The 🇯🇵 work ethic, culture and need for precision is why Tamiya is an example of perfection. This mindset runs almost every occupation in Japan and especially in their Automotive, Motorcycle arena. The Quality and attention to detail are not just superficial like some.
Agreed indeed Peter. Tamiya was , is and I am assuming will continue to be a stellar model maker for years to come. For over forty years they have been my absolute favorite models to build and collect .
I've got several Tamiya kits myself and they are consistently good. The 1/32 WW2 planes like your Mosquito are simply amazing. I managed to scoop up a Spitfire, Mustang and Corsair and they are all fantastic. Like you I've built numerous kits from numerous brands over the years and Tamiya is the one brand that never lets me down
Thanks for a good discussion. I wonder if Tamiya hasn't been impacted by Covid and lost some key product development people as a result? Tamiya can certainly reissue some of their kits. I think we all have one or two kits from the past we'd like to have without the need for eBay, etc. Cheers.
Your spot on Peter I remember the days when Airfix used to supply you with a stand 🤷🏻♂️ so you are right about Tamyia 👍 Peter I am also a member of the flory family 😊
Tamiya ( and MONOGRAM😊) are why I'm still a builder since 1975! Here in the US mid 70s Revell was most common & generally 😖 awful! Monogram had much more consistent quality but then I found my first proper Hobby Shop, mostly trains BUT he gave my 10 year old self a beat up copy of the 1977 Tamiya catalog featuring the debut of that Lancaster kit! Tamiya illustrated clearly what COULD be expected! Consistency is the one word description I'd use...
I really enjoyed these 2 videos - thank you , I was impressed by the 1/350 Scale ' HMS Prince of Wales ' Battleship kit , when I made it in 1990 it went together like a dream and fitted well ( still have it )
The excellent molding on the Tamiya kits speeds up the assembly process quite a bit, specially the Tamiya mid range priced tanks such as the Panther Tank series No. 65, I almost had it completely built in a weekend of spare time while watching the Midsomer Mystery TV Show. Same with the Tamiya Sherman tank and the General Grant tank. I noticed these mid range Tamiya tank models have a hollow area above the tracks between the fenders and the hull of the tank, I cut out a strip of Plastruct and glue it in to add realism.
Great vid, Peter. I would like to add one thing - Tamiya is IMHO one of the the best producers of modelling accesories and tools. Their paints and weathering products are very good and the whole range of putties and glues is simply fantastic. Masking tapes are pure example how user friendly this manufacturer is. As a great fan of Omega Watches I totally agree Tamiya is like Swiss Watch famous Gucci Motto fits perfectly - Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. MARRY CHRISTMAS
Thankyou Peter! I've been a model builder since I was about 8 years old and have ben at it pretty much continuously ever since. I whole heatedly agree with your assesment of Tamiya. They are my preferred model brand to build above all others. Yes, the decal THICKNESS is and always was an issue, where one usually resorts to aftermarket. If not, be prepared for a decal solvent workout if you hope keep underlying detail showing. Keep the faith brother!
I agree. With what Tamiya do, they are second to none, but where they are slipping slightly is innovation. Others, like Border models, are bringing out a huge range of new subjects which I find much more interesting. Let's hope they take your advice onboard! Happy Christmas!
Built the 32nd Mossie a couple of years ago and it is superb, enjoy the build Peter it is a real pleasure. I have built many Tamiya kits over the years and can't remember any that were a struggle, newer kits of a lot of their 1/48 aircraft have come along from different manufacturers, some a lot more detailed but you can bet your life the Tamiya kit will be a nicer build.
All true. Built the Tamiya Centuar tank and it went together so well so quickly like a dream and I spent time weathering it and photographing it at the beach with plumbers smoke matches in the background for effects
Great presentation Peter, pretty much summed up Tamiya with all that you said….maybe, because you disconnected the phone the “Power…Cut” was Mr.Tamiya reminding you he was ….watching 👀. Have a Great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks for all your work and videos. I am reducing the size of my stash by keeping only kits produced by Wingnut Wings, Tamiya and Zoukei-Mura. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !
Thanks for a couple of very entertaining videos, possibly your best manufacture's video to date. Personally I'm not a Tamiya builder But I have built a few, and back in the mid 60's I treated myself to the JPS Lotus, and was really impressed with the kit and the way it turned out. At the time I was getting into slot racing and often visited a model shop just over Kew bridge. One day there was a Japanese guy also using the slot racing track, and he had with him a Tamiya model of the Honda F1 car covered in tiny Japanese writing and fully wired and plumbed. When I asked how he knew about all the detail it turned out he was a mechanic on the Honda F1 racing team. That is possibly the best model I've ever seen. A few years back I decided to dig into my stash and found a couple of ancient 72nd Tamiya kits from the late 60's or early 70's, the Nakajima KI 44 and the Ki 84,, one still had an electric motor for motorising it. Making them up was an eye-opener, I doubt that they were better than Airfix, especially the figures, and definitely not as good as Matchbox. It's good to see them grow from making very so-so models to becoming what is arguably the world standard.
I used to have the 1970's Tamiya 1/35 scale Tiger tank model and the Stug tank model along with several others with the dual motorized systems and wired remote control, they were great, I used to drive them outside in the dirt garden. I noticed after they phased them out the later tank kits still had the battery holders and motor mounts still molded in the hulls. I had a whole box of these models along with many others and my mum threw the box out when I went to college in 1982, Good old Mum.
