Category Archives: Media

Tamiya Trail Mini 4WD EZ Chassis assembly video



0:04 Preparation and confirmation items before assembly
1:30 ①Installation of pinion gear
1:55 ②Installation of gear shaft and P3/P4 gear
3:01 ③Installation of motor and motor cover
3:27 ④Installation of battery fitting 1
3:55 ⑤Installation of battery fitting 2
4:10 ⑥Securing switch fitting
4:26 ⑦Switch Installation of
4:43 ⑧ Installation of P2 gear
5:33 ⑨ Installation and fixing of gear cover
6:07 ⑩ Installation of hex shaft (rear)
6:13 ⑪ Installation of wheel and tyre (rear)
6:41 ⑫ Installation of hex shaft (front)
6:48 ⑮ Installation of wheel and tyre (front)
6:58 ⑭ Battery installation
7:10 ⑮ Battery cover installation

“The industry is on the rise” – Still active at age 90 Tamiya’s Chairman talks about the Shizuoka Hobby Show and the current state of the model industry


On May 14th, the Shizuoka Hobby Show, Japan’s largest model and hobby exhibition, opened at Twin Messe Shizuoka in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City.

The event ran for five days from May 14th to 18th, and in 2025, the 63rd event, 99 companies and organizations, including 17 model manufacturers from Shizuoka Prefecture, displaying new plastic models and figures. The first and second days are invitation days for businesses, and general visitors are not allowed to enter, but the venue was bustling with buyers and media representatives from Japan and abroad from the very first day of the opening.

Chairman Tamiya
“I may look like this, but I am in good health.”

Every year, in the morning of the first day, a press conference is held by the Shizuoka Model Teaching Materials Cooperative, which is organizing the show, and Chairman Tamiya Shunsaku, who is also the president of Tamiya, answers questions from the media, but this year he made an appearance at the venue again, even though he is now 90 years old.

When asked by the moderator to say a few words at the start of the event, Chairman Tamiya gave a typical greeting to the press, saying, “I’ve hurt my leg a bit, so I’m dressed like this, but I’m still as healthy as ever, so please take care of me,” and the interview began.

Q. What are your impressions of this year’s Hobby Show?
Tamiya Shunsaku, Chairman, Shizuoka Model Teaching Materials Cooperative
“Every year, it gets bigger and bigger. The original in Germany (Nuremberg International Toy Fair) avoids opening it to the public, but people still come to the places that are open to the public. Nothing has changed for us.” Q.

Is the industry as a whole on an upward trend?
(Tamiya Shunsaku, Chairman)
“There’s no need to ask that! It’s on an upward trend.”

Q. What impact will the tariffs imposed by the United States have on the industry?
Chairman Tamiya Shunsaku
“The current situation with plastic models in the United States is that they are simply copying the trends in Japan. So, plastic models are just starting out in Japan. It’s a little different from when you were a child. In our case (Tamiya), we export a lot. We are also working hard for children overseas, but it’s the same now.”

At the 2024 Hobby Show, reporters asked many questions about the historic depreciation of the yen, but this year, questions about the impact of the US tariff policy stood out. However, because the situation is changing and there are many unclear aspects, and each company’s response is very different, Director Daisuke Aoshima (President of Aoshima) explained that it is difficult for the union to express its opinion.

Q. Is there anything you would like to say to visitors?
Chairman Shunsaku Tamiya
“The venue (Twin Messe Shizuoka) has become small. Hobby shows are also being held in the exhibition halls of various manufacturers, so I hope you will come and see them.”

The Shizuoka Hobby Show is held at an exhibition facility called Twin Messe Shizuoka, but the main exhibition halls, the North Hall and South Hall, are already fully used, and we cannot increase the space any more. As a result, the number of exhibitors has not changed significantly over the past few years, and since the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of visitors has been limited to a pre-application system on public days for safety reasons.

Director Katsuhito Hasegawa (President of Hasegawa) said that there are still many manufacturers who want to exhibit at the show, but they are turning them down because there is not enough room, and that he would be grateful if Shizuoka City could somehow make the venue larger.

Tamiya, where Chairman Tamiya serves as chairman, will hold a special tour of its headquarters in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, for two days, May 17th and 18th, to coincide with the Hobby Show’s public opening, and will also promote the company’s products at locations other than Twin Messe Shizuoka. The Hobby Show’s public opening has already reached capacity, but as no prior application is required, visitors can enter the venue on the day of the show.

Chairman Tamiya, along with Directors Hasegawa and Aoshima, participated in an interview with the organizers, but at the end, as the president of Tamiya, he answered questions from TV stations about the US tariff policy on his own.

This legend in the model industry, who celebrated his 90th birthday in December 2024, is still going strong.

