Team Associated RC10 T4 SE (Special Edition) - 7023 - Radio Controlled Model

   Introduced by Team Associated in 2004, the 2WD RC10T4 SE (Special Edition) Truck - # 7023 - was an RTR version of the T4, and came with an "AE by Airtronics" micro-sized Radio System, LRP "Ai" Digital Speed Controller and 15T Motor ready installed in the factory assembled chassis.

   The T4 SE was based on a molded composite chassis, employing a ball differential, coil spring over oil filled dampers, dogbone drive shafts, steel turnbuckles, double-sided slipper clutch, dish-style wheels, high-traction racing-compound tires and bushings.

Model Version:

• #7023 RC10T4 SE RTR - with radio system, ESC, motor and bushings

Features:

• Angled bellcrank steering minimizes bump steer to maintain constant steering angles throughout the full range of suspension travel.
• Trailing front axle or optional inline steering blocks can be used to tune steering response.
• Front shocks are mounted behind the shock towers. All four suspension arms utilize a "captured" hinge pin design that uses no e-clips.
• The "forward-swept" front end design provides maximum front end ground clearance.
• Chassis underside is contoured for maximum clearance when cornering, and minimal ground contact area on hard landings.
• New 2.6:1 laydown transmission now uses the higher torque capacity differential from the RC10GT. Ultra-compact, efficient, low-CG design.
• Longer dogbones and axles have been designed into the rear suspension to push the T4 out to maximum legal width for more traction.
• High torque capacity, double-sided slipper provides finer adjustment, easier assembly, and lower rotating mass than comparable double-sided slippers.
• Impact-resistant rear motor guard and body mounts.
• Lower motor, battery, shock and body mounting positions give the T4 a lower CG for higher cornering speeds and greater stability.
• Blue anodised dampers
• Painted body

   At present, the RC Model Manufacturers, Brands and Distributors covered by us are: ABC Hobby, Academy, Acme Racing, Agama Racing, Amewi, Ansmann Racing, ARRMA, Team Associated, Atomic RC, Axial, AYK, Bolink, BSD Racing, Capricorn, Carisma, Carson, Caster Racing, Cen, Corally, Custom Works, Durango, Duratrax, ECX - Electrix, Exceed RC, FG Modellsport, FS-Racing, FTX, Fujimi, Gmade, GS-Racing, Harm, HBX, Helion, Heng Long, Himoto Racing, Hirobo, Hitari, Hobao, Hong-Nor, Hot Bodies, HPI, HSP, Intech, Integy, Jamara, JQ Products, Kawada, Kyosho, Losi, LRP, Maisto, Mardave, Marui, Maverick, MCD Racing, Megatech, Mugen, New Bright, Nichimo, Nikko, Nkok, Ofna, Pro-Pulse, Protech, PTI, RC4WD, Redcat Racing, RJ-Speed, Robitronic, Schumacher, Seben, Serpent, Smartech, Sportwerks, Step-Up, Tamiya, Team-C Racing, Team Magic, Thunder Tiger, Tomy, Top Racing, Traxxas, Trinity, Tyco, Vaterra RC, Venom, VRX Racing, WLToys, X-Factory, Xmods, Xpress, Xray, XTM, Yankee RC, Yokomo, ZD Racing and Zipzaps.

   This is an ongoing project, with new and "lost in time" RC Models and Brands being added as they are found and although most of those listed above have been covered in relative detail, some are still being researched and will be completed in the near future.

Wheel Caster Explained

   Caster is basically the angle the steering kingpins or steering pivot points, leans back in relation to the horizontal when viewed from the side of the chassis.

   To test the effectiveness of your cars caster, place your model on a flat surface, point the front wheels straight ahead, and push the chassis over to one side to simulate body roll when cornering. You will notice that as the car leans over, all four wheels also lean over in the same direction. Tires provide the most grip when the wheels are perfectly vertical and the full width of each tire is flat on the ground. Body roll pushes the wheels past the vertical and reduces the amount of tire contact. Now, if you turn the front wheels as if cornering, and again push the chassis over, you will see that in this position, the front wheels are now more vertical, giving you better ground contact and therefore improved grip.

   Another effect of caster can be seen by disconnecting your steering servo and pushing your car along the floor. Because of caster and the kingpins leaning back, your car will naturally roll straight ahead.

   Obviously, the more body roll your car induces, the more positive caster you need to counter it.

Tire Compounds

   Way back in the early 1990s when I first got into RC, most of the off-road models available came with chunky hard compound block tires that gave little or no grip on grass or dirt tracks. On-road didn't have this problem as they were still using sponge tires that with a coating of wintergreen based tire additive before each race to improve grip. There was even one guy who swore, before every race, he dipped his wheels in a glass of light ale.

   Then things started to change. By the mid 1990s tire manufacturers such as Losi and Schumacher began developing smaller pin tires, in softer compounds. These mini pin versions were a revelation for grass racers, but were only a small improvement on dust tracks.