Jump to content
moffman

Is this the way tamiya intend going??

Recommended Posts

I don't know if this is in the right place in the form? But I've just noticed that the fire dragon has made an appearance and it also has a pre-painted body together with the vqs vanquish re-release and the up and coming topforce evo I'm wondering if this is the way tamiya are going and why they have decided to start pre-painting the bodies? Isn't this going to hurt the sales of the paint range they have because you no longer need to buy paint and it leaves the likes of me with no alternative but to have box art and I quite often to eather do a slight twist on the box art or completely do something different! Don't get me wrong its a result for people who don't like painting (like I'm not a fan of doing turn buckles or shocks I just find them tedious) just wondering what other guys on the forum think?

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Much of the Idea with a Tamiya kit for me is to be creative, painting my own style is one thing a want to do myself. If i only wanted to drive RC Cars i would probably not buy Tamiya, so i do not understand either. If the New MK2 kit did not have pre-painted body i would buy the kit and not tt-02 Subaru, just to take an example on how this could effect the prhurcase on my part... 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Could it be a supply chain issue? That due to covid their paint production or bottling or labelling or distribution has taken a hit and it makes sense to pre paint the bodies? 

No matter the reasoning behind it, it sucks that they haven't released unpainted body shells as an extra. 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Could be many reasons...

Market research is a big driver of this type of move, or maybe different rules regarding paint chemicals in different counties.

What would be cool is supplying kits with a pre-finished body & an unpainted version with decals so you have one for the shelf and another for running.

The Sunbaru Brat re-re came with both hardbody & polycarbonate and the kit was still reasonably priced.

  • Like 4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Like that has been said already, I think it's a good idea only if tamiya also make available a clear bodyset within a few months of release or pre paint only for the first production run then phase into clear body....that situation would be like the 'bonus inside' sticker that used to occur on kits (which doesn't anymore)

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Even Traxxas has Stampede 4x4 and TRX4 sport kits with clear bodies.
They have clear bodies, Tamiya has prepainted bodies.

The world is upside down.

Lol, seriously though. I bought my King Yellow prepainted because it cost about the same and I knew it would be painted school bus yellow anyway.

The main  advantage of a clear shell would have been I could have painted the details instead of using kit decals. 

That said, I may still get a clear shell I can paint up custom. Perhaps a swirl hydro dip style “hippie bus” paint job. 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not looking to buy any more kits, except maybe a Sand Scorcher. What i do want is a Poly body for my Bruiser so i can run it and abuse it more. As cool as it is to use it, I spent an absolute age doing it perfectly. I don't mind the few little marks it has at the moment. Just don't want to give it full on battle scars. The Proline Hilux is out of stock.

 

May end up just getting another hard body & MCI decals if I cant get one. Or a different car body for the Bruiser to fit. Ideas??

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The Escort body is available as a clear set, though already out of stock. Again I think Tamiya have woefully underestimated the popularity of this particular model. The next bodies aren’t due to late May. I like both as long as both are available 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I emailed Tamico asking if there would be unpainted VQS shells available, they promptly replied with a yes and estimated 4-6 weeks. 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not a fan of this new development either, and I hope it's just a thing for the first production run.  OK, I get that I can still buy a clear Escort body if I want, but it's extra cost if I want to make the kit in my own way.  In fairness if I did an Escort I'd probably do an M06 with the separate clear body anyway, but that's not the point.

Although the high cost has put me off, I love the look of the new Quadtrack and I've always been a fan of that body too (it fits in well with my Ford monster truck collection) but I don't want to be forced into doing a black version.  Having to source another body as well as electrics and bearings (oil shocks too?) on top of the already expensive Quadtrack model is a no-go for me.

I know when this came up before there were quite a lot of people were pleased about it, because they didn't like painting.  To me it feels like sucking all the creativity out of what (for me at least) is supposed to be a creative hobby.  I know for some it is less about personal expression and more about recreating a thing, which is why some people's shelves are full of perfect box-art reproductions and why I have very few boxart models.

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
40 minutes ago, Busdriver said:

The Escort body is available as a clear set, though already out of stock. Again I think Tamiya have woefully underestimated the popularity of this particular model. The next bodies aren’t due to late May. I like both as long as both are available 

Why dont they make it opptional, you can choose or why not include both painted and clear. Well Tamiya sold out either way so i believe they do not care taht much ;)

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

These are all good points - all I'd add is in the case of the Escort Mk2 - the vast majority of those which were Rally cars had a white base paintwork anyway, and just had different sponsor livery decals - so it's not the end of the world that kit body comes painted white already - in fact not only is it convenient for less experienced modellers (who can achieve a 'factory finish' more easily, which this model in particular really does deserve), I think it actually forces you to be creative with your choice of alternative sponsor logos instead, so I've got no issues with that particular model...

With regard to the suggestion that why not supply these and other kits with two bodies in the box? - I fear the Brat was the exception which proves the rule here... even if it did only increase the cost of the kit by say $20, Tamiya can ultimately make more money selling you a complete second body kit for $30-50 - and for a lot of people, they aren't going to want a second shell anyway (certainly not initially) - so those would end up on ebay, further undermining the aftermarket for replacement bodies.

As has already been suggested, I think that offering body sets in clear for the more popular models would seem to be the best option - for both Tamiya and the consumer alike? That way you can use the opportunity to replace a broken body with an alternative colour scheme should you want, and/or buy a second shell if you are one of the few[er] people do want a runner and display version.

Jenny x

ps. don't forget you can always paint lexan on the outside too (I saw an excellent example of an Axial Jeep on James Knight (ToyKid) facebook page recently, it really did look like it was a detailed hardbody) - and certainly if it's scale realism you're after (such as with the Rally Escort for example), it's far better to paint the shell on the outside, including any trim details, and blow over with a satin clear coat rather than the high-gloss finish of plain lexan anyway.

