Tamiya Masterwork Collection (pre-builts)

People will buy them who want to collect kits, but are somewhat "lacking" in the skills dept. It's the same ones who buy all of the "pro-built" stuff on ebay. If you want to get into models, but don't want to learn how to do them properly, or take the time to really learn the techniques, it's a good kit. I feel that they're marketed more toward the "collector's" market, along side the Franklin Mint stuff.

Just my opinion, satirized for your protection.

demono69

They could be aimed at the vets who operated them or opposed them. These people are getting older and may not be able to build one.

I think there probably is a market for these pre-builds.

IMHO, the collector is the target of just such a product. For some of these people $150 is a drop in the bucket. They are more than willing to pay more than that for a well built and weathered kit, so why wouldn't they scoop these up.

As far as modellers go, it really doesn't take anything away from what we do. I'm still in it for the build, the research, and the finish. Taking one of these out of the box and slapping it on my shelf would probably give me the same satisfaction as kicking back and chewing on a big old piece of tinfoil.

Fear not fellow modellers .... you do far better jobs than these "show pieces" will ever achieve.

Yeah, I can see that.
I forgot those Franklin Mint collectibles cost a fortune!
Good logic, fellas.

Are these models available over there yet?
The packaging is almost entirely in English, so I'm assuming they've got their eyes set on the overseas market.

It's not that we have to worry much about them on a National contest level.
We have to worry on the local level...all politics is local.
At the local level, two or three of these pre-builts can cause damage,
let us not ignore the elephant in the room while we gaze at the pretty
Mustang.

For one, the mere thought of a pre-built with additional work taking a
prize is revolting...not to mention...cheating.

Some political prisoner in a Red Army factory built it, painted it, and then a
slime bag bought it and dressed it up for a ribbon.

Don't get me wrong, the free enterprise system is great...but it has a price.

Brian,
I believe they are available over here i saw something very similar in price at my LHS that was almost exactly what you described:)
Being a collector myself (hot wheels figures and the like) i would say these are geared toward our demographic...lol
altho it is a cool looking tank...i would rather spend 10 bicks on the Whittman tank from Dragon(1/72) that is a cool litle piece:)

Hi, Issah!

Actually, it's my understanding that they are assembled and painted at the Tamiya factory in the Phillipines, so I don't think we have to worry about Red Army-uniformed political prisoners unwittingly helping slime bags win politically-charged local contests! Or something like that...

I understand your point entirely, though. Cheating that would be, absolutely. As would be entering anything under your own name that you did not in fact create yourself.

But what could you do in any case? All you can do is take an entrant's word that he or she did in fact build that model from scratch or from a kit.

Anyway, this point was debated quite thoroughly when the topic first came up, and it was not my intent to rekindle that particular controversy. Of course, if anyone has an opinion on that too, let's hear it!

Having finally seen it on the shelves, I was just wondering who Tamiya was targeting with this series.

They are advertised in all the modeling magazines here, and I've seen them only in model shops, so if they're going after the rich, non-model building collector, they're advertising in the wrong places!

150 dollars NO WAY NEVER NOT ON A MODEL WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY ill spend 150 on like a 1/6 scale or something but a what 1/35 scale besides you get your fun out of PAINTING AND WHEATHERING oh well ill shut up now.

I must agree with modelkid, that's way too much money for something prebuilt. Imagine what goodies you could buy to detail a kit. How many kits could you buy for that money? I'd be tempted to for my favorite airplane(I stink at planes), but I'd rather slap paint on one and say I did it myself.

"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."-R.E.Lee

Absolutely!
That's why I wondered about the market for something like this.
Couldn't imagine buying it myself!

Don't reckon I begrudge anyone else from buying one, though.
If that's what they want!

When the kids are all grown, off to college and out of the house, I told my wife I want a house with a downstairs den (maybe an attached hobby room?? ) This way, I could display all 300 pieces of German armor I built myself by that time

Heck, maybe FSM will come and do a write-up about me in an article

Hello, it's been a while since I posted anything and this article caught my eye.

I am an amateur modeler and quite frankly, I'm not sure my painting is up to snuff. I also have a lot of problems putting those tracks together to look good. I, for one, would be interested in looking into these since I do collect diecast which
averages about 100 - 150 dollars each. In some ways, I think these platic models with their aluminum guns and metal tracks would make a nice addition to my diecast collection.

