Category Archives: Customized Builds

Tamiya Top Force (2017) – may the force be with you

From time to time we´re presenting some builds, mostly of Tamiya’s great range of re-releases. Today, we will show you the Top Force buggy which is Tamiya’s 100th RC Kit (1991) and was first re-released in 2006.

Now Tamiya did it again. The Top Force (2017) is back to show his potential.

The so called “Vintage Racing” scene becomes more and more popular. And it’s good to see other manufacturers following Tamiya re-releasing their classic cars from back in the 80´s and 90´s.

The Top Force, and especially the later released Top Force Evolution was Tamiya´s answer for the very popular off road racing scene in the early 90’s. It’s based on the classic Manta Ray chassis (which itself is based on the TA01/TA02 touring cars), but comes with a double deck FRP chassis and damper stays, ball diffs, steel prop shaft, Lexan undercowl and universal shafts for the front end. The body looks like a big wing, which gives the Top Force a very aerodynamic and aggressive look.

But that’s history. How good is the new/old Top Force ? Building the kit was a joy. We built the kit with a full set of ball bearings, a classic Tamiya aluminum motor mount (the original plastic one was always a weak spot) and the “Tamiya Top Force 2017 High Capacity Damper Set” No. 47358 (which is especially released for the Top Force 2017 kit). These dampers are of very good quality. They work extremely smooth, and look excellent too. On some of the photos, you see the car with Tamiya DF-03 wheels and modern racing tires. A perfect set up for the vintage racing scene.

As a regular reader, you may know that we lik alternate paintschemes. The Top Force is no exception here. This time, our choice felt for the relatively new Tamiya PS-63 Bright Gun Metal. We like it a lot, and it suits the colour of the Tamiya High Cap dampers very well.

Join vintage racing ! May the force be with you.

Announcement of the 77th Tamiya Pachi Contest winning work

This year’s contest received the most applicants in the last 10 years. Scene photography department Gold prize is “HUNTER” of Keisuke Tanaka. It is a work that seems to have cut off a moment of the battlefield, with spectacularly blending the line of sight of the soldier looking forward from the Panther D type vehicle and the grassland spreading beyond. Akihiro Seki’s Gold Prize in the work photography division is “UE tractor + 3.7 cm antitank gun”. As the title of the work is a little unique work with a 3.7 cm antitank gun on the UE tractor. Both work and painting are balanced well. It is also characteristic that the number of entries from young people in their teens is increasing this time. There are many high-level works that I can not think of as elementary and junior high school students, both special awards were selected from junior class in both departments. A patch contest that not only produces a model but also photographs that work and enjoy it, I will be waiting for your efforts next time.


The 78th Pachi application method (Deadline: September 1, 2018)
76th Pachi Contest winning work

78th Tamiya Pachi application (Deadline: September 1, 2018)

Pachi Contest

What is a pachi contest?
The world “Patch” by model matching and video expression matching. It is an AFV model photo contest held once a year, where not only Japanese domestics, but also international forces are gathered. Particularly welcomed works with new products as their main characters. Please blow new breeze with your idea full masterpieces, power capability.

[Scene photography division]
Please photograph the scenery work like real battlefield photos and apply. Military miniature series, world figure series, other Tamiya scale model combined photo is OK.

[Work photography department]
Please appeal the painting technology of vehicles and dolls with photographs. It can be a work made according to the instruction manual of the kit, or a work with remodeling added. You can also use it as a photograph taken in the scene stage.

Scene Photography Section 76th Gold Prize Work

2018 Application Procedure for 78th Work

■ Applicable products
Please apply in things that mainly use 1/35 military miniature series, 1/48 military miniature series, 1/16 world figure series, 1/25 tank series.
In the scene photography department, even if it is a Tamiya product, it can be used in combination with military miniature products, world figure products, even for other scale models.
Works that are mainly made by other companies’ vehicles and accessories, and in which Tamiya products are only partially visible are not accepted.

■ Photo Types
Photos can be color or black and white. Please apply for color in 2 L size (about 130 × 180 mm), black and white in cabinet size.
We accept works shot with digital camera. Please print with 2L size and apply. In this case, image processing other than adjustment of color tone and contrast of the entire screen is prohibited.

■ Type of
photos Please stick the work cards with tape one by one to the back of the photo.
Be sure to write the title, scale, vehicle name.
When sending photos, please do not break by attaching a mount.
It is fine even for remodeled works with photographs in the process of making the remodeling places easy to understand.
The work is limited to unpublished works.
We will not return the photo, so please be forewarned.
Work card download: ★ PDF format 

■ Deadline
September 1, 2018 (postmarked effective on the day)

■ To
whom the work is sent 〒422-8610 3-7 Shinagawa-ku Suruga-ku, Shimaoka “Tachiya” Pachi Contest “staff

■ Review
Tamiya news editing room

■ Entry announcement
Tamiya news November issue, Tamiya website, Monthly model art magazine.
We will notify winners by letter.
Winning works will be posted in the patch contest pamphlet.

For inquiries
about inquiries , please contact the Tamiya news editorial office “Pachi Contest Officer”. TEL 054-286-5105

Bonuses * These are selected from among the scene photography department, work photography division.

Gold Medal 1 each 50,000 yen prize
Silver Award 2 each Prize 30,000 yen
Bronze 2 each Prize 20,000 yen
Model Art Prize 2 each Prize 20,000 yen
Honorable mention Each 6 people Prize 10,000 yen
Junior Prize 2 each Prize 10,000 yen From girls, silver, copper, those who did not enter the honorable mention under the age of 15
Special prize 1 each Prize 10,000 yen From unique works, particularly elaborate works, unique works etc
We will send a pachinko of “Pachi Contest” to all those who posted the work.
Gold medal ■: 1 person each  prize 50,000 yen
■ Silver Award: 2 each  prize 30,000 yen
■ Bronze Award: 2 each  prize 20,000 yen
■ Model Art Prize: 2 each  prize 20,000 yen
■ Honorable mention: 6 each  winning prize 10,000 yen
■ Junior Prize: 2 each  winning prize 10,000 yen / From among those who did not enter gold, silver, copper, honorable mention under 15 years old
■ Special Prize: From each of 1 person  prize 10,000 yen / unique work, particularly elaborate work, unique work etc.

We will send a pachinko of “Pachi Contest” to all those who posted the work.

Past winning works

2017 (77th) | 2016 (76th)

2017 Tobu Tamiya modelers contest awarded works announced

Many works gathered at the venue of Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro store this summer.
In the contest this time that counts the 34th time there are 202 entries that are significantly larger than the last year’s 187 points, and I think that there are many people who actually went to see it, but the exhibition hall is a work filled with power It became full. This time we will introduce the remarkable works from among them. Although it is not possible to introduce all entries, it would be greatly appreciated if you could feel a part of the contest. As for the Tobu contest, we are planning to report twice, Tamiya News October issue (Vol.581), November issue (Vol.582). Please also look at Tamiya news.