Peter l have thoroughly enjoyed (Let's talk about) series l found it interesting and enlightening and it made me laugh 🤣 so looking forward to what's to come and wishing you and your family a 10/10 Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 👍
Nice one Peter. I am with you in wondering why Tamiya would re box "lesser" kits under their own brand. The 1:48 hurricane is a case in point, given their much older Skyraider is an infinitely better kit, and the Spitfire you featured, for all of the questions, is still a nice kit. I decided to build the model as a....beat up for the Arma 1:48 Ilc but they don't compare. The comments about a nicely produced model that the manufacturer cares about is bang on. Some of the cracking little kits from IBG, Arma, Special hobby and ICM just deserve the effort. Not that I won't give the mongrel hurricane 100%, it just isn't pleasant to build (and inaccurate in places). Nice one.
This has been a very interesting series Peter, I've thoroughly enjoyed it 👍 Looking forward to all your forthcoming videos in 2024. Happy Christmas 🎄 👍 Thanks, Chris
Hey Peter, loved the 2 parts of this discussion. I would also recommend the F-16C kits that tamiya made for review in either 72nd or 48th scale, can't say anything about the 32nd scale one as I don't have it yet (Christmas present this year though :D) Something I'd like to see from Tamiya in the future is a good Typhoon, Rafale or Gripen kit as I haven't come across anything on the market that fits the quality Tamiya bring to the table. Have a great xmas and see you for your top kits vid soon :)
Great show, great content and I concur. You and myself are thinking alike. I have struggled with kits over the years and would prefer a great engineered kit. Correcting faults takes time and for me at my stage in life, having a pleasureable building experience, is at the top of my priorities list. I don't mind complication, but I do mind Ill fitting parts and bad instructions. Again great show!!!!!
Agreed! We need more manufacturers to include at least a seated pilot figure. A stand would be nice too, but at minimum a seated pilot in aircraft kits. It can’t be that difficult or costly if Monogram was doing it back in the 60’s and 70’s. I prefer displaying aircraft models in their natural element - in flight. I started doing it that way about 15 years ago and it’s been my preferred method of displaying aircraft models ever since. Tamiya has some of the nicest, if not the nicest seated pilot figures of all the manufacturers.
Very good overview Peter. I would be a bit of a Tamiya fan and I have found their kits to be (mostly) enjoyable to build. There are those who dismiss Tamiya kits due to their straightforward buildability, the school of thought that unless you're building a complete dog of a kit then it's not modelling. Something which, in my mind anyway, is complete pants. For consistency alone it's Tamiya for the win.
Another great review, Peter! I'm glad you didn't give Tamiya a full pass, and fairly criticized them when you noticed some missteps. The one thing I didn't recall you having touched on is there insistence on providing mask sets which are not pre-cut. Why is it in this day and age that out of all the model manufacturers which provide mask sets in their products, Tamiya forces you to have to cut them out by hand? Why can they not get this right? Btw, I'm one of those deluded modelers who thinks Eduard kits are better than Tamiya.🤪
YES! Excellent point Ken, and I alluded to this in one of my other recent vids last week. Shame on me for overlooking this. (D'oh!😖) Thanks for drawing attention to this as it is a bit annoying! 👍🏻
Great show Peter, I am a firm believer in "you only get out what you put in" school of thought, Tamiya put an awful lot in to their kits and the customer gets an amazing building experience out of said kits. Happy Christmas Sir.🥂
What’s amazing is that Mr. Tamiya can produce kits with unique engineering, crisp high pressure moldings, etc. yet they can’t figure out how to design a decent $5 tape dispenser.
@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab Not only that but anything that comes close to the dispenser gets stuck to it because of the design and the way the sticky side of the tape remains exposed. Idiotic. I saw a modeling video and noticed he had a multiple size tape dispenser sitting on his desk with Tamiya tape rolls sitting in it. So far I can’t seem to find it online. I’ll keep you posted.
You need to flip your tape roll over in the dispenser......or ,better yet, stick the exposed end back onto the rear, bottom flat of the unit. And the 20mm of tape it costs to secure the two halves is money in their pocket. One tab at 9 o'clock, one at 12 o'clock and one at 3 o'clock Brilliant of Mr.Tamiya yes?? Cheers dear sir!!🍻
@@crackerbarrel6965Harry Houdini made that item. Don't know if he has it for sale, but he should!! His RatHarp tool for rigging sailing ships is absolutely brilliant!!
Hi peter would just like to say that i agree with most of what you have said about Tamiya and all the other makes,nobody is perfect but I know where i would spend my money,by the way i have asked for the Tamiya Mosquito 1/32 as a Christmas present from my wife,all the very best to you and your family for Christmas and keep on doing what you’re always good at with the videos well done mate.
Another great video. As far as new / recent Tamiya releases go, check out the new 1/24 Datsun 240Z G. It's a lovely kit! I like the A34 Comet tank as well.!
