Among the huge selection of RC products that Tamiya offers there is a special line of amazing looking military tanks. As one would expect with Tamiya, these tanks have an incredibly accurate appearance right down to the smallest detail thus making them look like the real McCoy. There are three different scales within this line of RC tanks including 1/16, 1/25 and 1/35. The Tamiya 1/35 ultra realistic small scale tank kits are what we are focusing on in this article.
Tamiya got its start with producing static model kits back in 1948 and became masters at recreating super accurate representations of the real thing. Still today, they are among the best plastic model producers in the world and are very well known for their high-quality radio control vehicles. The 1/35 Tamiya tanks we are concentrating on here are based on static plastic models to which Tamiya added radio control equipment for basic moving operation.
Over the years there have been a variety of Tamiya 1/35-scale tank kits released and being highlighted here are the eight tanks that are currently available through the Tamiya USA website. Essentially, the specific tank that Tamiya modeled in kit form does not change, yet gets an updated re-issue with a modern control unit set and transmitter plus other improvements like assembly type tracks.
In regards to the M4A3 Sherman US Medium Tank and the JGSDF Type 10, you will see there are two versions of each tank. One comes furnished with the Tamiya Battle System and one does not. Common among all of the tanks being featured is their full range of radio control motion.
Meaning they can travel forward and reverse, turn left and right, perform sharp turns and pivoting. Along with that, each tank gives the operator control of turret rotation and the ability to raise and lower the main gun except for the WWI British Tank MK.IV Male due to its much older non-turret tank design.
TAMIYA WWI BRITISH TANK MK.IV MALE—#48214
TAMIYA BATTLE SYSTEM SERIES TANKS
The shape and length of the infrared LED housing is optimized for small area tank battles.
Light sensor unit has a 360 degrees range.
LED indicator flashes or changes color to show the tank’s status during battle.
Out of the eight Tamiya 1/35 ultra realistic small scale tanks shown here, three are setup with a very cool Battle System feature including the Panther Type G Late Version, the M4A3 Sherman US Medium Tank and the JGSDF Type 10. These tanks are part of the Battle System Series where they are outfitted with Tamiya’s unique infrared light system to allow the tank to have battles with two or more tanks that are also equipped with the system. When in operation, the battle system emits an infrared light whenever the main gun is fired. Then on the opposing tank which is fit with a light sensor unit to receive the ‘hit’ and then the MC-06 Control Unit will produce corresponding actions such as damage and engine trouble sounds, speed reduction as well as having the main gun lower when the tank is “knocked out”. Model movement are impaired to the amount of ‘damage’ your tanks takes. Also, each of these Battle System Series tanks have a LED indicator that flashers or changes color to show tank’s status during a battle to indicate various levels of battle damage.
The tank-to-tank battles are just one part of this significant Battle System feature. Since the system requires an onboard speaker to produce the battle sound effects, Tamiya wisely incorporated other realistic sounds into the unit. Depending on the action of the tank, the speaker will create engine sounds, main gun firing sound, damage sounds and explosions. In addition, inside of the main gun is a LED light to replicate a muzzle flash when the gun is fired while at the same time the hull recoils for added realism.
GERMAN PANZERKAMPFWAGEN IV—#48206
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
Referred to as the German War-Horse and also known as the Panzer, the German Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. J was the final variant of this WWII main tank. It came out in 1944 and gained better defensive capabilities with a simplified design. It was equipped with a hatch for throwing grenades at approaching infantry and the turret was now surrounded by an armored skirt or schurzen.
FEATURES OF RC VERSION
Length: 200mm
Width: 81mm
Transmitter: ACTCOM 4-channel w/ six changeable FM27MHZ frequency crystals
Control Unit: MC-04
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive and a pre-assembled turret rotation unit with two Type 130 motor rotates the turret and moves main gun
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & one 9V for transmitter
Special feature: Easy to use button type transmitter
The upper hull has the same high detail as that of any 1/35 Military Miniature Series assembly model tanks. The Schürzen surrounding the turret is also superbly modeled.
Turret can complete a full 360 rotation in 25 seconds.