I have some questions hoping someone can help me.
1) I assume the models being pre-built are 1/35 scale?
2) where can someon in the US buy these? The manager of Hobby LInk Japan says he's not planning to carry these.

Also an FYI, I also learned that they are going to also release pre-built/painted versions of their 1/350 scale battleships. I paid 500 for my 1/700 scale Missouri from Frankllin Mint.

TIA

The ships might be worth it, as I'm having a bear of a time with the camo. I haven't found a vendor around here yet, but I'll keep looking. Ebay might be worth a try...

demono69

I agree with the notion that these will apeal to the "collector" crowd as opposed to modelers in general. I'm not trying to put any model builder down that might buy one. I bought a Dragon 1/72 scale F-16 to put on my desk at work because I wouldn't trust people to keep their hands off one of my models (I also don't build 1/72). Of course it was only $30 or so but looks good for the price for a public place . I don't think I'd go as far as buying one for $150 because I'd rather build it myself but there are folks who can't or don't like to build to that degree.

Old_McD Just keep your eye's open in the adds of any model magazine you get. There will be plenty of mail order places to get those when they hit the states I'm sure. And keep practicing!! Pretty soon you'll build and paint them better than you can buy!!

Eric

target audiance...senior citizen modelers that can no longer see or drive...
I did it now.

I do think they could make great Christmas prezzies.. Pricey though.

They do seem to be a bit lost in where they're supposed to be aiming these things. Where I did see them was in a shop that almost exclusivley stocked pre-built die-cast models of cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. So I'm guessing that these are actually for the collector of scale vehicles (bburrago et al.), not neccesarily model kits.

I think..

QUOTE: Actually, it's my understanding that they are assembled and painted at the Tamiya factory in the Phillipines, so I don't think we have to worry about Red Army-uniformed political prisoners unwittingly helping slime bags win politically-charged local contests! Or something like that...

Really? I didn't know that. Besides, I have not seen one in any of the shops here. And I probably know why. If it is priced at US$150 dollars (maybe about US$100 if issued here) then very (I say very) few people would want (or could afford) it.

That would be equivalent to about 6 to 10 1/35 kits here.

But some people do buy pre-built stuff like that. They just don't have the time.

These pre-builds will probably open the door for a lot of "wish I could do that" middle aged professionals. Shoot, I used to go buy $800.00 Brass Steam Engines and then break out the airbrush and weathering paints. I got hooked on the 1/18th scale stuff (I shamefully admit) but it brought me back to 1/35th modelling. Now I'm back to the old days when I can't pass a hobby shop without stopping. Besides, the thought of adorning one's office with a home built masterpiece just doesn't have the glamour of a Factory Masterpiece. Too bad for them.

Definately the collector market. Look at what folks pay for Superman No. 1 or X-Men back issues. And they don't read them.....they collect them to have them. Just as the guy who will pay an obscene amount for the replica gun to hang on his wall or the elvis painting on black velvet. While I understand you guys that would rather have the self built kit adorning their desk, you are looking at this from the standpoint of a crafter. Not a consumer. (Diecast does very well from a marketing viewpoint) The market they are no doubt going after is the guy interested in memorabilia or military enthusiast that has no intention or desire to build one. What to you (the crafter), may look like a bad imitation, or mass produced kitch to him (the consumer), may look great and satisfy his expectations of detail. Case in point. To the majority of the movie going public, SPR and Peal Harbor were great spectacles and had exciting scenes, yet most of us who went no doubt spent a great deal of time pointing out or shaking our heads regarding the inaccuracies or inconsistencies we saw. The rest of the world went to these movies to see their favorite actors duke it out with the bad guys, dodge bullets, get the girl and save the day. (to the tune of umpteen million in profits and merchandising)
I kind of like the idea. Its market saturation and the interest it may develop in the hobby has potential. If the Franklin Mint can get $300 for a Lord of the Rings chess set then $150 for a Tiger Tank is a steal.

As for one of these showing up on the judging table at a show...well that will no doubt lead to the quick demise of future participation at any future events produced by the hosting club and a great deal of embarassed explaining by some judges. If a judge does pick it for a ribbon, then someone needs to let the rest of us know so we can all go to his house and get the neighborhood kids to throw rocks at his car.

Mike

Mike,
Very thoughtful post! A lot of good points there.

