1/12 Tamiya Honda F-1 (RA273) Kit Collectors Guide c.1968

This guide is just one of many written to assist Builders and Collectors of 1/12th "Big Scale" plastic model car kits. As of this writing, this is the 12th guide in the series. A special one because it will be done on the very first Big Scale kit from Tamiya way back in 1968. As a side hobby of my automotive interests at the Woodward Avenue Garage, I've built up a substantial collection of Big Scale Car and Motorcycle kits. Many are the earliest examples made. I've learned quite a bit about these kits over the years, and none of the information contained in this guide is available in any other forum (that I am aware of). Emphasis is always on Kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Less information is provided on the actual build of the kit due to rarity, but any emails with input will be gladly included in the guide. Hopefully, the information to follow will be a useful reference to Hobbyists in the particulars of this kit. Feel free to contact me with comments, corrections, or questions.

** The Original c.1968 1/12th Tamiya Big Scale Kit #1, Honda F-1 (Fully Motorized) **

IDENTIFICATION: An original issue of this kit is very rare today. Unbuilt complete and unmolested examples like the reference kit used for this guide are extraordinary. This kit was originally manufactured in 1968 by the Tamiya Mokei Plastic Model Company, and it was kit #1 in their new 1/12th "Big Scale"Series of kits. Tamiya "rocked" the modeling world with this kit, and never looked back. There were a few 1/12th scale F-1 kits in the marketplace at this time from Bandai, Imai, and AHM, but the Tamiya Honda F-1 kit was in a class by itself. Aside from the last Matra MS-11 kit (see separate guide) from Bandai/Imai, no one could equal Tamiya's detail, and eventually none could compete when it came to 1/12th scale Formula One Car Kits. A quick identifying point for an early issue of this kit is to look for the Big Scale 1 on the upper right corner of the box (see photo above). In later re-issues, Tamiya change this number to Big Scale 11. The second thing to look for is a 2 inch by 3 inch Black Foil "Model Racing Classics" tag on the ends of the box (MRC - Model Rectifier Corp). See photo below;

This "Black Tag" was put on very early first issue export kits from Tamiya. If you see this tag, it's an early kit. There are exceptions to the "Black Tag", and the reference kit used for this guide is one of those exceptions. It is one of the very first kits made, and pre-dates the "Black Tag". The kit number on the end of the box will be BS1201-1200. You will only see this number on the first issue without the Black MRC Tag. A "Black Tag" kit will have kit number BS1201 - 1198. The last 4 digits for both kits is not the kit number, but rather the price in Yen. Below is a photo of a first issue box, and the second version with the Black Tags;

Both boxes have text in English. The Tamiya address on the side of the box will be; Tamiya Mokei Plastic Model Co., 915, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan. Tamiya has changed addresses 4 times, and this was their original address from 1949 to 1969. Another interesting fact is that Tamiya dropped the "Mokei" when they changed addresses in 1969. Only the original first three Big Scale 1/12 kits will have this address. Moving on to the kit contents, there are several interesting facts about the contents and packaging of an original kit. Photos of contents below;

An original kit will have all it's parts in bags, and they will be stapled shut with paper "Honda" labels. An added fact on an original kit is that all the individual parts bags will be contained in 2 large sealed bags with "Made In Japan" printed on them. The only things not contained in the 2 large bags were the Nose section of the body (in a small unlabeled bag), and the Blister card. The original first issue reference kit used for this guide is the only example I've ever seen with it's original "double bagged" parts, and both large bags are still sealed! Another packaging fact, is the Mabuchi Electric Motor comes in a small box with a hardware package included. The hardware included with the motor was a standard assortment that came from Mabuchi, and nothing is used in the Honda kit. You will only see this boxed motor in the very earliest motorized kits. Later, even 1st issues kits will have the Motor in a small plastic bag, or inside one of the Tyres on the blister card, ect. As with all early Tamiya kits, watch for Tyre melt. This melt seems to happen randomly, even in well stored kits like the reference kit. Tires can degrade over time and many times I've observed melted tires inside sealed blisters. It was a long running flaw in these kits with "Rubber-Like" tires. Replacements are not available from Tamiya, and must be located from a donor kit or donor (built) car. Waterslide Decals are printed on White paper and are not date coded like all other early Tamiya 1/12 kits. There are also 2 peel and stick decal sheets, one with Numbers and Names for the body of the car, and a small sheet with the instrument dials (on blister card). Instructions, as well as a separate yellow parts list are printed in English. A special note on original Instructions is the kit number on the front page will say "Big Scale" #13. This was a typo from Tamiya. The original kit was #1, and later changed to #11, but was never #13. Building the kit is straightforward, with the electric motor and gearbox built inside the Detailed Honda V-12 Engine. The electrics drive the rear wheels through scale half shafts. There is an electric switch (forward/reverse) that protrudes through the lower oil pan of the engine (non-scale). The battery box is hidden in the lower forward section of the body, and is actually very well hidden. The main on/off switch works through the Gear Shift Lever inside the cockpit. It works well, but is hard to access. This kit did not include a Driver Figure in the first release. Later non-motorized kits did. The kit does have a fully sprung suspension, working steering, and decals for multiple cars. There is also an option for two different styles of rear-view mirrors (depending on which car/driver option is built). All early kits from Tamiya did not have boxes sealed with cellophane, but were instead taped shut. You will always find tape residue on all four sides of the box. All things considered, a landmark 1/12 Big Scale kit. Re-issues are readily available in the $100.00 range. Some of the last kits made include a photo etch sheet. Aftermarket Decals and Photo Etch parts are plentiful. There also was a Semi-Assembled Die Cast car available. Early issue Vintage kits are very rare, and if unbuilt, bring a premium price.

