Tamiya 20061 - 1:20 Lotus Type 79 1979 Martini

1:20 scale plastic model kit of the 1979 Lotus Type 79 in Martini colours

For the 1979 season the Lotus 79 wore the colours of Martini Racing Team Lotus over a British Racing Green livery — one of the most recognisable combinations of the era. Tamiya 20061 reproduces this version of the car in 1:20 scale. The 2011 release is based on the 2010 tooling and includes additional sprues covering the changes made to the car for the 1979 season.

The model keeps the most appealing feature of the series: removable front and rear body covers that let you display the inner workings of the car. The charge air coolers in the sidepods, the four-spoke wheels and the instrument panel are all reproduced. A driver figure is also included.

What’s in the box:

• Plastic sprues, including new parts reproducing the 1979-season changes
• Chrome-plated parts
• Metal covers for the velocity stacks
• Synthetic rubber tyres
• Driver figure
• Waterslide decal sheet for two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:20
• Product number: 20061
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: 220 × 108 mm
• Marking options: #1 and #2, Martini Racing Team Lotus, 1979 season, British Racing Green livery
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (exposed interior and drivetrain)

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

Assembly:

The parts fit is very good and the instructions are clear, so the kit works well for modellers with limited experience too. As the body covers come off after assembly, careful finishing of the interior pays off: the instrument panel, the charge air coolers and the drivetrain all remain visible. Painting these parts before the chassis is finally closed up makes the work considerably easier.

The chrome-plated parts — including the distinctive four-spoke wheels — can be left as supplied; it is enough to cut them cleanly from the sprue and tidy up the attachment points. An alternative frequently chosen by experienced modellers is airbrushing them with chrome-effect paints (e.g. Alclad, AK Xtreme Metal). Paint codes for the British Racing Green livery are given in the instructions. Applying the Martini waterslide decals over a gloss coat is recommended, as it reduces the risk of decal silvering; the model can then be finished with a gloss varnish.

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)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the metal parts
• 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 – Lotus 79:

The Lotus 79 was the first fully developed ground-effect Formula 1 car, and the 1978 season brought it both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. A year later the competition had caught up and the car scored no wins at all.

The best result of the 1979 season was Carlos Reutemann’s 2nd place at the Argentine Grand Prix; Lotus drivers also reached the podium in Brazil and Spain. The car ran that year in Martini Racing Team Lotus colours over a British Racing Green livery — exactly the configuration reproduced by Tamiya 20061.

Original car specifications (Lotus 79, 1979 season):

• Key feature: ground effect — profiled underside of the sidepods
• Team: Martini Racing Team Lotus
• Livery: British Racing Green with Martini colours
• Best result of the season: Carlos Reutemann 2nd at the Argentine GP
• Other results: podium finishes at the Brazilian and Spanish GPs

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.