My question for everyone is why doesn’t Tamiya - or even Hasegawa - stuck with older subject matters? There are so many more sales on the newer jets like the F-22, SU27/30/33/35 they could easily slay, but outside of the F-35, they’d mostly kept to the 1970s and earlier…
I've had the opportunity to visit Tamiya HQ a few times in Shizuoka City, they do an open house each year during the Shizuoka Model show. You can see the company museum seeing it's history and products through the years, the first 1/35 scale tanks (they essentially invented--popularized the 1/35 scale). While Tamiya is seen as a tad expensive outside of Japan, many of it's models are cheaper in country, it's such a famous name that people who don't model know of Tamiya. I noticed you're not much a ship person, but I do like the Tamiya line of ships, they just released a great 1/700 JMSDF Mogami, and it's just engineered great for 1/700 scale. One thing I do wish they did was make more modern aircraft in 1/72 scale, the ones they have are fantastic to make, their F16CJ is probably the best F16 in 1/72 scale and their F35 in 1/72 is great, I just wish they did more, unfortunately some of their other 1/72 jets are just reboxed Italeri kits... They have a great line of 1/48 and 1/32 jets, but seem to leave the 1/72 market jets to other makers. Finally there are times when I'm making a bad kit, or frustrating kit from another maker and will often just say "wish this was a Tamiya kit" and am always happy to build a Tamiya kit since I know it will just work out without frustrating me.
It's great, during the open house, got to see the designers room, the blueprints, the box art painter and paintings, in the basement you see their molding machines, the plastics they use and even see some sprues being made. @@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab
The paint mix ratios reminds me of Bandai Gundam kits. The ones I have built don't recommend specific paint brands either, but give you a nice colour sample and a mixing ratio on the instructions and tell you to go from there. I love these manufacturer talks you do.
Peter + i do agree with you on some of these kits like trumpeter i do have some trumpter kits because i like the 1/32 scale modern u.s. navy jets case in point the A-6 intruder Trumper is the only one that i know of that makes that particular jet in 1/32 scale now with the mosquito i was in a toss up with Tamyia and air fix I ended up with the air fix kit in 1/24 scale because i like the larger scale but i just might get the Tamiya mosquito as well agin its a matter of who is producing the aircraft in the scale that i am looking for keep up the grate rants
Would like to see more Japanese kits released by Tamiya. Their 1/32 Zeros are great, but they could use a type 32 (short wingspan), type 22, and later type 52. The 1/48 Tony is an amazing kit, but it’s the late war variant and misses out on the excellent canon found in the early war Tony’s book hat served in New Guinea. Hasegawa has some nice 1/32 kits and a very large range of 1/48 Japanese kits , but even they are getting old (20-25 years old now) . What would be great for us Japanese fans would be an Oscar (1/48 or 1/32), or a 1/32 N1K1-J George . Thanks for the video and Merry Christmas.
You didn't have to make this video Peter. Everyone loves a Tamiya. You know your getting a great if not awesome kit 99% of the time. But yes, a great vid all the same of the 'generally speaking on aggregate' best manufacturer of them all 👏👍👌
80 percent of my models are Tamiya. Because I'd really like Tamiya's quality, simplicity yet detailed, everything fits perfectly, easy to follow instructions, and the best box art. For example, Chinese models ( Meng, Trumpeter, Dragon...etc) have too many parts or are too cluttered) Tamiya equals incomparable quality.
Tamiya haven't done a German aircraft in 1/32 and I would love them to put out a Stuka JU87! Trumpeter and Hasagawa are the only two and neither are accuate. But it seems they have quit the 1/32 series and same for the 1/20 F1's leaving us with the Ferrari SF 70H! But that one they did it curbside and no racing harness either. Tamiya don't always give pre-cut window masks. Not on their 1/12 bikes or aircraft with the Zero being the only one yet they're always pre-cut on their 1/24 cars! With the price of their kits we shouldn't have to buy aftermarket pre-cut masks and they need to improve their decals for their aircraft and we shouldn't have to buy Catrograf either! Overall I say they are a brilliant company whose parts fit can't get any better than it is, their box art always sells the kit, the contents are mesmerizing and the packaging is as neat as a magazine add. They care about the appearance of their product because it speaks volumes of quality! As for subject choices they don't always hit the nail on the head for all of us and we all have our "wish" models but they can't get around to all of us. Tamiya does what Tamiya wants but even so, breaking into a new Tamiya kit you like is always exciting!
I don't have many Tamiya models - I do have the Sea harrier though, to be honest it wasn't that awful, but it doesn't look right - it is very cheap for a 1/48 model and so tempting for a new modeller, but not a great intruduction to the brand. I also have the 1/48 Mosquito, again cheap, but this is a nice model that builds great. Finally I have a 1/48 F15C, this has been difficult, really struggled getting the cockpit to align and bond - lots of filler and sanding; the rest of the model has been perfect.
It says enough that you can talk about Tamiya for 1,5 hours without even mentioning their 1/32 scale f-16, it must mean that they have a lot of great kits. But for me as a 1/32 scale aircraft modeler it's a bit frustrating to know that they could produce the best kit ever of so many subjects, but they don't. If only they would scale up their lightnings, both the P-38 and the F-35, that would be enough for me already.
Hi i just finished watching you videos on Tamiya and I agree that they are the leaders of the modeling manufacturers and keep raising the bar of quality and engineering. Thus forcing the other modeling companies to get better. One aspect of the value given to the Tamiya kits that I think you missed is the most valued, that is time. I am 74 years old and building a Tamiya kit it generally alleviates me working on getting rid if the seams or misfit of the parts due to poor engineering of just overall poor quality of the kit itself.. I enjoy your videos so keep up the good work. PS as a side note i have been in modeling since i guess i was 10 and put together several Matcbox kits and all I can say thank god they are gone lol. Sorry lad. Oh Merry Christmas to you and yours
@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab Tamiya did do a formula e car, but seeing as I can still find gen 2 models for sale, I have my reservations about a gen3 and 4 appearing. A GP masters car should be a cheap licence though!
