Tamiya Toys

Batteries in a Portable World is written for the non-engineer. It addresses the use of the battery in the hands of the general public, far removed from protected lab environments of the manufacturer. Some information contained in this book was obtained through tests performed in Cadex laboratories; other knowledge was gathered by simply talking to diverse groups of battery users. Not all views and opinions expressed in the book are based on scientific facts. Rather, they follow opinions of the general public, who use batteries. Some difference of opinion with the reader cannot be avoided. I am prepared to accept the blame for any discrepancies. The book is available from www.buchmann.ca at $29.50US
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It all started in 1946, when Mr. Yoshio Tamiya, the founder, opened a saw mill and lumber business in Shizuoka. Tamiya ventured into modeling in 1948, with a scale wooden ship model kit. Since then, Tamiya has continued to grow, producing models known as “First in Quality Around the World”.
 

1946 May: A sawmill/lumber company is founded in Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan and named Tamiya Shoji & Co.
 
1948 Apr: A wooden model department is organized within the lumber company.
 
1953 Jun: Sawmill is closed, and Tamiya becomes a specialized wooden model kit maker.
 
1955 May: Tamiya releases a wooden motorized tank, whick becomes immensely popular.
 
1956 Mar: A boom in wooden ship models allows Tamiya to be-
come widely known.  
 
1960 May: Tamiya begins producing plastic model kits, with 1/800 Scale Battleship Yamato.
 
1961 Dec: Tamiya releases the first 1/35 scale moto-
rized tank, Panther.
 
1962 Dec: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is founded as a plastic molding company with a capital of 4 mil-
lion yen.
 
1963   Tamiya introduces the follo-
wing categories: 1/21 Scale Deluxe Tank Series with M4 Sherman, 1/50 Scale Japa-
nese Aircraft Series with Type 52 Zero Fighter, 1/72 
Scale Aircraft with Type 32 Zero Fighter.
 
 
1965 Mar: Tamiya goes into slot-car production with the release of 1/24 scale Jaguar D type
 
1966 May: Tamiya ventures outside of Japan by ex-
porting to countries abroad, such as the U.S.A., Australia, Europe and South East Asia.
Dec: The 1/25 Scale Military Tank Series is introduced with the German Panther tank.
 
1967 Jan: The first issue of Tamiya News is published.
Aug: The first issue of Tamiya Junior News is published.   
Oct: The 1/12 Big Scale Series is introduced with the Honda F-1 racer (RA273). 
 
1968  Jan: Tamiya participates in the German Nurem-
berg Toy Fair for the first time.
Apr: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. builds a new factory. Capital increase to 10 million yen.
  Jul: The 1/35 Scale Military Miniature Series is intro-
duced with a WW2 German Army Tank Crew.
Dec: The 1/100 Scale Mini-Jet Series starts with the Mig-19.
 
 
1969 Aug: The Tamiya Plastic Kogyo Co. is renamed the Tamiya Plastic Model Co., and capital in-
creased to 14 million yen.
Dec: 1/18 Scale “Challenge” Series is intro-
duced with the Porsche 910.
 
1970 Jan: Tamiya organizes their first photo album contest.
Dec: 1/6 Big Scale Motorcy-
cle Series is started with the Honda CB750.
   
 
1974 May: 27 European agents gather in Shizuoka for the first Tamiya agent meeting.
Nov: Tamiya releases their first R/C model, M4 Sherman tank.
 
1976 Nov: Yoshio Tamiya is awarded The Fifth Order Of The Sacred Treasure, by the Japanese Go- 
  vernment, for his commit-
ment to the industry.
Nov: Tamiya releases the 1/12 R/C Porsche 934 Turbo that triggers the R/C car boom.
 
 
1977 Apr: The 1/24 Scale Sports Car Series is started with the Porsche 935.
Apr: The 1/20 Scale GP collection is started with the Tyrrell P34.
Nov: A shipping facility is completed next to the production factory. Tamiya’s first R/C Racing Circuit is completed.
 
