Monthly Archives: June 2021

Tamiya Mini 4WD Japan Cup 2021 event limited sale items

95143 Dual Ridge Jr. Japan Cup 2021 (Polycarbonate Body / VZ Chassis)

The Dual Ridge Jr. Japan Cup 2021 is a special limited model of the Japan Cup based on the popular “Dual Ridge Jr.” that uses a VZ chassis. A lightweight, easy-to-customize clear polycarbonate body has been newly adopted to further improve driving performance. In addition, the compact and wide setting VZ chassis is coordinated in dark blue, the A-spoke wheels are also coordinated in blue, and super hard small diameter low height tires are installed.
(Scheduled to be released in September 2021)
○ Body = Polycarbonate (Clear), Metal-like sticker
○ Chassis, A parts = ABS (Dark blue)
○ Wheels = A spokes (Blue)
○ Tires = Super hard small diameter low height (Black)
・ Side JAPAN CUP 2021 / TAMIYA MINI 4WD with white print on the surface
○ Gear ratio = 3.5: 1, with motor

95604 DCR-02 (Decross 02) Clear Black Special (MA Chassis)

A special color version of the 3-split body machine designed by hyper designer Kayuki Yamazaki. Super hard low-height tires are mounted on Y-spoke wheels with matt pink plating.
○ Body = ABS (clear black), sticker (clear type)
○ Chassis = ABS (clear purple)
○ A parts = POM resin (white)
○ Wheels = Y spokes (matt pink plating)
○ Tires = super hard small diameter low height (black) )
・ PDC / SUPER HARD white print on the side surface and white line
○ Gear ratio = 3.5: 1, with double shaft motor

95633 Neo VQS Polycarbonate Body Special (VS Chassis)

Neo VQS special kit with polycarbonate body. The chassis is a compact and lightweight VS with a short wheelbase. White hard low-height tires are mounted on carbon-reinforced Y-spoke wheels.
○ Body = Polycarbonate (Clear), Sticker (Clear type)
○ Chassis = ABS (Light green)
○ A parts = ABS (White)
○ Wheels = Carbon reinforced Y spokes (Black)
○ Tires = Hard small diameter low height (White)
○ Gear Ratio = 3.5: 1, with double shaft motor

95147 Mini 4WD Catcher (J-CUP2021 / Light Blue)

The Japan Cup 2021 specification is now available in the “Mini 4WD Catcher”, which can be easily assembled without using adhesives or screws and can safely catch the running Mini 4WD. It is manufactured by bending a 0.75 mm thick PP (polypropylene) material. The new color, light blue, is used. The logo of Japan Cup 2021 is printed in black.
[Basic specifications] Width approx. 110 mm, length approx. 190 mm, height approx. 70 mm. Uses 0.75 mm thick PP (polypropylene) material　

95141 Hyper Dash 3 Motor J-CUP 2021
95142 Hyper Dash Motor PRO J-CUP 2021

Two types of motors to commemorate the Japan Cup will be released this year as well. A special design with the letters JAPAN CUP 2021 laid out on the mount and motor label, and the checkered pattern creates a lacy atmosphere. A popular item for both souvenirs and racing. (Scheduled to be released in August 2021)
○ Uses a silver carbon brush with an excellent balance between electrical efficiency and durability.
○ The end bell is red color. Pinion gear sold separately.
○ Hyper Dash 3 Motor: Can be used for chassis other than MS chassis and MA chassis such as VZ, FM-A, AR, VS, Super II, Super X, Super XX, Super TZ-X chassis .
○ Hyper Dash Motor PRO: Can be used for MS chassis and MA chassis.

95144 HG Carbon Rear Brake Stay (1.5mm) J-CUP2021
95145 HG Carbon Multi Wide Stay (1.5mm) J-CUP2021
95146 HG Carbon Multi Wide Rear Stay (1.5mm) J-CUP2021

Introducing three types of lightweight, highly rigid 1.5 mm thick limited carbon plates with the Tamiya mark and J-CUP 2021 logo printed in blue color. Both the multi-wide stay and the multi-wide rear stay are equipped with 9mm, 13mm, and 19mm parts mounting holes to support various modifications such as wide setting of rollers. (Scheduled to be released in August 2021)
○ Multi-wide stay: Mini 4WD PRO, Mini 4WD each car
○ Rear brake stay, multi-wide rear stay: MA, MS, VZ, FM-A, AR, VS, Super II, Super Available for X, Super XX and Super TZ-X chassis.
* Includes mounting screws and washers.
* Some chassis or bodies need to be processed.

