1/43 Model Review: 1994 Lotus 107C and 109 Mugen Honda

Background

The Lotus 107, designed for the 1992 season, was in its third year of racing, having been competitive if not unreliable in 1992 and a points scorer in 1993. In 1994 Mugen Honda engines were being used but the team were struggling with their finances. The team were able to introduce the Lotus 109 mid-season, although it was heavily based on the 107C.

The Lotus 109 was debuted at Spain for Johnny Herbert, but it wasn't until France that both drivers had a 109. The team lacked the cash to develop the car and so it bore little gains, but at the Italian Grand Prix, Herbert looked competitive with an upgraded Mugen Honda engine, qualifying in fourth place before colliding on the first lap with Irvine. He had to switch to the spare car for the restart with the old engine. The team confirmed they were in receivership a day later and the team stopped racing at the end of the year. It was a sad end to the legendary Team Lotus name. They did merge with Pacific GP for the 1995 season but they too exited the sport at the end of 1995.

Johnny Herbert had signed a long term deal with Lotus, but with such an uncompetitive season, Herbert considered retiring from the sport altogether. That was until the Italian Grand Prix where he shone all weekend until that first lap crash. He was bought out of his contract by Ligier, before moving to Benetton the race after that.

Alex Zanardi was injured in a crash in 1993 and Pedro Lamy filled the seat for the final four races and retained the seat for the 1994 season. However his crash in testing a few races saw him end up in a spectator tunnel, sidelined Lamy with an injury for the remainder of the year.

With Lamy out, Zanardi, now recovered, took his seat. Philippe Adams earned enough funds to buy himself two races in the Lotus. At the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Adams won a support race, but retired from the F1 race in his Lotus.

Eric Bernard arrived in a swap with Herbert, but he struggled to impress at Ligier and was promptly dropped after one race at Lotus. Pace not withstanding, Lotus really needed pay drivers at this stage, and so Mika Salo raced in the final two Grand Prix.

There are some interesting livery variations from the Brazilian Grand Prix, and even from pre-season testing. The design was tweaked again when the 109

Pre-Season Testing, Estoril Circuit, 20th January 1994

Running two different cars and slightly different liviries at the Canadian GP:

 

Onyx/Heritage Formula - 107C

Onyx 192

Onyx produced this version of the 107C with the livery from the Monaco GP if I'm not mistaken. The car is shape is perhaps a little bit short, but I quite like the job they've done on the decals which kind of makes up for it. My only real complaint is the radiator opening at the front of the sidepods does not angle forward at the bottom, it's straight on this model. Still, quite a decent effort from Onyx on this model.
Score 6/10

BBR - 107C

BBR Met11

I got myself a BBR version of the 107C (built by someone else) which, on the box is based on the Brazilian GP. As mentioned above, this is not the livery they ran for the first two Grand Prix, and it looks like this is from the San Marino Grand Prix. In fact when you look at the instructions it does indeed state it is from the San Marino Grand Prix. I've seen better built ones online, but I'm not sure this is one of BBR's best efforts. The car looks a bit too low, which makes the car look a little stretched.
Score 7/10

Spark - 109

Spark S1670

For nearly two decades, you could only get the 109 kit car by Tameo (see below). Spark finally released their 109 in recent years, and it came with versions with all the drivers who drove the 109. 

• #11 Zanardi - British GP

• #11 Adams - Belgian GP

• #11 Salo - Japanese GP

• #11 Bernard - European GP

• #12 Herbert - Belgian GP

I went for the Herbert version and also Salo's Japanese GP because I quite liked  the sponsor set. My complaint about Spark cars of the 90's is that the tyres are too big. The rollover bar is a bit small, and needs to be a bit taller. I think the front wing is sitting too high as well. I like the clear visors, but I'm generally left disappointed with the helmet shape overall. Otherwise this would be a really lovely model, but I feel the proportions let it down. 

Spark S1780

Score 7/10

Tameo - 109

Tameo TMK181 

I've not owned this model, but this Tameo offering is lovely. Proportions are good, and this one is beautifully put together. It's the Australian Grand Prix version with the extra rear wing elements by the rear tyres. I also think the curves around the front of the cockpit is better than the Spark version.
Score 9/10

For more 1994 Model Reviews, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/1994-model-review.html