Kyosho Burns is a 1/8 scale four-wheel-drive, two stroke, off-road competition buggy which was released as a kit from 1987 up until 1992, with five different specifications to meet different price points. It had a robust platform which was easily upgradable with good performance even at an entry level. The success of the platform also lead to it being used for Kyosho's 1:8 scale monster truck, the USA-1 Nitro Crusher.
Kyosho designer and driver Yuichi Kanai started his involvement with the Turbo Burns and carried several parts and many design elements over to the classic Inferno series of cars which were produced from 1991 to 1996. The classic Inferno would later go on to win every IFMAR championship during its production run.
General History
Background
Although Kyosho was already popular in the 1/8-scale off-road market with cars such as the Vanning, Landjump and Presto (from the Integra line-up), they were relatively complex vehicles made largely from metal, with limited upgrade and customization options. These original buggies took their design cues from real life vehicles which had a traditional ladder frame or cage construction and often had rear-mounted engines. The Burns addressed this by taking advantage of new technologies and design elements. The introduction of more cheap yet durable and reliable injection molded parts, combined with metal elements where necessary for strength or adjust-ability Aluminium pan chassis instead of a cage improving access for assembly and maintenance while maintaining rigidity. Also provided more flexibility for different motors, exhausts and electronics Where applicable, shaft-driven 4WD system with adjustable center differential instead of previous chain-driven configurations Four-wheel fully independent wishbone type suspension Mid-mounted engine for better weight distribution and handling Single radio tray which held all electrical components and could be switched as one unit when desired Lexan bodies which were easy to produce, reduced weight, provided better protection for internal components, came in various designs to fit the same chassis, and allowed more creative freedom for paint and customization. Released with five different factory specifications plus additional optional parts making it possible to start with the most affordable car and upgrade to a full option, competition ready vehicle when the skill and budget allowed. Alternatively one could buy a fully specced. car for less than the cost of the individual parts. With the exception of the large variety of standard models and the single radio tray, these designs can still be seen in the current Kyosho 1/8 scale buggies. The single radio tray was changed to a separate servo tray and water resistant battery and receiver box from the Inferno MP5 onward.
It is often not realized that the "MP" nomenclature which is synonymous with Kyosho buggies from MP5 onward, was already in use at Kyosho for the Burns Series. Burns MP1, Turbo Burns MP2, Inferno MP3, Turbo Inferno MP4.
Timeline
Burns MP 1 (1987–1992)
Models & Specifications
As would be seen in future Kyosho releases, an intermediate-level car was released first containing some performance parts. For both the Burns and classic Inferno series a more affordable "DX" version would be released only a year after the intermediate level vehicle. The differences between the Burns models were however more substantial than the later classic Infernos. All of the cars were released in kit form, with no pre-assembled parts.
The cars popularity also spawned a larger number of third-party suppliers which provided additional performance accessories such as gears, brake discs, aluminum mounts and wishbones, stiffer chassis plates, etc. One of the more popular suppliers was Duratrax.
Burns 4WD, item no. 3096 (1987–1988) The Burns 4WD would eventually become the intermediate-level car, with the later DX and Turbo variants made for the entry and competition markets respectively. Unlike the latter Inferno models this car was discontinued after the launch of these other variants which makes this car relatively rare.
This car was revolutionary at the time for its use of the new design elements mentioned in the "Background" section above and differences between the final version of the car and the box art make it clear that this car was still being tweaked shortly before it came to market. These differences are discussed in a dedicated section below.
Burns DX 4WD item no. 3099 (1989–1991) Parts which were not included or changed from the standard Burns 4WD were: