1:20 Lotus Type 102B - Grade Up Parts (for Tamiya Kits)

The real subject

The Lotus Type 102B is a Formula 1 single-seater of the Lotus stable from the beginning of the nineties. Cars of that time rest on a carbon fiber monocoque and their look is set by a great many thin panels, grilles and covers, that is exactly the shapes that injection-molded plastic can capture only roughly.

What the set contains

The package brings photo-etched parts for building this car in 1:20 scale and is intended for Tamiya kits. The parts are etched into a thin metal fret from which the individual pieces are cut out. Thickness is precisely the main reason for using photo-etched parts: the edge of the sheet stays thin even once it is applied, and the model thereby gains a more faithful look in scale. What the fret contains exactly is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Cut the individual parts off with a sharp blade on a hard surface; tearing them off bends the edge and it is then hard to straighten. Make the bend over a straight edge or in a bender, so that the edge comes out sharp. Use cyanoacrylate glue in a small quantity, because an excess is difficult to remove from metal. Before painting, wash and degrease the surfaces and apply a primer meant for metal; without it the paint comes off during further handling. Work over a surface with a raised rim, as small parts are easily lost.

Who it is for

For modelers who build Formula 1 cars with an emphasis on detail and who are not afraid of working with metal. If you are trying photo-etched parts for the first time, start with the larger pieces and only then move on to the smallest. The kit, the paints and the glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.