July 28, 2008

Tamiya Inc



Tamiya is a Japanese company that specializes in producing model kits, knick knacks and supplies parts and makes RC Cars. You can find them in Japan, Europe and North America. They have been around for a while- I built a kit not too long ago that was from one of their 1970's lineups and was re-issued. They spend a lot of time developing armor, military vehicles, vehicles, airplanes/jets, and ships. I have three of their 1/350 ships from their 1/350 series, another in my stash. Tamiya engineers did a brilliant job with this line, and I'm a bit disappointed that they arn't adding to it. Regardless, they do one heck of a job in the quality and accuracy department; their stuff is good; pure and simple.


Tamiya's F-15E Stike Eagle. Not done by me- by someone else.

I am always impressed with the articulation on some of their models- my german half track had an accurate and working suspension! The only other company that I would say rivals Tamiya in quality is Bandai, who is a large producer of Gunpla (Gundam model kits). Their model accessories are also second to none- I had purchased additional aircraft sets for my USS Enterprise and to my amusement the Tamiya F-14 Tomcats shot down Trumpeter's aircraft set. The quality of the molds- the fuselage, the canopies, the wing and body detail- were all incredible.


These guys know what they are doing. As I go along and build my 1/350 ships, I find things are generally "easier" than other brands of kits. This tells me that Tamiya had been at the stage I was at now and thought ahead. I like that, in fact I like that a lot! It made things easier and virtually painless, allowing me to focus on finishing the model instead of fiddling with it. No tamiya model that I have ever built has ever given me build problems. The stuff is that good.


Their paints are also second to none. Albeit their paints are only really good with airbrushes, their sprays are exceptional. Their tools are exceptional- the masking tape brand Tamiya produces is exceptional. Thats all I can really say about their stuff- it is expensive, but exceptional. It's good stuff- there is not much more to say about it. I use their paints almost exclusivly because they work so well. Tamiya paints look really friggin good on Tamiya models, but they also look good on everything else. Quality assurance and testing, again by Tamiya- these guys know what they are doing, they know what I want and they are here to help me out. That means that they are going to get me to return and buy more of their stuff, and why would I think it is a suckering scam, their stuff is some of the best if not the best!


Tamiya is currently a organization I am looking into right now in terms of a career path, and so is Bandai. Aside from the free trips to Japan, I really enjoy building model kits and it is really something I want to learn how to do (that is, to make them). Bandai is also another one I am looking into- I would be set with Gunpla for life, but I also love models. I am thinking very seriously about my career choices, and although I don't have doubts about working for the defense industry- in the event that I cannot locate a job right away, I want to do something that I enjoy immensely until I can make up my mind as to if this is what I want, or if that is what I want.


By the way, good job Tamiya. I will be buying your stuff for a long time to come. (Pics to follow when I get back from work).

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