** 1/12th Tamiya Honda F-1 Kit History **

As mentioned earlier, when Tamiya released their 1/12th Big Scale #1 kit in 1968, it took the modeling world by storm! Yes, it cost about 12 bucks when the average 1/24 -1/25 kit a K-Mart was under $1.00. A steep price in the late 60's, but the kit had every conceivable feature. True Scale, Fully Motorized, Rubber Tires, Working Suspension, Working Rack-In-Pinion Steering, and an incredibly detailed V-12 3 Litre Honda Engine. 1/12th scale car kits were few and far between in the 1960's. Motorized F-1 kits were entirely the domain of the Japanese, and until Tamiya entered the picture, you could pretty much count all the available kits on one hand. It has been rumoured that Tamiya actually used the old molds from AHM to make the kit in this guide. Close examination will show that the Tamiya Honda F-1 kit was entirely new. It's highly probable that they went over all the competitions kits with a fine toothed comb, but when Tamiya introduced their kit, it was clear that all the preceeding kits were doomed. The Tamiya catalog expanded on a regular basis, and the competition slowly faded into obscurity. These kits were actually not easy to locate (back in the day). The reference kit in this guide had been special ordered from Auto World Inc, a 1960's mail order Super Hobby Store out of Scranton Pennsylvania. Did anyone out there ever order a kit from AW? This kit was found with, and still has a load of Ads and Ephemera from Auto World that came with it in November of 1969. See photo;

In one of their fliers, you could have ordered a just-released 1/12th Scale Renwal Ferrari kit for $9.99! Some really neat hobby related material that still resides in this incredible time capsule kit. The kit modeled by Tamiya in this guide, was of the Honda 3 Litre V-12 F-1, as raced in 1966 and 1967. Sometimes referred to as the RA278, the car raced with limited success. In the last race of the 1967 F-1 season, the car won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza with John Surtees at the wheel. For a number of reasons, Honda began to withdraw from F-1 racing after the 1967 season. It was a very long time before Honda returned to the F-1 arena, and then only as an Engine supplier. With almost 200 parts, this Tamiya kit builds a very detailed car. Molded in White, Gray, Silver, Black, Chrome, and Clear, it could be built without paint with good results. Sure, there was room for improvements, but when compared to other kits of circa 1968 there was no comparison. How many Big Scale kits have remained in production for almost 40 years? This is a landmark kit worthy of the top shelf in any collection. 

** Kit Features **

** Almost 200 Parts Molded In White, Black, Silver, Chrome, Gray, and Clear

** Mabuchi Electric Motor Fits Into A Highly Detailed Honda 3 Litre V-12 Engine

** Working Steering Through A Functioning Steering Wheel and Rack-In-Pinion Steering

** Fully Detailed Functioning Suspension With Working Coil Over Shock Absorbers

** Semi Pneumatic Rubber-Like Goodyear Tires With Realistic Tread Patterns

** Removable Nose Section To Reveal Radiator and Suspension Detail

** Pros And Cons **

Let's begin with the Pros. The very first 1/12th Big Scale car kit from Tamiya. This kit was the foundation for the entire line of Big Scale Cars we see today. By modern standards, the kit is still very good, 40 years after it's release. Until very recently, the car was still in production. There appears to be a good supply of kits in the Vintage Aftermarket, and prices are reasonable for later kits. Sure, there is plenty of room for improvement with the details of the kit, but there is a Photo Etch sheet available now and this kit makes a great display. Replacement decals are easily obtainable for degraded originals. All things considered, a must-have Landmark kit for the collector.

Cons. The kit is 40 years old. Very difficult to locate Original Unbuilt Kits. Tires and Decals will always have some degree of age related decay. The kit made a few sacrifices to scale for the motorization. The removable Nose section attaches in a non-scale manner (2 exposed screws in the upper body). No driver Figure.

I hope this guide for Tamiya's first "Big Scale" kit #1 has been of assistance. If you have found it informative, take a moment to vote below. Keep a watch for more guides in the near future. Eventually, all the earliest kits from all manufacturers will be written up. As always, feel free to email with questions or comments.