As an Autopian reader and former child, you probably at some point assembled at least one or two plastic model-kits with hopes to bring your four-wheeled fantasies into three-dimensional reality, even if only in 1/24 scale. If your experience was anything like mine, you uncapped a tube of pungent glue and went to work on an AMT or Revell or MPC model from the craft section of whichever department store Mom preferred. Those inexpensive kits were much more difficult to assemble and achieve satisfying results with than pricier premium-brand plastic models, which offer far greater precision, more detail, higher accuracy, and better engineering to make them all go together nicely with a minimum of additional fuss. Among the premium brands preferred by serious modelers, one stands above the rest in innovation, quality, attention to detail, and the sheer variety of cars and scales, all representing decades of prolific creativity from one inimitable brand. That brand is Tamiya.
Last week, Tamiya announced that the company’s chairman and namesake, Shunsaku Tamiya, had passed away at 90 years old. As the son of company founder Yoshio Tamiya, and its leader for more than 40 years, “S. Tamiya” experienced the brand’s post-war beginnings as a lumber business that began producing wooden toys, and later, model kits. As injection-molded plastic rose to prominence in the 1950s and 60s, Tamiya made the move to the new technology, and the first plastic Tamiya kits began to appear on store shelves in Japan.
The very first Tamiya plastic kit was a Jaguar D-type, a brass-chassis slot car with an injection-molded body. Military vehicles, aircraft, and race cars were all popular subjects as Tamiya’s range of plastic models and reputation for quality, accuracy, and precision grew through the 1960s under S. Tamiya’s leadership – and not just from behind a desk. Mr. Tamiya personally photographed many subjects himself and collected full-size examples for engineers to pattern their models on to ensure Tamiya models were the finest available.
Many Tamiya models included the option of adding battery power to make them move, and in the late 1970s, this led to the development of Tamiya’s first radio-control model, a Porsche 934 in 1/12 scale. There was no suspension other than the flexibility of its aluminum-plate chassis, and it was much more of a “model that moves” rather than a true high-performance model, but this humble first RC kit set the stage for a tremendous radio-control boom.
S. Tamiya made the pivotal decision to let the now-famed RC car designer Fumito Taki run wild with his ambitions for a full range of imaginative, innovative, and exciting Tamiya radio control models. The Rough Rider buggy and Sand Scorcher were early hits that combined real off-road capability with authentic and functional VW-inspired trailing-arm front suspension (but with mousetrap-style springs instead of torsion bars) and swing-axle rear suspension.
Alongside realistic RC models of full-size production and competition cars, Taki designed a wide array of 2WD and 4WD off-roaders that set the template for the over-the-top futurism that became the hallmark of “remote control cars” in the 1980s boom years, as Tamiya led a tremendous surge in radio control car modeling’s popularity as a hobby and competitive motorsport.
While models like the Avanti and Egress were Tamiya’s high-dollar halo machines, the brand’s bread-and-butter models were much simpler and more affordable machines like the 2WD Hornet and Frog buggies and the wheelie-popping Lunch Box van, along with 4WD buggies sporting outrageous shapes like the Bigwig, Saint Dragon, Hotshot, and so many others.
Radio control wasn’t the only way Tamiya brought action to plastic car modeling in the 1980s. In 1982, Tamiya developed the first of its Mini 4WD models. Roughly 1/32 scale and powered by a pair of AA batteries, Mini 4WD models run free on a fenced track, guided by roller-equipped outriggers. Mini 4WD racing quickly became immensely popular in Japan, to the point where magazines devoted to Mini 4WD models and racing were among the country’s most popular publications. Mini 4WD remains popular in Japan (and around the world, to varying degrees), a country that offers local, regional, and national championships.
Plastic models remain a staple for Tamiya, with subjects that range from the humblest Kei cars to the most exotic offerings past and present from Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Lamborghini, and others. Plus, there are classic and cutting-edge motorcycles, and military machines of the land, sea, and air, from historic fighters to the latest machines of modern warfare.
Trying a Tamiya kit is awesome, even for those who don’t consider themselves much of a modeler based on past experience. Oftentimes, folks learn that the problem causing them to lose interest in model kits isn’t their skill, but the kits they were working with, and Tamiya kits are much more rewarding.
Check out these Tamiya build videos and get familiar with just how nicely the brand’s models go together, and appreciate all the detail packed into every part.
