Tamiya Corporation
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese manufacturer of plastic model
kits, radio controlled cars, battery- and solar-powered educational models, sailboat
models, acrylic and enamel model paints, and various modeling tools and supplies. The company was founded by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, Japan in 1946.
The metal molds were produced from plans which had the concept of being "easy to understand and build, even for beginners". Even the box art was consistent with this throughout the company. In the same vein as everybody being able to build the models, they made the parts accurate and with a high degree of detail.
The company has gained a reputation among hobbyists of producing models of outstanding quality and accurate scale detail, a philosophy reflected directly on the company's motto, "First in Quality Around the World". Tamiya Inc. has also been awarded on a regular basis each year, the prestigious Modell des Jahres (Model of the Year) award, hosted by the German magazine Modell Fan.
The company was founded in 1946 as Tamiya Shoji & Co. (Tamiya Company) by Yoshio Tamiya (15 May 1905 - 2 November 1988) in Oshika, Shizuoka City. It was a sawmill and lumber supply company. With the high availability of wood, the Mokuzaigyou Company's wood products division (founded in 1947) was also producing wooden models of ships
and airplanes
, which later became company's foundation. In 1953, they decided to stop the sale of architectural lumber
and focused solely on model making.
In the mid 1950s, foreign made plastic models were beginning to be imported and wooden model sales were decreasing, so in 1959 they decided to manufacture plastic models. Their first model was the Yamato
. However, Tamiya's predecessors had sold Yamato models at 350 yen. By competing, Tamiya was at risk to get into the red by setting their price the same. However, they could not recover the cost of producing metal molds, so once again, they changed their products to wooden models, but at that time the model trade's tide was turning toward plastic models.
Using metal molds no longer needed for plastic toys, they released a racecar mini-kit, which was to finance the production of their next plastic model. To their good fortune, it became a hit. They decided that the second plastic model was to be the Panther tank
, which had a linear form which would make the molds simple to produce. They commissioned Shigeru Komatsuzaki to do the box art. The Panther was motorized, moved well, and had a clear instruction manual which made it easy to assemble. Because of this, it gained a good reputation. It was made in a 1/35 scale because it was decided that it would use a single TYPE 2 battery but would hold 2 of them.
Tamiya was known by their extremely high accuracy of their molds, and that influenced even the condition of the products after they were assembled. In a time when Tamiya manufactured plastic models using mold craftsmen's skills and earlier plans, other companies' products' detail bolts were represented by simple hemispheric protuberances while Tamiya represented bolts more accurately as hexagonal posts. This level of detail and thoroughness with which they produced their models earned them a reputation even overseas.
Design Department, to create a new trademark. He created the Star Mark. At first it was decorated with English. In 1960 with the release of the slot car
, the design was changed to its current form. Even now, the left, red star stands for passion and the right, blue star stands for precision.
Other model-related publications held doll-conversion contests or scenic photo contests, and then they published the results in booklets.
Some model tanks' box art included images of items not included in the box. When Tamiya began exporting these, indications of the possibility of applying false advertising laws started to become a problem. Tamiya dealt with this by erasing the items and retouching the backgrounds.
's later model.
After that, their excellent family of products was seen out into the world. Noticing other companies were imitating their ease of assembly and accuracy of parts, Tamiya went a step further and added deformities in order to make the finished models look better. On the other hand, some modellers felt these deformities were out of place. For example, they were unsure of why both Tamiya's and other companies' King Tiger coexisted in the marketplace. In 2004, the new 1/48 scale series began, and World War items were released at a remarkable pace.
A small 1/700 Water Line Series proudly displayed Tamiya's skill. From when they started selling this series, there were many kits bearing their famous name. Even now, looking back at the past 10 years, these were not inferior products and excellent products were produced. Renewal kits in addition to polishing will have kept satisfaction high. Kihachiro Ueda, learned in naval vessels, handled most of the box art for the Water Line Series.
Turbo RSR. Now, having just passed the 30th Anniversary of the first Tamiya RC model, they are sold in markets both within the country and worldwide. Cultivating skill by all the RC cars they had made until now, they decided to revive the experience in a limited release of models to commemorate their 30 years in the RC business in December 2006. They recently released their flagship model, mustering all their skill into the Porsche Turbo RSR 934 Racing Edition, which had been a part of the developing phase of Tamiya's RC career.
