Brabham BT46 1978 Formula 1 car - Niki Lauda (Tamiya 1/20 scale model)

Listen to "The Mechanic's Tale" with a free Audible trial: amzn.to/3ardwXz
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Full build of Tamiya's 1/20 scale Brabham BT46 F1 car which was raced during the 1978 Formula 1 season by John Watson and Niki Lauda. This car later spawned the famous BT46B fan car, which raced in just one Grand Prix - the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix.
This kit was released by Tamiya in 1979, but still has a good level of detail and great fit. The decals I have used in this build were a replacement set because the originals, being over 40 years old, were somewhat yellowed!
Support my channel and videos on Patreon or Ko-Fi:
/ modelnerd
ko-fi.com/modelnerd
Subscribe for more scale modelling videos: bit.ly/modelnerd
Formula 1 car models: bit.ly/f1scalemodels
WW2 aircraft models: bit.ly/ww2aircraft
WW2 armour models: bit.ly/ww2armormodels
FTC disclosure: This video or description contains affiliate links. If you click on one of them, I'll receive a commission.

[@ModelNerd]

Would you like to see build videos of any other Tamiya Formula 1 model kits? Leave a comment below.

[@markc7002]

It would be nice to see a 1/12 F1 built?

[@ModelNerd]

@@markc7002 I would like to do a 1/12 scale F1 car. I don't have any at the moment, but I've got my eyes on the FW14...

[@markc7002]

That is an excellent one, along with the Senna McLaren

[@bmw128racer]

Got any of the late 80's and early 90's McLarens... MP4/4, MP4/5, MP4/6, etc.?

[@stuartwoolley7956]

Ooh! I'd be really keen to see that B129 - B124 conversion. I have many of these in my stash too, so I'd be happy to see what 1/20 you do next either way.

[@iandone5926]

Half watched while having breakfast .. great bud .. again .. The issue you had with the radiator hoses.. I push a little wire down the tube to you can shape the tube and it takes the stress from the joints ... and mimics moulded pipes realy well

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Ian. That's a great tip for the hoses too-I'll definitely be trying that.

[@piroki-cq4lb]

懐かしいなぁー！！昔、作りました！配信、ありがとう！

[@Ferrovelhotv]

This is Tamiya made in Brazil kit, it was made in the 1990s. I bought one in 1995, brand new back then. I am Brazilian by the way.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for your comment Thomaz. By coincidence I am actually travelling in Brazil right now (Sao Paulo). No model shops for me on this trip though :(

[@mauriciograndmaison1733]

Tamiya made in Brasil....saudades!!! Nice work!!😎😎😎

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Mauricio!

[@user-dw5mz3tw1k]

中学生当時、一度作りました☺️おっさんになった今はこのブラジル版とクリアーカウル版をストックしてますが、動画を観てると作りたくなってきますね🎵

[@ModelNerd]

You should build it! Have fun :)

[@johnstrac]

One of the first Tamiya 1/20 GP models I built

[@TheQstoltz]

I only came across your site today and very pleased I did so. Another very good F1 build as was the Jordan I watched earlier and probably out of sequence - apologies for that. It is very nice to witness such a measured and informative deliver and I’m sure this is helping a lot of people. As an F1 modelling fan, my only genre I’m afraid, it’s nice to see these models getting an airing on a wider platform. I hope you retain the mogo to keep up the channel and Best Wishes. PS MP4/4 for me.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - I'm glad you liked it. Yes, I'm definitely going to build a McLaren for my next F1 project - and most probably the MP4/4.

[@andrewsandoz8005]

Looks like a pretty straightforward build. I've built a few Tamiya 1:12 F1 kits. Tamiya in my opinion manufacturers the best kits.

[@ModelNerd]

Yes - and nice to see that Tamiya are re-issuing a few 1/12 scale F1 kits too.

[@allenvitkus504]

Great build! I have the same kit. And the same thing happened to me with the decals. I removed them and will order some aftermarket decals.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I think I might do the same. These decals were aftermarket, but perhaps too old themselves.

[@Philbertbryan.w]

you should do these videos but with no commenting and just the sounds of you building it, ASMR= channel boost

[@ModelNerd]

Haha.....I lot of the time that would feature the sound of me dropping stuff and cursing :) But I've seen the channel which does that and it is quite engaging, you're right.

[@badman5509]

Please, build them all!

[@ModelNerd]

Haha - that's the (long term!) plan. Since this video I've bought more than I have built though...

[@promotedfacepulling2913]

Whatever you decide to do, keep the boxes. These are now more like valuable antiques than models.

[@ModelNerd]

Yep, I always keep the box artwork - love the old-style Tamiya ones.

[@hanhenderikse]

Nice build! I'd like to add some comment though. Maybe you could sand or trim off the seams somemore before painting? That would give a far more greater result! Use some decal softening and setting products to prevent them curling up. Carry on building, I've got a same sort of stash to convert to nice models to display. Grtz Han

[@damiandamian2553]

Apparently it's been about two years since this video was made and wondering if you've improved on your skills. I would use a black wash in much of the parts and found it really brings out the details much more and adds to a realism.

[@outfield1988]

Favorite car

[@deanmcbeth4140]

Would like to see you build the Tamiya 1/20 Williams FW07

[@ModelNerd]

It's definitely "on the list"

[@Frank-rh7vh]

TOP !!!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Frank

[@lawrencesigel3028]

I enjoyed your build of this kit do you have a 6 wheeled T car to do

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Lawrence. Yep, I've got two versions of the Tyrrell 6 P34 six wheeler - the solid blue 1976 version and the blue and white 1977 version. So many great kits, so little time!

[@S-Ltd1000]

What cement are you using? My knowledge of modelling used to involve scraping off paint on joints but you appear to be gluing over paint.

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah...I probably shouldn't but sometimes I do if I think it will make more of a mess to scrape or sand the piece.

[@V12Rafa]

Que produto você usou nos decalques e por que não usou verniz? Bom trabalho btw

[@ModelNerd]

I used Tamiya Mark Set and I also used TS-13 gloss varnish.

[@DrDiff952]

I first thought it was the fan car.

[@ModelNerd]

That was the B revision of this car. Fujimi do a model of it though, so you never know....

[@georgy_tom2287]

Hi! Where you bought models?

[@ModelNerd]

For older kits like this, I used ebay.

[@raymisson225]

O manual tá em português? Haha

[@japan883]

Reanault

[@outfield1988]

Parmalat BT 50 please

[@ModelNerd]

That's actually one of the few Tamiya 1/20 F1 kits I don't have, unfortunately. It's on the "look out for" list though....

[@kennethhancock2433]

Zero paints offer accurate colors

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yes, I considered those but shipping paints here has issues (cost and restrictions).

[@outfield1988]

P 34 please

[@ModelNerd]

I'm thinking of doing a double build of the P34 - the 1976 and 1977 versions of the car.

[@georgegrant5093]

Renault 👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks for watching, George.

[@MVeminor7]

I'd like to see more Formulas. Query - it seems that seams are not such an issue as they are with tanks and planes. Is this a common practice? I've seen negligence of engine seams quite often. What's your take on this ?

[@ModelNerd]

It depends on the kit to be honest. Tamiya kits are generally good. Fujimi kits are a bit mixed.