1/43 Model Review: 1980 World Champion Alan Jones (Williams FW07B Ford Cosworth)

Background

Patrick Head (the co-founder of the Williams team who returns in 2019) was known not to rush into the latest technology, but it was to be well researched and applied before it found it's way on his cars. And for ground effect, that came in the form of the FW07, which would be introduced half way through the 1979 season. It was unreliable at first, but Reggazoni gave the the car it's first victory at the British Grand Prix. Jones then took four victories from the remaining 6 races to establish this car as the one to beat. A development for the FW07B would propel Jones and the Williams team to their first Championships the following year. Jones took 5 wins and took both Drivers' & Constructors' Championships for the first time.

RBA/Altaya

The RBA model looks like its from the USA GP West. It's very basic, and missing Good Year logos.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps

Minichamps 430800027

Judging by the sponsors on the car, this is meant to be from the end of season USA GP East or Canadian GP.
This original model came with a removable cowl, which comes off in one big piece. Unfortunately, the fit getting it onto the model isn't easy, there's always a gap somewhere, which detracts from it a little. The car perhaps sites a bit too high, so the skirts don't quite reach the floor. The model was quite rare and valuable before they re-released updated versions recently.

Minichamps 436800027

Minichamps released a host of updated FW07s recently, including this World Champions Collection model. The main updates are more painted detail on the engine underneath the cowl. Nothing has changed on the shape at all, and the engine detail could do with updating (I'd imagine Spark doing a much better job). If it didn't have the removable cowl, I'd probably score this model higher, but sadly the novelty factor just doesn't quite justify having it.
Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection/Ixo

I quite like this Ixo version of the FW07B. It's not super high detail, but what details it does have is done quite nicely.
Score: 7/10

Tameo

Tameo SLK022

This Tameo kit is based on the Monaco GP version and its a real beauty. The overall shape is lovely, the tyres are good, the details are nicely covered.

Score: 9/10

There are other kits around, I think there's a Western Models, SRC, Tenariv, FDS and the Yaxon and Polistil toy models, but I'm struggling to find good pictures of them all, so I'll stick to the brands I know.


For more World Champion Reviews, click on this link here https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/f1-world-champions.html