Tamiya at Shizuoka 2010

Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 09:43 PM UTC

At the time of writing this, the annual Shizuoka Trade Fair is being held in Japan. Understandably, Tamiya is there - with a couple of New Armor-Related Releases...

Unfortunately, it didn't come as any kind of surprise (having been leaked a few weeks ago) but the highlight, as far as Soviet Modelers, in 1/35th scale is concerned, is undoubtedly:

35309 - RUSSIAN TANK BT-7 MODEL 1935

Now, more will be published shortly on this, however some points to note that despite some absurd rumors to the contrary, this is a COMPLETELY New tooling. Tracks are individual links and some PE is also included.

Also announced at Shizuoka, is another 1/16th scale figure:

36314 - WWII RUSSIAN FIELD COMMANDER

Hopefully, this indicates that Tamiya are getting back into this scale?

My thanks to Dean for linking me to the Show Report!

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Comments

jamesm

flat paneled hull is a step backwards

MAY 14, 2010 - 01:59 PM

junglejim

How so? If you can get more detail (eg. rivets) on a flat piece wouldn't it be better? I think with Tamiya's engineering we don't need to worry. I'd say the BT-5/7 hulls lend themselves well to flat panel construction, the way the suspension is trapped in between the hull plates. Jim

MAY 14, 2010 - 02:51 PM

Kelley

This is the second person I've seen post this comment. I just don't get it, as pointed out on another forum, the Tamiya Marder III & III M both were done this way, and they are excellent kits. (never heard any complaints about the hull construction). Also the very recent Matilda, (of which I've heard nothing but good) is done the same. I know nothing about the BT-7, but judging by the built up pics I'd say Tamiya did their usual solid job. Mike

MAY 14, 2010 - 03:59 PM

Grizzly

I'm just happy to see a better kit for this subject, I have built a couple of the E. European offerings and the builds were kind of a beast... , can imagine the AM guys going nuts over this release. I like the 1/16 figure too, nice to see a Russian subject in this scale, as popular as these figures seem to be I have always been a little surprised at the lack of Russian subjects in this scale. I would love to see a Russian infantryman in this scale, with helmet and weapon choice of either the PPSH or Mosin Nagant rifle.

MAY 15, 2010 - 03:02 AM

jamesm

The obvious answer is that there is more of a risk the hull assembly won't be true. Not sure the inner hull detail couldn't have been cast whole without losing any visible detail either. No worries that Tamiya will actually provide a difficult to assemble kit, but I did have to do a double take to make sure this wasn't a Zvezda or EE kit with some new tooled sprues.

MAY 15, 2010 - 05:19 PM

Metal_blast

By flat paneled hull, are you referring to the hull as being separate panels you have to glue together? If so, all of Tasca Sherman offerings have this type of construction and it quite literally falls together; no gaps, perfect fit. I guess everyone is used to DML and their slide-molded technology?

MAY 15, 2010 - 07:05 PM

mag135

Slide molded technology is not technology, it's only more work, design and money involved and not a Dragon's invention ... all tanks made by Italeri in the 80's used slide molds in hulls and turrets, as M40/75, M13/40, PzIV, 38(t), Pz I, etc., and now Italeri don't make moulds this way only for economical reasons.

MAY 16, 2010 - 10:13 AM

bocurev

I built Tamiya's new Matilda recently, the flat hull panels went together brilliantly, so I can't foresee any problems with the build of this kit, also a subject that was used in a variety of locations, so plenty of potential! Now, for a T-26?!?

MAY 16, 2010 - 07:43 PM

AlanL

Looks like a cracking little kit. Al

MAY 23, 2010 - 12:09 AM

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