Shortly after launching their MT28 Monster Truck late in 2018, Team Associated pulled this model from their lineup. After a short hiatus, the MT28 has re-emerged with some subtle changes.
What those changes are might be skin deep as the headlight decals appear to be the only visual change to this revised 1/28-scale truck. Comparing specs between the 2018 and 2017 models doesn’t uncover any differences.
The same Team Associated 2.4GHz transmitter/controller is included, allowing you to drive and charge this small-scale monster truck from one convenient location.
If you’re a fan of small-scale radio-controlled machines and want to add a compact monster truck to your lineup, you’ll be happy to see this model reappear in the marketplace.
The search for a capable and fun small-scale R/C trail rig has been my personal holy grail/white whale expedition for quite some time. While I’ve driven some vehicles that come close to being “spot on” with regards to handling and overall performance, there are small items that cause the overall experience to fall a bit short.
When the ECX Barrage 1/24 was announced last fall, I was pumped, to say the least, to see another small-scale vehicle hit the market. I had become a loyal fan of the Pro-Line Ambush 4×4, and having another similarly-sized, lower-priced option had me anxiously awaiting its release.
Now that I’ve had an opportunity to wheel this tiny truck for a few months, it’s become one of my favorite indoor machines, but it not without a few quirks.
What’s Included:
1 ECX Barrage 1/24-scale Micro Crawler
1 Controller/transmitter
1 USB charging cable
1 Decal sheet
1 Instruction manual
4 AA Batteries (for the transmitter)
Unboxing the ECX Barrage 1/24
The Body
Style-wise, the ECX Barrage 1/24 features a fun “Trail Honcho-inspired” body with an exposed rear cage/bed. The small details that are built into this truck make it as fun to look at as is to drive. A functional spare tire, rear roll cage, and molded side-steps/rock sliders give this little machine a rough, and rugged feel.
The Chassis
If you’re familiar with 1/10-scale (or larger) R/C rock crawlers or “scalers”, you’ll immediately recognize the ladder-frame chassis which serves as the foundation for a majority of the models on the market. The ECX Barrage 1/24, though small, also features a ladder-frame chassis setup, complete with four-link suspension.
With this type of suspension arrangement, the Barrage 1/24 is able to twist and contort itself over obstacles, all while remaining stable. Now there are some instances where you may lose balance and roll, but the wide stance of this truck (4.0“/120mm) does an admirable job of keeping the tires on the trail.
The Tires & Wheels
Speaking of tires, I was a bit shocked to discover that the scaled-down, Falken Wildpeak tires don’t contain foams. It’s been a while (quite a while, honestly), since I’ve run any of my trail rigs without tire foams. Initially, I had reservations about the lack of tire foams and the extreme “squishiness” of the tires, however, they’ve proven to be solid performers.
The wheels don’t provide much in the way of performance, but they do look quite nice. The wheel and tire combo on the ECX Barrage 1/24 fits the overall look of the truck, and sets the tone for where this truck will be driven.
The Controller
As small-scale R/C controllers go, the Barrage 1/24 transmitter features a comfortable grip, easy-to-access controls, and not much else. If this were a 1/10-scale or large trail truck, I’d like to see more options for adjustments, however, for what this vehicle offers, you don’t need much more than the trim adjustment (throttle and steering)t and dual rate (throttle and steering) tuning.
Reception and range is very good, making this a solid option for a DIY FPV rig, if you’re looking to shake things up a bit.
Taking on the Trail with the ECX Barrage 1/24
On the outside, the ECX Barrage seems like a solid, well-thought-out trail truck. When you put your finger on the throttle, however, you may notice a few discrepancies between your expectations and reality.
Before opening the box on this small-scale trail truck, I thought I had a firm grasp on how it would perform, based solely on my experiences with the Pro-Line Ambush 4×4. Once I fired up the Barrage 1/24, however, it quickly became apparent that all small-scale trail trucks aren’t made equal.
