Category Archives: Tamiya Company
Tamiya Logo History
Earliest logo (1953-1960)
With the shape of the earth at an era of Tamiya was making only wooden models only. TMK are the Japanese initials of Tamiya Models Material.
Two types have been identified, one that had been simplified.
Old logo (1960-1966)
The brother of Shunsaku Tamiya, being supervisor of the design office, created a new design for the launch of Battleship Yamato, Tamiya’s first plastic model.
Twin stars, the left one in blue, the right in bright yellow. The early ones have on the left a globe mark towards the blue star. Overall shape of the curve is drawn with a red band on the black vertical bar on the left to shape a “P” as acronym for plastic model. It was written “TAMIYA MOKEI” in English, which was effective at the time of overseas export, although the meaning of “MOKEI” was unknown to most there.
Midterm logo (1965-1968)
Mainly printed on Tamiya slot cars and embodied the three letters of Tamiya in katakana, being rather cryptic it was only used for few kits and years.
New logo (1966 to present)
A popular symbol of the model world (star), this red and blue star twin star illustration is simple and precise with white background.
Red is for creativity and passion, blue for youth and sincerity.
Great design that does not feel at all almost 50 years old!
Tamiya History
It all started in 1946, when Mr. Yoshio Tamiya, the founder, opened a saw mill and lumber business in Shizuoka. Tamiya ventured into modeling in 1948, with a scale wooden ship model kit. Since then, Tamiya has continued to grow, producing models known as “First in Quality Around the World”.
1946
May: A sawmill/lumber company is founded in Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan and named Tamiya Shoji & Co.
1948
Apr: A wooden model department is organized within the lumber company.
1953
Jun: Sawmill is closed, and Tamiya becomes a specialized wooden model kit maker.
1955
May: Tamiya releases a wooden motorized tank, whick becomes immensely popular.
1956
Mar: A boom in wooden ship models allows Tamiya to become widely known.
1960
May: Tamiya begins producing plastic model kits, with 1/800 Scale Battleship Yamato.
1961
Dec: Tamiya releases the first 1/35 scale motorized tank, Panther.
1962
Dec: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is founded as a plastic molding company with a capital of 4 million yen.
1963
Jan: Tamiya introduces the following categories: 1/21 Scale Deluxe Tank Series with M4 Sherman, 1/50 Scale Japanese Aircraft Series with Type 52 Zero Fighter, 1/72 Scale Aircraft with Type 32 Zero Fighter.
1965
Mar: Tamiya goes into slot-car production with the release of 1/24 scale Jaguar D type
1966
May: Tamiya ventures outside of Japan by exporting to countries abroad, such as the U.S.A., Australia, Europe and South East Asia.
Dec: The 1/25 Scale Military Tank Series is introduced with the German Panther tank.
1967
Jan: The first issue of Tamiya News is published.
Aug: The first issue of Tamiya Junior News is published.
Oct: The 1/12 Big Scale Series is introduced with the Honda F-1 racer (RA273).
1968
Jan: Tamiya participates in the German Nuremberg Toy Fair for the first time.
Apr: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. builds a new factory. Capital increase to 10 million yen.
Jul: The 1/35 Scale Military Miniature Series is introduced with a WW2 German Army Tank Crew.
Dec: The 1/100 Scale Mini-Jet Series starts with the Mig-19.
1969
Aug: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is renamed the Tamiya Plastic Model Co., and capital increased to 14 million yen.
Dec: 1/18 Scale “Challenge” Series is introduced with the Porsche 910.
1970
Jan: Tamiya organizes their first photo album contest.
Dec: 1/6 Big Scale Motorcycle Series is started with the Honda CB750.
1974
May: 27 European agents gather in Shizuoka for the first Tamiya agent meeting.
Nov: Tamiya releases their first R/C model, M4 Sherman tank.
1976
Nov: Yoshio Tamiya is awarded The Fifth Order Of The Sacred Treasure, by the Japanese Government, for his commitment to the industry.
Nov: Tamiya releases the 1/12 R/C Porsche 934 Turbo that triggers the R/C car boom.
1977
Apr: The 1/24 Scale Sports Car Series is started with the Porsche 935.
Apr: The 1/20 Scale GP collection is started with the Tyrrell P34.
Nov: A shipping facility is completed next to the production factory. Tamiya’s first R/C Racing Circuit is completed.
1978
Jul: 1/350 Scale Ship Series is started with the German Battleship, Bismark.
Oct: A new Tamiya Circuit is completed near the production factory. Tamiya Plastic Co. Ltd. is founded.
1979
Feb: Tamiya releases 1/100 Scale Space Shuttle Orbitor.