RC model types have included:
Countach Competition Special, Super Champ, Ford F-150 Ranger, Toyota Hilux 4x4, Chevrolet Blazing Blazer, Hilux 4x4 High-lift, Mountaineer, Ford F-350 High-lift, Can-Am Lola Racing Master Mk.1, Subaru Brat, Lancia Rally, Grasshopper, Mighty Frog, Wild One, Hornet, Hotshot, Boomerang, Fast Attack Vehicle, Desert Gator, Sand Viper, Avante, Avante 2001, Top Force, Dyna Storm, Dark Impact, Keen Hawk, Avante Mk. II, Twin Detonator, Wild Dagger, Double Blaze, Blackfoot Xtreme, Clod Buster, TXT1, Tamtech Series, Terra Crusher, TNX (Tamiya), TNX 5.2R, Nitrage 5.2, Bigwig, Fox, Monster Beetle, Celica, Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar Rally, Blackfoot, Midnight Pumpkin, Super Shot, Super Sabre, Striker, Sonic Fighter, Lunch Box, Nissan King Cab, Wild Willy, Wild Willy 2,
TRF 416X, TRF 417, Nissan R91CP, Mazda 787B, Mercedes C-11, Jaguar XJR-12
, a game manufacturing company. Starting In June of the same year, they developed components for use in cell phones. Later, in November, they joined in releasing the Mini Vehicle PRO, and since October has established an informational site about miniature vehicles, which included the online game "Mini Vehicle Online Racer." At first, the service schedule was for spring 2006, but because of delays, official service was postponed to summer 2007.
On February 1, 2006, Tamiya and CAVE established MINI4WD NETWORKS CO., LTD., a spin-off business dealing with miniature vehicles. In July of the same year, the company began the "MINIon Club" service, a social networking site which also gave special deals on miniature vehicles.
Presently, over half of Tamiya's products are manufactured in the Philippines. Tamiya's 1/48 Mini Military AFV, complete even to the point where it was given weathering, aimed to expand the market for completed, painted models as was seen in the snack and toy boom. In order to accommodate that, Tamiya has about 1200 workers to make finished die cast models which are then shipped to hobby markets around the world.
Tamiya is a major shareholder of Creative Master Bermuda Limited, a Hong Kong
-based contract manufacturer which includes Tamiya amongst its clients.
Tamiya produces components for boys' moving toys and models which are like their Fun-to-build Series, and also makes kits to make simple robots. Also included is the continuing older Mabuchi Motor
, a popular product which runs in water.
In 1960, beginning with the Honda F1
(RA273
), Tamiya dealt with many plastic models of Formula One. Because of that, the company decided to sponsor Team Lotus
in . Since 1976's Tyrrell P34
, they paid royalties to the teams whose cars their models were based on. Because of the excellent quality of the finished products and so forth, they built strong relations with the teams to the point where even the teams' well guarded plans (CAD data) were shown only to Tamiya and no other model makers. However, recently this sort of arrangement has petered out and models are based on things like news photographs, and the demands for the royalties
by the Formula One teams have risen. Thus, it is not easy to sell a new model in recent years. Other model companies have taken over the F1 market (Model Factory Hiro) and now have the connections that Tamiya used to have with current and past F1 teams.
Tamiya's drive to perfect their models' appearance began in 1966 with a visit to the Aberdeen Tank Museum, Maryland
. Because no pictures or sketches of the classified tanks were permitted, as soon as the people from Tamiya left the grounds they sketched all they could remember.
In 1980's Tamiya introduced Programmable logic controller
for moving models.It was used 4-bit Microcontroller
.
