C44 RTR Review by Small Scale Adventures

The new C44RTR didn't get to me until earlier this evening so it's out of the box and has had the detail parts fitted. There's some batteries on charge ready for tomorrow when it will get a run.

 

First impressions are that it's very good. The axles are the latest WPL RTR evolution, with metal dog bones at the front, metal hexes at the rear and of course metal gears inside.

 

Providing drive to those axles is the standard setting WPL counter rotation 370 single speed gearbox. This sets the bar high for RTR cars pairing the power of the larger motor with the torque twist resisting counter rotating output shafts - so that under the load of acceleration or climbing the rig has less tendancy to flop sideways.

 

Electrics are the well proven WPL B/C board, with selectable drag brake, two steering rate settings and remote control of the main light output. Plus it is ready for installation of the WPL lighting kit.

 

The chassis has had some improvement over the original C44KM, with revised link mounting points that put the link bars more parallel with the drive shafts and the ground - reducing wear in the shafts and reducing fore/aft movement of the axles through the suspension travel.

 

The new chassis design retains the upper shock mount positions that were part of the original design giving plenty of upgrade options to those so inclined.

 

Lifting this model to the pinnacle of WPL's RTR range is the inclusion of the original KM version's adjustable links with metal rods and brass balls at the chassis and axle ends. The ball joint links give great articulation and positive axle location. WPL setting and keeping the standard higher than the floppy rattle links still used by close competitors.

 

The body retains the classic good looks of the 40 series truck cab with slat bed, but under the surface there is another really nice improvement of the old design, the magnetic door catches will be a revelation to anyone who has struggled to keep original C34/44 doors closed and aligned. This has required new (or perhaps modified tooling) of the inner door panels to carry the magnet, and the cab back, integrating a mounting point for the metal plate the magnet attracts to.

 

There's new injection mould tooling evident in the electrics tray also with a revised design that suits the B/C board and removes the panhard rod mount that is redundant now that the rig is supplied as a traditional four link. The chassis mount servo is retained keeping the scale looks of the original.

 

Although described as an intermediate compound the tyres fitted feel pretty indistinguishable from the soft supplied with the C34KM, however on the new car they are also supplied with foams for extra support, helping eliminate the tendancy that the high profile tyres have to roll over themselves while turning.

  

This is another great product from WPL that continues to lift customers expectations of an RTR car can be. I'm very much looking forward to the journey I'll have with this one.

 

If you are holding out on ordering now is the time to commit - get your C44RTR on its way to you by hitting the link below. 👇