Dec: Begins construction for headquarters office.
1980
Jan: Tamiya News becomes a monthly issue.
Dec: Finishes the 6 story headquarters building.
1981
Mar: Celebration for completion of the new headquarters office.
May: 72 Tamiya agents gather in Shizuoka for a meeting and celebration of the new headquarters.
Jul: 1/12 Scale Motorcycle Series is introduced with the Yamaha YZR500.
1983
Jan: The production facilities are automated and expanded for better productivity.
Mar: Tamiya Shoji & Co. completes a 3 story warehouse and paint storehouse.
1984
Feb: Tamiya releases the Sound Activated Temple with great success.
Mar: Tamiya Shoji & Co. establishes Tamiya, Inc. with a capital of 50 million yen.
Oct: Tamiya sponsors a televised R/C car racing program that stimulates the market. R/C off-road cars become big sellers.
1985
Mar: The first issue of Tamiya Model Magazine International is published.
Nov: Tamiya Plastic Co. Ltd., completes its own injection molding factory.
1986
Mar: 1/32 Scale Mini 4WD Racing Series is started with the Hotshot Jr.
Oct: The 1/24 Scale R/C Tamtech Series is introduced with the Porsche 962C.
1987
Oct: Begins the expension of the headquarters facilities. Tamiya News clebrates its 200th issue.
Nov: More than 10 million 1/32 Scale Mini 4WDs sold.
1988
May: 1/14 Scale QD (Quick Drive) Series is introduced with the Thunder Shot QD.
Jul-Aug: The first Mini 4WD Racing Japan Cup is held at 16 locations around Japan.
Dec: Tamiya sponsors a private team “ACP” to compete in the 11th Paris-Dakar Rally.
1989
Jan: More than 23 millions Mini 4WDs sold.
Apr: The 8 story east wing addition to the headquarters building is completed.
May: Tamiya America, Inc. is established in California, U.S.A.
Jun: Tamiya Europe GmbH. is established in Neuss, West Germany.
Dec: More than 44 million Mini 4WDs sold.
Dec: Tamiya again sponsors a private team “ACP” to compete in the 12th Paris-Dakar Rally.
1990
Feb: Tamiya, Inc. completes its Abe factory.
Apr: Tamiya, Inc. completes its second shipping facility, a 5,317m2 in Oshika, Shizuoka.
Jul: Monetary Donation to Tank Museum Bovington England. New hall named “Tamiya Hall”.
Jul: Sales of Mini 4WD exceeds 50 million kits.
Sep: 1/24 Scale Sports Car Series reaches 100 cars with the Honda NSX.
1991
Mar: Tamiya becomes a sponsor for Team Lotus’ 1991 F-1 Grand Prix Season.
Apr: 1/35 Military Miniature Series reaches 150 items with the creation of U.S.Navy PBR 31 Mk.II “Pibber”.
May: First solar powered item, Solar Car Assembly kit is released, starting the Solar Mechanics Series.
Oct: Tamiya ties exclusive contract with McLaren International for replication of F-1 cars.
Nov: 1/28 Mini F-1 Series is started with Lotus 102B.
Nov: 1/10, 1/12 Radio Con-trol Car Series reaches 100 cars with the release of “Top Force”.
1992
Jan: Tamiya Model Magazine International becomes bi-monthly.
Feb: As the year before, Tamiya sponsors Team Lotus’ F-1 season for 1992.
May: R/C racers from 12 countries across Eu-rope gather for the Tamiya Euro Cup R/C Cham-pionships.
Jun: The die-cast Lotus 102B is released as the first model in the 1/20 Collectors Club.
Jun: Headquarters for Tamiya America is founded, a 6,800m2, two story complex in Aliso Viejo, Ca-lifornia.
Sep: “Solar Eagle”, the first solar battery powered R/C car is released.
Sep: The All Japan R/C Championships is held, using only Tamiya cars. Qualification races are held around the country, and winners are invited to Shizuoka to determine the best R/C driver in the country.
1993
Jan: It is decided that Tamiya sponsorship of Team Lotus’ F-1 season will continue through 1993.
Jun: 1/32 Super Mini 4WD is kicked off with “Liberty Emperor”.
Jul: 1/14 Scale R/C Tractor Trucks Series is started with “King Hauler”.
Jul: The Dinosaur Diorama Series is started with the first set, “Chasmosaurus”.
Sep: “Yamaha Round the World” starts the R/C Yacht Series.
Oct: The R/C Glow-Engine Car Series is strated with the TR-15T.
1994
Mar: 1/12 Scale Master’s Coachwork Series is started with the Caterham Super Seven BDR.