, home of "Tamiya America," the North
, Central
and South American branch responsible for many of the company's racing developments. Tamiya America also features a world-class racing facility in Aliso Viejo, California
which is the site of several world championship events, as well as an annual scale model contest called Tamiya/Con, the last of which was held in 2006. An assembly plant is located in the Philippines
, and Germany
is the home of "Tamiya Europe's" operations.
sidekick called Rabbi-kun (プラモ Puramo) and sometimes they were titled Moko-chan no (and) Rabbi-kun (プラモのモ子ちゃん Puramo no Moko-chan). Drawn by manga artist Fujita Yukihisa, they usually appeared in various Japanese language pamphlets and in comics with Japan-released Tamiya models. They would teach kids about the various models they were building and there was even a series on how to build them, all in a comic format as well as its only bilingual series of leaflets titled RC Lecture By Moko Chan (モ子ちゃんRC講座), teaching children RC car care and maintenance. Despite being out of use by Tamiya, the characters still have a large following with devotees. In the instructions of some plastic 1/35 scale tanks, a tank crewman usually gives tips.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese manufacturer of plastic model
Plastic model
thumb|300px||4-year-old boy starts painting a plastic model he has assembled of the South Goodwin LightshipPlastic models, often called scale models, are models manufactured as kits which are assembled by hobbyists, and intended for static display....
kits, radio controlled cars, battery- and solar-powered educational models, sailboat
Sailboat
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails. The term covers a variety of boats, larger than small vessels such as sailboards and smaller than sailing ships, but distinctions in the size are not strictly defined and what constitutes a sailing ship, sailboat, or a...
models, acrylic and enamel model paints, and various modeling tools and supplies. The company was founded by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, Japan in 1946.
The metal molds were produced from plans which had the concept of being "easy to understand and build, even for beginners". Even the box art was consistent with this throughout the company. In the same vein as everybody being able to build the models, they made the parts accurate and with a high degree of detail.
The company has gained a reputation among hobbyists of producing models of outstanding quality and accurate scale detail, a philosophy reflected directly on the company's motto, "First in Quality Around the World". Tamiya Inc. has also been awarded on a regular basis each year, the prestigious Modell des Jahres (Model of the Year) award, hosted by the German magazine Modell Fan.
Entrance of plastic models
Wooden ship model
Wooden ship models or wooden model ships are scale representations of ships, constructed mainly of wood. This type of model has been built for over two thousand years.-Basic types of wooden ship model construction:...
and airplanes
Model aircraft
Model aircraft are flying or non-flying models of existing or imaginary aircraft using a variety of materials including plastic, diecast metal, polystyrene, balsa wood, foam and fibreglass...
, which later became company's foundation. In 1953, they decided to stop the sale of architectural lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
and focused solely on model making.
In the mid 1950s, foreign made plastic models were beginning to be imported and wooden model sales were decreasing, so in 1959 they decided to manufacture plastic models. Their first model was the Yamato
Japanese battleship Yamato
, named after the ancient Japanese Yamato Province, was the lead ship of the Yamato class of battleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She and her sister ship, Musashi, were the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing...
. However, Tamiya's predecessors had sold Yamato models at 350 yen. By competing, Tamiya was at risk to get into the red by setting their price the same. However, they could not recover the cost of producing metal molds, so once again, they changed their products to wooden models, but at that time the model trade's tide was turning toward plastic models.
Using metal molds no longer needed for plastic toys, they released a racecar mini-kit, which was to finance the production of their next plastic model. To their good fortune, it became a hit. They decided that the second plastic model was to be the Panther tank
Panther tank
Panther is the common name of a medium tank fielded by Nazi Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV; while never replacing the latter, it served alongside it as...
, which had a linear form which would make the molds simple to produce. They commissioned Shigeru Komatsuzaki to do the box art. The Panther was motorized, moved well, and had a clear instruction manual which made it easy to assemble. Because of this, it gained a good reputation. It was made in a 1/35 scale because it was decided that it would use a single TYPE 2 battery but would hold 2 of them.
Metal molds
At first, Tamiya produced metal molds, but had delays and unclear pricing, which led to trouble. Then they scouted metal-mold craftsmen and in 1964 started their Metal Molds division. Starting in 1966, they transferred a number of craftsmen to the Mold Manufacturing Factory. They slowly gained the know-how and came to make molds for Tamiya. Today, CAD has also been introduced into the process.Tamiya was known by their extremely high accuracy of their molds, and that influenced even the condition of the products after they were assembled. In a time when Tamiya manufactured plastic models using mold craftsmen's skills and earlier plans, other companies' products' detail bolts were represented by simple hemispheric protuberances while Tamiya represented bolts more accurately as hexagonal posts. This level of detail and thoroughness with which they produced their models earned them a reputation even overseas.
