The big news, or lack of, from when I was on holidays was the release of Team Associated successor to it’s popular and successful B44.2 .
I know a lot of people had hoped for an all new buggy, but what showed up in everybody’s inbox was an evolution of the B44 platform rather than an all new design. So what is new in the B44.3?
The official line of what is new includes:
Enter the RC10B44.3 Factory Team Kit, the latest evolution of Team Associated’s 1:10 4WD electric off road competition buggy. The most significant changes are found on the new hard-anodized aluminum chassis, which helps lower the center of gravity to improve handling and durability. The chassis has been designed to have symmetrical torsional flex to improve handling consistency — the new floating motor mount, floating servo mount, and chassis machining help to provide the desired flex symmetry.
Power and traction have continued to improve, so the B44.3’s drivetrain has been built up and refined to keep up with the demand of today’s high-traction off-road tracks. A set of four precision CVA’s transfer the power from the gear differentials via ball bearings throughout the car.
Now the B44.3 is even more adaptable to multiple racing conditions with the adjustable weight bias feature. Weight bias can be significantly altered by using either the front motor configuration with a saddle pack or the rear motor configuration with a shorty pack. The B44.3 is also backwards compatible with the previous generation VTS slipper clutch (not included) and ball differentials (not included), making the B44.3 extremely versatile and adaptable to any track condition.
Factory Team V2 12mm big bore shocks have improved smoothness, improving suspension travel and increasing overall traction. Lastly, the B44.3 comes with the latest JConcepts Finnisher X-Flow body and AE 6.5” high downforce wing.
The RC10B44.3 has been given all of the design advantages that only a winning pedigree like Team Associated can provide. If you are ready to take your 1:10 4WD off-road program up to the next level, the B44.3 is ready to take you there!
RC10B44.3 Factory Team Kit Features:
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Hard anodized aluminum chassis and 7075-T6 floating motor mount allows for front or rear motor configurations
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New molded battery trays accommodate 2S saddle or shorty battery pack configurations and feature a quick-change strap with locking thumb knobs
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New front and rear carbon-fiber top decks and floating servo mount improves symmetrical chassis flex
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Front and rear gear differentials have machined steel ring, pinion, and planetary gears
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Center gear differential has independent fluid cap for quick and easy fluid or gear changes
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JConcepts Finnisher X-flow body
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Factory Team 0º 7075-T6 aluminum rear hubs with oversize outer bearing
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Factory Team V2 12mm “Big Bore” threaded aluminum shocks with 3mm shock shafts, molded caps with bleed screws, and updated O-rings for improved smoothness
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Full CVAs and ball bearing drivetrain
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Factory Team 12mm blue aluminum rear clamping hexes and 12mm hex rear wheels
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Factory Team blue titanium turnbuckles, aluminum servo mounts, aluminum shock pivot balls and rear anti-roll bar included
The short list, a new Alloy Chassis, A new servo and motor mount, a JConcepts Finisher body, new shocks, new diffs. All important upgrades to the platform, but a few may be disappointed. I’m not for a second suggesting that minor upgrades to what has been a very successful platform is a bad thing as far as a racing buggy is concerned, but I guess I had hoped or a fresher new platform.
more details can be found at http://www.teamassociated.com/news/latest_products/1427-NEW_B443_Factory_Team_Kit
Aussie RC 