Tamiya sells a lot of mechanical vehicles and radio control for their home market, I don't think models sell as well as something that I can play with.
Having looked at their aircraft range the only one that interests me is the 1/48 Phantom, sadly the WW2 stuff is not for me even if they are great kits.
Tamiya are probably producing the best scale model aircraft at the moment but I would argue that they aren’t the best model company. My reasoning is limited range and paltry selection of new releases. No 1/72 for several years is also disappointing. They are certainly not helping to introduce new/younger modellers to the hobby either. Geoff.
I heard all of the fawning over their armor before I got their King Tiger. It's not great. Unusable tow cables (wildly mis-aligned seams), silly fabric mesh for engine covers, tight rubber band tracks, a joke of an interior. Upgrading it to an adult standard cost more in aftermarket than the kit cost, which was honestly too high. $45 for such a basic kit is not good value. Their aircraft are more impressive, but still needing upgrades every time.
I think what you say is largely true for aircraft and vehicles, but it is absolutely not true for thier ship kits, which are over engineered and in places poorly moulded, lack detail, have very poor decals and they absolutely do not include everything you need, such as railings degausing cables, which they then sell separately, they lack detail compared to other brands and are massively over priced for what you get and worst of all they sell really poor 40 year old kitts such as Bismarck and tarpits which are truly dreadful kits and they do not make the buyer aware that they are old kits chunky plastic and no detail. Generally tamiya are one of the worst manufactures for flogging old kits dishonestly just like revel, which you pulled them up for. Increasingly Tamiya are noticeably slipping behind other manufacturers in my view certainly with ships they are amongst the worst manufacturers.
I will bow to your greater experience in that area Jason, but ship models is quite a niche in the hobby and not the volume sellers. If we judged Tamiya on their motorbike kits, they are world champions, so balance is essential. Hope you having a nice Xmas.👍🏻🎄🎅🏻
Hate to say, but I was extremely impressed by Italeri's 1:32 Macchi 202. I almost didn't buy it because it was pricey, but I'm glad I did. As for Tamiya, there are a few old nags that people keep building but otherwise I've always been pleased with what was in the box. Case in point was their new Sheridan. Beautiful tooling and it was even a bit of a challenge in places. Just loved it.
Tamiya is my type of manufacturer, unlike mini art which is far too complicated. Peter please get rid of the gloves have your own USP instead of trying to copy nightshift.
What on earth are you talking about? I been using gloves when handling kits for years and been on YT 3 years longer than NS...Best to check your facts before commenting.
@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab obviously my mistake as I asummed that with your 7,5K followers against Night shifts 341K followers that you came after him. I stand corrected. The gloves still look naff
![เจ็บที่ยังฮัก - ม่อน วรวิทย์ [ Official Mv ] จอนนี่มิวสิค](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KALIGSRSjFs/mqdefault.jpg)
The 🇯🇵 work ethic, culture and need for precision is why Tamiya is an example of perfection. This mindset runs almost every occupation in Japan and especially in their Automotive, Motorcycle arena. The Quality and attention to detail are not just superficial like some.
Happy holidays and happy New year
Agreed indeed Peter. Tamiya was , is and I am assuming will continue to be a stellar model maker for years to come. For over forty years they have been my absolute favorite models to build and collect .
I've got several Tamiya kits myself and they are consistently good. The 1/32 WW2 planes like your Mosquito are simply amazing. I managed to scoop up a Spitfire, Mustang and Corsair and they are all fantastic. Like you I've built numerous kits from numerous brands over the years and Tamiya is the one brand that never lets me down
I did recent reviews on the 1/48 Mustang and Corsair. Nice kits -- hard to beat for value.
Thanks for a good discussion. I wonder if Tamiya hasn't been impacted by Covid and lost some key product development people as a result?
Tamiya can certainly reissue some of their kits. I think we all have one or two kits from the past we'd like to have without the need for eBay, etc.
Cheers.
Your spot on Peter I remember the days when Airfix used to supply you with a stand 🤷🏻♂️ so you are right about Tamyia 👍 Peter I am also a member of the flory family 😊
Absolutely
Tamiya ( and MONOGRAM😊) are why I'm still a builder since 1975!
Here in the US mid 70s Revell was most common & generally 😖 awful! Monogram had much more consistent quality but then I found my first proper Hobby Shop, mostly trains BUT he gave my 10 year old self a beat up copy of the 1977 Tamiya catalog featuring the debut of that Lancaster kit!
Tamiya illustrated clearly what COULD be expected!
Consistency is the one word description I'd use...
Excellent overview of this fantastic model company, Peter.
Seasons greetings to you.
Thanks, you too! 🎅🏻🎄🎉
I understand your views and thanks for your compilation - very informative. Have a great Christmas and very best wishes for 2024.
Thanks Mike, same to you! 🎄🎅🏻
I really enjoyed these 2 videos - thank you , I was impressed by the 1/350 Scale ' HMS Prince of Wales ' Battleship kit , when I made it in 1990 it went together like a dream and fitted well ( still have it )
Thank you! Hope you having a great Xmas. 🎄🎉🎅🏻
The excellent molding on the Tamiya kits speeds up the assembly process quite a bit, specially the Tamiya mid range priced tanks such as the Panther Tank series No. 65, I almost had it completely built in a weekend of spare time while watching the Midsomer Mystery TV Show. Same with the Tamiya Sherman tank and the General Grant tank. I noticed these mid range Tamiya tank models have a hollow area above the tracks between the fenders and the hull of the tank, I cut out a strip of Plastruct and glue it in to add realism.