95148 HG 19mm All Aluminum Bearing Roller J-CUP2021

It is a special specification in which the popular all-aluminum roller with a diameter of 19 mm is given a black alumite color and the letters “TAMIYA JAPAN CUP 2021” are blue-printed. A 520 ball bearing is embedded in the bearing part to demonstrate smooth rotation. Also a point.
(Scheduled to be released in August 2021)
* Mounting screws and spacers are also included.
* Do not use cleaners, etc. as printing can be taken.　
[Available machines] Mini 4WD PRO and Mini 4WD vehicles (some bodies need to be processed)

95631 Super Hard Low Height Tires & Reinforced Dish Wheels (Dual Ridge Jr.)

High-strength wheels made of glass-filled nylon resin. Equipped with super hard small diameter low height tires with white print.
〇 wheel = glass-filled nylon resin dish type (Ivory)
〇 tire = super hard large diameter Low height (black)
side surface in DUAL RIDGE Jr., VZ CHASSIS white into print
[available machine] four wheel drive mini PRO, mini four Each car (some bodies need to be processed)

95632 Jibney body parts set (clear orange)

The Filipino shared bus “Jeepney” modeled as a Mini 4WD.
Introducing a body part with a bright clear orange body and a sticker with a newly designed fire pattern.
[Available machine] FM-A chassis

Plastic model courses from Tamiya – streak carving & nippers and cutter knives


“Streak carving” is a technique that is useful for finishing and improving the details of plastic model production. Introducing the features of the dedicated tool released by Tamiya and the points of how to use it.
00:12 What is streak carving?
01:40 Introduction of streak carving carbide blade
03:51 Introduction of streak carving carbide needle
06:39 Introduction of Precision Saw II (for streak carving)


“Nippers” and “cutter knives” that are indispensable for making plastic models. Introducing the features of the product lineup released by Tamiya and the points of how to use it.

● Commentary: Shinji Hasegawa (Pro modeler / Tamiya Plamodelfactory Tressa Yokohama store instructor)

Radio-controlled model popularity, revived by Covid-19? Boom due to demand for nesting, background information from Tamiya

Tamiya Chairman Shunsaku Tamiya = Shizuoka Hobby Square, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City, November 8, 2020


The popularity of “RC models” is increasing, driven by the demand for nesting due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
What made the shrinking RC car (radio control car = radio control) model market “revive”? We interviewed Tamiya (Shizuoka City), one of the largest manufacturers.

Tamiya Chairman “Production is not in time”
RC cars that can be played by remotely controlling a model car can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Even adults, there are enthusiastic players like former Chunichi Dragons pitcher Masahiro Yamamoto, but although there was a big boom in the 1980s, it has been shrinking due to the ageing of the players since then.

The person in charge of Tamiya Public Relations Office explains that the demand is higher than before the expansion of the new corona.

“Demand for RC cars and other hobby products in general is higher than before Corona due to the prolonged stay home period.”
One of the factors supporting its popularity is that the number of followers on its RC-related SNS accounts has increased significantly.

The number of followers of the “Tamiya RC Models (@TAMIYAGP_STAFF)” (opened in June 2010) account, which disseminates RC car-related information on Twitter, has doubled from about 6,000 to 12,600 in the past year, and YouTube subscribers. The number has also increased significantly from about 70,000 to 130,000.

As Chairman Shunsaku Tamiya said, “Production is not in time and there are not enough products worldwide” (from the article delivered on December 27, 2020 in the Asahi Shimbun), we can see that it is a solid success.

Lively on SNS even if the event is cancelled
On the other hand, there are cases where the RC car competition event has been forced to be cancelled due to the corona damage. The industry’s largest exhibition “Shizuoka Hobby Show”, which is held in May every year, was cancelled in 2020, and in 2021, the acceptance of general customers was stopped and it was held only by distributors.

However, “the longer I spend at home, the more attention I have to the model hobby in general, has had a positive effect” (Tamiya public relations), and I am interested in RC cars via SNS and word of mouth. It seems that the number of users is increasing.

