Background
Damon Hill was in his fourth year with Williams having been runner up to Schumacher for two consecutive years. The German would move to the struggling Ferrari team, leaving Williams to dominate the season. Hill was everyone's favourite to secure the title, but it wouldn't be until the final race of the season until he sealed the title, as his rookie team-mate, reigning Indycar champion, Jacques Villeneuve, proved a worthy contender. Hill won the title, despite not having his contract renewed in 1997, becoming the first father and son to have been World Driver's Champion, Graham Hill being a former three time champion.Jacques Villeneuve was in his first season in Formula One, in the quickest car of the year designed by Adrian Newey. He lead most of the way on his first Grand Prix only for a mistake in the first corner caused him to lose out to team mate Damon Hill. It wasn't until the fourth Grand Prix of the year when Villeneuve would become a Grand Prix winner at the European Grand Prix after being chased home by Michael Schumacher's Ferrari. He would win a further three Grand Prix during the season, fighting for the championship until the final Grand Prix.
Minichamps
Minichamps 430960005 |
I actually bought this one with the lid of this model signed by Damon Hill.
The rollover bar is too big and wide, and the sidepods also too tall. The nose is a little too rounded along the top edge too. The bargeboards are too small too. For me, it was one of the nicer looking cars on the grid, but Minichamps, to me, haven't done a great job in reproducing it.
Minichamps 433960205 |
Minichamps 402969701 |
Minichamps 436960005 |
Minichamps 400960206 |
I will score these together, even though there are many versions. If it was just the original car, I probably would have given it a low 5 score, but with some of the newer additions and the amended cockpit area means I have upped the score by a point.
Score: 6/10
BBR Met59 |
Score: 8/10
Tameo TMK215 |
I like the Tameo version too, this version from the Argentine GP. The nose is a little thinner than the BBR version and a bit more realistic to me. I like the exposed gearbox casing detail on this model too, although it is present in the BBR version too. The logos on the engine cover are just a bit too small, and the opening of the airbox is just a little too boxy and square for me, and so these things prevent it from getting top marks from me. Still a stunning model though.
Score: 9/10
Onyx's 1/43 model of the FW18 isn't great. The front wing is too big. The wheelbase seems too short making the whole central part of the car seemed squished. Minimal effort has been applied to the upper rear wing both in terms of shape and decals.
Score: 3/10
RBA have produced a German GP model of the FW18 and caters for fans on a budget. All the issues I have with the Minichamps model are the same for this one, their moulds looking very similar indeed. But the finish is nowhere near as complete as the Minichamps model.
Score: 4/10
To read more reviews from the 1996 season, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/1996-model-review.html
This is also featured in the World Champions Model Reviews, for more click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/f1-world-champions.html
Score: 9/10
Onyx
Onyx281 |
Score: 3/10
RBA/Altaya
RBA have produced a German GP model of the FW18 and caters for fans on a budget. All the issues I have with the Minichamps model are the same for this one, their moulds looking very similar indeed. But the finish is nowhere near as complete as the Minichamps model.
Score: 4/10
To read more reviews from the 1996 season, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/1996-model-review.html
This is also featured in the World Champions Model Reviews, for more click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/f1-world-champions.html
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