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Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:56 pm
by cor
Hi all. Im getting into large scale F1 cars. Have been wanting to build this for a long time.

Its a new release of a 1978 kit. Very generous photo etch sheet. Got the John Player decals and various other extras to detail it up.

Heres some pics before I start building.


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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:30 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Cool!!!!

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 7:18 am
by Johnj
Nice one cor :thumb1: these jet black cars are stunning. I do or did have that kit but cant find it :wall:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:35 am
by digger303
Nice one....lucky to get one with tobacco advertising these days.
:cheers2:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:13 am
by cor
Made a start with the engine.
Used optic cable for the clear fuel lines, as the kit tubing is a bit too thick.
Added the mesh covers, a bit oversize, but still better then the plastic ones in the kit.
Some photo etch bolt heads on the cam covers.
Its mostly stock oob, which is pretty good for a 45 year old kit.


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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:18 am
by cor
digger303 wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:35 am Nice one....lucky to get one with tobacco advertising these days.
:cheers2:
The JPS decals were aftermarket. The kits just done have them anymore, which is a pity. I like the cars to look like are supposed to, with full advertising, otherwise its a bit to pc for me.

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:00 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Sweet :banana:
Great project :th:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:27 pm
by DRUMS01
I've built several 1/12 Tamiya F1 cars, but not this one (even though I like it). I have built this in 1/20 but your build string will be fun to follow. How did you mold the screens, did you use the plastic as a pattern and bent the screen over it? Also did you test fit the air scoop over them to ensure they fit once assembled?

PS: Nice detail (good idea) on the DOHC cam covers.

Ben

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:46 pm
by cor
DRUMS01 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:27 pm I've built several 1/12 Tamiya F1 cars, but not this one (even though I like it). I have built this in 1/20 but your build string will be fun to follow. How did you mold the screens, did you use the plastic as a pattern and bent the screen over it? Also did you test fit the air scoop over them to ensure they fit once assembled?

PS: Nice detail (good idea) on the DOHC cam covers.

Ben
Hi Ben

The air screens were just a solid bit of plastic with a mesh texture, so I bent the wire mesh over them and used ca glue to hold them tight, so they are the thickness of the wire mesh larger. Yes, the air scoop does fit over them, just, but this could be a different story once all the parts are in place. If it's too tight, Im prepared to mod the air scoop to fit, but fingers crossed all will be well.

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:23 pm
by Johnj
DRUMS01 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:27 pm I've built several 1/12 Tamiya F1 cars, but not this one (even though I like it). I have built this in 1/20 but your build string will be fun to follow. How did you mold the screens, did you use the plastic as a pattern and bent the screen over it? Also did you test fit the air scoop over them to ensure they fit once assembled?

PS: Nice detail (good idea) on the DOHC cam covers.

Ben
Yeah, i was wondering the same thing Ben. It's worth taking the chance i think for how much better it looks.

I take it, it would be the width that might be the problem and not the height cor ?

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:09 am
by cor
Johnj wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:23 pm
DRUMS01 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:27 pm I've built several 1/12 Tamiya F1 cars, but not this one (even though I like it). I have built this in 1/20 but your build string will be fun to follow. How did you mold the screens, did you use the plastic as a pattern and bent the screen over it? Also did you test fit the air scoop over them to ensure they fit once assembled?

PS: Nice detail (good idea) on the DOHC cam covers.

Ben
Yeah, i was wondering the same thing Ben. It's worth taking the chance i think for how much better it looks.

I take it, it would be the width that might be the problem and not the height cor ?


Im actually thinking the height. The width has a couple of lips either side that can easily be trimmed. The scoop itself is very low and flat, however the mesh isnt that thick, so fingers crossed it will fit.

And yes, the mesh looks waaay better that the plastic parts. Tamiya should have included some mesh covers for the re-release, as they went all out eith a large PE sheet.



Here's some pics of the rear end. Just need to add the exhausts and it should be done.
The PE disc brakes are a really nice addition. I added some aftermarket nut and bolt pe bits here and there, plus a few cables, and the traingular things with springs under the rear of the intake trumpets, just to add fill it in a bit. Overall its looking pretty nice.


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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:03 pm
by RangerNeil
Thats a nice looking vehicle when its finished - I remember them appearing for the first time. Build looks excellent too!!

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 12:08 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Fantastic :th:
:banana:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 5:13 am
by cor
Thanks guys. Engine is finished now with the exhausts attached. Until I build the body, the engine itself is on display in the hobby shop window next to the F2002 Ferrari I just built.

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:52 pm
by cor
Started on aluminium foil coating of the body. There's more than a few wrinkles, but Im hoping that after all the bits are added you wont notice. I really like this foil, its better than any paint I've tried but doesnt go over bumps without wrinkling.

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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:27 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
cor wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:52 pm Started on aluminium foil coating of the body. There's more than a few wrinkles, but Im hoping that after all the bits are added you wont notice. I really like this foil, its better than any paint I've tried but doesnt go over bumps without wrinkling.

