1/43 Model Review: 1994 Tyrrell 022 Yamaha

Background

The Tyrrell team competed in the 1994 F1 Championship with Ukyo Katayama being joined by Mark Blundell. They were contenders for points finishes, but poor reliability hampered their progress. Katayama was generally the quicker of the two, often qualifying in the top 6, but he retired from 12 of the races, including whilst running third at the German Grand Prix. The highlight came for Mark Blundell when he took an excellent podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix. This would be Tyrrell's final podium finish.

Onyx / Heritage Formula

Onyx 207

The Onyx version of the Tyrrell is another instance of Onyx putting the livery on a 1993 car - the McLaren MP4/8. So the less said about this car the better really.
Score 2/10

Minichamps

Minichamps 430940004

So to the Minichamps car, which at least made an attempt to look like the actual car, but to be honest, this was quite a poor attempt from them. I don't feel it really captures the essence of the car at all.
Score 5/10

In recent years, Minichamps updated their model with new tyres and driver body and decals and released it in this limited edition tall box, but it's still the same old disappointing original shape, so I'm not tempted in the slightest with this one.
Score 5/10

Spark

Spark S1597

This is the first of the Spark models released for the 1994 season and I think there are very nice details on this car. However, those jumbo tyres don't do it any favours, and I think the engine cover is too small vertically, and the helmet also looks tiny. It's a shame the proportions are so out, because this is a step up in quality from the Onyx and Minichamps offerings.
Score 6/10

There is a limited Japanese edition (for Racing On magazine) where the car was updated to the Japanese Grand Prix, and the updates look lovely, onboard cameras included. They've made some sort of a quick attempt at the diffuser from the late season, but they could have done a much, much better in all honesty.

Score 7/10

There's an even rarer version from the Monaco Grand Prix knocking around as well that has lovely high downforce front and rear wings.

Score 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK185

Here is a picture of Tameo's kit from the British GP which offers a mix of good proportions and nice details.
Score 9/10

BBR

BBR Met12

The BBR version in the picture above is from the San Marino GP. Maybe its the angle of the photo, but the cockpit seems too far forward, which makes the nose section seem squished and the sidepods/engine cover section seem elongated.
Score 6/10


In conclusion, I'm not particularly happy with any of them, I don't think they really capture the essence of the car, the Tameo kit probably being the best of them. The nose is very narrow at the tip, which is always difficult to do in 1/43 scale. They also ran quite a few variations of rear wing throughout the season.

For more of my 1994 model reviews, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/1994-model-review.html