While cruising around indoors (and outside) is an easy chore, this truck struggles when it comes to technical crawling and climbing. Specifically, when you need to get a burst of power to get up and over an obstacle, you may be left wanting. More often than not, I’ve found the Barrage 1/24 to “stall” whenever I encounter a steep embankment or stepped terrain. Paying close attention to the truck while this happens, I’m not sure if it’s a lack of power, the foam-less tires or a combination of the two.
At any rate, if you’re a fan of 1/10 or ⅛-scale radio-controlled rock crawlers, you’ll need to leave some expectations at the door. The ECX Barrage isn’t going to perform exactly as you’d hope, however, that’s not to say it isn’t fun to drive.
When I leave those expectations aside and just enjoy the Barrage 1/24 for what it is, that’s when I find myself having the most fun. Cruising around my basement, blasting over toys and other obstacles, these are areas where the Barrage excels. While it’s not a fine-tuned technical crawler, out of the box, it is a fun, compact off-road truck.
Is the ECX Barrage the right small-scale R/C crawler for you?
This is a vehicle that I want to love, however, it falls short for me in a few areas. That said, if I was to do it over again, I’d still purchase one, simply because it’s a fun change of pace from my other small-scale R/C vehicles.
Out of the box, the Barrage 1/24 is a fun little cruiser, but if you’re willing to put some work into it (changing the pinion gears, wheels, and battery), you might be able to wring more performance out of this truck than you might expect. Seeing where this truck tends to stall or bind, I’m looking at throwing a new set of wheels and tires at it to see what type of a difference that may make. Even without those changes, the ECX Barrage is a fun indoor and outdoor vehicle that can satisfy your R/C fix in a pinch.
The LaTrax Prerunner 4×4 truck has received a splash of color for 2018. This recently redesigned 1/18-scale vehicle now features a “color splash” body design, similar to what Traxxas has been applying to a number of their other models.
This new color option is a real eye-catcher and stands out among the standard solid red and blue colors that had previously been introduced with this small-scale R/C machine.
What’s red, rugged, and ready to rumble? If you guessed the RC4WD Rally Truck, you’d win this round of R/C Jeopardy. This 1/14-scale off-road rig has created quite a stir among R/C fanatics, and now you can see what it looks like in action.
Inspired by 1:1 Dakar Rally trucks, this smaller-scale rig does an impressive job of mimicking realistic motion and driving characteristics. If you want to park one of these beasts in your R/C garage, you can find more information at rc4wd.com.
As retro-styled, small-scale R/C vehicles go, there aren’t many to choose from. In fact, I’d say Team Associated has the market cornered with their two 1/28-scale models, the RC28T stadium truck and RC28 buggy. It’s this blend of old-school style and small-scale stature that forced me to add yet another R/C vehicle to my fleet.
While the RC28T stadium truck looks great, I’ve found the performance to not quite live up the hype that I’d built up around it. That said, it’s a fun radio-controlled truck, expertly designed for busting boredom and bringing R/C fun indoors.
What’s Included:
1 Team Associated RC28T Stadium Truck
1 Trigger-style transmitter/controller
1 Instruction manual
1 Decal sheet
Unboxing the Team Associated RC28T Micro Stadium Truck:
The Body
The number one element that sold me on this truck was the body. After seeing the first product photos of this 1/28-scale truck, I was hooked. While I’ve never owned a 1/10-scale RC10T, the idea of having a miniature version of this iconic radio-controlled racer was too great to ignore.
When you strip away the decals and visual flair, there really isn’t much to the body that sits atop Team Associated’s established 1/28 chassis. That said the recreation of the 1990’s RC10T are what make this vehicle so appealing, not only when driving it, but when it’s charging on your shelf.
The Chassis, Wheels, and Tires
Typically, I’d cover these three items separately, however, this tiny truck ties those elements together in a way that’s hard to separate them. The chassis, while not much to look at, does a solid job when it comes to handling. Whether cornering or blasting over jumps, this little truck takes whatever you can throw at it…within reason.