The barrel of the 7.5cm KwK 40 L48 gun can be elevated 12 degrees and depressed 5 degrees.
The all-in-one gun elevation and rotation gearbox is centrally placed in the hull. When the outer ring rotates and the turret moves and a metal shaft rises in the gearbox elevates the gun barrel.
Tank is powered by 4 alkaline batteries, which can be accessed via a hatch on the underside of the hull.
By changing the attaching angle of both left and right wheels with the equipped die-cast tension shaft, you are able adjust the tension of the tracks.
GERMAN PANTHER TYPE G LATE VERSION—#48209
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
The German Panther Type G Late Version served as Germany’s main battle tank from March 1944 through until the end of the war. It featured excellent defensive abilities like sloped armor plates so that it could not be easily defeated by Russian T-34 medium tanks. A 700ps Maybach HL230P30 4-stroke V12 gasoline engine which gave it a top speed of 55km/h.
FEATURES OF RC VERSION
Length: 275mm
Width: 94mm
Transmitter: ACTCOM 2.4GHz
Control Unit: MC-06
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive and a pre-assembled turret rotation unit with two Type 130 motor rotates the turret and moves main gun
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & one 9V for transmitter
Special feature: Equipped with Battle System
Simple and practical layout.
Includes a Trim Dial for fine adjustments.
Infrared Sensor for Battle System
M4A3 SHERMAN US MEDIUM TANK—#48212 AND M4A3 SHERMAN US MEDIUM TANK—#48217
#48212
#48217
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
The Sherman US medium tank became one of the keys to the Allied triumph in WWII. There were nearly 50,000 units produced and the M4A3 version depicted here was fitted with a 75mm main gun. It was powered by the Ford GAA gasoline 450hp V8 engine that allowed improved maintenance and torque at lower speeds. Sherman’s are recognizable by the commander’s cupola, loader’s hatch and single-piece frontal armor. They actively served in both the European and Pacific theaters.
FEATURES OF RC VERSION #48212
Length: 172mm
Width: 76mm
Height: 87mm
Transmitter: ACTCOM 2.4GHz
Control Unit: MC-06
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive and a pre-assembled turret rotation unit with two Type 130 motor rotates the turret and moves main gun
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & one 9V for transmitter
Special feature: Equipped with Battle System
FEATURES OF RC VERSION #48217
Length: 172mm
Width: 76mm
Height: 87mm
Transmitter: TTU-10
Control Unit: MC-07
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive and a pre-assembled turret rotation unit with two Type 130 motor rotates the turret and moves main gun
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & 4 AAA for transmitter
Special feature 1: Transmitter button to select one of four model speeds
Special feature 2: Assembly type tracks featuring snap-together links that realistically depict ‘sag’ and ensure stable movement even at lower speeds
Rotate the turret by moving transmitter control stick 2 left and right.
Pushing control stick 2 up and down elevates and depresses the gun.
Gearboxes are aft, while pre-assembled turret rotation and gun elevation units are stowed centrally.
Plastic assembly type tracks ensure smooth motion even at lower speeds, and feature superlative detail.
Turret shape and cast surface texture are depicted with aplomb, with the M2 machine gun a highlight.
Parts are largely used from a Military Miniature Series static model, with the attention to detail you expect.
The kit comes with 3 marking options in total: two from the Battle of the Bulge, and one from the Pacific Theater.
Take control of your 1/35 Sherman with this intuitive stick type transmitter!
JGSDF TYPE 10—#48213 AND JGSDF TYPE 10 TANK—#48215
#48213
#48215
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
JGSDF (Japan Ground Self Defense Force) Type 10 tank is the current main tank in Japan, officially commissioned in 2010. A highly effective modular armor and 120mm smoothbore gun give this tank excellent balance of defensive and offensive capabilities. The standout out feature of the Type 10 is its C4I function (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) that enable the coordination among tanks as well as other assets.