“(In response to rising demand for nesting), we will use YouTube and Twitter to send out product information and RC car driving videos, and actively carry out user-participation-type planning to increase the number of new customers, especially off-road buggies. Model RC cars such as “Glass Hopper”, “Hornet”, “Neo Mighty Frog”, and “Neo Scorcher” are performing well, and sales of reprinted models of RC, which were popular in the 1980s, are also increasing steadily. RC cars that you can drive and enjoy are also compatible with SNS, and by uploading images and driving videos of your car to Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, your share is expanding and the entire market is revitalised.”

Being able to share works on SNS also seems to be a tailwind.

Cooperate with real car makers
RC cars boomed in the 1980s, but the market has been declining since then.

“A major factor is that men in their 30s and 40s, who are the most voluminous zone of users, can no longer afford to spend on their hobbies, both in terms of time and money, and young people in their teens and 20s. One of the reasons is that we weren’t able to acquire a certain number of users” says a Tamiya representative, but the company is now trying to encourage middle-aged and its children, who know the boom of yesteryear, to enjoy RC cars.

“We are focusing on measures to encourage the resumption of RC hobbies for fathers who experienced the boom of the 1980s. Furthermore, automobile manufacturers (Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, Honda, etc.) aiming to acquire younger users. We are constantly planning RC cars for families in cooperation with us, and as a result, the number of cases where families enjoy RC cars is increasing in recent years.”

Both have analysed the recent situation and are trying to break again as a hobby that parents and children can enjoy.

Source of original article in Japanese language: J-CAST News

Tamiya RC Advice Vol.12 – Introducing how to install the LED light (1)



Dressing up the machine is also a big attraction of the hobby RC car. This time, I will explain how to install the LED light, which is easy to install and improves the feeling of the actual vehicle.
Products introduced in the video
58692 1/10 RC Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 (CC-02 chassis)
53909 Tamiya LED Light Unit (TLU-01)
54693 Double-sided tape (20mm x 2m)
54351 Aluminum glass mesh tape
54600 Tamiya LED Light (φ5 Halogen White)

First photos of new Tamiya RC car releases Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ

As we had announced here, Tamiya just presented their new RC releases Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ at the releases Toyota GR 86 / Subaru BRZ at the Fuji Speedway racetrack.

Tamiya 64433 R/C Guide Book Volume 17 Spring-Summer 2021 & official international release list June 2021

R/C Models
　54998　　CC-02 Carbon Steel Propeller Shaft (75mm)
　22003　　TA08 Stabilizer Set (Front & Rear)
　22004　　TA08 Aluminum Servo Mount
　22005　　TA08 Carbon Damper Stays (Front & Rear)
　47476　　TA08 PRO Titanium Screw Set
　51667　　TA08 06 Module Spur Gear (71T)
　51668　　TA08 04 Module Spur Gear (110T)
　51669　　TA08 D Parts (Suspension Arms) 2pcs.
　51670　　TA08 Front Belt (132T)
　51671　　TA08 Rear Belt (101T)

Static Models
　12042　　1/12 Martini Brabham BT44B 1975
　24360　　1/24 Nissan Fairlady 240ZG
　35378　　1/35 German Tank Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.G (Early Production)
　61121　　1/48 McDonnell Douglas™ F-4B Phantom II™
　12692　　1/48 Scale F-4 Phantom II™ Decal Set A

Kids
　95141　　Hyper-Dash 3 Motor J-Cup 2021
　95142　　Hyper-Dash Motor PRO J-Cup 2021
　95144　　HG Carbon Multi Roller Setting Stay (1.5mm) J-Cup 2021
　95145　　HG Carbon Rear Multi Roller Setting Stay (1.5mm) J-Cup 2021
　95146　　HG Carbon Rear Brake Stay (1.5mm) J-Cup 2021
　95148　　HG 19mm Aluminum Ball-Race Rollers (Ringless) J-Cup 2021
　95622　　Dash-1 Emperor (Type 3) Special Kit
　95623　　Dash-01 Super Emperor Special Kit
　95624　　Dash-0 Horizon Special Kit
　95625　　Dash-001 Great Emperor Special Kit
　95626　　Mini 4WD Classic Tune-Up Parts Set Vol.1
　95627　　Mini 4WD Classic Tune-Up Parts Set Vol.2
　95628　　Mini 4WD Classic Tune-Up Parts Set Vol.3