Need help on Tamiya

[karansharma8783]

Hey guys, arrived in Gurgaon yesterday and remembered Guggga mentioning about a Tamiya store here in Gurgaon. Plan to check it out sometime in the next few days but if somebody knows about Tamiya, I have a few queries that I had in mind.

1. I understand Tamiya makes ONLY plastic models and no diecast, is this right?

2. Does Tamiya make ONLY assembly kits and no ready-made models?

3. Does Tamiya makes cars ONLY in 1:24 scale and not in 1:18?

4. For their plastic assembly kits, do we have to paint the body ourselves or they come already painted?

And last of all, how is their quality? Even if they make their models in plastic, are they just too good to pass up? I have seen the Indian website http://www.adventurewheels.co.in which stocks Tamiya models and which is the same store in Gurgaon Guggga mentioned and the prices of 1:24 model cars are upwards of Rs. 1000 each.

Need info on this...thanks for helping

[winstoncds]

Karan, I have yet to see a plastic kit in 1:18 form. My advice would be to steer clear off plastic models at the moment. Considering your busy schedule, I really doubt you would be able to start, let alone finish a plastic kit. This might sound discouraging to you but I have lost more money on plastic kits that would have been excellent if I finished them than I lost on really bad ready built diecast models. Procrastination got the better of me.

[Petrolhead]

Tamiya has an awesome range of semi-assembled (more or less ready-made) 1:12 scale-models.These include some great supercars like the Ferrari Enzo,Ferrari F50,Ferrari 288 GTO,Porsche Carrera GT among a few others.If you end up dropping in on the store,do let us know if any of these are available.Even these,however,have plastic bodies.But the detailing and quality is just fantastic so don't let that put you off.I'm sure you've seen Saleel's 1:12 Ferrari Enzo by Tamiya.That is one insanely desirable model.
They make fully built 1:24 scale-model cars under the 'Masterwork Collection'.This range comprises entirely of racing cars though.
I don't think they make car kits in 1:18 scale.The 1:12 and 1:24 kits are very detailed but the quality of the final product depends on the builder's skill.I think the kits have to be painted by the builder.While Manish is the guy you need to talk to for confirmation,I think the paints need to be bought separately as well.
My advice to you is that you check the store out.It will go a long way toward answering all your questions.Don't forget to take your camera!!

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Just checked out the website.Looks like they do have the 1:12 Ferrari 288 GTO.I want it so bad I ache.
Also,am I the only one digging those Parts Panels?They look really cool and would work SO well in a car themed room.But the prices are just ridiculous.Almost the same as the 1:12 Ferrari 288 GTO.For a dismantled 1:24 Ferrari Enzo or Nissan GT-R!!

[Guggga]

That 1/12 288 GTO is upward of 25k

[manishalive]

@ All: thanks for the kind input. I will try to put my experience. first on products.

Tamiya make's (cars specific) 1:24 and 1:12. They build fully build models of (very little assembly required) in both 1:24 and 1:12. The 1:12 scale (collectors club special) will excite all of us, but price is a big deterrent. But you get what you pay for. The one in 1:24 are equally good but are race cars, so if you like them well good.

The fully built models have a body in plastic, but many other components including chassis and engine are of metal. So it is typically multi metal. But overall a very nice execution and buy.

Now comming to 1:24 and 1:12 kits. 1:24 kits are very good, infact they are known to produce some very good kits. Quality is top notch. 1:12 are the big scales and I love them cause you get more bigger stuff (can easily work on). you can detail is more easily. and are imposing by size.

There is also a master coatch work series in 1:12 (Lola and Catheram 7 are the examples). They are another level of realism to the kit building with multi - metal parts. For me this is the ultimate. As working on kits gives me more satifaction.

Now comming to question?? these kits require painting, glueing, some small improvised or bought tools. Apart from that space, time and patience.

eating or making a maggi might be 2 minutes but one has to figure, going to store to buy one, washing utensils before and after which is certainly more than 30 minutes.

Similarly gluing a kit takes very less time (1/2 a day in one go) but it is the other activities that take longer time, snading, preping, painting, detailing and planning.

In the end, building kits is very rewarding. If you caught that bug, nothing like it. As for the help in building one, there is whole lot of help available from the members and google.

Please let me know if you require any further information / clarification.

[Junkman]

Tamiya made quite a few car kits in 1:18 scale. The ones which instantly come to mind is the McLaren M8A, a Can Am Lola TS 160, Nissan R381, a Honda N360, a Subary R2S, a superb EMPI Imp Beach Buggy and a Porsche 910. I'm pretty sure there were more, and there certainly were more 1:18 kits from other Japanese manufacturers, for example the Subaru 1800 Leone by Nichimo.

[anks12]

Hello guys,
I never heard about this. Can anyone explain me?

[Guggga]

(10-04-2011 05:05 PM)anks12 Wrote:  Hello guys,
I never heard about this. Can anyone explain me?

Hello Anks. Google is your best friend right now

[model collector]

I understand from a collector that 288 GTO is something unreal and unseen until now Must search some photos on internet to see the wonder myself.

[anks12]

Yes that I know but as a member we must search our queries with the help of thread members.
Well thanks