1978 Jul: 1/350 Scale Ship Series is started with the German Battleship, Bismark.
Oct: A new Tamiya Circuit is completed   
near the production factory. Tamiya Plastic Co. Ltd. is founded.
 
 
1979 Feb: Tamiya releases 1/100 Scale Space Shuttle Orbitor.
Dec: Begins construction for headquarters office.
 
1980 Jan: Tamiya News becomes a monthly issue.
Dec: Finishes the 6 story headquarters building.
 
1981 Mar: Celebration for completion of the new headquarters office.
May: 72 Tamiya agents gather in Shizuoka for 
   a meeting and celebration of the new headquarters. Jul: 1/12 Scale Motorcycle Series is introduced with the Yamaha YZR500.
 
 
1983 Jan: The production facilities are automated and expanded for better productivity.
Mar: Tamiya Shoji & Co. completes a 3 story warehouse and paint storehouse.
 
1984 Feb: Tamiya releases the Sound Activated Temple with great success.
Mar: Tamiya Shoji & Co. establishes Tamiya, Inc. with a capital of 50 million yen.
Oct: Tamiya sponsors a televised R/C car racing program that stimulates the market. R/C off-road cars become big sellers.
 
1985 Mar: The first issue of Tamiya Model Magazine International is published.
Nov: Tamiya Plastic Co. Ltd., completes its own injection molding factory.
 
1986 Mar: 1/32 Scale Mini 4WD Racing Series is started with the Hotshot Jr.
Oct: The 1/24 Scale R/C Tamtech Series is intro-
duced with the Porsche 962C.
   
 
1987 Oct: Begins the expension of the headquarters facilities. Tamiya News clebrates its 200th issue.
Nov: More than 10 million 1/32 Scale Mini 4WDs sold.
 
1988 May: 1/14 Scale QD (Quick Drive) Series is introduced with the Thunder Shot QD.
Jul-Aug: The first Mini 4WD Racing Japan Cup is held at 16 locations around Japan.
Dec: Tamiya sponsors a private team “ACP” to compete in the 11th Paris-Dakar Rally.  
 1989 Jan: More than 23 millions Mini 4WDs sold.
Apr: The 8 story east wing addition to the head-
quarters building is completed.
May: Tamiya America, Inc. is established in Cali-
fornia, U.S.A.
Jun: Tamiya Europe GmbH. is established in Neuss, West Germany.
Dec:More than 44 million Mini 4WDs sold.
Dec: Tamiya again sponsors a private team “ACP” to compete in the 12th Paris-Dakar Rally.
 
1990 Feb: Tamiya, Inc. completes its Abe factory.
Apr: Tamiya, Inc. completes its second shipping facility, a 5,317m2 in Oshika, Shizuoka.
Jul: Monetary Donation to Tank Museum Bovington England. New hall named “Tamiya Hall”.
Jul: Sales of Mini 4WD exceeds 50 million kits.
Sep: 1/24 Scale Sports Car Series reaches 100 cars with the Honda NSX.
 
1991 Mar: Tamiya becomes a sponsor for Team Lotus’ 1991 F-1 Grand Prix Season.
Apr: 1/35 Military Miniature Series reaches 150 items with the creation of U.S.Navy PBR 31 Mk.II “Pibber”.
May: First solar powered item, Solar Car Assem-
bly kit is released, starting the Solar Mechanics Series.
Oct: Tamiya ties exclusive contract with McLaren International for replication of F-1 cars. 
Nov: 1/28 Mini F-1 Series is started with Lotus 102B.
Nov: 1/10, 1/12 Radio Con-trol Car Series reaches 100 cars with the release of “Top Force”.
   
 
1992 Jan: Tamiya Model Magazine International becomes bi-monthly.
Feb: As the year before, Tamiya sponsors Team Lotus’ F-1 season for 1992.
May: R/C racers from 12 countries across Eu-rope gather for the Tamiya Euro Cup R/C Cham-pionships.
Jun: The die-cast Lotus 102B is released as the first model in the 1/20 Collectors Club.
Jun: Headquarters for Tamiya America is founded, a 6,800m2, two story complex in Aliso Viejo, Ca-lifornia.
Sep: “Solar Eagle”, the first solar battery powered R/C car is released.
Sep: The All Japan R/C Championships is held, using only Tamiya cars. Qualification races are held around the country, and winners are invited to Shizuoka to determine the best R/C driver in the country.
 
