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Armor/AFV: Early Armor
WWI and other early tanks and armored cars.
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Why Tamiya? Why...
ChrisDM
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: January 01, 2010
KitMaker: 717 posts
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Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 11:53 AM UTC
I would have thought that with Tamiya's habit of releasing things out of left field (The Char B1 and Renualt UE when everyone else was doing panzers T34s and Shermans?) make them as likely to do something like this as anyone

Personally I don't see why everyone knocks them so much. They might not release a lot, but since when was that a crime? If a lot of other,much younger companies had their back catalogue of well designed if basic kits that consistently sell year in year out then they would probably take their foot off the pedal a bit too

Teh important thing is when they tool an all new kit it is usually an absolute belter.

They might not have the parts count of some (although I always though the concept that higher parts count automatically makes a better kit is a bit strange.) but they make incredibly well engineered kits that are actually fun (rather than frustrating and somehow 'cold') to build If you want the detail maybe you can sharpen your modelling skills and do it yourself, unless you only like assembling things and want it all in the box when you open it


Personally I think the anniversary of Cambrai is a good opportunity. I know I'll be looking to mark it with a release or two
KurtLaughlin
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Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
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Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 01:14 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Personally I don't see why everyone knocks them so much.



1. They reissue 1985 kits at 2010 prices but with no improvements in the moldings.

2. There are many people who act as if Tamiya is up here . . .









. . . and everyone else is down here. The gap has closed considerably of late.

3. They often have nagging errors in their kits indicating a mix of versions or features. ex: Matilda, T-72, T-55, M4 Sherman.

4. People's expectations have increased as competitors have gotten better. They appear to have stagnated.

5. Easy of assembly/engineering only goes so far. If your engineering is a 10 and your detailing and accuracy is a 5, you can do fine when everyone else is a 6 / 5. Even if they improve to a 6 / 7, you can still lead. But if you are a 10 / 7 and there are others who are a 9 / 9, you are in trouble (and subject to criticism).

6. Their engineering is slipping. Look at this:

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/nose.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/nose%202.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/fenders.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/turret%201.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/turret%203.JPG

All photos from http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/reviews/showReview.aspx?ID=1841&Type=FB



Quoted Text

The important thing is when they tool an all new kit it is usually an absolute belter.



Look at item 6 above. The worst parts are the turret, and it is all new.

KL
Gt351
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Tasmania, Australia
Joined: July 26, 2003
KitMaker: 142 posts
Armorama: 114 posts
Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 06:47 PM UTC
no love here for the big T, check this out.
http://www.hlj.com/ths-2011-tamiya-preview?utm_source=HobbyLink+Japan+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1fc2bdfb05-HLJ_THS_2011_09_13&utm_medium=email
cheers Bob.
ChrisDM
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: January 01, 2010
KitMaker: 717 posts
Armorama: 697 posts
Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 10:05 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Personally I don't see why everyone knocks them so much.



1. They reissue 1985 kits at 2010 prices but with no improvements in the moldings.

2. There are many people who act as if Tamiya is up here . . .









. . . and everyone else is down here. The gap has closed considerably of late.

3. They often have nagging errors in their kits indicating a mix of versions or features. ex: Matilda, T-72, T-55, M4 Sherman.

4. People's expectations have increased as competitors have gotten better. They appear to have stagnated.

5. Easy of assembly/engineering only goes so far. If your engineering is a 10 and your detailing and accuracy is a 5, you can do fine when everyone else is a 6 / 5. Even if they improve to a 6 / 7, you can still lead. But if you are a 10 / 7 and there are others who are a 9 / 9, you are in trouble (and subject to criticism).

6. Their engineering is slipping. Look at this:

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/nose.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/nose%202.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/fenders.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/turret%201.JPG

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Photos/Full/reviewPhotos/1841/turret%203.JPG

All photos from http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/reviews/showReview.aspx?ID=1841&Type=FB



Quoted Text

The important thing is when they tool an all new kit it is usually an absolute belter.



Look at item 6 above. The worst parts are the turret, and it is all new.

KL




Hey, everyone is entitled to an opinion, right Kurt? There is no need to go overboard trying to destroy someone elses

ALL kits need correction and help. I have never yet built a kit by ANY manufacturer (including your pet favourite) that didn't
KurtLaughlin
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Joined: January 18, 2003
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Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 11:36 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hey, everyone is entitled to an opinion, right Kurt? There is no need to go overboard trying to destroy someone elses

ALL kits need correction and help. I have never yet built a kit by ANY manufacturer (including your pet favourite) that didn't



Why do you think I'm trying to destroy someone's opinion? I just gave reasons to address the original comment and did it in a list format rather than prose. That doesn't indicate meanness or animosity; it's just a list.

Your last statement is true. Part of the backlash against Tamiya is because there are many people who speak as if it applies least of all to Tamiya. Perhaps, at one point, but not now.

KL
ChrisDM
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England - South West, United Kingdom
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Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 11:45 PM UTC
Sorry Kurt

It looks like I misunderstood your intention. My apologies

I know it applies to Tamiya too, it just seems they cop it worse than anyone else. They are not as bad as people like to make out, but certainly not perfect.

Maybe it depends on what subjects people like to model. One of the reasons I like Tamiya is that they do subjects no-one else would dream of touching; French 1940, the BT42 and so on. So its purely selfish of me because I like the unusual and they make the unusual I guess

If I liked building Panzers I might have a wholly different opinion

Chris
bill_c
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MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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Posted: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - 04:15 AM UTC
Chris, there's plenty of reason to conclude that many in the industry (as opposed to the hobby) continue to see Tamiya as the leader. Many LHSs carry only Tamiya or at least predominantly Tamiya. Even well-stocked places like Avenel Hobbies in NJ continue to carry almost a full line of Tamiya kits because the public wants them.
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