The front wheels lack any active suspension, so you don’t want to drive the RC28T off a table too many times. That said, the impact resistance is very impressive, especially for a vehicle of this size. Active suspension can be found at the rear of the RC28T, thanks to dual, spring-equipped shocks. Although the setup may be minimal, it does a solid job of absorbing impacts.
The tires on the RC28T feature a knobby tread pattern, which makes them grip carpet incredibly well. Sharp turning often results in the vehicle flipping over rather than sliding, so if you have dreams of drifting in your living room, save those for another model.
On smooth surfaces, this truck can slide and at times, struggles for traction. The rubber compound of the tires is around a “medium” level. The tires don’t feel tacky when you touch them, but they are able to be squeezed when pressure is applied. Honestly, I feel that they’re their just right for a vehicle of this size and weight.
The Motor
If I had one complaint about this truck, it would be the takeoff performance. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by other small-scale models, but I find the torque and initial power of the RC28T to be lacking. As I write this, I have to take a step back and state that the motor is a brushed, micro-sized power plant, so I am not expecting the same level of performance that you’d find with a Carisma GT24 series vehicle. That said, I feel that there could be increased “up-front performance” from this machine.
The Controller
Small-scale R/C car and truck controllers can be hit or miss, depending on what brand you purchase. There are some which provide you with a full-size controller that would be found on a 1/10-scale or larger model. Still, there are others that carry the small-scale theme through every aspect of the vehicle, including the controller.
Team Associated has bundled a controller with their RC28T that’s not too small, but not quite “full-size”. Although this controller is smaller than most, it feels nice when holding it, and driving it. There are instances where the fit and finish feel a bit low, however, the controller does a solid job of holding while mashing the throttle and working the steering wheel.
Hitting the Road (or Carpet) with the RC28T
My first real test of the Team Associated RC28T came during a weekend getaway with my family. A two-day stay in a hotel seemed like a great time to test out this little truck, not only to see how it performed but also how it traveled.
My “R/C bag” was overkill when it came to transporting the tiny truck from our house to the hotel, further showcasing the small size of this machine. Shortly after we were checked-in, the RC28T was out of the bag and blasting across the floor of our room. The layout of the room featured tile and carpeting, so I was able to test out performance and handling on two very different surfaces.
Tile, as you might expect, was perfect for drifting, sliding, and simply “messing around”. When the tires did gain traction, it was best to keep the truck in a straight line, otherwise, things would get out of shape quickly.
The carpet of the hotel room floor was, as you might expect, well worn. There were a few visual imperfections (loose threads, gaps in fabric) which provided for some interesting obstacles to avoid, and the RC28T took them all on like a pro.
I, along with my test drivers, set up a small ramp and enjoyed jumping this truck over and over again, trying to get it to land on its wheels more than its lid. While not too technical in the approach, it did take some finesse behind the wheel to ensure things played out “just right”. A little bit of luck helped too.
Charging Time
We ran the RC28T until the battery was empty, giving us an opportunity to re-charge and prepare for another round of fun. The charging time isn’t the best, however, you are charging this vehicle from the batteries in the controller. While I didn’t time the process, I’d estimate that it took 45 – 50 minutes for a complete charge.
Is the Team Associated RC28T the right small-scale R/C truck for you?
While the RC28T is a fun machine, I wouldn’t qualify it as a primary vehicle for your radio-controlled lineup. However, if you’re looking for a compact, fun, retro-styled machine to help you abolish boredom, this truck is well worth the price (under $50 at most online and local hobby shops).
Where to purchase the Team Associated RC28T Stadium Truck:
Small-scale trail fanatics now have more vehicle options to choose from than ever, thanks to the folks at RC4WD. Adding to their Gelande II line, three new models have been added, including a Jeep Wrangler clone, the Black Rock. This 1/18-scale trail machine utilizes the same under-the-body components as the original Gelande II but features a fresh, new body and bumper setup.