Great vid, Peter. I would like to add one thing - Tamiya is IMHO one of the the best producers of modelling accesories and tools. Their paints and weathering products are very good and the whole range of putties and glues is simply fantastic. Masking tapes are pure example how user friendly this manufacturer is. As a great fan of Omega Watches I totally agree Tamiya is like Swiss Watch famous Gucci Motto fits perfectly - Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.
MARRY CHRISTMAS
Thanks & Merry Christmas to you too Adam! 👍🏻🎄🎅🏻
Thankyou Peter! I've been a model builder since I was about 8 years old and have ben at it pretty much continuously ever since. I whole heatedly agree with your assesment of Tamiya. They are my preferred model brand to build above all others. Yes, the decal THICKNESS is and always was an issue, where one usually resorts to aftermarket. If not, be prepared for a decal solvent workout if you hope keep underlying detail showing. Keep the faith brother!
I'm intrigued by the dinosaur kits
I agree. With what Tamiya do, they are second to none, but where they are slipping slightly is innovation. Others, like Border models, are bringing out a huge range of new subjects which I find much more interesting. Let's hope they take your advice onboard! Happy Christmas!
Well said! Merry Xmas! 🎄🎉🎅🏻
Built the 32nd Mossie a couple of years ago and it is superb, enjoy the build Peter it is a real pleasure. I have built many Tamiya kits over the years and can't remember any that were a struggle, newer kits of a lot of their 1/48 aircraft have come along from different manufacturers, some a lot more detailed but you can bet your life the Tamiya kit will be a nicer build.
All true. Built the Tamiya Centuar tank and it went together so well so quickly like a dream and I spent time weathering it and photographing it at the beach with plumbers smoke matches in the background for effects
Great presentation Peter, pretty much summed up Tamiya with all that you said….maybe, because you disconnected the phone the “Power…Cut” was Mr.Tamiya reminding you he was ….watching 👀. Have a Great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Could be! 😂 Same to you Sir! 🎉🎅🏻🎄
Newish to the hobby, really enjoyed the talk on makers series, with a well balanced view. Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Thanks Richard! 👍🏻 A very Merry Christmas to you & your family & friends! 🎄🎅🏻🎉
Oh, a Lotus 79 and a Mosquito. Lovely jubbly. The Lotus's radiator design was borrowed from the Mosquito.
Thanks for all your work and videos. I am reducing the size of my stash by keeping only kits produced by Wingnut Wings, Tamiya and Zoukei-Mura. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !
Thanks and same to you. ☺️ 🎅🏻🎄
Good review of Tamiya, when I came back into the hobby and started looking at 1/48 models I found Tamiya a grey way to ease back in
Thanks for a couple of very entertaining videos, possibly your best manufacture's video to date. Personally I'm not a Tamiya builder But I have built a few, and back in the mid 60's I treated myself to the JPS Lotus, and was really impressed with the kit and the way it turned out. At the time I was getting into slot racing and often visited a model shop just over Kew bridge. One day there was a Japanese guy also using the slot racing track, and he had with him a Tamiya model of the Honda F1 car covered in tiny Japanese writing and fully wired and plumbed. When I asked how he knew about all the detail it turned out he was a mechanic on the Honda F1 racing team. That is possibly the best model I've ever seen. A few years back I decided to dig into my stash and found a couple of ancient 72nd Tamiya kits from the late 60's or early 70's, the Nakajima KI 44 and the Ki 84,, one still had an electric motor for motorising it. Making them up was an eye-opener, I doubt that they were better than Airfix, especially the figures, and definitely not as good as Matchbox. It's good to see them grow from making very so-so models to becoming what is arguably the world standard.
I used to have the 1970's Tamiya 1/35 scale Tiger tank model and the Stug tank model along with several others with the dual motorized systems and wired remote control, they were great, I used to drive them outside in the dirt garden. I noticed after they phased them out the later tank kits still had the battery holders and motor mounts still molded in the hulls. I had a whole box of these models along with many others and my mum threw the box out when I went to college in 1982, Good old Mum.
Peter l have thoroughly enjoyed (Let's talk about) series l found it interesting and enlightening and it made me laugh 🤣 so looking forward to what's to come and wishing you and your family a 10/10 Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 👍
Nice one Peter. I am with you in wondering why Tamiya would re box "lesser" kits under their own brand. The 1:48 hurricane is a case in point, given their much older Skyraider is an infinitely better kit, and the Spitfire you featured, for all of the questions, is still a nice kit. I decided to build the model as a....beat up for the Arma 1:48 Ilc but they don't compare. The comments about a nicely produced model that the manufacturer cares about is bang on. Some of the cracking little kits from IBG, Arma, Special hobby and ICM just deserve the effort.
Not that I won't give the mongrel hurricane 100%, it just isn't pleasant to build (and inaccurate in places). Nice one.
I think the Tamiya F-84g is worth a mention. Its a beautiful kit.
