Tamiya | President Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya Passed Away at 90

[daftandbarmy]

It's been a helluva week for our childhood icons ...


The modeling world mourns not only the loss of an extraordinary CEO, but also a pioneer whose passion and vision shaped generations of hobbyists across the globe.

For some, the name Shunsaku Tamiya might not ring a bell. However, if you've ever assembled a 1/24 scale car model, raced Mini 4WD cars on a track, admired the intricate details of tank or battleship models, or participated in TAMIYA events and competitions, then you've already formed an indelible connection with this legendary figure in the modeling world at some point.

Mr. Tamiya, born in 1934, joined the family business in the late 1950s and steadily rose to become President in 1977. Under his guidance, Tamiya shifted from simple wooden kits to world-class plastic model kits, radio-controlled cars, and more, always insisting on quality, realism, and accessibility. Thanks to his commitment to craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the iconic motto “First in quality around the world,” the name "Tamiya" became synonymous with excellence in the modeling community

Tamiya | President Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya Passed Away at 90

Farewell to a Legend: President Shunsaku Tamiya of Tamiya Passes Away at 90On July 18, 2025, Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya, Chairman and legendary leader of Tamiya Corporation, passed away at the age of 90.The modeling world mourns not only the loss of an extraordinary CEO, but also a pioneer whose pas

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[FJAG]

I remember them from my early modeling days. The assembly instruction sheets were always good for a laugh. I always wondered if I could make a full-time career about translating Tamiya English to real English.



I've still got a few kits from about 4 decades ago in boxes and partly assembled in my basement. My career change after leaving the army really cut down on my available time.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Define "few". I have my own "few".

The modelling world has many highly-reliable kit and add-on manufacturers, but Tamiya held the torch for accuracy and quality for decades.

 

[Staff Weenie]

I still love Tamiya kits - decent quality, decent price, well designed.

 

[FJAG]

Define "few". I have my own "few".

Lord. You made me go down into the lower level to look.

The partly finished Tamyia models are a Centurion, a Leo 1, an 88 and a 25 pounder plus about 8 to 10 various "soldier" sets. There's a pile of Airfix and Historex models too. I used to turn the latter into birthday and Christmas gifts for various family members. The only model that I really want to get back to - probably when the railroad bores me for a bit - is a complete set of the Historix French Artillerie a pied de ligne 12 pounder with detachment and four horses. I've got a nice wooden diorama base for that.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Lord. You made me go down into the lower level to look.

The partly finished Tamyia models are a Centurion, a Leo 1, an 88 and a 25 pounder plus about 8 to 10 various "soldier" sets. There's a pile of Airfix and Historex models too. I used to turn the latter into birthday and Christmas gifts for various family members. The only model that I really want to get back to - probably when the railroad bores me for a bit - is a complete set of the Historix French Artillerie a pied de ligne 12 pounder with detachment and four horses. I've got a nice wooden diorama base for that.

Anyone else here used to win awards at the PNE in Vancouver for their Tamiya WW 2 1:35 scale dioramas (and didn't have a girlfriend)?

Anyone?

 

[Brad Sallows]

Lord. You made me go down into the lower level to look.

The partly finished Tamyia models are a Centurion, a Leo 1, an 88 and a 25 pounder plus about 8 to 10 various "soldier" sets. There's a pile of Airfix and Historex models too. I used to turn the latter into birthday and Christmas gifts for various family members. The only model that I really want to get back to - probably when the railroad bores me for a bit - is a complete set of the Historix French Artillerie a pied de ligne 12 pounder with detachment and four horses. I've got a nice wooden diorama base for that.

Ah, an artillerist.

I have a FAMO+trailer and a Dragon Wagon+trailer collecting dust, and an assortment of other stuff that just seems interesting - mostly light armour and motorcycles. I keep thinking I'd like to adapt some of the latter to that "joust" scene in The Last Crusade.

 

[FJAG]

an assortment of other stuff that just seems interesting

That's what I'm wondering about too. When I packed everything up for the next to second last move I deboxed all the kits (to save space) and threw the instructions and parts trees into one fully-stuffed, two-cube box. There are things down there that I didn't recognize in my quick scan. I know that somewhere in there I have a bunch of Japanese samurai, of all things.

I've been making decent progress on the railroad so some day, between basic construction and scenery and before I get into super detailing I might change pace for a few months. My main problem with that is getting my air brush working again. Decades of neglect and lack of maintenance isn't just a CAF problem. Winding down on WAFG is a good things too.

 

[Genetk44]

I remember when I was a kid in Montreal in the early 1960s..modelling tanks was my thing and the only options for many years in the stores were about 7 or 8 types in 1/48 scale by Aurora or some 1/76 scale Airfix ……..then about 1967 I saw and bought my first Tamiya model…a 1/35 scale Pzkw4……I was blown away by the fit,accuracy and detail compared to the aforementioned offerings. And each year after that only got better and better.