Millions of modelers worldwide have enjoyed countless hours with Tamiya products, a fitting tribute to Shunsaku Tamiya’s lifetime as an enthusiast of models, motorsport, and militaria.
Top graphic images: Tamiya; Andy’s Hobby Headquarters
I love Tamiya for their realism and the size of their catalog, but they are far from the first in quality in terms of RC. I’ve had a few Tamiya RC and they make some weird choices that affect durability and usability, always it seems. Cool models that happen to be RC cars, but only so/so RC cars
Oh yeah- their catalog really was the best!
I agree that when it came to performance RC cars, the other dedicated RC specialists eventually caught up to and eclipsed Tamiya. It’s just that for a time the Tamiya Rough Rider and Sand Scorcher put RC cars on the map.
Misspent youth (not mine) cultural reference points:
1:56YouTube • Ramones – TopicCarbona Not Glue (2017 Remaster)
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I’ve built a lot of Tamiya models as a kid. And they were always first rate in terms of quality. The military WWII models were just great fun to play with. A lot of times young boys don’t want to admit they played with dolls, but the truth is, when you have a few tanks and a bunch of infantry men , you just naturally played with them no different from girls playing with dolls and tea sets. I remember having the Kubelwagen and Schwimmwagen sets and those were great fun to play with.
Build dozens of car, plane and ship models when I was a kid. Tamiya we’re hands down the best IMO. My favs were a Ferrari 330p and that RA272. Never got into the EV cars as I’d graduated to real cars, bikes and girls by the time they came out. Fond memories.
3 certainties on this planet – death, taxes, and Tamiya *anything* being absolutely top quality. Models, paints, tools, adhesives, whatever. The best
Our family was a team associated rc10 family. I watched and helped my older brother build that for what seemed like an eternity.
The funny thing is on maybe the third or fourth outing after final assembly he flipped the thing into a sort of holding puddle rain drain dealie and shorted the whole darn thing. I don’t think it ever ran again.
I had an unpopular Fox (of all the people I knew who had non-toy store RC cars, I only knew one other kid who had a Fox and he got it because I had one). Got a Reedy Pink Dot (IIRC) in it and it would do 40 mph. Didn’t handle, but it was fast enough to scare adults with money and RC10s on the straights. Unfortunately, the local track was short and I was not a great driver, so I spent more time riding up chainlink than dirt. Old NiCad batteries were fussy, expensive garbage (about $200 in today’s money), but the car was great and I’d bet it would be a lot more fun with modern packs. It’s one of those hobbies that seems to be nearly dead (except for ’80s adults), but could be so much more affordable and fun today and most kids could really use the lessons learned by assembling their own RC car.
Great article. I got into Tamiya RC in the mid-late 80s. I still have most of my cars, and even some NIB that I am getting around to building for display. I checked on eBay and others are offering them for $500 plus which is a testament to Tamiya’s popularity.
I always appreciated the detail in their plastic models as well. US brands were certainly fine for their price. They also helped people gain experience before getting a Tamiya model and messing it up.
Thanks for posting this and letting more people know about him and Tamiya.
The mini 4wd’s were so fun, nothing like taking the 2 AA batteries out and swapping in a 9 volt. At least until the lil guy left the track and either disapeared or shattered into a million pieces.
The joke I heard was get aTamiya model kit, shake the box and a completed model falls out! Once you build a Tamiya kit it’s tough going back to Revell, Monogram, or AMT. But, Polar Lights are the worst! Try building Homer Simpsons’ car, the Homer. I did with lots of cussing and swearing. Hasegawa are very good, but some of their kits have too many parts. Built the BMW 636…6 parts for the seats. Whose gonna see it? Lol Aoshima good. Their food trucks are a hoot. Modeling saved me from going crazy during Covid. Let’s all try to get a young person interested in modeling! It’s looking like a dying art.
I bet that BMW 635 was the old Fujimi Enthusiast kit (also boxed by Testors in the 80s). Those things are next-level. A lot of complication just for the sake of being complicated.
I stand corrected! I posted before my second cup,of coffee. I also may have some timers! I built the Tamiya Ford Focus Rally Car. Got the chassis and interior done…Ok let’s see what it takes to get the body installed. Slid on like a glove! Damn Skippy! For what it’s worth I have owned 4 Miata’s. All NAs. One was a 94 all set up for autocross. Stole it for $3500! Had $3000 in upgrades. Not including labor. Took my son for a drive in it. He’s like gee Dad, wanna slow down a bit? I told him, do you hear the tires squealing? No, he said. Ok then, sit down, shut up, and hold on!
