Category Archives: Customized Builds

Winning works of the Tamiya Mini 4WD Japan Cup 2020 Concours d’Elegance ONLINE

Introducing the award-winning works of the Mini 4WD Japan Cup 2020 “Concours d’Elegance ONLINE”!
“Concours d’Elegance ONLINE”, which was held online from August 2020 to compete for ideas for dressing up Mini 4WD. Introducing all 12 works that won the “NEW ERA Award” in 4 periods, JC2020 Condele 1-3, additional EX, and other award-winning works at once. From real-life live-action machines to machines full of interesting ideas, please have a look at the many powerful works that involuntarily groan “So Kita!”!

Created to conquer – The Tamiya VQS (2020)

Besides the Tamiya Avante, probably the most beautiful and most famous Tamiya 4WD buggy of the 80s, there were also three other buggies in this series of cars. We all know the Egress, as it was the last “expansion stage” of the Avante before the scepter was handed over to the “Top Force Evolution”.
The two “entry-level models” in the competition, the “Vanquish” and the “Avante 2001”, were somewhat in the shadows.
Both models were technically almost identical and should be suitable for entry into the rc racing competition.
The use of a plastic tub chassis kept costs down. The “Vanquish” in particular was able to shine visually.
And this one has now been reissued as “VQS”. Naming rights have probably forced Tamiya to change the name to “VQS”.
Nonetheless, one of the most beautiful Tamiya buggies of the late 80s era. This buggy combines a beautiful classic color scheme with a very modern futuristic styled body, as well as, given the Hotshot and Thundershot series of vehicles, much more modern technology.
The “new” VQS kit comes with a pre-painted body, which allows the inexperienced model maker in particular to complete the model much faster.
We are particularly pleased about the improvements Tamiya gave the “VQS”. CVD’s front and rear, as well as the aluminum milled steering knuckles at the front were taken over from the Avante and Egress. In addition, the buggy is practically completely equipped with ball-bearings. Only 6 small ball bearings still need to be added.
Tamiya also has made a very nice bonus for the “VQS”. The “VQS Hi Cap Damper Set 47455”. We all know and love these dampers from the 80s. Also suitable for many other cars of that time. We have also equipped our “VQS” with the new Hi Caps. Visually and technically a real pleasure.
Overall, we went the classic way with our example. A Tamiya Super Stock BZ brushed motor and the Tamiya Hi Torque Servo Saver complete the car.
As with every Tamiya car, building it was a real treat. And the builder is rewarded with a beautiful model after completion.
We at TamiyaBlog are very happy about this iconic re-release. A real beauty, the new Tamiya “VQS” (2020)

Many thanks to Dickie Tamiya and Tamico for providing us with the Tamiya “VQS” kit.

Tamiya Scale Models Share Your Home Hobby



These works were submitted by Tamiya users from around the world.
How about sharing your Home Hobby on your own SNS?
When you share your home hobby, don’t forget the hashtag “#shareyourhomehobby”!
We’re looking forward to seeing your Tamiya models!!
▼For detailed information about the winner, please visit the following URL
https://www.tamiya.com/english/info/homehobby/index.htm
▼If you are interested in our products, please find your own local Tamiya agent from our Agents List
https://www.tamiya.com/english/agent/agent.htm?ref=pcft

Tamiya figure remodeling contest 49th prize-winning work announcement

In 2020, the casual daily life changed completely. Every day there are no signs of an end, but at the 49th Doll Remodeling Contest, we have a collection of masterpieces filled with all your thoughts. This time, I focused on works based on the activities of Ken Shimura, who died in the spring of this year. You can see how much the character was loved. In addition to this, I am grateful that works with the theme of the new corona were submitted from various perspectives and participated in the contest while coping with the current situation. Next time is finally 50 times. I hope that you will be able to welcome this memorable tournament in a sunny mood.