FEATURES OF RC VERSION #48213
Length: 273mm
Width: 95mm
Transmitter: ACTCOM 2.4GHz
Control Unit: MC-06
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive and a pre-assembled turret rotation unit with two Type 130 motor rotates the turret and moves main gun
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & one 9V for transmitter
Special feature: Equipped with Battle System
FEATURES OF RC VERSION #48215
Length: 273mm
Width: 95mm
Transmitter: TTU-10
Control Unit: MC-07
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive and a pre-assembled turret rotation unit with two Type 130 motor rotates the turret and moves main gun
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & 4 AAA for transmitter
Special feature: Transmitter button to select one of four model speeds
Packaging
The right control stick on the included transmitter gives you complete control over turret rotation.
Also controlled by the right control stick is elevation and depression of the 120mm smoothbore gun.
The model hull neatly encloses battery box in the rear, plus assembled turret and gun units in the center.
Realistic belt type recreations of the double-pin, single-block tracks make for a smooth assembly job.
Side skirt material texture is depicted in style, and combines with the tracks for an authentic look.
The detailed turret rear basket utilizes nylon mesh sheet to recreate the wire surfaces.
This image shows the rear of the model, complete with fine renderings of tow cables and grille.
This profile view shows the slimline, modern form of the tank recreated in inimitable Tamiya 1/35.
WWI BRITISH TANK MK.IV MALE—#48214
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
As the only WWI tank in the group, the WWI British Tank MK.IV Male with its early and very unique tank design makes it stand out from the rest. It is credited as the first major forerunner to modern-day tank designs. Seeing action in 1917, the “Male” variant was given additional machine guns and large 6-pouder guns to successfully tackle enemy lines.
FEATURES OF RC VERSION
Length: 230mm
Width: 143mm
Transmitter: TTU-10
Control Unit: MC-07
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & 4 AAA for transmitter
Special feature: Transmitter button to select one of four model speeds
Packaging
The form of the Mk.IV Male differs greatly from more familiar WWII tanks, and is captured excellently by the model.
Parts depicting 6-pounder guns and Lewis machine guns mounted in the two side sponsons are movable, for super realism.
Choose between open or closed depictions of the observation flaps. Note that here too, Lewis machine gun is movable.
An excellently detailed finish also includes recreations of the fuel tank box, exhausts, tow rope and much more!
The unditching log, used for helping the Mk.IV to escape when stuck in poor terrain, is attached with metal chain parts.
Two pre-assembled gearboxes are installed in the hull rear, while the battery case is stowed safely in the center section.
Realistic link type assembly tracks are designed not only to handle the movement of the model, but also for easy assembly.
RUSSIAN MEDIUM TANK T-34-85—#48216
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
During WWII, the German Tiger and Panther were the dominate armor and Russia needed an answer to fend off this foe. The Russian Medium Tank T-34-85 was the answer. It was manufactured from 1944 to 1946 and was given a powerful 85mm gun and featured heavy sloped armor with a large-sized cast turret. Inside the hull of this lightweight tank was a 500ps V12 liquid-cooled diesel engine that have it great mobility.
FEATURES OF RC VERSION
Length: 238mm
Width: 88mm
Height: 78mm
Transmitter: TTU-10
Control Unit: MC-07
Motors: Two pre-assembled gearboxes with Type 130 motors provide the drive and a pre-assembled turret rotation unit with two Type 130 motor rotates the turret and moves main gun
Batteries: Requires 4 AAA for tank & 4 AAA for transmitter
Special feature 1: Transmitter button to select one of four model speeds
Special feature 2: Assembly type tracks featuring snap-together links that realistically depict ‘sag’ and ensure stable movement even at lower speeds
Packaging
Use Control Stick 2 on the transmitter to take control of your tank’s turret rotation!
Elevation of the feared 85mm gun is also controlled using Control Stick 2 on the transmitter.
The running gearbox is in the rear, with central, pre-assembled turret and gun motion units.
Snap-together links are used to build up the assembly type tracks included in this kit.
Note the realistic ‘sag’ on the tracks in this image. Track tension can be adjusted manually.
Shared with our static 1/35 model, the turret has its rough cast surface accurately depicted.
The refined form of this formidable piece of armor is accurately captured in 1/35 scale.
Decals are included in the kit to create six marking options, with one from the Korean War.
For more information about Tamiya products, visit: TAMIYA
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
REAL TANK OVERVIEW