Star Mark
On the occasion of the release of Tamiya's first plastic model, Shunsaku Tamiya (son-in-law of Yojiro) commissioned his younger brother, Masao, then a student at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and MusicTokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
or is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, it also has facilities in Toride, Ibaraki, Yokohama, Kanagawa, and Kitasenju, Adachi, Tokyo...
Design Department, to create a new trademark. He created the Star Mark. At first it was decorated with English. In 1960 with the release of the slot car
Slot car
A slot car is a powered miniature auto or other vehicle that is guided by a groove or slot in the track on which it runs. A pin or blade extends from the bottom of the car into the slot...
, the design was changed to its current form. Even now, the left, red star stands for passion and the right, blue star stands for precision.
Tamiya News and other publications
Tamiya News has been published by Tamiya Model and is an informational, monthly publication about the company's own models. In 1967, when it was started, it was published bimonthly with an occasional special supplement. For a long time it cost 50 yen, but was later raised to 100 yen. The unique, thin publications were placed in envelopes and sent out via standard mail. Introductory articles on new products, model shops, model clubs, and conversions were included, as were articles on famous and obscure modelers. A sister publication with articles focused on miniature vehicles and bullet racers and such, Tamiya Junior News exists as a free publication (formerly costing 20 yen, but now is available for download as a PDF from Tamiya's website).Other model-related publications held doll-conversion contests or scenic photo contests, and then they published the results in booklets.
Packaging
On early products (1961-1967), the box art corresponded to what they distributed. The box art was mainly done by Shigeru Komatsuzaki, Yoshiyuki Takani, and others. As Tamiya's goods' image and world view both broadened, their boxart, which had a feeling of "compositions of achievement" or "a story contained in a picture", became mainstream. This further enhanced its goods' image. However, after 1968's slot racer, products appeared without scenery on a white background. They had changed the boxart to be more accurate. This experiment turned out to be popular, and after that, Tamiya switched to the white package which had removed parts of models of airplanes and warships from the boxes. The boxart of Shigeru Komatsuzaki, which had contributed to the making of Tamiya's early image, has almost disappeared from Tamiya's products due to the change in box art strategies and discontinuation of former products.Some model tanks' box art included images of items not included in the box. When Tamiya began exporting these, indications of the possibility of applying false advertising laws started to become a problem. Tamiya dealt with this by erasing the items and retouching the backgrounds.
Representative models
The early Military Miniature Series differed from the western standard scales of the time and used 1/35 scale. The models included the option for the inclusion of batteries and a gear box for motorization. These models were easy to assemble, the completed models looked good, and the parts were accurate. These qualities had given the series a good reputation ever since it was released. However, the option for motorization meant that the models needed to be inaccurate in some respects in order to work as motorized kits. More scale-accurate products which did not allow for motorization were renewed after the Tiger ITiger I
Tiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger. It was an answer to the unexpectedly formidable Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of...
's later model.
After that, their excellent family of products was seen out into the world. Noticing other companies were imitating their ease of assembly and accuracy of parts, Tamiya went a step further and added deformities in order to make the finished models look better. On the other hand, some modellers felt these deformities were out of place. For example, they were unsure of why both Tamiya's and other companies' King Tiger coexisted in the marketplace. In 2004, the new 1/48 scale series began, and World War items were released at a remarkable pace.
A small 1/700 Water Line Series proudly displayed Tamiya's skill. From when they started selling this series, there were many kits bearing their famous name. Even now, looking back at the past 10 years, these were not inferior products and excellent products were produced. Renewal kits in addition to polishing will have kept satisfaction high. Kihachiro Ueda, learned in naval vessels, handled most of the box art for the Water Line Series.
- Sports CarSports carA sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
Series - Grand PrixFormula OneFormula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
Series - MotorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
Series - Mini-jet Series (after 2004, this was re-released as the Combat Plane Series)
- WarbirdWarbirdWarbird is a term used, predominantly in North America, to describe vintage military aircraft.- Naming :Although the term originally implied piston-driven aircraft from the World War II era, it is now often extended to include all military aircraft, including jet-powered aircraft, that are no...
