As most of you know, last year (2004) I won the Director's Choice Award with my M123A1C Tractor and M15A1 Trailer at TamiyaConIX. When I did, and couldn't go to Japan, Tamiya was gracious enough to send me some models, a complete Dragon Wagon and an M26 Pershing kit. I was greatful and thought that was it. Well...I was wrong. Today I received a package via UPS from Tamiya. A brand new M1A2 and a note that they were sorry I couldn't go to Japan this year was inside. Wow! Was I surprised. Thank you Tamiya.

Your award is certainly well deserved-your tractor/trailer combo was nothing short of spectacular.
Tamiya is indeed a great company. It's too bad so many people seem anxious to see their demise simply lately-re several posts in the past weeks. When I went, their empoyees did everything humanly possible to make our experience unforgettable . It got to the point where I was afraid to sweat in in the subway, lest Moto Suzuki, (honest to God, that was his name) go running for the nearest beer dispenser.
Is there the possibility they will let you go next year? Aside from the all expense trips Uncle sends me on every year, it was the best trip I've ever taken.
Fortunately, I was not in the military at the time, so I was able to tell my boss if I couldn't go I would have to resign.As tempted as he was, he let me go anyway.

Of course congrats to you Gino...I've got the same setup using the Tank Workshops 123c and an old Peerless Max M15a1. How did you win the Tamiya thing, I thought the requirement was it had to be all Tamiya? Well ayway...I agree with 18 Bravo, I'ld sure see if i could get a re-scedule, but it's great they are sendinng you some nice kits to make up for it.


18 Bravo I don't think it is so much an anti-Tamiya sentiment around here as to "Why isn't Tamiya releasing totally new kits anymore?"

Mine isn't the Tank Workshop model. I converted/scratch-built mine using the Tamiya M26 Dragon Wagon as a base model and went from there. Most of the parts are still Tamiya with some cab/chasis and running gear parts coming from Renwal/Revell 1/32 5-ton Wrecker kit. The rules at TamiyaCon are that it has to have started as a Tamiya kit, it can be modified, added to, have AM resin bits, or used in a conversion.

You can see pics of mine in my Showcases below.




Nope, I've pretty much written it off. May is one of our heaviest training months here and I can't take leave then. Oh well, I'm just happy to have been honored with the win and the models are great too. Wonder how long they will keep them coming? A few more would be nice, considering it probably costs them about $5,000 for the trip, a few models is getting off cheap.

Gino,

Good for you and good for them. Unexpected kits in the mail are always a bonus. I really nice gesture on their part, I think.


Shaun


I have pretty much stayed on the sidelines of the whole "Tammy going into the crapper" flamewar. My theory is they are producing what makes them money (I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night). I don't own stock in Tamiya so I don't get a quarterly report but they have obviously surrendered their 1/35th scale market in favor of what they feel will be their new market or markets in 1/48th scale kits and the R/C stuff.
Enough. I could go way on.

Congrats again Gino on the win. There is nothing I like better than telling the wife "Hey, see that model, I (cyber) know that guy" when I open a magazine.