Tamiya 12037 - 1:12 Lotus type 78

Lotus Type 78 Formula 1 car plastic model kit in 1:12 scale

The Lotus 78 started the aerodynamic revolution in Formula 1. Carefully shaped channels in the side pods generated low pressure underneath the car, sucking it down onto the track — the phenomenon known as ground effect. Tamiya 12037 brings the design to 1:12 scale, capturing both its distinctive shape and the details hidden beneath the bodywork.

The mould dates from 1978, the photo-etched release from 2008, and the current edition appeared in 2023. The kit also includes new Goodyear decals for the nose and the wing end plates.

After assembly the front cowl, cockpit cover, radiator ducts and airbox can be removed, keeping the reproduced engine and the interior of the car on view. The suspension on metal springs is movable and the steering wheel turns the front wheels.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Photo-etched parts: brake discs, radiator, two types of front and rear wing end plates, seatbelt buckles
• Metal suspension springs
• Rubber tyres
• Decal sheet, including new Goodyear markings for the nose and end plates
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:12
• Item number: 12037
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: 381 × 171 × 76 mm
• Skill level: intermediate (a large kit with a high number of details — reproduced engine, removable cowls, photo-etched parts)

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

Assembly:

Since the body cowls and airbox can be removed after assembly, it is worth treating the interior of the car as a display feature in its own right: the engine, suspension and cockpit are best painted and finished before they are enclosed. The photo-etched parts — especially the thin wing end plates and seatbelt buckles — are fitted with cyanoacrylate glue and precision tweezers. Dry-fitting the cowls before final assembly helps to keep them easy to remove.

The JPS Team Lotus colours of the 1977 season are based on black with gold lining, which calls for a careful, even black finish — best applied with an airbrush in thin coats. Applying the decals over a gloss coat limits decal silvering, after which a further clear coat protects them. The instructions provide Tamiya paint codes for the marking scheme.

Tools required:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched parts
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel), including metallic shades
• Gloss clear coat as a base for the decals
• Decal setting solution
• Modelling wash to emphasise the detail

About the car – Lotus 78:

The Lotus 78, known as the 'wing car', was the first Formula 1 machine to make consistent use of ground effect. Its side pods were shaped so that the air flowing beneath them created low pressure, pressing the car down onto the track without a corresponding rise in drag. The result was markedly higher cornering speeds.

The car raced in the 1977 season in the colours of JPS Team Lotus, driven by Mario Andretti and Gunnar Nilsson. Power came from the classic 3.0-litre Ford Cosworth DFV V8. The concept pioneered by the Lotus 78 was taken up by the rest of the field within a couple of seasons and defined the direction of Formula 1 development for years to come.

Original car specifications (Lotus 78):

• Racing season: 1977
• Team: JPS Team Lotus
• Drivers: Mario Andretti, Gunnar Nilsson
• Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8, 3.0 litres
• Defining feature: the first true ground-effect car ('wing car')

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in the timber trade and wooden model production, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand became known for its precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The large 1:12 car kits are among the most elaborate items in the company's catalogue, combining finely reproduced engines, working suspension on metal springs and photo-etched parts. Many of them were developed from studies of the original racing cars, carried out in cooperation with teams and manufacturers. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.