Recently, Tamiyablog presented information about some future RC-models from Tamiya. Since then, several sources have announced further new items, which we haven’t listed as the information was relatively easily available for anyone with a minimum of dedication. However, with Tamiya’s most recent announcement in Japanese for the All Japan Plamodel Radicon Show in October, we feel obliged to list a few future releases. Some of the items listed for the fair are deliberately not listed below as they have been known for some time before Tamiya’s most recent announcement and partially presented by Tamiyablog in previous posts. Furthermore, some of the listed items may be limited edition items available only at the fair and/or on the Japanese market only. Descriptions will be updated and corrected, and pictures posted as soon as further information gets available to us.

Radio Control:

42138 1/10 TRF416 World Edition Chassis Kit
84056 1/10 F103 Chassis Kit 15th Anniversary

84032 1/10 F103RM (w/L-body) (Limited Edition)
58417 1/10 Subaru Impreza WRC Monte Carlo’07 (DF-03Ra Chassis)

58419 1/10 NISMO R34 GT-R Z tune (TT-01D Chassis)
58420 1/10 TB-03D Chassis Kit (drift version of the TB-03 Chassis)

58424 1/10 Takata NSX 2008 (TB-03)
57780 1/10 XB Lamborghini Countach LP500S (TT-01E) (XB version of # 58413)
54120 Aluminum Horn for High-Torque Servo Saver (M-Chassis)
42124 HP Motor Transpeed Brushless 3.5T
42125 HP Motor Transpeed Brushless 6.5T
42126 HP Motor Transpeed Brushless 7.5T
42127 HP Electronic Speed Controller Volac Brushless
42131 HL Cylinder TRF Special Dampers (2 Pcs.)
42132 HL Cylinder for Aeration Dampers (Front, 2 Pcs.)
42134 HL Cylinder for M Chassis Aluminum Dampers (2 Pcs.)
42135 HP Battery Charger
42136 Stable Power Supply 24A
54119 DB01 Assembly WO Universal Shaft (Rear)
54117 CR-01 Cliff Crawler Tires (2 Pcs.)
54121 Aluminum Horn for High-Torque Servo Saver

Static Models:

12040 1/12 Porsche 934 Turbo RSR Jägermeister with photo-etched parts (re-release of # 12020, Cartograf decals.)
24310 1/24 Sauber-Mercedes C9 1988 (re-release of # 24091)
24311 1/24 Martini Porsche 935 Turbo (re-release of # 24001)
16033 1/6 Honda CB1100R (re-release of # 16022, with Cartograf decals.)
35294 1/35 Italian Semovente M40 Self-Propelled Gun (improved re-release of # 35078)
35296 1/35 Italian Tank Carro Armato M13/40 (improved re-release of # 35034)
35295 1/35 German Heavy Tank Destroyer Jagdtiger (completely new molds)
35297 1/35 German 8-Wheeled Armored Car Sd.kfz.232 “Africa Corps” (modified re-release of # 35036)
21073 1/48 Fieseler Fi 156C Storch (Finished version of # 61100)
26535 1/48 Russian Field Car GAZ-67B (Finished version of # 32542)
12628 1/350 Japanese Navy Submarine I-400 Detail-Up Parts Set (for # 78019 & 89776)
61104 1/48 Folke-Wulf Fw190 F-8/9 w/Bomb Loading Set (probably based on # 61039)
89782 1/48 German 3 Ton 4×2 Cargo Truck Kfz.305 (Opel Blitz)

Mini 4WD and Educational Series:

94676 New Year’s Limited Edition 2009 “Year of the Ox”
94671 Neo Falcon Special White Edition (based on # 18617)
75024 Solar Power Generator Set
18630 Mini 4WD Pro Dash-3 Shooting Star (MS Chassis)
94673 Avante Mk.III Azure (Finished version of # 18626)
94674 Avante Mk.III Nero (Finished version of # 18627)
15383 Mini 4WD F Grease (Fluorpolymer Compound)15382 Bumperless N-03/T-03 Units
Supplies:

74534 Spray-Work Painting Booth (Twin Fan)
85083 TS83 Spray Paint Metal Silver
85084 TS84 Spray Paint Metal Gold
74084 Mini Bending Pliers for Photo-Etched Parts

58412 1/10 R/C 4WD High Performance Racing Car Xanavi NISMO GT-R (R35) (TB-03 Chassis)
2008 saw the end of the Nissan 350Z and the debut of the rear wheel drive No.23 Nissan Xanavi NISMO GT-R/VK45DE in the Super GT class, which is driven by team drivers Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer. The GT-R has a 4,494cc sized motor which thumps out in excess of 500HP. On its debut the No.23 Xanavi GT-R won and team Motul Autech GT-R came second for a well earned one-two finish, and continued its winning ways at the second round with the Xanavi recording back to back wins.