Just like the real thing!
I am saddened by the loss of a person who led the company that’s brought me so much leisure-time enjoyment over the years… literally hundreds of hours.
Thank you for the fantastic retrospective and tribute! I was into RCs and models as a kid and have since recently returned to them, primarily by restoring vintage RC cars from the 80s, although I’ve built some new ones as well. I still have my first RC, a Tamiya Falcon which I have gotten back up and running although those old Tamiya plastics can get brittle in their old age.
PS- I think your autocorrect played some tricks on you, it should be the Tamiya Avante with an “e” not an I like the Studebaker!
THAT’s what I had, the Falcon, not the Hornet. Man, I can’t remember 35 years ago very well, even though I still have a few parts from it in a tote.
RIP Shunsaku Tamiya.
My brother got the Frog, then I got the Hornet the next year. This is circa ’88? I still remember building it, where I say, the layout in front of me, everything (and my memory is horrible). To this day, I still regularly rock a heavily modified Lunchbox. I’ve gone as far as to redesign the front suspension, designed and built my own electronics, and redesigned the shell to be 3D printed. I have a lot of 3d printed parts for the lunchbox. Reach out if interested.
I have many fond memories of my Hornet; and shed many tears putting plastic knuckles on turnbuckles.
My son is into RC, so I’ve been to the annual Cabin Fever show in Lebanon PA.
The RC occupies a basketball court sized hall, and includes a roadway for RC trucks, tanks and boats.
The highlight is a giant construction site which includes two model draglines as well as all types of RC construction trucks, cranes, etc.
Lots of Tamiya there.
Really amazing show.
Through most of its history, Tamiya plastic models were bar none the best in the world. Hasegawa may come close but the western brands just weren’t near.
These days it may be eclipsed by the hign-end Chinese brands but one can always trust Tamiya.
Their RC kits may be more plasticky than the racing-focused brands but they are always inviting to newcomers who want to start building their first RC models.
Aoshima does a nice kit these days (their Countach series especially). Hasegawa is up there too
They also are doing a wider variety of subjects in the regular-car realm, where Tamiya’s output has really slowed to a trickle of new kits plus the occasional reissue these days. Hasegawa is doing a lot of never-before-seen subjects, obvious missing links like a fourth-generation Civic (their 5th gen was an original early ’90s tool, in both hatchback and sedan forms) and deep cuts like an Isuzu Gemini FF from the late ’80s (I had to build mine as a US-spec Chevy Spectrum of course).
It’s disappointing how much Tamiya’s car model output has slowed, but what little they are releasing is soooo good. I have the McLaren Senna and Gordon Murray T.50 in the build queue (current build is Italeri’s 1/12 Lancia Stratos; it’s a monster) and the engineering is perfect. Hasegawa seems to be oriented more for the Japanese domestic market, which gives us some great subject matter like the Isuzu 117.
I think most of the Japanese brands eventually caught up to at least close to Tamiya’s standard. Whereas sadly the American brands like Revell, AMT Monogram, etc, never caught up.
Also the other japanese brands had their ears closer to the ground in terms of producing cars from Initial D or the famous Japanese tuners. Tamiya was stodgier and mostly stuck to reproducing stock supercars and race cars. The other japanese brands also put out a lot of anime kits, which Tamiya never did. And for a time they put out a lot of extremely good model guns as well. Too bad gun models seemed to have been banned in recent years.
To be fair to the American companies, during the 1990s which was the last time they had contracts with the automakers for promotional models they were getting squeezed on the other end by Walmart insisting on a $10 price point that became increasingly artificially low.
When Revell and Revell AG were sold to a German investor after the Hobbico bankruptcy in 2018, Revell’s new releases started to get really good. The E-Type is a solid kit and their G-series 911s are perilously close to Tamiya quality.
AMT under Round 2 ownership, on the other hand, has basically turned into an oldies station endlessly churning out rereleases all their Boomer-generation favorites.
I really appreciate this post. Model cars and R/C cars were a big part of my childhood and its great to see a deep dive on one of the most influential brands in the game. RIP Mr. Tamiya
God created the world in six days – if Tamiya had written the manual, He would have finished it in four.
And most of that would’ve been waiting for paint to dry.