Collection
Timeline
- 1960 - The YamatoJapanese battleship Yamato, named after the ancient Japanese Yamato Province, was the lead ship of the Yamato class of battleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She and her sister ship, Musashi, were the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing...
, Tamiya's first plastic model - 1961 - Panther tankPanther tankPanther is the common name of a medium tank fielded by Nazi Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV; while never replacing the latter, it served alongside it as...
, Tamiya's first tank model. Shigeru Komatsuzaki's boxart becomes a hit. - 1967 - 1/12 Honda F-1. A success which left the mark of "Skillful Tamiya" on it via their accurate recreation of the original vehicle.
- 1968 - 1/35 German Tank Soldier Set, the first in the Military Miniature Series.
- 1972 - 1/35 88 Military Gun Flak 36/37. Tamiya produced models for diorama scenes, which garnered a large response.
- 1976 - 1/12 Porsche 934Porsche 934The Porsche 934 was a racing version of the Porsche 911 Turbo, prepared to FIA Group 4 rules, similar to the Porsche 935 which was prepared to FIA Group 5 rules.-History:...
. Tamiya actually purchased a Porsche 911Porsche 911The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998...
, dismantled it, and rebuilt it in order to better understand the car. - 1986 - Hotshot Jr. The first in the Racer Mini Vehicle Series. It was a hit linked to the miniature vehicle boom.
- 1989 - 1/35 Tiger I second rendition. Sold in a completely new form, triggered by the anniversary of a recall of the Military Miniature Series.
- 1998 - 1/700 scale YamatoJapanese battleship Yamato, named after the ancient Japanese Yamato Province, was the lead ship of the Yamato class of battleships that served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She and her sister ship, Musashi, were the heaviest and most powerfully armed battleships ever constructed, displacing...
model is retooled using more modern technology to produce better molds. - 2006 - A special model was released in honor of Tamiya's RC Car Series 30th Anniversary. It was the Porsche 934 turbo RSR 30th Anniversary edition.
Cars
In 1976, Tamiya entered the RC market with their first RC model, the Porsche 934Porsche 934
The Porsche 934 was a racing version of the Porsche 911 Turbo, prepared to FIA Group 4 rules, similar to the Porsche 935 which was prepared to FIA Group 5 rules.-History:...
Turbo RSR. Now, having just passed the 30th Anniversary of the first Tamiya RC model, they are sold in markets both within the country and worldwide. Cultivating skill by all the RC cars they had made until now, they decided to revive the experience in a limited release of models to commemorate their 30 years in the RC business in December 2006. They recently released their flagship model, mustering all their skill into the Porsche Turbo RSR 934 Racing Edition, which had been a part of the developing phase of Tamiya's RC career.
RC model types have included:
Countach Competition Special, Super Champ, Ford F-150 Ranger, Toyota Hilux 4x4, Chevrolet Blazing Blazer, Hilux 4x4 High-lift, Mountaineer, Ford F-350 High-lift, Can-Am Lola Racing Master Mk.1, Subaru Brat, Lancia Rally, Grasshopper, Mighty Frog, Wild One, Hornet, Hotshot, Boomerang, Fast Attack Vehicle, Desert Gator, Sand Viper, Avante, Avante 2001, Top Force, Dyna Storm, Dark Impact, Keen Hawk, Avante Mk. II, Twin Detonator, Wild Dagger, Double Blaze, Blackfoot Xtreme, Clod Buster, TXT1, Tamtech Series, Terra Crusher, TNX (Tamiya), TNX 5.2R, Nitrage 5.2, Bigwig, Fox, Monster Beetle, Celica, Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar Rally, Blackfoot, Midnight Pumpkin, Super Shot, Super Sabre, Striker, Sonic Fighter, Lunch Box, Nissan King Cab, Wild Willy, Wild Willy 2,
TRF 416X, TRF 417, Nissan R91CP, Mazda 787B, Mercedes C-11, Jaguar XJR-12
Mini four-wheel drives
- Ford RangerFord RangerThe Ford Ranger is a pickup truck produced by the Ford Motor Company. The "Ranger" name had previously been used for a premium styling package on the F-Series full-sized pickup trucks since 1965. The name was moved to this line of North American compact trucks for the 1983 model year.In North...