A pleasant evening viewing sir 👍🎩🎩🍸🍸
Andretti, Mansell, Honda -- racing royalty rides with you, Peter! 😁
This has been a very interesting series Peter, I've thoroughly enjoyed it 👍 Looking forward to all your forthcoming videos in 2024. Happy Christmas 🎄 👍
Thanks, Chris
Thanks for all your support Chris, it's much appreciated. Have a super Xmas! 🎅🏻🎄👍🏻
Hey Peter, loved the 2 parts of this discussion. I would also recommend the F-16C kits that tamiya made for review in either 72nd or 48th scale, can't say anything about the 32nd scale one as I don't have it yet (Christmas present this year though :D) Something I'd like to see from Tamiya in the future is a good Typhoon, Rafale or Gripen kit as I haven't come across anything on the market that fits the quality Tamiya bring to the table. Have a great xmas and see you for your top kits vid soon :)
The JPS is cracking. I had a large 12" corgi model of that a kid in the 70s 😊 Think ive still got a Tamiya 6 wheeled F1 car somewhere i never built 🤔
Great show, great content and I concur. You and myself are thinking alike. I have struggled with kits over the years and would prefer a great engineered kit. Correcting faults takes time and for me at my stage in life, having a pleasureable building experience, is at the top of my priorities list. I don't mind complication, but I do mind Ill fitting parts and bad instructions. Again great show!!!!!
Thanks & Merry Christmas! 👍🏻🎄🎅🏻
Agreed! We need more manufacturers to include at least a seated pilot figure. A stand would be nice too, but at minimum a seated pilot in aircraft kits. It can’t be that difficult or costly if Monogram was doing it back in the 60’s and 70’s. I prefer displaying aircraft models in their natural element - in flight. I started doing it that way about 15 years ago and it’s been my preferred method of displaying aircraft models ever since. Tamiya has some of the nicest, if not the nicest seated pilot figures of all the manufacturers.
Very good overview Peter. I would be a bit of a Tamiya fan and I have found their kits to be (mostly) enjoyable to build. There are those who dismiss Tamiya kits due to their straightforward buildability, the school of thought that unless you're building a complete dog of a kit then it's not modelling. Something which, in my mind anyway, is complete pants. For consistency alone it's Tamiya for the win.
Thanks Jeff Agree 100%. Merry Christmas to you and all your family & friends & thanks for supporting me so much this year! ☺️🎄👍🏻🎅🏻
And the same to you and your family and friends Peter, thank you for everything 🎄
Another great review, Peter! I'm glad you didn't give Tamiya a full pass, and fairly criticized them when you noticed some missteps. The one thing I didn't recall you having touched on is there insistence on providing mask sets which are not pre-cut. Why is it in this day and age that out of all the model manufacturers which provide mask sets in their products, Tamiya forces you to have to cut them out by hand? Why can they not get this right? Btw, I'm one of those deluded modelers who thinks Eduard kits are better than Tamiya.🤪
YES! Excellent point Ken, and I alluded to this in one of my other recent vids last week. Shame on me for overlooking this. (D'oh!😖) Thanks for drawing attention to this as it is a bit annoying! 👍🏻
Great show Peter, I am a firm believer in "you only get out what you put in" school of thought, Tamiya put an awful lot in to their kits and the customer gets an amazing building experience out of said kits. Happy Christmas Sir.🥂
Thanks! And seasons greetings to you too Sir! 🎄🎉🎅🏻
What’s amazing is that Mr. Tamiya can produce kits with unique engineering, crisp high pressure moldings, etc. yet they can’t figure out how to design a decent $5 tape dispenser.
Yes! Mine keeps falling apart too!
@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab Not only that but anything that comes close to the dispenser gets stuck to it because of the design and the way the sticky side of the tape remains exposed. Idiotic. I saw a modeling video and noticed he had a multiple size tape dispenser sitting on his desk with Tamiya tape rolls sitting in it. So far I can’t seem to find it online. I’ll keep you posted.
Very good summing up of Tamiya, thank you.
You need to flip your tape roll over in the dispenser......or ,better yet, stick the exposed end back onto the rear, bottom flat of the unit.
And the 20mm of tape it costs to secure the two halves is money in their pocket. One tab at 9 o'clock, one at 12 o'clock and one at 3 o'clock
Brilliant of Mr.Tamiya yes??
Cheers dear sir!!🍻
@@crackerbarrel6965Harry Houdini made that item. Don't know if he has it for sale, but he should!! His RatHarp tool for rigging sailing ships is absolutely brilliant!!
Hi peter would just like to say that i agree with most of what you have said about Tamiya and all the other makes,nobody is perfect but I know where i would spend my money,by the way i have asked for the Tamiya Mosquito 1/32 as a Christmas present from my wife,all the very best to you and your family for Christmas and keep on doing what you’re always good at with the videos well done mate.
Thanks Stephen! All the best to you too, The Mossie is sure to make it a great Xmas for you! 👍🏻🎄🎅🏻
I agree, I build all makes of models but by far TAMIYA are the better kits and a pleasure to build. Merry Xmas 👍
Thanks Wayne! 👍🏻 Same to you Sir! 🎄🎉🎅🏻
Another great video. As far as new / recent Tamiya releases go, check out the new 1/24 Datsun 240Z G. It's a lovely kit! I like the A34 Comet tank as well.!