About the Model

• New TB-03 chassis follows in the footsteps of the TB-02.
• Bathtub frame comes with a motor cooling duct to improve heat dissipation for better performance.
• In-board Front Suspension system features horizontally-mounted front dampers to enable a low-nose profile to mount the new-mold aerodynamic polycarbonate body shell. (Body shell is also compatible with TA05-IFS chassis)
• Newly-designed one-piece aluminum motor mount makes changing and adjusting gears a breeze.
• Equipped with front and rear ball differentials for greater power transmission efficiency.
• Race-proven reversible short suspension and TRF416 front and rear knuckles.
• PS2 Red, PS23 Gun Metal, PS48 Semi-Gloss Silver Anodized Aluminum, PC-5 Black colors are separately required to recreate the race car’s livery.
• Includes body, narrow 6-spoke wheels, racing slick tires, and Type 540 motor.
• 2-channel R/C system, 7.2V battery and charger separately required.

58413 1/10 R/C 4WD High Performance Racing Car Lamborghini countach LP500S (TT-01 Type-E Chassis – yes, 1/10 scale!)
At the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Countach prototype was put on show. Three years later in 1974, Lamborghini released the first LP400 model Countach with the LP400S the LP500S models soon following. At the 1982 Geneva Motor Show both the LP400S and LP500S prototypes were showing off their overhanging front and rear fenders and a rear wing option. In 1985, approximately 320 of these vehicles sporting a new 4754cc motor replacing the previous 3929cc motor were manufactured.

About the Model

• New polycarbonate body captures the beautiful form of the Countach.
• Mirror, rear wing, and metal plated light case are separately-molded parts.
• Head lights are in the down position (Can not pop up)
• Type 540 motor installed on the impressive shaft-driven 4WD TT-01 (Type-E)
• Improved steering linkage design features TA05 steering posts for sharper steering response.
• Short wheel base (251mm), Rear wide tread (Uses long wheel axle).
• Countach LP500S (TT-01E) wheels. Front offset [+2] Rear offset [+4].
• Racing Slicks (Item 50419) provide excellent traction for high speed racing.
• LED Lights: Fog lights (5mm white) x 2, Taillights (5mm Red) x 2 are included.
• Both front & rear light cases have two 5mm and four 3mm LED Light installation points.
• 2-channel R/C system, 7.2V battery and charger separately required.
• Wide variety of Option Parts are separately available to customize your machine.

58415 1/10 R/C Toyota Tundra Highlift (see previous blog entry)

58416 1/10 Rising Fighter
The all terrain 2WD Rising Fighter inherits all its great qualities and excellent performance from its predecessors The Hornet (Item 58336) and The Grasshopper (Item 58346) and also uses a similar body to that of other fighter series R/C cars. (Tamiyablog would however like to point out that Rising Fighter is based on the Grasshopper 2 chassis, and not the Grasshopper (1) chassis, like the above description could otherwise give the impression of. The friction dampers and the gearbox are taken from the DT-01 chassis (Fighter series), whereas the wheels and tires are from the Desert Gator of the DT-02 series. Also, the body is a modified carry-over of the Super Hornet body with the wing of the Mad Fighter.)

About the Model

• Length: 418mm, Width: 236mm, Height: 187mm, Wheel base: 268mm, Weight: 1000g.
• Independent swing axles for the front suspension, a rolling rigid rear suspension, and large sized friction dampers effectively absorb shocks and bumps.
• Bevel type diff gear.
• Semi monocoque structure acts as the chassis strengthening part (Screws are used to secure the resin body to the bathtub chassis).
• Fully enclosed gearbox preventing dirt and debris from interfering with operation.
• Powered by a 540 motor (included).
• Grooved front tires and rear spike tires ensure excellent traction for any surface.
• Stylish resin molded body.
• ESC included.
• Running 7.2V battery & charger and Expec 2-channel R/C system separately required.

57779 XB Nissan GT-R (Expert Built TT-01E chassis)
57781 R/C XB Rising Fighter

48207 1/35 R/C M4A3 Sherman Tank (w/4ch Transmitter)

In February 2007, after a full model change, Toyota released a full-sized American pick-up truck. It was the first time in Toyota’s history that an “All American Made” pick-up truck was sold. With the rising crude oil prices and the increasing demand for economical Japanese cars, the sales of the Tundra in the Pick-Up truck market was quite strong. This model precisely shows off the Tundra’s modern looks and its great ability to take on any terrain with its excellent drive system. Tamiya’s truck model of the Tundra comes as an accurately reproduced Double Cab version. Furthermore, this model Tundra comes with option parts allowing the user to raise the body in the same manner as the actual pick-up truck.

