5 Great Tamiya Kits That Anyone Can Build

Paul Onorato July 31, 2024 Stories

TAMIYA 2020 FORD GT Mk II—ITEM #58689

The Tamiya 2020 Ford GT Mk II is based on the Tamiya TT-02 chassis and has proven to be quite a versatile platform. For one, it is very easy to build and makes it ideal for someone just starting out in RC. Tamiya gave it many features to help ensure the chassis ends up being built correctly like keeping the assemblies uncomplicated. For example the left and right suspension arms and uprights are identical and the friction shocks are simple and quick to build. The TT-02’s design and layout allow for easy maintenance like the easy to access front and rear gearboxes. As for having adjustability, Tamiya covered that as well. The chassis offers two different wheelbases, two ground clearance settings and two tread setups in addition to a range of ten possible gear ratios.

Like its predecessor, the TT-01, it utilizes a shaft drive system for full time 4WD which is a proven setup and is used on numerous Tamiya kits. Tamiya designed the chassis with cornering and overall speed improved over the TT-01 chassis and ensured that it can take full advantage of the new electronics available. Once you have mastered the TT-02 in its stock form, its overall performance can be increased by adding the numerous hop-up option parts available from Tamiya as well as ones offered by aftermarket manufacturers.

Topping the TT-02 chassis is the accurately modeled Ford GT Mk II body that is molded of polycarbonate. ABS molded plastic parts are then used for parts like the rear wing and mirror parts. Like the rest of the vehicles shown here, the Ford body comes unpainted, but Tamiya includes window masks and overspray film to aid in the painting step. There is also a massive decal sticker sheet that allows you to recreate the boxart.

QUICK SPECS

Item #: 58689
Scale: 1/10
Length: 18.86 in. (479mm)
Width: 7.40 in. (188mm)
Height: 4.41 in. (112mm)
Wheelbase: 10.12 in. (257mm)

TAMIYA MERCEDES-BENZ G 500—ITEM #58675

Tamiya is the master at creating ultra-scale polycarbonate bodies that are molded to be as realistic as possible. The body for the Mercedes-Benz G 500 is no exception. It accurately recreates the full size G 500 that was released in 2018. The body comes unpainted so that you can add your own personal touch to make it your own. Window mask and overspray film help ensure you end up with a great-looking finished product. Then to help bring the polycarbonate G 500 to life is a large sheet of detail stickers along with separately molded spare tire cover, side mirrors and front grille. As an added bonus, Tamiya includes the TLU-01 LED Light Unit so that you can illuminate the front headlights and rear brake lights. Nicely matching the realistic body is a set of matte plated seven-spoke wheels that mimic the ones found on the real SUV. Wrapped around each wheel are rubber treaded tires that have a grippy block pattern that are at home off-road or tooling around a parking lot.

Underneath the G 500 is the new Cross Country 2 (CC-02) chassis. Its design is inspired by full-size vehicles that are built with the proven ladder frame design that makes the truck very durable. Solid axles sit at the front and rear and are supported by a four-link rigid suspension system with smooth operating oil-filled plastic shocks. The center is home for the separated gearbox and transfer case with the 540 brushed motor positioned longitudinally behind the front axle. Scale looking propeller shafts relay the power from the motor out to each axle housing. Inside of the axle housing are 3-gear bevel differentials that allow the CC-02 to easily maneuver around tight spots. If you find that you will be using your G 500 on more extreme terrain were full time traction is necessary, the diffs can be locked.

QUICK SPECS

Item #58675
Scale: 1/10
Length: 17.91 in. (455mm)
Width: 7.72 in. (196mm)
Height: 8.15 in. (207mm)
Wheelbase: 10.51 in. (267mm)

TAMIYA F104 PRO II—ITEM #58652

The Tamiya F104 Pro II is a modern day RC racecar and not just a replica of a full-size F1 car. Tamiya designed the F104 Pro II for racing and was evolved from the tried and true F104 Pro. It takes the lightweight and streamlined direct drive of the F104 chassis and pairs it with a new lower deck and upgrade parts. This translates into sharper and more responsive driving feel.

