RC Rock Crawlers

The classic International Scout II is back on the trails—but this time, you can fit one in your backpack.

The Redcat Ascent-18 International Scout II Brushless takes the unmistakable styling of the classic Scout II and packs it onto a surprisingly serious 1/18-scale rock-crawling chassis. And while its small size makes it easy to dismiss as a backyard toy, the hardware underneath tells a very different story.

With a 3450KV brushless motor, portal axles, aluminum chassis rails, oil-filled shocks, 4-link suspension, and a 2S LiPo included, this little Scout II is designed to do considerably more than simply look good sitting on a shelf.

Check the Price

If you’re looking for a compact crawler with a lot of capability out of the box, the Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless is worth a look.

Check the Redcat Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless on Amazon →

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Small Scale, Serious Hardware

The biggest surprise with the Ascent-18 Scout II is how much real crawler hardware Redcat managed to squeeze into a 1/18-scale chassis.

This isn’t simply a smaller toy-grade version of a larger RC truck.

The chassis uses 2mm aluminum flat rails, while the axles feature portal gearing and metal internal components. Redcat also equips the truck with aluminum-capped, oil-filled shocks and a 4-link suspension system.

The result is a mini crawler that has the basic architecture you’d expect from a much larger trail rig.

Brushless Power in a 1/18 Crawler

The Scout II Brushless uses a 3450KV FS-MD1212 brushless outrunner motor paired with Redcat’s 3-channel brushless ESC/receiver combination.

That’s a significant upgrade over the brushed version of the Ascent-18.

Brushless power gives the little Scout a combination of torque, responsiveness, efficiency, and speed that makes it useful both as a crawler and as a small trail truck. Redcat rates the system for a 2S LiPo, and the RTR package includes a 7.4V 750mAh battery and USB charger.

You only need four AA batteries for the transmitter before you’re ready to hit the trail.

Portal Axles Give It an Advantage

One of the most useful features on the Ascent-18 Scout II is its portal axle design.

Portal axles move the axle gearing upward relative to the wheel centerline, helping provide additional ground clearance around the axle housing.

Redcat lists 38mm of ground clearance for the Ascent-18 Scout II. Combined with its portal axles, 4WD drivetrain, and compact dimensions, the truck is well suited to crawling over obstacles that would seem disproportionately large compared with the vehicle itself.

And that’s part of what makes these small crawlers so much fun.

A rock that would barely register underneath a 1/10 crawler can become a serious obstacle for a 1/18 truck.

High-Steer Geometry

Redcat also redesigned the front end of the brushless Scout II with what it calls High Steer geometry.

The redesigned axle housing is intended to provide tighter steering and improved clearance while increasing articulation. That’s especially useful on a small crawler, where getting the front tires pointed around an obstacle can make the difference between climbing it and rolling backward.

For a truck this small, steering geometry matters a lot.

The Scout II Body Is the Star

Of course, none of this would matter quite as much if the truck didn’t look fantastic.

The licensed International Scout II body gives the Ascent-18 considerably more personality than the typical mini crawler.

The body uses a front-tilt mounting system, allowing it to hinge forward for access to the electronics. LED lights are installed at the front and rear, adding to the scale appearance when you’re crawling after sunset.

Redcat also fits the Scout II with officially licensed Interco IROK Super Swamper tires, mounted on classic-looking wheels.

It’s the kind of RC that looks good crawling slowly over rocks—which is exactly what you want from a scale crawler.

A Great Size for Backyard Crawling

The 1/18 scale is arguably one of the biggest advantages of the Ascent-18.

The truck measures approximately:

Specification	Redcat Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless
Scale	1/18
Length	265 mm
Width	126 mm
Height	125 mm
Wheelbase	155 mm
Ground Clearance	38 mm
Motor	3450KV Brushless
Drive	4WD
Battery	7.4V 750mAh 2S LiPo
Shocks	Aluminum-cap oil-filled
Chassis	2mm aluminum
Radio	2.4GHz 3-channel

You don’t need a giant backyard to have fun with it.

A pile of rocks, landscaping stones, tree roots, a stack of firewood, or even an indoor obstacle course can provide enough terrain to make a 1/18 crawler interesting.

That makes the Ascent-18 particularly appealing to people who don’t have access to large outdoor crawling areas.

It’s Also an Upgrade Platform

Another reason to consider the Ascent-18 Scout II is the upgrade potential.

Redcat says the brushless Scout II is compatible with many parts from the Ascent-18, brushed Scout II, and MT-18 platforms. There are also aluminum, brass, and steel hop-up parts available.

That means you don’t necessarily have to stop with the stock truck.

Adding brass components can increase weight down low, while aluminum components can provide additional durability and customization. Steel gear options also allow more advanced drivers to experiment with overdrive and underdrive gearing.

And because the platform is small, upgrades don’t have to become an enormous project—or an enormous expense.

Pros

• Excellent scale appearance – The licensed Scout II body looks fantastic.
• Brushless power – 3450KV motor provides plenty of performance for a crawler this size.
• Portal axles – Helps maximize clearance underneath the axles.
• Aluminum chassis rails – A much more serious foundation than a typical toy-grade mini crawler.
• Oil-filled shocks – Better suspension control than basic friction shocks.
• 4-link suspension – Designed for controlled articulation over technical terrain.
• LED lighting – Front and rear LEDs add to the scale experience.
• 2S LiPo included – It’s ready to run out of the box.
• Strong upgrade potential – Compatible parts and hop-ups give you plenty of room to customize it.

Cons

• 1/18 scale has limitations – It can’t simply drive over obstacles that a 1/10 crawler can.
• Small tires – Larger rocks and deep terrain can quickly become challenging.
• Brushless system is 2S only – The included ESC/receiver is specified for 2S LiPo operation.
• Small components – Working on a 1/18 crawler can be more fiddly than working on a 1/10 rig.
• Not a substitute for a full-size 1/10 crawler – If you primarily crawl large outdoor rock formations, a larger truck may be a better choice.

Is the Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless Worth Buying?

For the right driver, absolutely.

The Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless occupies an interesting spot in the RC crawler market. It’s small enough to use almost anywhere but equipped well enough that it doesn’t feel like a toy.

The combination of brushless power, portal axles, aluminum chassis rails, oil-filled shocks, 4-link suspension, and a substantial upgrade ecosystem gives it legitimate hobby-grade hardware.

And then there’s the Scout II body.

That’s ultimately what makes this truck so appealing. You get a capable little crawler that also happens to look like a classic American 4×4.

The Bottom Line

The Redcat Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless is a great choice for:

• Beginners who want a serious mini crawler
• Experienced RC enthusiasts looking for something different
• Scout II fans
• Backyard crawling
• Indoor obstacle courses
• Trail and scale enthusiasts
• Anyone who wants a capable crawler that doesn’t require a huge space to operate

If you want maximum crawling capability over large rocks and serious outdoor terrain, move up to a 1/10 crawler.

But if you want something you can throw in a backpack, take into the backyard, and have a surprising amount of fun with, the Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless is an easy truck to recommend.

Check the Redcat Ascent-18 Scout II Brushless on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, RC Rock Crawlers earns from qualifying purchases.