1/20 Tamiya Lotus Type 79

[project510]

I am building this kit as part of a GB on another forum, thought it would be cool to post here as well since its my only current build that I am starting from the beginning.

I chose the Type 79 because it was the car that Andretti drove during his Championship in 1978. The last American driver to win a race, let alone the championship.
I have been into F1 since High School, but in the 90's it wasn't as accessible on TV like it is now. My son and I watch race weekends and have a great time.
Anyways, on to the build!

Start date: 7/28/2023

Of course, as soon as I started this build, I had to travel for work. Then had a family vacation and now I am sick with a pretty bad sinus infection and cough. The wife literally has me locked in the upstairs spare room and I cannot leave until I am better so so only have one or two updates on progress. hopefully this weekend ill kick this cold and I can get back to work.

Started by reading over the instructions a couple times. This is my first F1 car build. Also my first with Photo Etch parts as well and one thing had me confused right away. Looking at the instructions, I am not 100% sure on the full process of adding the PE parts. Clearly the instructions show which part goes where, but... 1. Do I paint them to match the color of the area its being applied to? 2. Do I leave it unpainted? 3. Do I apply them first, then paint the area according to instructions? I hadn't even started yet and was already confused.



I have searched through reference photos for hours specifically anything I can find of the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix as that's the last win by an American Driver but I cant find anything. I suppose it will most likely be covered up so its going to be left bare metal on top of the painted body as per instructions.

I've become so used to Tamiya perfection that I totally missed this wonderful gouge in the plastic here. It wasn't until I was literally posting it in the forums that I noticed haha. Its ok. Its a good reminder to slow down and check everything.




Next issue was the accuracy of the colors Tamiya has. Here is a shot of the engine as it was in 78 at the actual race.



But Tamiya has the builder paint it Gun Metal but it comes out far to Silver in color.



I mixed in flat black to get a better look and this looks better but I may remove it and try something else.



Anyways, that's as far as I got before I got sick. So once I am out of Germ Jail... I will get back to work.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

The Valve cover on the right looks good. I'd use that one for sure. As far as the photo etch goes. Glue it in place and then paint it.

Welcome to the Forum and GB, Project.

[deafpanzer]

Looking great! Hope you feel better soon. It's a good thing germs are not spreadable thru the internet.

[406 Silverado]

First off, I'll be bookmarking this thread. Secondly, I hope you're able to recover quickly from that cold you've got. Not fun.

I've never built one but from the builds that I've seen and from what I've heard, these F1 cars are quite the kits to build as they offer lots of details and have beautiful outcomes. I'm with Gary on installing the PE first and then painting. There are some instances where I'll paint PE parts first and then install but it's rare due to paint adhesion issues. Looking forward to continued progress.

[project510]

Aug 18, 2023 15:46:09 GMT -5 garydavis-Rest In Peace said:

The Valve cover on the right looks good. I'd use that one for sure. As far as the photo etch goes. Glue it in place and then paint it.

Welcome to the Forum and GB, Project.

I agree! It actually looks better than the photo, my garage lighting isn't the best.

Aug 19, 2023 7:05:11 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Looking great! Hope you feel better soon. It's a good thing germs are not spreadable thru the internet.

Haha yes, thankfully. Stuck in this room for a week without internet would be like real jail.

Aug 19, 2023 8:30:18 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

First off, I'll be bookmarking this thread. Secondly, I hope you're able to recover quickly from that cold you've got. Not fun.

I've never built one but from the builds that I've seen and from what I've heard, these F1 cars are quite the kits to build as they offer lots of details and have beautiful outcomes. I'm with Gary on installing the PE first and then painting. There are some instances where I'll paint PE parts first and then install but it's rare due to paint adhesion issues. Looking forward to continued progress.

Yea this time around the cough is lasting much longer than normal. Wouldn't be a big deal but my son has some pretty bad asthma so id rather not give anything to him that will flare that up. Hopefully ill be back to building soon.

And yes, from what I have seen these kits do pack a bunch of detail. The kit itself came with additional PE parts, I bought some colored fly fishing string that makes for very effective, and very affordable fuel lines and Ive got some braided hoses we will try to add for the extra touch of realism. All firsts for me on any build.

[project510]

Family is gone, so I snuck down to the garage and grabbed some basic supplies and the kit. If I am quarantined in this room, at least I can clean up mold and casting lines and prep for paint. Going stir crazy with nothing to do up here haha.

