Why is it still in the box? Tamiya 58527 The Hornet Limited Edition by Jun Watanabe
https://www.thercracer.com/2025/03/why-is-it-still-in-box-tamiya-58527.html?m=0
I have lost count of the Tamiya cars that I have had over the decades, from the humble Holiday buggy to the TA07MSX. Whilst they have all been very different, there is one thing they all have in common; they are never left as N.I.B. (New in box).
The whole concept of buying a working model and then leaving it unmade in a box has always been alien to me. These are toys, so to me part of the experience is that I want to play with them. Growing up I didn't have a loads of things so I always treasured the ones I had and would get the maximum enjoyment out of them. I find that with any new kit, the process of building it is part of the value I deride from it. Once built I want to run it and understand how it works and ultimately I want to tweak them to try to improve them. So the whole concept of a N.I.B kit was something I was just never going to buy into... Until now.
Jun Watanabe was someone that I was aware off because I know a couple of 'Hype beasts'. His cool designs have been used on trainers for Converse, Nike and Reebok as well as many others. I always thought Jun Watanabe produced things that I love to look at, and wished I could afford. So when I heard about the collaboration with Tamiya I was eager to find out more
There really isn't any need to go into details about the Tamiya Hornet. Since it's release in 1984 it has been one of their most popular kits. I still have an original runner that I picked up from a friend who decided RC wasn't for him. It was one of my early Tamiyas, the little car was quick and tough, although the handling even back then wasn't that great. Still it had a lot of use, especially once I mounted a mod motor into it.
Once I set my eyes the first images of Jun Watanabe's unique take on the Tamiya Hornet, it instantly pressed all of my buttons. More importantly, I one of the aforementioned 'Hype Beasts' was going through a rough patch, and they had milestone birthday approaching so I wanted to buy this for them as a surprise.
Jun Watanabe's take on the classic Hornet is really bold. So much so that some traditionists were really upset by it. To me this only justifies his artistry even more. Looking at it, you can see that is really isn't a conventional looking design. Importantly it took a classic and made it look contemporary and exciting.
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| The manual is unique to the kit, and is printed in a distinctive purple. |
My excitement soon became disappointment when I learned that they were only to be available in Japan. I am sometimes able to get things from their via travel or friends, but this seemed like it would be just another thing by Jun Watanabe that I would not be able to own.. Then Tamiya UK got hold of 240 of these kits to sell in the UK.
Once built, it's one of the most striking RC cars of all time, it really is a work of art.. There was only 240 kits in the UK, and I was excited to have acquired one and built it for my friend. Needless to say, they loved it.
I couldn't get the model out of my head, and I got buyers remorse for not picking one up for myself.. Imagine my surprise when I visited my local model shop a few weeks later and noticed one still sitting on the shelves.
The reality was that it wasn't well received in the UK at the time, it was a crossover product, a true collectable (like the Supreme Hornet). It was not made to pander for retro enthusiasts, it was a piece of collectable art.
As an aside, I do find it strange now it is getting a re-release how so many people are keen to pick one up now, probably fuelled by the prices the originals would get amongst collectors.
The strange thing is that once I got it back from the shop I've never had much of an urge to build it. It obviously would never be raced. I already had a Hornet, so I know its not even going to give me a different driving experience.
I couldn't get the model out of my head, and I got buyers remorse for not picking one up for myself.. Imagine my surprise when I visited my local model shop a few weeks later and noticed one still sitting on the shelves.
The reality was that it wasn't well received in the UK at the time, it was a crossover product, a true collectable (like the Supreme Hornet). It was not made to pander for retro enthusiasts, it was a piece of collectable art.
As an aside, I do find it strange now it is getting a re-release how so many people are keen to pick one up now, probably fuelled by the prices the originals would get amongst collectors.
The strange thing is that once I got it back from the shop I've never had much of an urge to build it. It obviously would never be raced. I already had a Hornet, so I know its not even going to give me a different driving experience.
So after several years it's still in the box, maybe I will build it one day to put in a display cabinet (When I'm allowed to do that in the house). At the moment, I do actually get a buzz of seeing the box and knowing it can be built someday.
Anyway let's just have a look at some of the little details that make it nice and unique.
Anyway let's just have a look at some of the little details that make it nice and unique.
Hmm looking at these built photos has made me want to build it now :)