4x4 (July 13, 1982 Mini 4WD) an early Mini 4WD, released at the same time as the Chevrolet Pickup 4x4 - Hotshot Jr. (June 16, 1986: Racing Mini 4WD) An early Racing Mini 4WD
- Avante Jr (December 15, 1986: Racing Mini 4WD) said to be the first appearance of a mini 4WD for serious racing use.
- Sonic Saber (September 7, 1994: Fully Cowled Mini 4WD) an early Fully Cowled machine, released at the same time as the Magnum Saber
- Nitro Thunder (November 18, 2005: Mini 4WD PRO) an early Mini 4WD PRO, released at the same time as Nitro Force
Association with CAVE
In March 2005, Tamiya partnered with CAVECave (company)
Cave Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game company, known primarily for its manic shoot 'em ups. Cave remains one of the most active makers of arcade shoot-'em-ups in the Japanese market...
, a game manufacturing company. Starting In June of the same year, they developed components for use in cell phones. Later, in November, they joined in releasing the Mini Vehicle PRO, and since October has established an informational site about miniature vehicles, which included the online game "Mini Vehicle Online Racer." At first, the service schedule was for spring 2006, but because of delays, official service was postponed to summer 2007.
On February 1, 2006, Tamiya and CAVE established MINI4WD NETWORKS CO., LTD., a spin-off business dealing with miniature vehicles. In July of the same year, the company began the "MINIon Club" service, a social networking site which also gave special deals on miniature vehicles.
Overseas subsidiaries
- Tamiya America, Inc.
- Tamiya Philippines, Inc.
- Tamiya Hong Kong, LTD
- Tamiya Europe, GmbH
Presently, over half of Tamiya's products are manufactured in the Philippines. Tamiya's 1/48 Mini Military AFV, complete even to the point where it was given weathering, aimed to expand the market for completed, painted models as was seen in the snack and toy boom. In order to accommodate that, Tamiya has about 1200 workers to make finished die cast models which are then shipped to hobby markets around the world.
Tamiya is a major shareholder of Creative Master Bermuda Limited, a Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
-based contract manufacturer which includes Tamiya amongst its clients.
Other
Mabuchi Motor
of Chiba Prefecture, Japan is the world's number one manufacturer of small electric motors.The company holds 70% of the market for motors used with automotive door mirrors, door locks, and air conditioning damper actuators.-Locations:...
, a popular product which runs in water.
In 1960, beginning with the Honda F1
Honda F1
Honda Racing F1 Team was a Formula One team run by Japanese car manufacturer Honda, from 1964 to 1968 and from 2006 to 2008. Honda's involvement in F1 began with the 1964 season; their withdrawal in 1968 was precipitated by the death of Honda driver Jo Schlesser during the 1968 French Grand Prix. ...
(RA273
Honda RA273
The Honda RA273 was a Formula One racing car used by the Honda team in the 1966 and 1967 Formula One seasons.The engine was re-designed from the RA272's 1,500cc V12 to a brand new 3,000cc V12 due to the change of regulations before the 1966 season...
), Tamiya dealt with many plastic models of Formula One. Because of that, the company decided to sponsor Team Lotus
Team Lotus
Team Lotus was the motorsport sister company of English sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. The team ran cars in many motorsport series including Formula One, Formula Two, Formula Ford, Formula Junior, IndyCar and sports car racing...
in . Since 1976's Tyrrell P34
Tyrrell P34
The Tyrrell P34 , otherwise known as the "six-wheeler", was a Formula One race car designed by Derek Gardner, Tyrrell's chief designer....
, they paid royalties to the teams whose cars their models were based on. Because of the excellent quality of the finished products and so forth, they built strong relations with the teams to the point where even the teams' well guarded plans (CAD data) were shown only to Tamiya and no other model makers. However, recently this sort of arrangement has petered out and models are based on things like news photographs, and the demands for the royalties
Royalties
Royalties are usage-based payments made by one party to another for the right to ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property...
by the Formula One teams have risen. Thus, it is not easy to sell a new model in recent years. Other model companies have taken over the F1 market (Model Factory Hiro) and now have the connections that Tamiya used to have with current and past F1 teams.
Tamiya's drive to perfect their models' appearance began in 1966 with a visit to the Aberdeen Tank Museum, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Because no pictures or sketches of the classified tanks were permitted, as soon as the people from Tamiya left the grounds they sketched all they could remember.
