Tamiya Masterworks tanks

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:02 am

For anyone that is interested .... the topic was discussed a while back on the forum regarding the Tamiya Masterworks Collection (a line of 1/35th scale pre-finished models). The collection is quite impressive with detail and weathering seen on models made/finished by professional/experienced modelers. What seemed to concern many collectors was the price - not cheap (some of the pricing has declined on the 1/35th scale line over the past few months, but still an investment).

In the past few weeks, Tamiya has announced, and started to make available, a 1/48th scale line of pre-finished models - and what should be noted is that the price is significantly more reasonable to the collector. I have begun collecting the 1/48th scale models - I received the 1/48th scale Tiger a few days back, and the detail and quality are quite nice. What the collector may find even more appealing is that the price is near (and may even be a lil' less than) the price that Dragon CyberHobby Exclusives are being made available for.

With the Tiger (No. 213, with a paint scheme similar to the Carius Tiger), the weathering is well done, the tracks lay upon the wheels as heavy/metal track would, the tools and mounted repair/recovery equipment is detailed, and the model is attached to (but can be removed from) a display base with a description of the vehicle).

Scheduled releases include the StuG III (with a short-barrelled 75mm gun, similar to the vehicle commanded by Wittmann during the Greece/Balkan Campaign, a Hetzer self-propelled gun/tank-hunter, and a Sherman.

If anyone needs any additional information, please let me know - seemed a number of people were interested in the Masterworks products, but the price (admittedly) deterred many from purchasing the items. The 1/48th scale offering certainly helps.

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:09 am

And, the more I look at the Stug III (panzer-grey)
with the short-barrelled 75mm that is scheduled to be released, and how
the tracks appear to 'hang' over the upper guide wheels, that should
be quite an impressive replica.

Hoverbug · Post by **Hoverbug** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:26 pm

Any links?

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:35 pm

Sorry about that - should have known better.

StuGIII Ausf. B
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=26503

Hetzer TD Mid-Production
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=26504

M4 Sherman - 66th Armored Regiment
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=26506

M4 Sherman - Early Production
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=26502

German Tiger I (Early Production) - Turret No. 33
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=26505

For some reason, the Tamiya link to the panzer-yellow Tiger I is not available. I have another link though ....
http://www.tamiya.com/japan/products/26 ... /index.htm

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see the tan Tiger I
(item no. 26501).

Hope that this helps.

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:39 pm

I know that the 1/35th scale items are on the pricier side, but I wanted to include the link to the 'soon to be released' Jagdpanther. Have to admit, the Jagdpanther is an impressive looking replica.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.p ... t-id=21038

Tshintl · Post by **Tshintl** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:22 pm

Nice, but I wish they had more weathering and not that "just out of the factory" look.

I've heard that they will soon start a 1/72 diecast range of prepainted and prebuilt tanks like the Dragon Armor range.

Hoverbug · Post by **Hoverbug** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:30 pm

Thanks!

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:58 pm

The pictures can be somewhat deceiving - the replicas/models are weathered. Maybe not extensively - but, I have
each of the 1/35th and the Tiger 1/48th, and subtle weathering has been applied.

Hoverbug · Post by **Hoverbug** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:02 am

Any recommendations on a vendor for the 1/48?

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 6:05 am

I sent you a PM 'Hoverbug'.

Windspruce · Post by **Windspruce** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:04 am

smh_1021 thanks for the writeup and links. These are very nice looking models and I like the 1/48 - 1/50 scale. I also like that they have some metal content and weathering

.

Mike

luftpanzer · Post by **luftpanzer** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 2:48 pm

Man 1/48. My Lionel train set is gona love this. I cant wait. Gona have one troop train full of shermans. Then Im gona have a train heading to Aberdene proving grounds full of captured german tanks. This will be so cool.

billgiff · Post by **billgiff** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:37 pm

I agree that the Tamiya Masterwork Collection is a great line. Yes, the price is steep but WWII German Camo patterns can be tricky when airbrushing. This way the hardest part is done for you. I like the "little weathering" effect that Tamiya applys. This way a person can customize their particular model to their liking. I hope Dragon follows suit and adds 1/35 armor to the CanDo line. How about some more "Finished Figures" from Tamiya. Any other 1/35 model builders/ collectors out there????

immeww2 · Post by **immeww2** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:58 pm

Those are nice looking armor pieces!! You can't go wrong with Tamiya. I have a lot of their 1/35 armor models that I built many years ago when they were affordable.

grockwood · Post by **grockwood** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:05 pm

I used to build the 1/48 Bandai series of armour. They were nice but these new Tamiyas look fantastic.

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:35 pm

i built the bandais too.....when i was a small fry. I really used to like them. They always had little b/w diorama pictures in with the instructions, detailed interiors. They were a lot of fun.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Tamiya Masterworks tanks

Tamiya Masterworks tanks

Apologies.