 

  • Like 6

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I knew people on here would have good valid points👍

10 hours ago, Robert5000 said:

Could it be a supply chain issue? That due to covid their paint production or bottling or labelling or distribution has taken a hit and it makes sense to pre paint the bodies? 

No matter the reasoning behind it, it sucks that they haven't released unpainted body shells as an extra. 

You would think they would release clear bodies at the same time as the kit release or just have a clear body like they have done since polycarbonate bodies started in kits! I wonder if the under tray will be painted aswell on the topforce evo?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The TXT1 came with 2 lexan bodies, one clear & one painted. Often see the spare shell for sale. The paint is toxic & so prepainting the body allows lots of lockdown city dwellers to crack on without issue. Can I blame Covid for everything?

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it is too broaden the market place, easier to reach buyers who can’t or won’t paint.
 

Lots of buyers will be put off with the task of cutting and painting. 

It makes a lot of sense to me and  the clear bodies will always follow shortly for spares parts Imo. 

Sounds like a win, win, one box art shell for shelf duty and one bespoke paint job for running or visa versa 👍

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know if anyone on here owns a model shop, but I remember Russ ,when at CML saying most of the sales are RTR cars, the bread and butter, so to speak.

If the bulk of the money is in RTR ,painting a body (the hard bit?) is an attempt to attract more sales/ people? 

 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The painted v. clear body would be a non-issue for me if Tamiya USA would actually stock a reasonable quantity of clear bodies. They're supposed to be Tamiya's distributor for the entire country, but are constantly out of stock on staple items, and can't seem to maintain R/C inventory at all. It's incredibly frustrating to not be able to order spares for myself, but embarrassing when I can't order or stock them for customers.

Seriously, check out Tamiya USA's in-stock body selection. I maintain a better selection of 190mm bodies in my store than they do.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
14 minutes ago, Wooders28 said:

I don't know if anyone on here owns a model shop, but I remember Russ ,when at CML saying most of the sales are RTR cars, the bread and butter, so to speak.

If the bulk of the money is in RTR ,painting a body (the hard bit?) is an attempt to attract more sales/ people? 

 

RTRs are absolutely the bulk of the market right now. I'd say that kits and rollers are maybe 3-5% of the market in stores, and nitro is less than 1%. Kits sell to a different market, though, and that market usually wants to build the whole thing, including painting. 

I literally cannot give away Tamiya XBs in the stores.

The basher market is very different from the kit market, too. Completely different customers with completely different expectations.

  • Like 4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Got real impressed by the overal  performance off Top-Force today so started looking at Evolution right away ;) (well, to be honest after getting it confirmed on this forum hehe), but then i saw what you can read in Picture, the Horror!. My Body Rimmer, lexan cutters and Paint job planing want to be used!, Tamiya get a grip! ;spacer.png

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think they are supplying pre painted bodies so people new to the hobby get a quicker finished result. It also means they can sell more body sets to the good folk who like to actually paint a car to their own choosing.

It’s a win, win for Tamiya I’d say.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
21 minutes ago, Alwb68 said:

I think they are supplying pre painted bodies so people new to the hobby get a quicker finished result. It also means they can sell more body sets to the good folk who like to actually paint a car to their own choosing.

It’s a win, win for Tamiya I’d say.

But how much can a bit Lexan cost for Tamiya (i pretend now that its very very litle cost but i realy have no clue), why not a pre-painted and a clear, then all would be very happy

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry what I mean is they are happy to sell the clear body set as well as supply the pre painted one in the kit.

Let’s face it a lot of people who bought the Mk2 Escort will all be buying a clear body set so the can do a colour scheme of their own choosing.

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
51 minutes ago, Alwb68 said:

Let’s face it a lot of people who bought the Mk2 Escort will all be buying a clear body set so the can do a colour scheme of their own choosing.

yes, but while some of those people might be happy to have a basher body and a shelfer, others might resent having to pay extra for what used to be part of the hobby.  Making your long-standing loyal customers unhappy isn't a good sales strategy.

In fairness I wasn't planning on buying any more kits this year anyway so it doesn't hugely affect me, but if I'd been looking forward to these models I would be annoyed.

IIRC last time this came up I proposed an alternative approach where every chassis is available as a bare "builders kit" and all bodysets and wheels are available separately, so we can build the car we want.  This is how most other manufacturers work and how Tamiya's top-end chassis are sold.  Obviously that has is own set of problems, such as bigger inventory for stockists, but when you consider how many different body options are available on the TT02 right now it wouldn't be that big a deal for larger shops.  With parts supply already strained during the pandemic it might not be the right time for it.

Tamiya could go even more granular and supply a bodyset with a decal sheet just for the scale details, and then supply separate decal sheets for alternate liveries.  I have a storage box absolutely overflowing with decal sheets that I never used because I always do my own scheme.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 3/3/2021 at 4:41 PM, JennyMo said:

Jenny x

ps. don't forget you can always paint lexan on the outside too (I saw an excellent example of an Axial Jeep on James Knight (ToyKid) facebook page recently, it really did look like it was a detailed hardbody) - and certainly if it's scale realism you're after (such as with the Rally Escort for example), it's far better to paint the shell on the outside, including any trim details, and blow over with a satin clear coat rather than the high-gloss finish of plain lexan anyway.

 

True. I achieved a very good result by painting my lexan FJ40 shell on the outside. The finish is indeed more realistic as you get a semi gloss result. 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
39 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

*Making your long-standing loyal customers unhappy isn't a good sales strategy.*

 

What he said!

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...