll probably do it one day after I mask up around the windows first.
I raced one back in the day too, but for the life of me I can't remember if it was a standard Mid or a Turbo. I do know it had a Turbo body cos I painted it Tamiya pink with the blue Turbo Mid stickers but it might've come afterwards. I sold it to a mate that I raced with and the last time I saw him I didn't know the differences between them like I do now. I'll no doubt do another body to replicate my old pink racing Mid one day.
BTW, just call me Keith.
Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:55 am
by keithrc
I feel like I've been neglecting the Mids lately with just posting pics of the other Optima's, so here's my newest Optima Mid aquisition.
I've had this for about a month, it was listed for a few weeks and apart from the body, looked pretty good. The seller said it had only limited use and then stored. It has adjustable turnbuckles (non Kyosho) and a stock silver can motor. The body is a bit rough but I've seen a lot worse and the wing is from a Hotshot.
It's pretty clean overall with only light marks under the chassis, the wheels have started to yellow around the inside edges, the tyres are originals with minimal wear and don't look to have any cracks.
Pics.
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Does anyone know what brand these turnbuckles are?
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The wing looks too small for my liking.
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Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:10 am
by HKS_TRD
I am pretty sure those turnbuckles are Kyosho titaniums
Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:44 am
by Coelacanth
I'm planning to build a RWD based on that Optima Mid chassis...I'd like to have the battery mounted longitudinally instead of transversely, I've been trying to figure out how to accomplish that...I may have to fabricate a tail piece to extend the rear gearbox an inch or so. Thanks for the pics, they'll help me to imagine how I might do this.
Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:38 pm
by keithrc
Time for another update of the Mid collection I think. This one is my still unfinished Optima Mid SE. I bought this one along with another SE from Myles in the UK AKA "vintage-kyosho" on ebay.
It was incomplete, the other SE was more complete but a bit rougher in condition and had upgrades so I decided to make one good car using what original parts I had.
The wheels are pretty rough but I've since found a set of nice silver wheels to replace them, I have the manual speed controler so that'll be added and there's a Marwan body/decal set waiting to be trimmed, painted and stickered up. I'll probably do it in Tamiya camel yellow.
BTW, the tyres on this are a bit unusual, they look like a bigger version of the Mk1 Optima OT-30's, they have "SAND SUPER 320/40VR18" on the sides, I haven't seen them before.
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I still have plans for the other SE but it'll need a bit of work. I might post pics of it later if anyone's interested to see it.
Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 2:30 am
by keithrc
Thought I'd post up some pics of the other SE I bought with one in the above pics. I took parts off this one to put on the more complete car and I'm thinking of having this as a modified SE. It already has Andy's A arms, A&L? steering and I've got a set of orange Mid Custom/Lazer ZX wheels for it. I'm thinking of black and orange for the colour sceme.
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Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2013 2:53 am
by keithrc
I wasn't sure weather to do a seperate thread for my LWB Mids or just have all the Mids in one thread, I think I'll stick em all in together.
I'm a bit confused about this one, I think it's a Custom Special and I've just put the Custom body on it that I bought from Marwan already painted and decalled, very well too I might add. It has the carbon chassis, turnbuckles, ball diffs, stabilizers, gold shocks and bearings etc. so I'm assuming it's a Special and not a TOMS. I forgot to get any shots without the body.
To me, the Custom Special body isn't very appealing which is probably why I haven't gotten around to buying a body set for it yet.
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Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 4:48 am
by keithrc
More pics of another of the Mid collection, this one's not your average Mid though. This is the Farrari F40 version based on the LWB Optima Mid Custom. This isn't an original, it started out as a Custom Mid and I converted it using original parts mostly bought from fireboy125 (Chris) on ebay.
I'm still yet to paint and trim the body, I'm hoping to find the right colour red paint, I'm not sure the Tamiya PS red is quite the right shade for it.
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If you look closely at the front shock mount, you'll notice the screw holes for the shocks are uneven, I'll have to use another front mount and do them properly.
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Few pics of the body etc.
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Front body mount.
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And finally, the decals.
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Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:04 am
by j0pp3
Thanks for sharing these images! Seems to be in very good condition. Good inspiration for me who is building a rally version
Cheers
j0pp3
Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:34 am
by Bormac
Great thread Keith. I have been driven to want to add a nice Turbo Mid or Mide SE to my Kyosho collection. You sure do have a few don't you

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:41 am
by keithrc
j0pp3, no worries, happy to help with others projects where I can.
Jason, thanks mate, yea just a few.

I have a few 1/8 nitros as well, all Kyosho's of course. I have plans for another Mid project using one of my current Mids. I won't give too much away right now but it'll be converted to a Turbo but will be something a bit different although still using original Turbo Mid parts. The process might take a while with certain parts being "altered" so watch this space.
Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 1:31 pm
by DennisM
The OT-30´s on Your Mid is either streched or had the tire beds cut to fit the 1.9" rims.
If Your turnbuckles are magnetic, I´d say they are academy.
Nice collection

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:18 pm
by Bormac
Still to this day I find myself wondering if there are any differences between the Optima Mid, Turbo Optima Mid and Mid SE lexan bodies. Are they all of the same mold?
Cheers- Jason
Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:37 am
by keithrc
I'm not aware of any differences between the 3 SWB body's. I know Marwans repro SWB Mid body's are all the same.
Dennis, I'm thinking you might be right about those tyres. I'll try the turnbuckles for magnetism later.
Keith

Re: My Optima Mid collection.
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:53 am
by j0pp3
They have the same artnr (OT-106) but Optima Mid doesn't have the "window blob" on the box image.