Jul: 1/32 Fully Cowled Mini 4WD Series is started with “Magnum Saber”, which goes on sale at this year’s Japan Cup.
Sep: Tamiya Philippines is established.
1995
Mar: TamiyaCon, a U.S. national scale modeling contest sponsored by Tamiya America is inaugurated.
May: Tamiya Philippines production facility is established on Cebu Island, Philippines.
Aug: Radio Controlled gli-der, “Peak Spirit RU”, is released and the R/C Aviation Series is started
Dec: Total Sales of Mini 4WD exceeds 100 million units.
Dec: The 1/12 Scale Collector’s Club Special Series is started with the release of the die-cast Honda F-1 RA272.
1996
May: Kakegawa Circuit, a 320m race track for R/C cars is opened in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka. As well as being open for public use, it serves as a testing ground for development of new R/C cars.
May: Winning modelers from American scale modeling contest “TamiyaCon”, are invited to the Shizuoka Hobby Show to display their creations at a modeling club exhibition.
Jul: Popularity of Fully Cowled Mini 4WD explodes. Over 300,000 people in 15 venues across Japan take part in Mini 4WD Japan Cup.
Jul: “Spin Cobra” starts 1/32 Scale Real Mini 4WD Series.
Nov: United States (TCS) and European R/C Championships (Euro Cup) are held, and winning drivers are invited to Japan to participate in the World R/C Championships.
Dec: 1/43 Scale Collector’s Club-Mini, which features metal die-cast models, is started with the Kure Nismo GTR.
1997
Apr: Tamiya establishes scholarship for students of San Carlos University, Philippines.
Sep: Tamiya Philippines production facility receives ISO9002 certification.
Oct: 1/10 Scale R/C Boy’s 4WD Racer Series starts off with release of “Voltec Figther”, which comes complete with R/C system and battery.
1998
Feb: The 1/32 Scale Aero-Mini 4WD Series is started with “Max Breaker”.
May: Additional production plant (8,000m2) is added to existing Tamiya Philippines facility, further improving production capability.
May: 1/32 Scale Mighty Mini 4WD Series is started with “Dyna Hawk”.
Nov: Tamiya R/C World Championships adds the Asian R/C Championships to the Japanese, American and European events, expanding the challenge of R/C driving to an international level.
1999
Oct: Subaru Impreza WRC ’99 marks the debut of the new QD (Quick Drive) Sports Series, which features pre-assembled 1/10 scale R/C cars for entry level users.
Nov: For the first time, Australian drivers attend R/C World Championships, which this year is held concurrently with “Tamiya Fair in Shizuoka” hobby exhibition.
2000
May: Fully operational 1/16 R/C Tiger I, which sets a new standard of sophistication in R/C tanking world, is revealed at the Shizuoka Hobby Show.
May: “Flash-Trigger”, first car of the 3-D track racing, Dangun Racers Series, is also introduced at the same show.
Sep: XB (Expert Built) Series, which features R/C built-up and ready to run versions of existing Tamiya chassis, is inaugurated with the 1/10 Scale Mitsubishi Pajero.
Source: Tamiya, INC.
Tamiya RC Classic Car Meeting 2001 – the meeting that started it all???
Tamiya first cargo of the year ceremony 2013
Shizuoka Hobby Show & Tamiya Open House Report May 2012
Celebrating 50 Years of Tamiya Military Models
Celebrating 50 Years of Tamiya Military Models!
Tamiya’s first plastic tank model, the Panther Tank, was released in 1962 and therefore this year marks the 50th anniversary of Tamiya’s military model products. During the course of these 50 years, Tamiya has released over 600 tanks and other military models in a wide variety of scales. These include the international standard 1/35 scale pioneered by the Panther Tank as well as the 1/48 scale, 1/25 scale, and of course the 1/16 scale of Tamiya’s famous R/C tanks. Thanks to the generous support of fans around the world, military models have evolved through half a century to become an indispensable hobby genre.
Much of the appeal of military models lies in the episodes and history behind the actual subjects of the models. A detailed investigation which includes visiting museums around the world to research existing vehicles and collecting information from various references and experts is essential for development of the model. In this way, the model that is created becomes the door into this historical world. Through the act of reading the instruction manual, assembling the parts, painting the model, and formulating a diorama, one can cross the boundaries of time and visualize scenes from far away lands. In this way, a Tamiya military model can almost be considered as a piece of history itself.