Operation Free the Lotus was a success.

[kyledehart5]

Firstly, as others have said I hope you kick the sickness soon and get to feeling better.

Secondly welcome to the wonderful and whacky world of modeling open wheel race cars. I built one Tamiya F1 car right around 2018ish and I was hooked. The 79 is surely a beautiful machine. Can’t wait to see where you take it!

[project510]

Aug 19, 2023 19:19:05 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Firstly, as others have said I hope you kick the sickness soon and get to feeling better.

Secondly welcome to the wonderful and whacky world of modeling open wheel race cars. I built one Tamiya F1 car right around 2018ish and I was hooked. The 79 is surely a beautiful machine. Can’t wait to see where you take it!

Thanks! So far I am enjoying it. I can see how you can get hooked. So many options!

[project510]

It was for sure a better night tonight, having something to do. Tonight's task was to remove all of this



And this




Fun times

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Man...a lot of sink marks and mold lines for sure. But...it's still a cool car. I know your are going to have a GREAT time with this one for sure. Plus...it's keeping you company while in sick jail.

[406 Silverado]

Man I've been there a dozen times with cleaning up exhaust pipes. I did this on a 1/48 scale Fw190 and lemme tell ya......in that scale that is some fuuuuuuun!! Looking good so far and am glad that "Operation Free the Lotus" was a success. Good on you James.

[project510]

Aug 20, 2023 0:03:45 GMT -5 garydavis-Rest In Peace said:

Man...a lot of sink marks and mold lines for sure. But...it's still a cool car. I know your are going to have a GREAT time with this one for sure. Plus...it's keeping you company while in sick jail.

Aug 20, 2023 0:25:52 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Man I've been there a dozen times with cleaning up exhaust pipes. I did this on a 1/48 scale Fw190 and lemme tell ya......in that scale that is some fuuuuuuun!! Looking good so far and am glad that "Operation Free the Lotus" was a success. Good on you James.

Yea sometimes the slow tedious stuff is the most relaxing. Listened to some music/podcast. And there isn't much stress in this work so it was good!

[malcox477]

Coming real nice man, looking forward for more updates

[handiabled]

Bookmarked! I hate ejector pin marks in pieces like that but it is what it is. Hope you feel better soon

[armornutii]

   Gonna bookmark too, I have the 1/12th in my stash, IMHO modern F1, 1980'- and up is alittle under stated in large scale. Thinking out loud maybe I should try a 1/20th again.
     " SQUIRREL"  looking good so far and I also like your mixed color for the heads. Nice job.

[project510]

Aug 20, 2023 2:05:05 GMT -5 malcox477 said:

Coming real nice man, looking forward for more updates

Thank you!

Aug 20, 2023 2:43:35 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Bookmarked! I hate ejector pin marks in pieces like that but it is what it is. Hope you feel better soon

Yup, plus I need the practice cleaning it all up. Ill admit, I am guilty of leaving these as is in the past. But I want to improve so off they go.

Aug 20, 2023 13:04:17 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Gonna bookmark too, I have the 1/12th in my stash, IMHO modern F1, 1980'- and up is alittle under stated in large scale. Thinking out loud maybe I should try a 1/20th again.
     " SQUIRREL"  looking good so far and I also like your mixed color for the heads. Nice job.

Before starting this kit I watched some build videos on Youtube. One of them actually used the 1/12 scale instructions to add some detail to the fuel system. I may or may not copy this, we shall see. But I did print them out.

[project510]

So once again this kit has me confused. The exhaust pieces I spent yesterday cleaning up... They are not used in the kit. Sure that I was missing something, I read and re-read the instructions. Nope. Exhaust parts come from tree E, and for whatever reason these parts were from tree A. What in the world...







Fewer pieces, needing less cleanup. But now doing twice the work LOL

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Man...I hate when that Happens! Well...at least you have them ready to go for the next project...Right?

[project510]

Aug 20, 2023 17:40:24 GMT -5 garydavis-Rest In Peace said:

Man...I hate when that Happens! Well...at least you have them ready to go for the next project...Right?

Judging by your response, I guess this is normal. Yea just add them to the extra parts bin!