Winning works　* Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order)


Previous contest awards

Tamiya RC LIVE November 14th Holiday Meeting & Tamiya RC Advice Vol.2



Introducing the venue scenery of Tamiya RC Holiday Meeting (morning).


Introducing the venue scenery of Tamiya RC Holiday Meeting (afternoon).


Tamiya RC Advice Vol.2 Let’s start an RC car with an assembled completed model! “Introduction of optional parts you want to attach first”
Explain the optional parts that I would like to recommend first as a tune-up for the XB Dual Ridge (TT-02B chassis) and their effects.
Click here for detailed information on the products introduced in the video
00:50 OP.497 TT-02B / TT-01 Full bearing set
01:26 OP.1558 TT-02 Aluminum Motor Mount
02:26 OP.791 DF-02 Assembly Universal Shaft
03:18 OP.569 Clamp type aluminum wheel hub (6mm thickness)
03:46 OP.587 φ5mm shim set (3 types, 10 sheets each)
04:06 OP.1799 TT-02 High Torque Servo Saver Set (with aluminum horn)

Autonomous Tamiya RC truck with wireless charging (ROS/Jetson TX2)



A self-driving system developed with Linux & ROS on an NVIDIA Jetson TX2, to demonstrate dynamic inductive charging from the road. The sensor package consists of a lidar and camera. Hector SLAM is used for mapping and localization. Pure Pursuit is used to follow a manually recorded path. Machine-learning and behavior cloning is used to make the vehicle drive with camera only. Recorded camera images and steering input were used as training data to a deep neural network. The truck is controlled with PWM-signals from a Teensy 3.2 microcontroller. There are four different driving modes; manual, record new path, lidar/SLAM-mode, and AI-mode. The truck has an onboard induction charger system that talks with the TX2 through CAN-bus. There is also a custom GUI to monitor the states of the truck and battery.

Link to paper: https://ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/handle/11250/2625670
Github: https://github.com/joneivind/Self-Driving-Truck

Master Thesis in Cybernetics & Robotics by Jon Eivind Stranden at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in cooperation with SINTEF Energy Research, 2019.
Source: joneivinds YouTube channel

Tamiya RC & Mini 4WD – Share Your Home Hobby




Videos description:
Thank you for coming to our Youtube Channel.
These works were submitted by Tamiya users from around the world.
How about sharing your Home Hobby on your own SNS?
When you share your home hobby, don’t forget the hashtag “#shareyourhomehobby”!
We’re looking forward to seeing your Tamiya models!!
▼For detailed information about the winner, please visit the following URL
https://www.tamiya.com/english/info/homehobby/index.htm
▼If you are interested in our products, please find your own local Tamiya agent from our Agents List
https://www.tamiya.com/english/agent/agent.htm?ref=pcft

Dragons never die – Return of the Tamiya Super (Storm) Dragon

We, the TamiyaBlog team have always been big fans of the Japanese comic-inspired Tamiya dragon buggies. The Fire Dragon in particular is one of our favorites.
So the Super Storm Dragon is one for us too.
In the 1980s the Super Dragon was only a body set for the Hornet and Thunder Shot chassis.
Now the dragon is back as a complete kit on a classic Hornet chassis.
As with some of the new kits, the body is also pre-painted and only needs to be decaled.
As you have noticed, the name has also changed. Possibly because of licensing problems.
But Tamiya helps us here with the stickers. You can cut the “Storm” out of the sticker, and so you have a “Storm Dragon”. The number 18 stickers on the side from the original release are also included in the sticker sheet.

Building was a real joy. You feel like a kid again, building your first Tamiya Off Road Racer.
We have installed a classic black Sport Tuned motor, a complete set of ball bearings and classic aluminum rim covers in our Super Dragon for that special custom look.

We really love this car. It brings back so many great memories from the 1980s, the golden era of the Tamiya RC cars.
Enjoy the Super Dragon!
We are really looking forward to the comeback of the Tamiya Fire Dragon.

Many thanks to Dickie Tamiya and Tamico for providing us with the Super Dragon kit.