Thank you for this article about Mr. Tamiya! I’ve been a model-builder since I was a kid. Tamiya is truly the Gold Standard of model kit producers. I have dozens of Tamiya kits in my display cabinet as well as in my stash of yet-to-be-built kits.
Thanks for he memories, for RC cars, I had a hornet, and a Friend had the Frog,. which I used to run on the beach at low tide. I was a big Model builder, usually AMT, and MPC, almost never Revel ( found their quality crappy), but my First Tamiya was the Lotus John Player Special. This kit showed me how good a kit could be.
Thank you for this tribute to Shunsaku Tamiya, Peter. When I was about 12 years old in the early 80’s, my local hobby shop started getting these kits in that were… different. The boxes were a weird flat shape. The cars were cars we didn’t see. Audi Quattro? What’s that? Whoa, that’s a Countach! Awesome! They cost a much bigger chunk of my allowance than the AMT and Monogram kits, but I was intrigued.
When you opened those boxes, it only got better. Crisp molds. Parts that fit. When you finished your builds, even as a dumb kid building at the dining-room table, they looked like the cars they were supposed to represent. And finding out more about those weird foreign cars helped kickstart an enthusiasm that has lasted a lifetime.
When I got into my 30s I took the hobby back up with the seriousness that only an obsessively detail-oriented auto enthusiast with a lot of time on his hands could bring to the party. I rediscovered the joys of Tamiya kits, and the 90s were peak Tamiya. The 300ZX Z32. The Fiat 695 Abarth. The Alfa GTV. All of them light years beyond what other manufacturers were doing.And when the basics are sorted, you can take time to get that perfect paint job and add wires, hoses etc. to the engine bay.
These days, I’m a decent modeller. I’ve got more plaques and trophies than I care to display and have written a couple of articles for Model Cars Magazine about my builds. When you get good at something, you want to come up with ways to stretch your talents. This is when I discovered large scale models. Tamiya was a pioneer in making 1/12 kits that didn’t feel like toys and took advantage of the detail available in the larger scale. The Porsche 934 kit, first tooled up in 1977, is based off of Mr. Tamiya’s own car that he had torn down to tool up the kit. It’s impossibly good and enormously challenging. In the 90s, Tamiya tooled up a 1/12 Caterham 7 BDR (at insane cost) just because Mr. Tamiya liked Caterhams. This kit, widely regarded as the best model kit ever produced, featured real brushed aluminum body panels and mostly went together with miniature bolts and screws.
And that’s what was wonderful about Shunsaku Tamiya and the company he founded. Every kit felt like a passion project. Compromise wasn’t something that entered the equation. Built out of the box, Tamiya kits reward the basic modeller and provide a great basis for the advanced modeler to create a masterpiece. Tamiya without Mr. Tamiya is like Ferrari without Enzo. Yes, it will continue, but it won’t have quite the same soul.
When he was creating the 1:12 934 RSR he bought a 911 and disassembled it in his garage to measure everything, then called the dealer and asked them to send someone over to put it back together. Dedication to accuracy right there.
thank you for this. Whenever RC car stories pop up on here, I get taken straight back to my dirt driveway in the 80s. I never had any Tamiya stuff (I somehow ended up with Kyosho cars, they were probably cheaper) but always eyed them. And the paintings on the boxes never get enough credit.
I just came across a YouTube video about a fellow unboxing a NIB Tomy Intruder EX from the early 90’s, It was my first proper RC kit.
I haven’t heard of that name for 30+ years but oh the memories.
Our neighbors had a gravel driveway. They were very tolerant of all the donuts…
I was a modeler right up to about the time I left for college, and I picked up the hobby again about four years ago. A lot has changed, but the overall committment to quality that Tamiya represents is still the same. Granted, I’m more of a military modeler, but I have built a couple of the Tamiya static car models over the years, they were excellent and interesting, like the rest of their line.
Tamiya’s F35 is a superior model in every sense of the word.
Oh..I know it. I built the -B model, it took me something like two months.
I wanted that Frog as a kid, but as a poor kid it was not to be. Even with my dad being a car guy & hobbies one after another, it never happened.
Do it now if you can!
Same here – it took a few decades, but I finally built a Frog. You’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it.
It’s never too late for a great childhood.
Nice read!
I’ve always wanted to try a kit RC car. But planes keep flying away with my attention and hobby money. Maybe next pandemic, assuming I’m alive, a basher Lunchbox may show up on the workbench.