[armornutii]

   Interesting, I have a e-mail oal in Toronto who asks me for help from time to time. Mist of his conundrums come from a very minor oversight in the print of the instructions, however the boo boo creates a very complicated issue in the build.
    Oddley ALL of his questions I have helped him with were from Tamiya kits.
     Given Tamiyas high bar to quality, fit, and engineering, a little bit more proof reading/ test shots might eleviate such confusion.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Aug 20, 2023 19:06:52 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Interesting, I have a e-mail oal in Toronto who asks me for help from time to time. Mist of his conundrums come from a very minor oversight in the print of the instructions, however the boo boo creates a very complicated issue in the build.
    Oddley ALL of his questions I have helped him with were from Tamiya kits.
     Given Tamiyas high bar to quality, fit, and engineering, a little bit more proof reading/ test shots might eleviate such confusion.

Man armor...I couldn't agree more...

[406 Silverado]

Dude that DO do sum suckin' right there. Been there and done that a million times James and sorry to hear of the luck but hey....that's part of what makes modeling what it is. Looking forward to the recovery efforts buddy.

[kyledehart5]

Ah man. That’s a bummer. Sorry to hear that. But just a minor speed bump.

[project510]

Aug 20, 2023 19:06:52 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Interesting, I have a e-mail oal in Toronto who asks me for help from time to time. Mist of his conundrums come from a very minor oversight in the print of the instructions, however the boo boo creates a very complicated issue in the build.
    Oddley ALL of his questions I have helped him with were from Tamiya kits.
     Given Tamiyas high bar to quality, fit, and engineering, a little bit more proof reading/ test shots might eleviate such confusion.

That's interesting for sure. If I am being totally honest though, this was my mistake. The instructions are correct, there were just two sets of similar parts. They are not their by accident, as half the tree is needed. In any case, its a learning situation. Go slow, read carefully. Examine everything before putting in work.

[project510]

As of tonight I have been given parole from germ jail. Im still required to sleep in my private cell, meals as well. But, when the kid is asleep I will again have access to my garage workspace. FINALLY! First night will probably be a cleanup and organize night as I left the place in quite a mess before I got sick. Hopefully after tomorrow updates will follow regularly.

[406 Silverado]

That'll WORK right there James. Looking forward to the progress resuming buddy.

[project510]

Unfortunately last night while cleaning up the work space I realized I had done something terrible. I must have been distracted by something the last time I was working in there because I found my airbrush sitting in the holder with paint still in the cup. Now dried up and stuck. So frustrating! I spent nearly an hour clearing it all out. I really hope I did not damage anything permanently. It was pretty hard getting the needle out. Looking at this diagram I may just replace the internal part #5. The airbrush is almost 15 years old and I am sure I've neglected it more than I should. I've read just removing the needle in the wrong direction can damage this piece, and well I have been doing it wrong the entire time I have owned it so.. Also, I've read on here and other places that you should add some kind of fluid to the parts, like oil or something? What is everyone's suggestions for this?




Since I was able to at least get back in the garage here is where I left off. These parts were painted before I got sent to germ jail. Hopefully tonight Ill be back to more painting and assembly.



Initially I was going to repaint these valve covers. But I think with a bit of touch up, I think they look fairly realistic. Used. which works.



Saving this link for future needs:

www.dixieart.com/Iwata_Revolution_Parts_and_Schematic.html#hp-cr

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

That engine looks good to me, specially the valve covers...

[project510]

Another update with a little progress. Im new here, so one thing yall will learn is that I work slow. Or rather, I get maybe 30 mins here an hour there to work. Once or twice a week I might stay up late and get a 2 hours in but no often. So my updates are generally short bursts. Oh well, more photos to enjoy!

I used Tamiya panel line accent paint to try and bring out some depth on the engine. I also made an attempt at dry brushing for the FORD logo. Id say its a decent attempt. I may go back over it tomorrow to brighten it up. We shall see. I do think its coming along nicely.




Also painted a few other pieces. Tomorrow I will be starting on adding the plug wires so tonight was painting those parts so they are ready to go. Its slow going. I'm airbrushing everything. I'm not a fan of brush painting. I just cant ever get it to look right, even with using a bit of Tamiya retarder. 




Also, in more hilarious news. WTH Tamiya. So confusing. circled to the left is clear instructions to paint this hardware X31 titanium gold I think? And in the SAME SECTION of instruction, circled on the right, I am then supposed to cover it up with photo etch? Time to head to Youtube to check on some build videos. Maybe I am just a newb and don't fully understand how to read these instructions.

[kyledehart5]

Well I don’t know about Tamiya’s instructions but your progress is looking very nice.