Working our way from the inside out, the RC4WD Gelande II “Black Rock” features a ladder-frame chassis design and four-link suspension setup, just like you’d find on larger (1/10 and up) R/C rock crawlers. A micro electric motor and 7.4V, 850mah 2S LiPo battery provide the power for this trail truck, while RC4WD Rock Crusher tires give it the grip needed to move over obstacles and tame the trail.
On the visual side, this vehicle has a look that’s similar to that of the Jeep Wrangler, however, the body isn’t a licensed replica. Even without the official nameplates, Jeep fans should enjoy the attention to detail that has gone into the Black Rock body, including items such as windshield wipers, door handles, and side mirrors.
Clear headliight and fog light lenses add to the ultra-realistic vibe that this truck gives off. In all, it appears like a solid, ready-to-run package for fans of off-road trail driving.
RC4WD Gelande II “Black Rock” Specs:
Wheelbase: 130.71mm (5.15″)
Width: 108.19mm (4.26″)
Height: 110.57mm (4.35″)
Ground Clearance: 26.08mm (1.03″)
Final Drive Ratio: 112 : 1
Weight: 1.87lbs / 0.85kg
Transmission Total Gear Ratio: 5.5 : 1
Transmission Pinion Gear: 55P 10T
Transmission Gear Material: Hardened Brass and Steel
Transmission Case Material: Plastic Injection Molded
If you want to experience the fun of building an R/C model, but enjoy small-scale vehicles, Kyosho has something for you. Their second-generation Mini-Z Buggy Chassis kit has been re-tuned and refined with new electronics and chassis components, increasing both the performance and the fun of this small-scale machine.
The highlights of this new kit include a Team Orion 8500kv brushless motor, a new ESC (which features improved throttle performance) and chassis enhancements such as a now-standard chassis under guard (MBW033). Personally, I’m thrilled to see another small-scale, brushless-powered vehicle hit the market.
If you haven’t-yet experienced brushless power in a small-scale, radio-controlled vehicle, you’re in for a treat.
RC4WD has added to their Gelande II line with the introduction of three new models. The first machine in the rollout is their Gelande II RTR “BlackJack”. Featuring a body that’s reminiscent of an old-school Ford Bronco, this trail rig packs in plenty of scale detail, while staying true to its roots.
Based on an aluminum ladder-frame chassis, the Gelande II BlackJack features a four-link suspension design, internal-spring shocks, and Yota II cast front and rear axles. All of these internal components are the buildup to the showcase of this model, the body.
Keeping in-line with the original Gelande II, the BlackJack brings massive amounts of scale details, despite the vehicle’s small size. Clear windows and a completely-detailed interior set this rig apart from other small-scale R/C crawlers and give fans of ultra-realistic trail trucks something to admire.
Chrome accent pieces set off the forest green color of the body while adding to the scale realism of this truck. While it’s not an officially licensed Ford body, it does carry strong Bronco DNA.
Bringing the overall look of this truck full-circle are the wheels. Stamped steel 1″ beadlock wheels (chrome finish) provide another glistening visual on this already impressive machine.
RC4WD Gelande II Specs:
Wheelbase: 130.71mm (5.15″)
Width: 108.19mm (4.26″)
Height: 112.36mm (4.42″)
Ground Clearance: 26.43mm (1.04″)=
Final Drive Ratio: 112 : 1
Weight: 1.87lbs / 0.85kg
Total Gear Ratio: 5.5 : 1
Pinion Gear: 55P 10T
Gear Material: Hardened Brass and Steel
Transmission Case Material: Plastic Injection Molded
Axle Gear Ratio: 2.55 : 1
Axle Width at Hex : 92mm
Axle Case Material: Zinc Alloy
Shocks: 40mm, Internal-spring (not to be oil-filled)
February not only marks the start of the NASCAR season but it’s also a great opportunity to charge up your R/C machines and flex your competitive muscles. The folks at Hobbico and Keep It RC did just that with the running of their inaugural “Hobbico 500”.
