Tamiya 20043 - 1:20 Honda F1 RA272

1:20 scale plastic model kit of the Honda RA272 Formula 1 car

The Honda RA272 earned its place in Formula 1 history as the car that gave a Japanese manufacturer its first world championship race win — at the Mexican Grand Prix in October 1965. Tamiya 20043 is a 1:20 scale model kit of that car, based on tooling from 1996.

Particular attention was paid to the drivetrain: the mid-mounted V12 engine is reproduced together with its wiring, piping and gearbox. The removable nose allows the radiator, oil cooler and front suspension to be displayed. The three-piece engine cover is moulded in clear plastic — once assembled it can be left unpainted, keeping the inner workings of the car visible.

What’s in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Clear parts, including the three-piece engine cover
• Synthetic rubber tyres
• Waterslide decal sheet for two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:20
• Product number: 20043
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: 194 × 83 × 41 mm
• Marking options: #11 Richie Ginther (winner of the Mexican GP, October 1965) and #12 Ronnie Bucknum (5th place)
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (detailed drivetrain with wiring)

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

Assembly:

The kit is approachable even for less experienced modellers — the parts fit well and the instructions guide you step by step. The V12 engine deserves the most attention: the wiring, piping and gearbox are easier to paint before the assembly is closed up, as access to many details becomes limited afterwards. Since the removable nose and the clear engine cover are there to show off the internals, careful finishing of the drivetrain pays off directly in the final result.

Paint codes for both versions are provided in the instructions. A high-gloss finish is the usual approach for Formula 1 bodywork: waterslide decals are best applied over a gloss coat, which reduces the risk of decal silvering, and then sealed with another gloss coat. The clear engine cover can be left unpainted — it is enough to keep the surface clean and gently tidy up the sprue attachment points.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for the decal base coat and the body finish
• Decal setting solution

About the car – Honda RA272:

The 1965 Honda RA272 was built for the Japanese manufacturer’s second season in Formula 1. It was based on an aluminium monocoque and powered by a mid-mounted 1.5 l V12 DOHC engine producing around 230 hp — an unusual solution among its rivals and typical of Honda’s engineering thinking at the time.

The 1965 season ended with a breakthrough: at the Mexican Grand Prix, Richie Ginther drove the RA272 to victory — the first Formula 1 race win ever achieved by a Japanese manufacturer. His team-mate Ronnie Bucknum finished the same race in 5th place.

Original car specifications (Honda RA272, 1965):

• Construction: aluminium monocoque
• Engine: 1.5 l V12 DOHC, mid-mounted
• Power output: approx. 230 hp
• Racing season: 1965 (Honda’s second season in Formula 1)
• Key result: victory at the Mexican GP (October 1965, Richie Ginther) — the first win by a Japanese manufacturer in Formula 1

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The business initially traded in timber and produced wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The 1:20 racing car kits form the Grand Prix Collection, covering Formula 1 machines and racing cars from successive eras. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.