Typically when Tamiya releases special chassis like the F104 Pro II, a body is not included. This time around a body is included and it is a stunning one. It is an original Tamiya design that incorporates realistic body ques from the rear world, specifically inspired by the trends from the 2017 F1 racing season. Up front is a complex wing with a sharp slanted nose that leads to pronounced side pontoons and a low rear wing with diffuser. Separate parts are included for the bargeboards and the induction pod sitting behind the driver.

You will find similar chassis features on the F104 Pro II that came from the standard F104 platform. This chassis has been upgraded to make it more refined thus a better on-track performer. A rear rigid setup has a T-bar for smooth pitch damping that works in conjunction with friction plates and TRF damper. The front end has been upgraded with the independent kingpin coil spring suspension’s camber can be altered by switching the upper mount direction where it attaches. A clever feature has also been added to the rear axle where you can swap out the wheels without needing to take apart the aluminum ball differential.

QUICK SPECS

Item #58652
Scale: 1/10
Length: 17.32 in. (440mm)
Width: 7.09 in. (80mm)
Height: 3.47 in. (88mm)
Wheelbase: 10.63 in. (270mm)

TAMIYA KONGHEAD 6X6—ITEM #58646

The Konghead was the very first of the Tamiya off-road 6×6 vehicles released and came out back in 2017. The Konghead body is molded out of durable polycarbonate that will stand up to abuse better than ABS hard plastic. To help complete the look of the Konghead, Tamiya included metal plated chrome parts like air cleaners and exhaust stacks. Continuing the chrome accent theme, chrome-plated deep dish wheels are spec’d for this 6×6.

Under the body rest the Tamiya G6-01 chassis where its coolest features is definitely the fully gear driven six-wheel-drive drivetrain. Tamiya did not go with a shaft- or belt- or chain-drive mechanism and rather developed a very clever setup that uses nothing but gears to drive all six of the tires. The chassis doubles as the gearbox to enclose and protect all of the gears that drive the Konghead 6×6 truck.

In order to help the Konghead 6×6 corner more smoothly, Tamiya employed three robust gear differentials fitted with metal outdrives. Mounted on the right side of the chassis behind the front wheel is a Tamiya 540 brushed motor that drives all six wheels. An independent double-wishbone suspension setup is utilized for each of the six wheels and tires using a lower H-arm and a fixed upper link. Providing the damping are six friction shocks attached to each H-arm. Mounted on the upper left side of the chassis is the steering servo with 2-piece adjustable steering link setup. The overall design of the Tamiya G6-01 chassis makes for a very tough vehicle that will be right at home on all types of terrain.

QUICK SPECS

Item #58646
Scale: 1/18
Length: 16.5 in. (420mm)
Width: 10.6 in. (270mm)
Height: 11.0 in. (280mm)

TAMIYA US M1A2 ABRAMS—ITEM #56041

Tamiya did an awesome job replicating the M1A2 Abrams and expertly recreated its angular design and gave it some serious size and just over two feet in length. The hull of the chassis it made from aluminum along with the suspension arms, drive sprockets and a few other items. Dual 540 motors dual provide power to the robust gearbox. An aluminum barrel is included with the kit and has elevation and depression movement actuated by a 130-type motor and servo. The tracks are molded from durable resin and utilize metal pins and connectors.

The Abrams has the Multi-Function Unit to control the numerous actions, lights and realistic sounds this tank can perform including turret rotation, gun elevation, headlights, taillights and barrel flash. The sound is generated by a dual speaker setup that brings the model to life.

Keep in mind that this Tamiya US M1A2 Abrams has the “Full Option” designation and this is what makes this tank truly special and stand out from other brands. Tamiya includes a DMD Control Unit and DMD Multi-Function Unit with speaker box that links the tank’s actions with realistic sounds. For example, authentic engine sounds like engine start up, acceleration, idle and engine shut down. There are also turret rotation sounds, gun sounds-main and machine gun fire sounds and track related sound effects. A really cool fact is that Tamiya did not take the easy route and give all their tanks generic sounds, but rather the genuine sounds for each tank. Tamiya designers traveled to museums and other locations around the world to record the actual engines of the tanks so that the sound is 100-percent authentic in the RC version. Even going so far as to recording the metallic clanking of the tank tracks. Furthermore, when the main gun fires or the machine gun, a LED flashes in the barrel to resemble a muzzle flash and it is linked to the appropriate firing sound for greater realism.