We got a slew of new items in from Tamiya. They include not only 3 new (likely as yet unreleased) kits, but also some new paints, dio pigments, and more.

Once again, Tamiya has release it's new items in the modeling world. The release consist of 4 new kits and 7 limited release. 2 for Motorcycle Series and 5 for Military Miniatures Series.

Tamiya has announced dates for this years Tamiya-con event in Orange Country, California (US). It will be help April 17 and 18th. This is the 9th year they have held this event. Modelers from all over North America will decend on Tamiya's corporate offices to battle for the awards. The contestants will be judged by no other than Shunsaku Tamiya-san himself for the Tamiya Master Modeler Award.

TAMIYA/CON 2002 has come and gone. You can check out the results on the Tamiya homepage or here. Taking home the highest honors of Best Finished, Most Creative, Director's Choice, and Master Modeler from Tamiya/Con 2002 were Steve Kays, Gene Kozicki, Dennis Weaver, and Dale King, respectively.

Tamiya unvieled quite a few new military kits at the Spielwarenmesse 2002 Nuremberg International Toy Fair. The full line of releases can be viewed here at Tamiya's Web site. In summary the new kits include a 1/16 RC M26 Pershing, a 1/35 RC Leopard 2A5, 1/35 German Panzer Recon Team, 1/35 German King Tiger (Ardennes Front), 1/16 German King Tiger Production Turret (Motorized), 1/48 Messerschmitt Me262 A-2a w/ Kettenkraftrad, 1/48 Nakajima A6M2(RUFE), 1/48 Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu Type 11, and a 1/700 German Heavy Cruizer Prinz Eugen.

Tamiya's new 1/32 Scale Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter (Zeke)
The masterfully designed 1/32 scale model of the A6M5 Zero shipboard fighter, with all its intricate detail and moveable parts has now been taken to the next level. Tamiya is proud to release a 1/32 scale model of the Mitsubishi A6M5 shipboard fighter that features realistic lights replicated with light emitting diodes, as well as propeller rotation coupled with synchronized engine sound.

Developed primarily for ground troop support, the 105mm equipped M4A3 was added to the Sherman series. Now, Tamiya presents a 1/35 scale replication accurate down to the casting of the round gun turret. The battle postures of 3 ground troop figures and the steady gaze of the tank commander convey a sense of tension felt during battle. The kit comes complete with heavy M2 machine gun and a variety of accessories. Pair this model up with the 75mm Gun Late Production version for creating the perfect diorama.