Panther Tank
Package
The history of Tamiya’s military models is also a history of Tamiya as a company. The 1/35 Scale Tank Series was created in the 1960s, when a fledgling Tamiya was switching from producing wooden models to producing plastic models. From these early motorized models, the hobby expanded into the enjoyment of creating displays and dioramas with the 1/35 Scale Military Miniature Series in the late-1960s and 1970s. The late-1970s saw the birth of the radio control hobby genre and the creation of the 1/16 Scale R/C Tank Series. Through the incorporation of the latest technologies and ideas, Tamiya has constantly endeavored to raise the potential of plastic models. Half a century later, Tamiya’s line-up is still expanding and you can look forward to many more additions to this military history museum.
What is Your Favorite Tamiya Military Model?
One of the projects to commemorate this 50th anniversary is a survey in which we ask fans from around the world to name their favorite Tamiya military model, as well as name a military model which they would recommend to others. It could be the model which kicked off your modeling career, the first model that you bought with your pocket money, a model with which you won a contest, or a model which you are so fond of that you have built it multiple times. There are as many different reasons and memories as there are people, and Tamiya would love to hear your story!
Please go to the button at the bottom of the page to proceed to the survey form.
You may choose from any military model product that Tamiya has released in the past or is releasing currently.
(※Except for wooden models)
Choose one model product each as your “Favorite Product” and “Recommended Product” and include the reason(s) you have chosen them.
(※1 product each per submission)
Model products which have received a significant number of votes will be announced on Tamiya’s homepage and displayed at Tamiya events together with selected comments.
(※Not all comments will be selected for display.)
Survey Submission Period: March 30th to April 30th, 2012 (Japan Time)
Result Announcement (Planned):
May 17th, 2012 (via Tamiya’s homepage and at Tamiya’s booth during the Shizuoka Hobby Show)
Prize Drawing (Japan Only)
10 people will be chosen by lottery from among the submissions to receive a prize – the new 1/35 Scale Military Miniature Series product which will be displayed at this year’s Shizuoka Hobby Show (May 17th-20th).
※A list of new item announcements at this year’s Shizuoka Hobby Show will be posted on Tamiya’s homepage in mid-April.
※Prize-drawing is only for fans within Japan.
Choose From Over 600 Military Models
You may choose any of the military model products which Tamiya has produced to date. This includes static model kits such as AFVs, soft skin vehicles, figure sets, and accessories as well as R/C models. Which will you choose to be your favorite?
※Please refer to resources such as Tamiya’s homepage.
※Note that some series/products may not be listed on Tamiya’s homepage.
Notes Regarding Survey Submission
・Each submission may only name 1 Favorite and 1 Recommended Product.
・Your name (a screen name is acceptable), information regarding the product you have chosen (Item Number, Product Series, Product Name), and e-mail address are required.
※If you do not know the Item Number, please leave it blank and provide detailed Product Series/Product Name information.
※Age, Sex, and Shizuoka Hobby Show attendance fields are optional.
・Your comment may be chosen for display on Tamiya’s homepage and/or at Tamiya events (Your name will not be publicized).
・Winners of the prize-drawing will be announced when the prizes have been shipped.
・Only winners of the prize drawing will be contacted. Aside from the automated submission confirmation e-mail, other customers will not be notified.
・The submission form is optimized for personal computers. There may be cases where submissions via cellular phone/smart phone cannot be processed.
Item Number (Homepage)
Item Number (Package)
30 Years Tamiya Mini 4WD Anniversary
“Four wheel drive mini” world’s smallest motor sports. Memorial Year of Release: 2012 30th anniversary, we will start planning a variety of memorial. 30th anniversary slogan is “Let’s do it again Get Back on the Track!!”. Adults also played once in four wheel drive mini, but also parent-child rice feelings, that we would like you to experience the “fun play to devise to make” mini 4WD, and children. Four wheel drive mini has evolved with the times that appeared in 1982, 30 years ago from the “Ford Ranger 4 × 4” is released the vehicle of at least about 420-total, record of more than 100 million sales. We have about 440 or more species also appeared grade up parts for the performance of the machine up. Experience as a hobby anyone can enjoy over the generations, we will continue to evolve further in the future.
Ongoing collaboration project by Tamiya RC and Mr. Jun Watanabe
The collaboration project between Tamiya RC and “ZOZOTOWN” creative director JUN WATANABE is in progress and more details will be published on February 15 (Wed).
JUN WATANABE
Creative director of department of fashion design for online shopping site “ZOZOTOWN”. Scope of activities are diverse ranging from corporate branding, to web site design and TV CM. On the other hand has worked on many fashion and design collaborations of brands such as sneakers, also active as an artist for creative paintings and video works. Has been highly evaluated from overseas media and his pop colors are distinctive and not only domestic. Is an avid fan of Tamiya since childhood and loves radio control models.