Original article in Japanese language by Amano Daisuke, source: SBS Shizuoka Broadcasting

Official product videos of Tamiya 42353 TRF Super Short Big Bore Dampers+ (4pcs.) & 42354 TRF Big Bore Dampers+



6.5mm shorter than TRF Special Dampers, these dampers nevertheless have excellent oil capacity thanks to a 1.2mm larger internal aluminum cylinder diameter, which has a mirrored surface and HL coating for ultra smooth motion and minimal impurities finding their way into the oil. Performance is further enhanced by slick silicone O-rings and low-friction POM plastic pistons, plus aluminum springers and titanium coated piston rods. Fitting these race specers damp to your car will contribute to superior steering response and speedy corner, particularly on high grip surfaces or technical tracks. They also allow use of body designs with lower bonnets. In addition to included components, other separately sold TRF Super Short Big Bore Damper springs are also compatible. *Requires damper stays for TRF Super Short Big Bore Dampers plus Item 42344 5.8mm Ball Connector Nuts for TRF Dampers (8pcs.).

Chassis
TA07 PRO, TA07 MS, TB-05 PRO*1, TB Evo.7, TRF419X, TRF419XR & TRF420 Chassis
*1 Use with dedicated TRF Super Short Big Bore Damper Stay.
*The official Tamiya R/C Parts Matching List has plenty of information regarding chassis compatible with Tamiya Spare and Hop-Up Option parts.


★Compared with TRF Dampers, these components have a 10% greater oil capacity that translates into enhanced grip for your car. ★Their aluminum cylinders have mirrored inner surfaces with a further HL coating for impressive smoothness of motion and minimal accumulation of dirt in your oil. ★Silicone O-rings improve overall responsiveness. ★Includes fluorine resin pistons, aluminum spring retainers and titanium coated piston rods. ★Damper ends and tops are borrowed from Item 54871 Reinforced V Parts for TRF Dampers. ★Aluminum parts have the stylish Tamiya blue anodized finish. ★Contains parts to assemble four dampers.

Official product video of Tamiya 87231-87235 Sanding Cloths #600 #1000 #1500 #2000 #3000



This sanding cloth is a great option for sanding work on complex three-dimensional surfaces like those found on car models. It experiences limited creasing on account of the softness of the cloth, helping prevent deep surface scratches and making it highly durable. It is suitable for both dry and wet sanding, and can be cut to the desired size using scissors. Different cloths in this series have different colors for easier distinction.
★Color: light green ★Dimensions: 170mm x 130mm ★Contents: 1 cloth
Different grits are available:
87231 #600 (sky blue)
87232 #1000 (light green)
87233 #1500 (pink)
87234 #2000 (green)
87235 #3000 (gray)

Official product video of Tamiya 56048 1/16 R/C M4 SHerman 105mm Howitzer (Mechanical Steering System)



The Sherman tank was a staple of the Allied effort in WWII, with a total of about 50,000 vehicles produced, among which were a host of different variants such as the M4 Sherman 105mm Howitzer, a variant used in fire support. The M4 hull featured rolled steel plates, and it employed a 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine in the rear which powered the front sprockets via a 5-speed transmission with reverse; the 105mm gun fired howitzer rounds, smoke rounds and incendiary ammunition. The late production vehicle had horizontal vertical spring suspension (HVSS) and 840 units were produced, providing infantry support and taking part in assaults on enemy strongpoints from Europe to the Pacific Theater.

Controlled Differential Steering System
In WWII, the average tracked vehicle used a clutch brake system, whereby the sprocket on the turning side was braked to create a difference in speed between the tracks and let the vehicle turn. While it did enable pivot turns on the spot by completely stopping one track, it required considerable skill to operate, not to mention the fact that it experienced mechanical power loss and a tendency to overheat the brakes. On the other hand, the M4 Sherman used a controlled differential system that braked a sprocket wheel via a differential gear: as the turning side track slowed, the other track sped up, leading to smooth turns and in one fell swoop both minimizing mechanical loss and negating brake overheating issues. This system was also employed on the M24, the M8, and the M2 high speed tractor, vehicles which all contributed to the eventual success of the Allied WWII campaign.

About the Model
This is a 1/16 scale R/C model assembly kit. ★Just like the actual tank, the model uses a controlled differential steering system. ★Metal components are used for drive sprockets, suspension arms and idler wheel bases. ★The horizontal vertical spring suspension (HVSS) uses metal coil springs. ★Pre-assembled plastic tracks use metal pins and connectors.

Mechanical Steering System
A differential gear transfers power from the Type 540 motor. When the tracks rotate at the same speed the model moves in a straight line, turning as the track speeds differ: transmitter commands cause servo movement, which in turn slows the turning side track via one of the brake discs in the differential. A planetary gearbox in the differential unit speeds up the unbraked track.

Specifications
★Length: 376mm, width: 183mm, height: 205mm. ★Type 540 motor ★ESC included for export.

Separately Required Items
★2-channel R/C system ★R6/AA/UM3 batteries for transmitter ★Battery pack & charger

Official product video of Mini 4WD Tamiya 19024 Fun-Vroom (EZ Chassis)



This is a Mini 4WD car model kit inspired by full-size 4WD UTV buggies, with robust suspension and a driver figure for installation in the cockpit. Metallic stickers are included in the kit to add logos and other details to the body, while the EZ chassis has a double-shaft motor and requires no cement or screws during assembly. Off-road tires help it to take on steep slopes. The easy-to-assemble Fun-Vroom is a brand new type of Mini 4WD that is sure to entertain!