1/43 Model Review: 1983 World Champion Nelson Piquet (Brabham BT52 BMW)

Background

1982 was a development year for Brabham with new BMW turbo engines in the BT51, but with rule changes specifying a flat bottom for 1983, Gordan Murray developed the BT52 made specifically with mid-race refuelling which made for a smaller rear end resulting in the distinctive dart shaped car. Piquet started the season well, battling with Prost's Renault and Arnoux's Ferrari. But a bad run of luck and reliability mid-season put the Championship campaign in jeopardy, however a consistent end of the season saw Piquet 2 points behind Prost at the final race at Kyalami, with Arnoux also in contention. Piquet raced into the lead, but when Prost retired, Piquet coasted home in fourth to clinch his second Drivers' Championship - the first for a turbo charged engine.

This was the final Championship success for the Brabham team, as Ecclestone sold the failing team in 1987, and the name disappearing from the sport in less than 10 years.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430830005

The BT52 is one of the most distinctive looking cars in F1 history, with its arrow shaped chassis. Minichamps released a Brazilian GP version of the car. It's a very basic model from Minichamps, its got nice proportions but just lacks a bit of detail.

Minichamps 80429423036

I came across this BMW edition of the BT52 which has the late season colour scheme. It was nice to have both editions of this car, but the blue just makes it look a bit toy like to me.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 436830005

An updated version was released in the World Champion Collections set, and it comes with an updated driver figure and a new rear wing. I really like this update to the original model, so for me this has gone up a grade.
Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection/Ixo

Ixo have released the above car in the Formula 1 Car Collection magazine series. The Brazilian Eaglemoss version comes with a driver figure.

I've come across this early season version of the car too available from Altaya. Overall, the standard is fairly comparable to the early Minichamps version.
Score: 6/10

Quartzo

Quartzo's version is of a similar standard to Ixo's but the overall finish of the car is a bit of a let down for me.
Score: 5/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK006

Tameo TMK010

The late season version from the European GP was also released from Tameo.
Score: 8/10

Spark

Spark S7110

Spark S7104

Spark have shown some early but yet to be released photos of their version of this car, but I'm interested in seeing more. From this angle, it looks like a very promising model. I believe it will be released later this year.

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