This race placed four drivers in a head-to-head battle with Axial Yeti Jr. Rock Racers on custom, indoor track. Not only does the Yeti Jr. make an appearance, but there are also other radio-controlled vehicles used in this competition, including an ARRMA Granite Monster Truck (pace truck) and an Axial SCX10 II Trail Honcho (wrecker/tow truck).
While this video serves as an advertisement for a number of Hobbico’s vehicles, it features some unique products and configurations (such as the towing crane on the SCX10 II). In all, it’s a fun way to enjoy the R/C hobby and gives me some ideas for an indoor track of my own.
As a fan of scale realism in the R/C hobby, I love to see new models appear that are rich in details and visual flair. What makes these elements more appealing are when they’re packaged in a small-scale setup (simply because you don’t see many of those models on the market). Along with the WPL C14 “Hercules” model that I’m in the process of reviewing, GearBest.com also sent a few military-themed 1/16-scale radio-controlled models to take a closer look at.
One of these models is the WPL B-24, a 1/16-scale military truck which is based on the 1:1 GAZ-66. Although I’m not a huge military vehicle aficionado, I spent much of my youth playing with GI Joe toys and part of me wishes I had this truck back then.
After experiencing the C14, I wasn’t expecting much from the mechanics of the B-24, however, having a unique (and undeniably-cool) 1/16 truck to tool around with more than makes up for any electronic downsides that this machine may have.
What’s included:
1 WPL B-24 “GAZ-66” 1/16-scale military truck
1 2.4GHz trigger-style controller
1 USB charging adapter
1 6V, 700mah Ni-Cd battery
Select scale accessories/parts
Unboxing the WPL B-24 1/16-scale R/C Military Truck
Initial thoughts on the WPL B-24 R/C Military Truck
Getting this point out of the way early, this isn’t a hobby-grade radio-controlled truck. While it looks great, the internal components, specifically the steering motor (not a servo) are what I’d consider some of the weaker points of this machine. That said, I’ve kept this rig in a stock configuration and have been having quite a good time with it.
While it lacks proportional steering, the controller grip feels pleasant and the motor is peppy, allowing me to forgive the click and turn steering setup. Now onto the fun stuff…
Like the WPL C14 “Hercules”, this radio-controlled military truck features some impressive visual details. At its base is a chassis which blends aluminum/metal frame rails and multiple plastic cross members. These pieces combine to create a sturdy base for this truck, which I’d place somewhere between a crawler and a trail machine.
Metal leaf springs serve as the dampers for this model and they provide a decent amount of suspension travel and articulation. You won’t see “OG crawler-style” articulation, but you also won’t need to worry about rolling this truck onto its side when you drive across uneven terrain.
Whether it’s in motion or sitting still, this truck looks great. Even if you’re not a fan of military machines, this truck could serve as a throwback parts hauler, shop truck, or whatever else your imagination wants it to be. A can (or two) of spray paint and you can easily overhaul this truck into whatever you’d like.
The tires, while firm, appear to offer plenty of grip for indoor use. When this truck travels outside is when the real test will take place. In reading about and researching this model, it appears that there may be some issues with the plastic driveshafts (brittle, snapping when bound-up), so I’ll be keeping a close eye on that area of the truck.
The stock battery, a 6V NiCd pack, provides plenty of power and offers impressive run-time. Whether or not that system stays in place or is swapped out down the road remains to be seen.
While my first instinct is to replace the stock steering and electronic components with hobby-grade gear, I’m having a fun time with this truck in it’s out of the box configuration. All-in-all, it’s a fun truck to drive around and have a good time with. It’s easy to let your imagination roam free with this truck, and at a price of $32.99, you’re not spending much for a little creative release.
Where to purchase the WPL B-24 1/16-scale R/C Military Truck:
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