1/43 Model Review: 1996 McLaren MP4/11 Mercedes

Background

After a near death crash in the final race of 1995, Mika Hakkinen recovered to take part in the 1996 season alongside David Coulthard who came from Williams, a relationship that would last 6 years. It was the last McLaren to wear red and white Marlboro sponsorship, which decided to back the Scuderia Ferrari team fully, after over 20 years in the classic yet simple livery. Hakkinen was able to score four podiums during the season, leading the team to fourth in the Constructors' Championship

In pre-season testing, Alain Prost drove the car, as he had done for the previous 3 seasons since retiring from Williams. In 1997, he would be busy running his own team.

Whilst the final result may have been a disappointment for the McLaren team, it would be a positive sign of progress in their quest to return to the front of the grid.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530964308

As was usual for McLaren cars, they would be released under the McLaren Collection rather than in the regular box. 

Minichamps B66005905

I did also get a Mercedes box edition, but it's unchanged standard car. Proportions are nicely modelled on this Minichamps car, there's nothing spectacular about this model and there's nothing particularly wrong with it either. I do like the dayglo red/orange however. 

Score: 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK211

I bought this Tameo car already built, but the rear wing obviously doesn't quite sit right. Putting that down to how it was put together than Tameo's kit itself, this is a lovely version of the car from the Australian Grand Prix. 

Tameo TMK225

The McLaren MP4/11B was introduced at Silverstone, which propelled the car up the grid. Outwardly, there was very little difference, the nose being a bit longer, and the front wing supports angled. a slightly more moulded headrest to direct air more cleanly over the helmet into the airbox, and they also played with front suspension covering the steering arm and foremost upper suspension arm. This model is from the Hungarian GP where they also added the mid-wing back onto the car - first seen on the 1995 MP4/10 and at the 1996 Monaco GP.

To the model itself, it is just a step up from the nice Minichamps car, adding nice details to the cockpit, the fuel cap, onboard cameras, stickers on the wheels, suspension mounting points, pitot tubes, and all of this adds up to a very nice model indeed. I also like their treatment of the sidepod outlet at the rear of the sidepod, it has a nice curve to it. The rollover hoop is slightly better on the Minichamps and BBR, the Tameo having a smoother curve - and the front of the cockpit (by the mirrors) doesn't come down far enough. But these small nitpicks hardly detract from the rest of the model.
Score: 9/10

BBR

BBR Met62

BBR's offering is also from the Australian Grand Prix. Like Tameo, there are more details than the Minichamps version, to add to its nice base proportions. My only complaint is that the nose cone is too long and the front wing too far away from the front tyres.
Score: 8/10

To read more reviews from the 1996 season, click here: 

https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/1996-model-review.html