About the Model
– The durable ladder frame chassis features steel channels and resin cross members for high strength.
– Accurately replicating the Tundra’s suspension system are metal leaf springs, and coil springs with metal friction dampers.
– Equipped amidships for a lower center of gravity is a 3-speed transmission allowing gear changing and realistic low speed driving.
– Propeller shafts and slipper clutch efficiently transfer power to all wheels on any type of terrain.
– Powered by a type 540 motor. (included)
– The full-time 4WD guarantees road hugging performance.
– The differential can be locked in place to enable improved performancing on any surface it may face.
– The newly designed chrome plated wheels with bead lock rings precisely catch the essence of the Pick-up truck. Because the Tundra is fitted with similar side-block tires like the F-350 (58397), it is possible to change them with any other cross country tires.
– 4-Channel transmitter, ESC, and running battery & charger are separately available.
– Loading the separately available Pick-Up Truck Multi-Function Unit (Item 53957) MFC-02 will further enhance the truck and put a wide range of realistic light, sound, and vibration effects at your fingertips.
– For dressing-up the model, snow boards (2) and roof racks are included.

Tamiya 58414 Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 U900

It is interesting and very pleasing to see that Tamiya again used a vintage classic for the body of their second CR-01 kit, will be interesting to watch if this series will also in the future bring more classics, the team of tamiyablog.com hopes so. The chassis and technical specifications are the same as at the Tamiya Toyota Land Cruiser 40 – CR01 so details won’t be repeated here, except some facts about the Mercedes Unimog:

Unimog designates a range of multi purpose four wheel drive medium trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The name Unimog is an acronym for the German “UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät”, Gerät being the German word for machine or device. They are built in the Mercedes truck plant in Wörth am Rhein in Germany.

New Unimogs can be purchased in either of three series.

1. Medium series 405, also known as the UGN (“Geräteträger” or equipment carrier), is available in the U300-U500 model.
2. Heavy series 437, also known as the UHN (“Hochgeländegängig” or highly mobile cross country), is available as the U3000-U5000 model.
3. U20 is the smallest Unimog. It is based on a shortened U300 frame and has a cab over engine compartment from the Brazilian Accelo light truck (Caminhões Leves) series.

The first model was designed shortly after World War II to be used in agriculture as a self-propelled machine providing a power take-off to operate saws in forests or harvesting machines on fields. It was designed with permanent 4WD with equal size wheels in order to be driven on roads at higher speeds than standard farm tractors. With their very high ground clearance and a flexible frame that is essentially a part of the suspension, Unimogs are not designed to carry as much load as regular trucks. Unimog series is improved constantly and still produced, that is now already 61 years!

Due to their off-road capabilities, Unimogs can be found in jungles, mountains and deserts as military vehicles, fire fighters, expedition campers, and even in competitions like truck trials and Dakar Rallye rally raids. In Western Europe, they are commonly used as snowplows, municipal equipment carriers, agricultural implements, construction equipment and road-rail vehicles.

The Tamiya kit includes a 406 body and the 406/416 middle series production started in 1963. They were equipped with a six cylinder diesel (OM312) producing 65 hp (48 kW). The 406 and 416 are similar, The 416 having a longer 2,900 mm (110 in) wheelbase compared to 2,380 mm (94 in) for the 406. Later models were equipped with the direct injection OM352 diesel engines starting with 80 hp (59 kW) and going up to 110 hp (80 kW). Production of the 406 and 416 series ceased in 1988, that is a production run of 25 years for this series!

Unimog series numbers like 401, 406, or 425 in this article are the factory numerical designation (“Baumuster” in German). Unimogs also have a sales model number like U80, U120, or U1350. Each series can have several model numbers, as they are equipped with different engines.

The “U” model numbers were roughly equivalent to the horsepower of the engine. A 424.121 with a 2,630 mm (104 in) wheelbase equipped with the 100 hp (75 kW) OM 352 engine is a U1000. A 427.100 with a 2,650 mm (104 in) wheelbase and the 100-hp 366 engines is also a U1000. Starting in 1976, model numbers have an extra 0 at the end, which would mean that the Tamiya one is an after 1976 80/84 hp version. However, more recent models like the U5000 are really only rated at 218 hp (163 kW).

Real 1986 Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 U900

Tamiya will also release a special lexan colour for it, 86056 PS-56 Mustard Yellow.

As a visitor has correctly commented, did Tamiya release so to speak the “Junior” version of the new Unimog in the mid eighties (item number 19009). Though the early Mini 4WD models from Tamiya were mostly “Junior” versions of already existing RC-models, there are quite a few body designs that were first released as Mini 4WD models and then later as RC-models. However, the Unimog is quite unique as it took Tamiya more than 20 years to release a “big brother” for their Unimog “Junior”! It’s a “late”, but very welcome release indeed!
Update 01.08.2008: Release date in Japan is September 20th 2008.