In 1980's Tamiya introduced Programmable logic controller
Programmable logic controller
A programmable logic controller or programmable controller is a digital computer used for automation of electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or light fixtures. PLCs are used in many industries and machines...
for moving models.It was used 4-bit Microcontroller
Microcontroller
A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM...
.
Facilities
Tamiya has several large regional divisions, notably in Irvine, CaliforniaIrvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
, home of "Tamiya America," the North
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South American branch responsible for many of the company's racing developments. Tamiya America also features a world-class racing facility in Aliso Viejo, California
Aliso Viejo, California
Aliso Viejo is a city in Orange County, California. It had a population of 47,823 as of the 2010 census, up from 40,166 as of the 2000 census. It became Orange County's 34th city on July 1, 2001, the only city in the county to incorporate since 2000...
which is the site of several world championship events, as well as an annual scale model contest called Tamiya/Con, the last of which was held in 2006. An assembly plant is located in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
is the home of "Tamiya Europe's" operations.
Mascot
Between 1984 to 1989, Tamiya had its own mascot called Plastic Model Moko-chan, who has a rabbitRabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
sidekick called Rabbi-kun (プラモ Puramo) and sometimes they were titled Moko-chan no (and) Rabbi-kun (プラモのモ子ちゃん Puramo no Moko-chan). Drawn by manga artist Fujita Yukihisa, they usually appeared in various Japanese language pamphlets and in comics with Japan-released Tamiya models. They would teach kids about the various models they were building and there was even a series on how to build them, all in a comic format as well as its only bilingual series of leaflets titled RC Lecture By Moko Chan (モ子ちゃんRC講座), teaching children RC car care and maintenance. Despite being out of use by Tamiya, the characters still have a large following with devotees. In the instructions of some plastic 1/35 scale tanks, a tank crewman usually gives tips.
Competitors
- Academy Plastic Model Co.Academy Plastic Model Co.Academy Plastic Model Co., Ltd. is a Korean plastic model, chemical, and toy company. It is headquartered in Uijeongbu-Si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea and was established on September 1, 1969. It holds three headquarters in Seoul, Korea; Gelsenkirchen, Germany; and Rosario, Cavite, Philippines...
- Aoshima Bunka Kyozai Co.
- Dragon Models Limited DML.Dragon Models LimitedDragon Models Limited is a Hong Kong based manufacturer of plastic model kits, diecast models and military action figures...
- HasegawaHasegawa (model company)The is a company that manufactures plastic model kits of a variety of vehicles, including model aircraft, model cars, model ships, model armor, model space craft and science fiction kits...
- KyoshoKyoshois a model car company based in Tokyo, Japan. The brand operates internationally under the name KYOSHO. The company's main office is located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and the production headquarters are located in Atsugi, Kanagawa....
See also
- IPMSIPMSThe International Plastic Modellers' Society consist of local and national chapters of hobbyists interested in building Plastic model kits...
, International Plastic Modellers' Society - AMPSArmor Modeling and Preservation SocietyThe Armor Modeling and Preservation Society is a social club with the common interest of modeling miniature armored fighting vehicles, military model figures, ordnance, dioramas, and related equipment...
, Armor Modeling and Preservation Society - Model military vehicleModel military vehicle-Scales:The term 'scale' refers to the proportion of actual size the replica or model represents. Scale is usually expressed as a ratio or as a fraction . In either case it conveys the notion that the replica or model is accurately scaled in all visible proportions from a full-size prototype object...
- Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!!
- Dash! YonkuroDash! Yonkurois based on the popular manga comic strip about Mini 4WD in tournament. This manga series was created by Zaurus Tokuda and is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed manga in the genre of "Martial-Style Racer".-Manga:...
- Mini 4WDMini 4wdA mini 4WD is a 1:32-sized battery powered plastic model race car without remote control. All 4 rubber-tired wheels are driven, thus "4WD" for 4 wheel drive. Side rollers secure the vehicle against the vertical walls of the un-banked track for steering, providing very fast speeds compared to slot...
- Model carModel carA model car or toy car is a miniature representation of an automobile. Other miniature motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses, or even ATVs, etc. are often included in the general category of model cars...