On June 3rd, 2026 we had the honour of welcoming Mr. Hane, General Manager, International Division at Tamiya, to Wheels & Wings Hobbies. Accompanying him was our long-standing partner Borgfeldt - Canada's sole importer of Tamiya products. It's a visit we won't soon forget.

Mr. Hane has spent 36 years with Tamiya and has visited hobby retailers across the world, North America included. This was his first stop on a Canadian tour before continuing south for further importer business across the United States.

Left to right - staff, Don, Tom from Borgfeldt, and Mr. Hane from Tamiya.

"This is the largest store I have been to for plastic model kits."

Mr. Hane, General Manager, International Division, Tamiya

The Visit

Mr. Hane's visit to Canada was centred around Borgfeldt, and we were fortunate to be part of that itinerary. Our relationship with Borgfeldt runs deep - they have been one of Canada's premier sources of Tamiya products for decades, and the partnership has been central to how we've served our customers here in Toronto.

This is the first time in many years we have had the honour of a Tamiya representative in the store. The last time was a pair of Tamiya engineers who stopped in for a visit - and we were just as thrilled then as we are now.

A candid moment from the meeting.

Mr. Hane expressed genuine surprise at the scale of what we've built here. We specialise entirely in plastic model kits and the tools/supplies to build them - no RC, no Trains, no Drones, no Diecast - and he mentioned several times how remarkable it was to see a store of our size built entirely around that focus. That reaction from someone who has visited hobby retailers across the globe means a great deal to us.

"You are the first Canadian retailer to bring in Tamiya Airbrushes."

Mr. Hane, General Manager, International Division, Tamiya

40 Years of Tamiya at Wheels & Wings

Wheels & Wings Hobbies turns 40 years old this year. We have been carrying Tamiya products since we opened our doors in 1986 - Tamiya was one of the brands we started with, and one of the brands that has been with us every year since. To have a senior Tamiya representative walk through our store in our 40th year is genuinely meaningful.

We are also Canada's only Iwata Gold Crown Dealer in Eastern Canada - and as Mr. Hane confirmed, the first Canadian retailer to have brought in Tamiya Airbrushes. We've always believed Tamiya makes some of the finest airbrushing equipment available, and it was gratifying to have that history acknowledged directly.

What's Coming

The business side of our conversation isn't ready for public ears quite yet - but we can tell you there are some exciting changes and releases coming from Tamiya, and some exciting things coming from us to celebrate 40 years of Wheels & Wings Hobbies and 40 years of carrying one of the brands we love most.

We also had a conversation about the future of Tamiya aerosols - a topic that's been very much on the minds of modellers. More on that soon.

Expect some news from us soon. ?

In the meantime, browse our full range of Tamiya products at Wheels & Wings Hobbies - kits, paints, tools, and airbrushes, all in stock in Toronto with Canada-wide shipping.

Wheels & Wings Hobbies · 1880 Danforth Ave, Toronto · In business since 1986 · Canada-wide shipping.