OK… Does anyone else think that Tamiya is beginning to lag behind a little these days. This is regards new releases that are a surprise and not the usual Tiger/Sherman/ME 109/ F1 Car type of thing. Trumpeter and Dragon just to name 2 companies who have made bold decisions and released really unexpected subjects recently. Yes,even Revell released a 1/72 U.Boat. We are getting Huge Rail guns,Big Carriers,liberty ships and affordable large scale aircraft left right and centre. yet Tamiya seems to be getting left behind. i know the quality of Tamiya is beyond dispute and business is business but you have to speculate to acumulate. They are a world wide business with contacts in every branch of modelling,so they must hear what people are buying and would like to see in the future so why are they not doing it? I would love to see a 1/100 sailing ship from them. I am sure it would be awesome.Also costly!!!
I think the reason all the other companies are getting better is because Tamiya’s been the industry leader
I think Tamiya’s lastest releases are real “yawners”. My favourite is becoming Dragon for armor and small-scale aircraft.
So far most of my newer builds have been Tamiya, since I have not been into armor for very long alot of the subjects are new to me anyway, but I can see myself looking towards the different type builds with interiors and such.
If Trumpeter continues to do what they are doing now, I think Tamiya might be in for a rude awakening, although Trumpeter is doing kits that Tamiya isn’t, and thankfully they are not producing the same tired kits of German Tiger this or Panther that, but are branching out into new territory. The new SA-2 Guideline missile/ launcher and missile/truck is one such example. I’m putting the missile together now, and it’s impressive in its complexity, but is simple to construct. One of my best friends got the Leopold for Christmas, and it is undeniably rich in detail.
If Tamiya is going to continue to succeed as they have, they’re going to have to get away from the pre-finished models they’re fixing to market, and start listening to what the hobbyists want.
Just my two cents…
Gip Winecoff
I think Dragon has overtaken Tamiya at least in value. They are offering more kits, some better, pe parts and indy tracks, all at a more affordable price. Plus I like the things that they have been releasing. I think Tamiya has hit a wall of sorts at least in armor.
So what about Tamiya. If other companies are doing bigger, better subjects, quality is improving, and prices are at least reasonable, then Capitalism is at work! More power to those guys and gals. Sounds like Tamiya should buck up and reassess themselves. Personally, I’ll buy and build any model from any company that strives to improve themselves and their product, and not necessarily just because they’ve been the industry leader with the most recognized name. It’s the circle of life, man.
Maybe they are lying in wait…let the other companies waste money on ‘bold’ subjects, observe discrepancies, and then fix 'em…just an idea. But I’ve seen it happen in the Avionics industy. Besides, doesn’t it seem like right when you’re wrapping up some sort of conversion or fixer upper, a company comes out with that kit done excellently!!!
Sony used to do that same trick. Watch the competitors and learn from their mistakes. Then release it with all the fixes already in place and hurt the other guys.
Tamiya is definately dated but they also know what sells. Otherwise they would have dumped the Pzr 2 years ago. It’s a great seller. As are most of their kits. $12-$15 for a passable Pzr 2 versus something like Tasca’s $50 kit. Tey still have the price market and any tooling they have to do to a kit is minimal to “update it”. As opposed to some of the other players that have to start from scratch.
Eventually the pack will even out and Tamiya will have to do something to stay in the lead and thats what I’m looking for.
I’m with most of you guys though, build whatever is a good build.
Mike
As much of a Tamiya fan and supporter as I am, it’s hard to admit it, but yeah, they haven’t put out anything since their Pershing and T-55 that I have been interested in buying.
Of course, there’s a ton of Tamiya stuff that I don’t have that I still plan on buying (1/16 Pershing, for example!), but none of their latest releases thrill me at all, sad to say.
Their M1A2 almost did, but , sorry Big T, I had already bought the Dragon Baghdad M1A1HA, and I’m not much on having several types of the same or similar vehicles.
Currently, the companies that are drawing my attention (and hard-earned Yen) are Dragon and Trumpeter. The quality is excellent, the prices are low, and, more importantly, the subjects are appealing to me.
I always have and always will love Tamiya, and still consider them to be at the top of the industry.
They just ain’t makin’ much a nothin’ I wanna buy right now!
Exactly my point. They seem to be resting a bit on their laurels. If you like armour all well and good. Then why not turn out some WW 1 stuff. Figures,early tanks,etc. I have read letters in FSM of the lack of figures for other countries besides Germany/US. The new Idea of ready made kits? It would be cheaper to engage a modeller to make one for you. Beautiful Bismark but what a price tag. Also please please no more Tigers and Panthers,they have made more than Germany itself produced !
I agree that Trumpeteer and Dragon have been coming out with kits that are better in quality than their previous releases. For modelers on a budget like me, it is very good. But Tamiya is still up there and I can only hope that they have something new to offer soon.
It seems that the consensus is Tamiya are resting on their laurels for armour but as I don’t have the slightest interest in that genre I would have to say that they are still the leader in field I’m interested in - cars. Their Enzo Ferrari and Williams FW24 have moved the goal posts yet again for all others to aspire to. I suppose the question becomes if they can set new standards there why can’t they do the same for the other genre?
Gip you will be interested in the Workbench Review of the SA-2 in the March FSm (which arrived today), the reviewer saying the decaling guide for the missile is incorrect.
Alright!!! [8D] Thanks for the heads up. I received the missile/launcher kit for Christmas, and have almost completed the missile (interesting kit). I want to get the missile/truck as a companion piece.
Wait a minute…How did you get the March issue already?? I just got my February copy last week…[:)]
Gip Winecoff
Hey Iolok-across the board-everyone should do more WWI stuff-models, books, movies, etc. It’s a very unexplored and unexploited subject!
The last I heard, Tamiya was seriously considering getting into
the 1/48th scale “vehicles”. Not only vehicles on their own but also
a line to compliment 1/48th aircraft.
They are supposedly getting out of 1/72nd aircraft (cost the same
to produce as 1/48th, and they make more on 1/48th) and think
the 1/48th is where to place their bets. The 1/48th Kubelwagon
was supposedly the test kit to see how well 1/48th vehicles would
sell.
It would be nice if they did and produced airfield vehicles (fuelers,
etc…) and aircraft carrier vehicles as well.
Only time will tell I guess.
James [:)]
For my money, I love Tamiya models. The quality is beyond compare, but as was pointed out, they haven’t really been putting out anything new.
On the other hand, I think Trumpeter knows they can’t compete in quality, at least not now and they made the marketing decision to do something that Tamiya dosen’t. That being scales, and subjects. So, maybe people are more willing to put up with lower quality in exchange for a subject they really wanted.
The reviews of Trumpeter models show that they really do need to up the quality though. Maybe they will.
By the way, does anyone know if they are owned by the Chinese government? just curious
Tamiya will rebound. I have the Pershing tank and the tooling on it is great.
mark956
I am a really big fan of Tamiya and I think that’s exactly what is going to happen. Wouldn’t it be something if Tamiya came out with their own Karl, Leopold and E-100
Drooooool [:p]
What about Hasegawa, could the same be said of them?