1993 Jan: It is decided that Tamiya sponsorship of Team Lotus’ F-1 season will continue through 1993.
Jun: 1/32 Super Mini 4WD is kicked off with “Liberty Emperor”.
Jul: 1/14 Scale R/C Tractor Trucks Series is started with “King Hauler”.
Jul: The Dinosaur Diorama Series is started with the first set, “Chasmosaurus”.
Sep: “Yamaha Round the World” starts the R/C Yacht Series.
Oct: The R/C Glow-Engine Car Series is strated with the TR-15T.
 
1994    Mar: 1/12 Scale Master’s Coachwork Series is started with the Caterham Super Seven BDR.
Jul: 1/32 Fully Cowled Mini 4WD Series is started with 
“Magnum Saber”, which goes on sale at this year’s Japan Cup.
Sep: Tamiya Philippines is established.
 
 
1995 Mar: TamiyaCon, a U.S. national scale modeling contest sponsored by Tamiya America is inaugurated.
May: Tamiya Philippines production facility is established on Cebu Island, Philippines. 
Aug: Radio Controlled gli-der, “Peak Spirit RU”, is released and the R/C Aviation Series is started
Dec: Total Sales of Mini 4WD exceeds 100 million units.
   
Dec: The 1/12 Scale Collector’s Club Special Series is started with the release of the die-cast Honda F-1 RA272.
 
 
1996 May: Kakegawa Circuit, a 320m race track for R/C cars is opened in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka. As well as being open for public use, it serves as a testing ground for development of new R/C cars.
May: Winning modelers from American scale modeling contest “TamiyaCon”, are invited to the Shizuoka Hobby Show to display their creations at a modeling club exhibition.
Jul-Aug: Popularity of Fully Cowled Mini 4WD explodes. Over 300,000 people in 15 venues across Japan take part in Mini 4WD Japan Cup.
Jul: “Spin Cobra” starts 1/32 Scale Real Mini 4WD Series.
Nov: United States (TCS) and European R/C Championships (Euro Cup) are held, and winning drivers are invited to Japan to participate in the World R/C Championships.
Dec: 1/43 Scale Collector’s Club-Mini, which features metal die-cast models, is started with the Kure Nismo GTR.
 
1997 Apr: Tamiya establishes scholarship for students of San Carlos University, Philippines.
Sep: Tamiya Philippines production facility receives ISO9002 certification.
 
   Oct: 1/10 Scale R/C Boy’s 4WD Racer Series starts off with release of “Voltec Figther”, which comes complete with R/C system and battery.
 
 
1998 Feb: The 1/32 Scale Aero-Mini 4WD Series is started with “Max Breaker”.
May: Additional production plant (8,000m2) is added to existing Tamiya Philippines facility, further improving production capability.
May: 1/32 Scale Mighty Mini 4WD Series is started with “Dyna Hawk”.
Nov: Tamiya R/C World Championships adds the Asian R/C Championships to the Japanese, American and European events, expanding the challenge of R/C driving to an international level.
 
1999 Oct: Subaru Impreza WRC ‘99 marks the debut of the new QD (Quick Drive) Sports Series, which features pre-assembled 1/10 scale R/C cars for entry level users.
Nov: For the first time, Australian drivers attend R/C World Championships, which this year is held concurrently with “Tamiya Fair in Shizuoka” hobby exhibition.
 
2000 May: Fully operational 1/16 R/C Tiger I, which sets a new standard of sophistication in R/C tanking world, is revealed at the Shizuoka Hobby Show.    
May: “Flash-Trigger”, first car of the 3-D track racing, Dangun Racers Series, is also introduced at the same show.
Sep: XB (Expert Built) Series, which features R/C built-up and ready to run versions of existing Tamiya chassis, is inaugurated with the 1/10 Scale Mitsubishi Pajero.

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