TAMIYA HISTORY

   

   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 startedDec: 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 exhibitionJul-Aug: Popularity of Fully Cowled Mini 4WD explodes. Over 300,000 people in 15 venues across Japan take part in Mini 4WD Japan CJul: "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. TOY'S PRIDE

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