Dwight, that's what my Tamiya connections say. I just assumed they were done here in Japan, but I was told otherwise.
The better craftsmen (and women!) must be in the Philippines!

J-Hulk,

Although I will agree that most of the better craftsmen and women would be in Japan (Because they are doing the work for themselves) , they do the assembling in the Philippines for the cheap labor. This is by no means a slam on the quality of their work, but for the fact that Tamiya won't have to pay them nearly what the work would be worth in a more industrialized nation. However the fact remains that these models are most likley aimed at collectors, since serious modelers would take a hard look at one of these and say "I can do better". It's all in the challenge, isn't it?

Roy

Hi, Roy!

I'm sure you're right about the labor issue, but these models are really quite well done, if only in the basics.

I wonder how long it takes to produce one? I'd be interested in knowing the production process as well . Does one modeler build the whole kit? Is it an assembly line? My guess would be that semi-skilled laborers assemble the major sub-assemblies, after which an experienced modeler would finish it up and paint it.

Whaddaya reckon?

Whoooowee,

The Motorpool has these two tanks for 219.00. a bit more than the 150 we thought they'd be. Here is the link. Their web page is just a bit slow to load and you'll have to scroll about half way down their web page. Both 1/35 scale models are listed scheduled for a sept. release.

http://www.themotorpool.bigstep.com/generic7.html

ive read that they come with Fui Model Tracks and a Alum Barrel
there must be a market for these, and im sure alot of the ones spld wont ever get taken out of there boxes and just get put away for safe keeping

QUOTE: Dwight, that's what my Tamiya connections say. I just assumed they were done here in Japan, but I was told otherwise. The better craftsmen (and women!) must be in the Philippines!

J-Hulk, you are probably true.

But seriously, I believe that the reason Tamiya set up a factory here (like many Japanese companies do) is the availability of low cost, highly-skilled, english-speaking labor force. And for me, and the many other modelers here, it is heaven sent. Now we have more affordable Tamiya Kits than before (I think they do mostly armor here). Well, Tamiya is still more expensive than the others except Hasegawa.

On the "pre-builts"...I think I'd rather spend US$60 on a Leopold or US$80 for a Dragon Wagon or even US$85 for the USS Enterprise and spend countless sleepless nights tinkering with them even if they may not turn out perfect. No, I am not into contests but I agree with you that it could be a disaster (and greatly unfair) if somebody walks away with trophy using these "pre-builts" But J-Hulk, are they good enough to win?

Besides, kit building is an art more than a hobby and people have their own preferences, whether to build or to just buy. As for me, nothing can beat "the fruits of our labour".

Hi, Dwight!

Noooo, no no no no! I really don't think these pre-builts could win any even slightly serious contests! They are quite well done as far as a basic, clean build goes, but in my opinion, they're not even finished. In the one example I actually saw in a shop, the rubber on the road wheels as well as other details were not painted.

I think what worries some folks is someone taking these kits, finishing them up, and entering contests. Sure, depending on the job done by the person who bought the model and finished it, they would certainly have a chance of winning.

Dwight, do you know where the Tamiya factory is over there? Manila? Just wondering. I wonder if you can take factory tours like you can here. If you can, you should! The tour of the Tamiya HQ in Shizuoka is one of the coolest things I've had the opportunity to do during my 10 years here in Japan!

Long time ago, there was an hour long documentary on the process of designing and producing models. For the life of me I can't remember the company (I think it was Tamiya or Italeri) or what T.V. show ran it but I do remember I was pretty fascinated by the whole process. It was on PBS and took it form concept all the way to packaging. Thats something I'd like to see again if it comes around. So if you're listening TLC, Discovery, DIY, HGTV or PBS.....

Mike

Hi J-Hulk,

The Tamiya factory is located in Cebu City which is in one of the islands in central Philippines. I am in Manila and it's about an hour's plane ride to that place. One of these days however, in one of my business trips, I may just drop by and see that place.

BTW, that Tamiya World looks like heaven for us. I'd just hope that one of these days I can visit Japan again and see it.

Regards,

Hi, Dwight!

Ah, Cebu! I hear it's quite the tropical paradise there.

If you're coming to Japan, I'd recommend coming around the middle of May, to the Shizuoka Hobby Show!

The weather's beautiful, the show is amazing, Tamiya is right there, and you can see Mt. Fuji the whole time!