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That's a good idea for metal coverage. What foil are you using??
Nothing looks like metal better than metal. Same goes for wood.

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:03 am
by cor
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:27 pm

That's a good idea for metal coverage. What foil are you using??
Nothing looks like metal better than metal. Same goes for wood.
Hi Scott. This is a roll of tape, used for air conditioning sealing gaps. Bout 7 bucks for a big roll. Good value.

I re did the fuel valve using a washer, some pe bolt heads, and a sheet of styrene covered in foil over the top of the moulded-in valve cover. I think it looks cleaner.


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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:59 am
by cor
Heres some progress on the lotus


Lots of metal foil everywhere. Replaced the kit hose joints with resin ones, the red and blue connectors, used some of the hoses I got when I was in hong kong last year, the silver metal ones are hat elastic, and overall im happy with how the details turned out.


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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:15 pm
by cor
I redid the fuel hoses using steel spring instead of the hat elastic. I think it looks alot better as the spring holds the tubular shape and is metal, whereas the elastic flattened out as just was a bit overscale with the weave.

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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:42 pm
by cor
Side radiators installed, with pe grills and aluminium wire for the hoses. Front fire extinguisher done.


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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:20 am
by cor
Bit of an update. Front end mostly done.

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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:36 pm
by DRUMS01
Looking really good so far....

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:07 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
So realistic!!! :th:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:11 am
by digger303
Top flight work.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
:cheers2:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:15 am
by cor
DRUMS01 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:36 pm Looking really good so far....

Thanks ben, it's slowly coming along

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:07 pm So realistic!!! :th:
Thanks scott, thats fine praise

digger303 wrote: Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:11 am Top flight work.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
:cheers2:
Thank you sir


The kit is first rate and would build up into a great kit oob. Its not for beginners, but still a testament to tamiya who designed this 45 years ago. I think its even better than the latest 2018 Meng 1/12 Mclaren MP 4/4 which I have and will build soon. Meng made too many mistakes which I'll cover when I start that build...


The body work is coming along slowly.
There are something like 10 or 12 separate panels that make up body, and the pin stripes need to line up along these.
The engine is just clicked into place, so it can still be removed when I work on the front section of the car.
Theres still a lot of work to do, but its looking really nice so far.

The black panels were oversprayed , sanded back, oversprayed again etc etc, using tamiya semi gloss clear. I will polish this to a gloss once its cured in a few weeks. I think that will look more realistic that a full gloss coat, as the car was for racing, not showrooms, and the slight unevenness of the polishing will fit the look im going for.


The aluminium foil is starting to pay off now that it just peeks through the black bodywork

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I used a stack of tiny phillip head screws to simulate the bolts around the fuel filler caps, which are photo etch from the kit

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photo etch grilles on the front intakes are a nice touch

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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2024 2:56 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Excellent idea with the little screws
Loving the extras and this black and gold with decals looks awesome!

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:00 pm
by digger303
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
:cheers2:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:11 am
by DRUMS01
Here-here, I second the motion.....

:cheers2:
:cheers2:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2024 8:52 am
by cor
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2024 2:56 am Excellent idea with the little screws
Loving the extras and this black and gold with decals looks awesome!
digger303 wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:00 pm :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
:cheers2:

DRUMS01 wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:11 am Here-here, I second the motion.....

:cheers2:
:cheers2:

Thanks guys, it is s good looking car

Heres how it looks now after attachment and lots of polishing of the many body panels




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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2024 12:35 am
by digger303
awesome.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
:cheers2:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2024 7:12 pm
by Garion77
this is more then awesome ! :bow::

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 12:46 pm
by cor
Thanks guys.

I've been polishing and polishing and its been a real chore, but worth it. Nearly finished, just the rear wing and wheels and some touch ups.


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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:08 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Super
:banana: :banana: :banana:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 12:25 am
by RangerNeil
Now that IS a beautiful job!! :cheers2:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 11:38 pm
by DRUMS01
Looks wonderful great work!

Are you gong to show us a full reveal once the rear wing is done?

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:20 am
by cor
Garion77 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 7:12 pm this is more then awesome ! :bow::
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:08 am Super
:banana: :banana: :banana:
RangerNeil wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2024 12:25 am Now that IS a beautiful job!! :cheers2:

DRUMS01 wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2024 11:38 pm Looks wonderful great work!

Are you gong to show us a full reveal once the rear wing is done?



Thanks guys. Yes Ben, there was some headache inducing touch up of the paintwork that I had to wade through, but it is finally done.



Final reveal pics
here - Lotus Final Pics




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Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:02 pm
by digger303
:bow:: :bow:: :bow:: :bow::
:cheers2:

Re: Lotus Type 78 F1 car. Tamiya. 1/12.

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2024 9:43 am
by Kevthemodeller
Oh yes top :banana: