1/43 Model Review: 1992 World Champion Nigel Mansell (Williams FW14B Renault)

Background

This is the successful 1992 Williams car that brought Nigel Mansell his only Drivers' World Championship and saw the team dominate the Constructors' Title. The car is a reliable evolution from the previous year's car, the FW14, which showed great promise in 1991 season, but was unreliable. Having hired Adrian Newey from March, they perfected their cars, integrating driver aids such as semi-automatic gearboxes, traction control, and an unmatched active suspension. These all came together to dominate the season, with Nigel setting various records along the way.

Onyx

Onyx 139

Back in the 90s, there were two options, you could go for Onyx, or you could go for the relatively new to the market Minichamps. Onyx had been producing models for a few years, and their 1992 collection was showing signs of improvement from some of their earlier more basic attempts. This Williams has relatively good proportions and is instantly recognisable.
Score: 5/10

Minichamps

Minichamps 430920005

As mentioned above, this is one of the early Minichamps models, only featuring a couple of 1992 and 1993 cars initially. The cars featured more detail than the Onyx version, and though it wasn't particularly hard to find on second hand markets, were still traded at higher than the original retail price. I have managed to own a couple of these models in my time and I've always managed to make a tidy profit from it over the years.
Score: 5/10

Minichamps 402929301

The car was updated for the 1992 and 1993 World Championship two car set, along with the FW15. New wings, new driver figure, updated suspension and added mirrors were all added to the original model. However it could have really done with an overhaul.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 436920005

The car did receive an overhaul and we got the long awaited resin version in the World Champions Collection in 2017. This model is fantastic from Minichamps, a fitting tribute to one of the most dominant cars in F1 history. The shame is that the driver figure looks a bit too small and lost in the cockpit; I don't think Mansell can see out of the cockpit! Without the driver figure, I would have been tempted to give this a score of 9.
Score: 8/10

Ixo/RBA/Formula 1 Car Collection

Ixo's attempt at the car is not a particularly good one in my opinion. I don't think the nose is particularly well shaped and the front of the rollover bar is a bit of a mess. I've seen better budget cars.
Score: 5/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK153

This Tameo car is based on the opening race from the South African GP. I found the front wing on this car way too big, though it's not that clear in the picture above. It's a real shame because the rest of the car is of the highest quality, even over the latest Minichamps resin version. The clarity of the body lines being one of the nice features, and the stepped floor at the rear of the sidepods, the gurney flaps, the gap between the separate wing elements are all fantasticly modelled.

Score: 9/10