Hasegawa 20813 - 1:20 Lotus 79 Team Rebaque 1979

Plastic model kit of the Lotus 79 “Team Rebaque 1979” Formula 1 car in 1:20 scale

Hasegawa 20813 is a kit for self-assembly representing the Lotus 79 Formula 1 car. The design went down in history as one of the first cars to fully exploit so-called ground effect, which generated enormous aerodynamic downforce and dominance in the 1978 season.

This release reproduces the car of the privateer Team Rebaque from the 1979 season and includes decals for car no. 31, driven by the Mexican driver Hector Rebaque.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with body, chassis and powertrain parts
• Rubber tyres
• Waterslide decal sheet: car no. “31”, Team Rebaque (1979 season)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:20
• Catalogue number: 20813
• Manufacturer: Hasegawa
• Assembled length: approx. 217 mm
• Difficulty level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The model is recommended for modellers with some experience, partly because of the exposed suspension and numerous small parts. Many components remain visible on the finished model, so they are worth painting carefully before assembly.

The heart of this release is the car's distinctive livery, reproduced by the decal sheet; the instructions provide colour suggestions. The body is usually finished with a clear coat for gloss, and decals are best applied over a glossy surface to avoid decal silvering.

Tools required:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Clear coat for finishing the body
• A wash to bring out the detail

About the car – Lotus 79:

The Lotus 79 is a Formula 1 car designed by the Lotus team under Colin Chapman. The car developed the idea of ground effect: a carefully shaped underbody and side sections created low pressure that “sucked” the car onto the track and gave exceptional cornering grip.

In the 1978 season the Lotus 79 dominated the championship, bringing the drivers' title to Mario Andretti and the constructors' title to the team. In the following season these cars also passed to private teams.

Team Rebaque was a privateer outfit that ran a Lotus 79 for the Mexican driver Hector Rebaque in the 1979 season. The Hasegawa model allows this very car to be reproduced.

Original car specifications (Lotus 79):

• Category: Formula 1 car
• Engine: Ford-Cosworth DFV, naturally aspirated 3.0-litre V8, mid-mounted
• Gearbox: five-speed manual
• Design feature: use of ground effect
• Achievements: drivers' and constructors' titles in 1978

About the manufacturer – Hasegawa:

Hasegawa is a Japanese manufacturer of model kits based in Shizuoka, a region regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company has operated since 1941; it began with wooden products and from the 1960s focused on plastic models. The brand is best known for its aircraft kits, but its catalogue also includes ships, cars, motorcycles and models from popular science-fiction series, including Macross. Hasegawa models are valued for their accurate shapes, finely reproduced panel lines and good parts fit. The manufacturer regularly releases limited editions of established moulds with new decal sheets and additional parts that reproduce specific versions and liveries. Hasegawa remains one of the most recognisable model brands in the world and is available in many countries.