Wikipedia:Translation/Tamiya Corporation

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The metal models were produced from plans which had the concept of being, "Easy to understand and build, even for beginners." Even the box art was consistent with this throughout the company. It had the best developing power in Japan. In the same vein as everybody being able to build the models, they made the parts accurate and with a high degree of detail.

Table of contents

1 Outline

1.1 Entering with plastic models

1.2 Metal molds

1.3 Star mark

1.4 Tamiya News and other publications

1.5 White Package

2 Representative plastic models

3 Timeline of company history and models

4 Main RC products

5 Main miniature vehicles

5.1 Keibu business association

6 Associated overseas subsidiaries

7 Other

8 References

9 Related programs

10 External links

Summary

Entrance of plastic models

In 1946, the Tamiya Company, which would become the foundation for Tamiya Models, was founded by Tamiya Yoshio. The Mokuzaigyou Company's wood products division

(founded 1947) mainly produced wooden models of ships and airplanes. In 1953 they stopped the sale of architectural lumber and focused solely on making models.

In the mid 1950s, foreign made plastic models were beginning to be imported and wooden model sales were decreasing, so in 1959 they decided to manufacture plastic models. Their first model was the Yamato. However, Tamiya's predecessors had sold Yamato models at 350 yen. By competing, Tamiya was at risk to get into the red by setting their price the same. However, they couldn't recover the cost of producing metal molds, so once again, they changed their products to wooden models, but at that time the model trade's tide was turning toward platic models.

Using metal molds no longer needed for plastic toys, they released a racecar mini-kit which was to finance the production of their next plastic model. To their good fortune, it became a hit. They decided that the second plastic model was to be the Panzer Tank, which had a linear form which would make the molds simple to produce. They commissioned Komatsuzaki Shigeru to do the box art. The Panzer was motorized, moved well, and had an excellent instruction manual which made it easy to assemble. Because of this, it gained a good reputation. It was made in a 1/35 scale because it was decided that it would use a single TYPE 2 battery but would hold 2 of them.

Metal molds

At first, Tamiya produced metal molds, but had delays and unclear pricing, which lead to trouble. Then they scouted metal mold craftsmen and in 1964 started their Metal Molds division. Starting in 1966, they transferred a number of craftsmen to the Mold Manufacturing Factory. They slowly gained the knowhow and came to make molds for Tamiya. Today, CAD has also been introduced into the process.

Tamiya was known by their extremely high accuracy of their molds, and that influenced even the condition of the products after they were assembled. In a time when Tamiya manufactured plastic models using mold craftsmen's skills and earlier plans, other companies' products' detail bolts were represented by simple hemispheric protuberances while Tamiya represented bolts more accurately as hexagonal posts. This level of detail and thoroughness with which they produced their models earned them a reputation even overseas.

Star Mark

On the occasion of the release of Tamiya's first plastic model, Tamiya Shunsaku (a son-in-law) commissioned his younger brother, Massao, then a student at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music Design Department, to create a new trademark. He created the Star Mark. At first it was decorated with English. In 1960 with the release of the slot racecar, the design was changed to its current form. Even now, the left, red star stands for passion and the right, blue star stands for precision.

Tamiya News and other publications

Tamiya News is published by Tamiya Model and is an informational, monthly publication about the company's own models. In 1967, when it was started, it was published bimonthly with an occasional special supplement. For a long time it cost 50 yen, but was later raised to 100 yen. The unique, thin publications were placed in envelopes and sent out via standard mail. Introductory articles on new products, model shops, model clubs, and conversions were included as were articles on famous and obscure modelers. A sister publication with articles focused on miniature vehicles and bullet racers and such, Tamiya Junior News exists as a free publication (It formerly cost 20 yen, but now is available for download as a PDF from Tamiya's website).

Other model related publications held doll conversion contests or scenic photo contests and then published the results in booklets.

The White Package

On early products (1961-1967), the boxart corresponded to what they distributed. The boxart was mainly done by Komatsuzaki Shigeru, Takani Yosiyuki, and others. As Tamiya's goods' image and world view both broadened, their boxart, which had a feeling of "compositions of achievement" or "a story contained in a picture", became mainstream. This further enhanced its goods' image. However, after 1968's slot racer, products appeared without scenery on a white background. They had changed the boxart to be more accurate. This experiment turned out to be popular and after that Tamiya switched to the white package which had removed parts of models of airplanes and warships from the boxes. The boxart of Komatsuzaki Shigeru, which had contributed to the making of Tamiya's early image, has almost disappeared from Tamiya's products due to the change in boxart strategies and discontinuation of products.

Some model tanks' boxart included images of items not included in the box. When Tamiya began exporting these, indications of the possibility of applying false advertising laws started to become a problem. Tamiya dealt with this by erasing the items and retouching the backgrounds.

Representative models

The Military Miniature Series differed from the western standard gauge and used 1/35 scale. Plans included a battery box and a gear box for motorization. These models were easy to assemble, the completed models looked good, and the parts were accurate. These qualities gave the series a good reputation ever since it was released. However, there exists the criticism that it was not true to the original because its scale had been altered in order to make room for the gearbox. Better products which did not allow for motorization were renewed after the Tiger I's later model.

After that, their excellent family of products was sen out into the world. Noticing other companies were imitating their ease of assembly and accuracy of parts, Tamiya went a step further and added deformities in order to make the finished models look better. On the other hand, some modelers felt these deformities were out of place. For example, they were unsure of why both Tamiya's and other companies' King Tiger coexisted in the marketplace. In 2004, the new 1/48 scale series began and World War items were released at a remarkable pace.

A small 1/700 Water Line Series proudly displayed Tamiya's skill. From when they started selling this series, there were many kits bearing their famous name. Even now, looking back at the past 10 years, these were not inferior products and excellent products were produced. Renewal kits in addition to polishing will have kept satisfaction high. Ueda Kihachiro, learned in naval vessels, handled most of the boxart for the Water Line Series.

Sports Car Series

Grand Prix Series

Motorcycle Series

Minijet Series (after 2004, this was rereleased as the Combat Plane Series)

Warbird Collection

Timeline

1960 - The Yamato, Tamiya's first plastic model

1961 - Panzer Tank, Tamiya's first tank model. Komatsuzaki Shigeru's boxart becomes a hit.

1967 - 1/12 Honda F-1. A success which left the mark of "Skillful Tamiya" on it via their accurate recreation of the original vehicle.

1968 - 1/35 German Tank Soldier Set, the first in the Military Miniature Series.

1972 - 1/3588 Military Gun Flak 36/37. Tamiya produced models for diorama scenes, which garnered a large response.

1976 - 1/12 Porsche 934. Tamiya actually purchased a Prsche 911, dismantled it, and rebuilt it in order to better understand the car.

1986 - Hotshot Jr. The first in the Racer Mini Vehicle Series. It was a hit linked to the miniature vehicle boom.

1989 - 1/35 Tiger I second rendition. Sold in a completely new form, triggered by the anniversary of a recall of the Military Miniature Series.

2006 - A special model was released in honor of Tamiya's RC Car Series 30th Anniversary. It was the Porsche 934 turbo RSR 30th Anniversary edition.

Main RC products

RC Cars

In 1976, Tamiya entered the RC market with their first RC model, the Porsche 934 Turbo RSR. Now, having just passed the 30th Anniversary of the first Tamiya RC model, they are sold in markets both within the country and worldwide. Cultivating skill by all the RC cars they had made until now, they decided to revive the experience in a limited release of models to commemorate their 30 years in the RC business in December of 2006. They recently released their flagship model, mustering all their skill into the Porsche Turbo RSR 934 Racing Edition, which had been a part of the developing phase of Tamiya's RC career. Individual Wikipedia articles exist for each of the following models: Contact Competition Special, Buggy Champ, Wagon Off Roader, Ford ranger, Toyota Hilux 4x4, Chevrolet Blazer 4x4, Hilux 4x4 High-lift, Hilux 4x4 High-lift Mountain Rider, Ford F-350 4x4 High-lift, Kannamu Roller Racing Master Mk.1, Subaru Brat, Rancher Rally, Grasshopper, Mighty Frog, Wild One, Hornet, Hotshot, Desert Gator, Sand Viper, Avante, Avante 2001, Top Force, Lightning Storm, Dark Impact, King Hawk, Avante Mk.II, Twin Detonator, Wild Dagger, Double Blaze, Blackfoot Extreme, ClodBuster, TXT1, Damtek Series, Terror Crusher, TNX (Tamiya), TNX 5.2R, Night Rage 5.2

Main Miniature Vehicles

-Ford Ranger 4x4 (July 13, 1982 Miniature Vehicles) an early mini vehicle, released at the same time as the Chevrolet Pickup 4x4

-Hotshot Jr. (June 16, 1986: Mini Racer) An early Mini Racer

-Avante Jr (December 15 1986: Mini Racer)said to be the first appearance of a mini vehicle for serious racing use. Also a famous car.

-Magnum Saber (September 7, 1994: Furukauru mini) an early Furukauru mini, released at the same time as the Sonic Saber

-Nitro Sander (November 18, 2005: Mini Vehicle PRO) an early Mini Vehicle PRO, released at the same time as Nitro Force

Association with Cave

In March of 2005, Tamiya partnered with Cave, a game manufacturing company. Starting In June of the same year, they developed components for use in cell phones. Later, in November, they joined in releasing the Mini Vehicle PRO, and since October has established a informational site about miniature vehicles, which included the online game "Mini Vehicle Online Racer." At first, the service scedule was for spring 2006, but because of delays, official service is planned to begin summer 2007.

On January 31, 2006, a spin-off business dealing with miniature vehicles was established jointly with Cave. It is called "MiniVehicle Networks Corporation." In July of the same year, the began a service, the "MINIon Club," a social networking site which also gave special deals on miniature vehicles.

Associated Overseas Subsidiaries

Tamiya America, Inc.

Tamiya Philippines, Inc.

Tamiya Hong Kong, LTD

Tamiya Europe, GMBH

Presently, over half of Tamiya's products are manufactured in the Philippines. Tamiya's 1/48 MiniMilitary AFV, complete even to the point where it was given weathering, aimed to expand the the market for completed, painted models as was seen in the snack&toy boom. In order to accommodate that, Tamiya used about 1200 workers to make finished die cast models which were then shipped to hobby markets around the world.

Other

Tamiya produces components for boys' moving toys and models which are like their Fun-to-build Series, and also makes kits to make simple robots. Also included is the continuing older Mabuchi Motor, a popular product which runs in water.

In 1960, beginning with the Honda F1 (RA273), Tamiya dealt with many plastic models of F1s. Because of that, management decided to sponsor Team Lotus in 1991. Since 1976's Tireru P34, they paid royalties to the teams whose cars their models were based on. Because of the excellent quality of the finished products and so forth, they built strong relations with the teams to the point where even the teams' well guarded plans (CAD data) were shown only to Tamiya and no other model makers. However, recently this sort of arrangement has petered out and models are based off of things like news photographs.

Tamiya's drive to perfect their models' appearance began in 1966 with a visit to the Aberdine Tank Museum in Maryland. Because no pictures or sketches of the classified tanks were permitted, as soon as the people from Tamiya left the grounds they sketched all they could remember.