Easy! My wallet can only take so much!? 🥵 (👍🏻) Lol! 🤣
My question for everyone is why doesn’t Tamiya - or even Hasegawa - stuck with older subject matters? There are so many more sales on the newer jets like the F-22, SU27/30/33/35 they could easily slay, but outside of the F-35, they’d mostly kept to the 1970s and earlier…
I've had the opportunity to visit Tamiya HQ a few times in Shizuoka City, they do an open house each year during the Shizuoka Model show. You can see the company museum seeing it's history and products through the years, the first 1/35 scale tanks (they essentially invented--popularized the 1/35 scale). While Tamiya is seen as a tad expensive outside of Japan, many of it's models are cheaper in country, it's such a famous name that people who don't model know of Tamiya. I noticed you're not much a ship person, but I do like the Tamiya line of ships, they just released a great 1/700 JMSDF Mogami, and it's just engineered great for 1/700 scale. One thing I do wish they did was make more modern aircraft in 1/72 scale, the ones they have are fantastic to make, their F16CJ is probably the best F16 in 1/72 scale and their F35 in 1/72 is great, I just wish they did more, unfortunately some of their other 1/72 jets are just reboxed Italeri kits... They have a great line of 1/48 and 1/32 jets, but seem to leave the 1/72 market jets to other makers. Finally there are times when I'm making a bad kit, or frustrating kit from another maker and will often just say "wish this was a Tamiya kit" and am always happy to build a Tamiya kit since I know it will just work out without frustrating me.
That visit sounds amazing. 👍🏻
It's great, during the open house, got to see the designers room, the blueprints, the box art painter and paintings, in the basement you see their molding machines, the plastics they use and even see some sprues being made. @@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab
The tamiya aircraft bundles are great value
Yes, Tamiya makes great kits. But personally, I feel AFV Club offers better armor kits in the same price range as Tamiya's newer armor kits.
I agree and would add meng also as somewhere in between the two.
The paint mix ratios reminds me of Bandai Gundam kits. The ones I have built don't recommend specific paint brands either, but give you a nice colour sample and a mixing ratio on the instructions and tell you to go from there. I love these manufacturer talks you do.
Thanks & Merry Xmas! 🎄🎉🎅🏻
Peter + i do agree with you on some of these kits like trumpeter i do have some trumpter kits because i like the 1/32 scale modern u.s. navy jets case in point the A-6 intruder Trumper is the only one that i know of that makes that particular jet in 1/32 scale now with the mosquito i was in a toss up with Tamyia and air fix I ended up with the air fix kit in 1/24 scale because i like the larger scale but i just might get the Tamiya mosquito as well agin its a matter of who is producing the aircraft in the scale that i am looking for keep up the grate rants
Would like to see more Japanese kits released by Tamiya. Their 1/32 Zeros are great, but they could use a type 32 (short wingspan), type 22, and later type 52. The 1/48 Tony is an amazing kit, but it’s the late war variant and misses out on the excellent canon found in the early war Tony’s book hat served in New Guinea. Hasegawa has some nice 1/32 kits and a very large range of 1/48 Japanese kits , but even they are getting old (20-25 years old now) .
What would be great for us Japanese fans would be an Oscar (1/48 or 1/32), or a 1/32 N1K1-J George .
Thanks for the video and Merry Christmas.
You too! 🎄🎅🏼
You didn't have to make this video Peter. Everyone loves a Tamiya. You know your getting a great if not awesome kit 99% of the time.
But yes, a great vid all the same of the 'generally speaking on aggregate' best manufacturer of them all 👏👍👌
Thanks 👍
Spot on!!👍
80 percent of my models are Tamiya. Because I'd really like Tamiya's quality, simplicity yet detailed, everything fits perfectly, easy to follow instructions, and the best box art. For example, Chinese models ( Meng, Trumpeter, Dragon...etc) have too many parts or are too cluttered) Tamiya equals incomparable quality.
Exactly! Couldn't have put it better myself.👍
It really annoys me when some say Tamiya kits are boring.
Eh??🤦♂️
@@markfranks1329 Tamiya's engineering is off the charts all the time. Undisputed the best model manufacturer.
@@rszanger 100% 👍
keep on the good work with Hasegawa, Zvezda, KP...and whatever other brand that comes to your mind...and hands lol Merry Christmas from Portugal
Obrigado Pedro! That is the end of the series for now...I wouldn't do 2 of those you mention anyway, but have a great Xmas! 👍🏻🎉🎄🎅🏻
I wish Tamiya would release a P47D Thunderbolt in 1/32 scale as their 1/48 scale kits are beautiful 👍
That would be cool!
Merry Christmas Peter!
Same to you! 🎅🏻🎄👍🏻
Tamiya haven't done a German aircraft in 1/32 and I would love them to put out a Stuka JU87! Trumpeter and Hasagawa are the only two and neither are accuate. But it seems they have quit the 1/32 series and same for the 1/20 F1's leaving us with the Ferrari SF 70H! But that one they did it curbside and no racing harness either. Tamiya don't always give pre-cut window masks. Not on their 1/12 bikes or aircraft with the Zero being the only one yet they're always pre-cut on their 1/24 cars! With the price of their kits we shouldn't have to buy aftermarket pre-cut masks and they need to improve their decals for their aircraft and we shouldn't have to buy Catrograf either! Overall I say they are a brilliant company whose parts fit can't get any better than it is, their box art always sells the kit, the contents are mesmerizing and the packaging is as neat as a magazine add. They care about the appearance of their product because it speaks volumes of quality! As for subject choices they don't always hit the nail on the head for all of us and we all have our "wish" models but they can't get around to all of us. Tamiya does what Tamiya wants but even so, breaking into a new Tamiya kit you like is always exciting!
Thanks...ANOTHER EXCELLENT, well observed comment. 👍🏻 Stuka in 1/32? Yes PLEASE! 🤤
I don't have many Tamiya models - I do have the Sea harrier though, to be honest it wasn't that awful, but it doesn't look right - it is very cheap for a 1/48 model and so tempting for a new modeller, but not a great intruduction to the brand. I also have the 1/48 Mosquito, again cheap, but this is a nice model that builds great. Finally I have a 1/48 F15C, this has been difficult, really struggled getting the cockpit to align and bond - lots of filler and sanding; the rest of the model has been perfect.
It says enough that you can talk about Tamiya for 1,5 hours without even mentioning their 1/32 scale f-16, it must mean that they have a lot of great kits. But for me as a 1/32 scale aircraft modeler it's a bit frustrating to know that they could produce the best kit ever of so many subjects, but they don't. If only they would scale up their lightnings, both the P-38 and the F-35, that would be enough for me already.
Hi i just finished watching you videos on Tamiya and I agree that they are the leaders of the modeling manufacturers and keep raising the bar of quality and engineering. Thus forcing the other modeling companies to get better. One aspect of the value given to the Tamiya kits that I think you missed is the most valued, that is time. I am 74 years old and building a Tamiya kit it generally alleviates me working on getting rid if the seams or misfit of the parts due to poor engineering of just overall poor quality of the kit itself.. I enjoy your videos so keep up the good work. PS as a side note i have been in modeling since i guess i was 10 and put together several Matcbox kits and all I can say thank god they are gone lol. Sorry lad. Oh Merry Christmas to you and yours
Thanks but remember Matchbox were cheap, flash-free and usually went together well...better than many competitors of the time.👍🏻 Merry Xmas ! 🎄🎉🎅🏻
You mentioned that the F-35 has a stand. I assume you mean the NEW F-35B variant...as the F-35A definitely doesn't not include the stand. 👍
Yes, quite right I maybe should have been clearer...it's a shame it wasn't in the first variant!
Tamiya did a formula e car and some F1 is floating about, but I am not sure about the absolute popularity of the subject for mass production
Sales have always been steady but F1.com want huge licensing fees these days. A mistake...
@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab Tamiya did do a formula e car, but seeing as I can still find gen 2 models for sale, I have my reservations about a gen3 and 4 appearing. A GP masters car should be a cheap licence though!
Tamiya sells a lot of mechanical vehicles and radio control for their home market, I don't think models sell as well as something that I can play with.
Having looked at their aircraft range the only one that interests me is the 1/48 Phantom, sadly the WW2 stuff is not for me even if they are great kits.
Tamiya are probably producing the best scale model aircraft at the moment but I would argue that they aren’t the best model company.
My reasoning is limited range and paltry selection of new releases.
No 1/72 for several years is also disappointing.
They are certainly not helping to introduce new/younger modellers to the hobby either.
Geoff.
I heard all of the fawning over their armor before I got their King Tiger. It's not great. Unusable tow cables (wildly mis-aligned seams), silly fabric mesh for engine covers, tight rubber band tracks, a joke of an interior. Upgrading it to an adult standard cost more in aftermarket than the kit cost, which was honestly too high. $45 for such a basic kit is not good value. Their aircraft are more impressive, but still needing upgrades every time.
That is all true, but it's a '93 kit. Time for an update...
I think what you say is largely true for aircraft and vehicles, but it is absolutely not true for thier ship kits, which are over engineered and in places poorly moulded, lack detail, have very poor decals and they absolutely do not include everything you need, such as railings degausing cables, which they then sell separately, they lack detail compared to other brands and are massively over priced for what you get and worst of all they sell really poor 40 year old kitts such as Bismarck and tarpits which are truly dreadful kits and they do not make the buyer aware that they are old kits chunky plastic and no detail. Generally tamiya are one of the worst manufactures for flogging old kits dishonestly just like revel, which you pulled them up for.
Increasingly Tamiya are noticeably slipping behind other manufacturers in my view certainly with ships they are amongst the worst manufacturers.
I will bow to your greater experience in that area Jason, but ship models is quite a niche in the hobby and not the volume sellers. If we judged Tamiya on their motorbike kits, they are world champions, so balance is essential. Hope you having a nice Xmas.👍🏻🎄🎅🏻
Hate to say, but I was extremely impressed by Italeri's 1:32 Macchi 202. I almost didn't buy it because it was pricey, but I'm glad I did. As for Tamiya, there are a few old nags that people keep building but otherwise I've always been pleased with what was in the box. Case in point was their new Sheridan. Beautiful tooling and it was even a bit of a challenge in places. Just loved it.
Hmmm Recent Tornado F.4 was another but hugely over-priced and not great fit. Mirage III was another disaster...bad fit (especially NOSE) WTF?
@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-LabI thought the Italeri Mirage was an Esci kit.
@@kevinjohnson8220 NOT the 1/32
Tamiya is my type of manufacturer, unlike mini art which is far too complicated. Peter please get rid of the gloves have your own USP instead of trying to copy nightshift.
What on earth are you talking about? I been using gloves when handling kits for years and been on YT 3 years longer than NS...Best to check your facts before commenting.
@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab obviously my mistake as I asummed that with your 7,5K followers against Night shifts 341K followers that you came after him. I stand corrected. The gloves still look naff
@@rodneygreenway He's probably the best modeller on YT...he deserves every one.
Super chat......enjoyed it!
Thanks Paul, Happy New Year. 👍🏻🎉
Thanks Peter and to you, all the best.@@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab