1/43 Model Review: 1995 Ferrari 412T2

Background

The 1995 Ferrari challenger was a development of the 1994 car, the Ferrari 412T1, and this would be the last V12 powered Ferrari in Formula One. The car was reasonably competitive, scoring several podiums throughout the year, but was not on par with the Williams or Benetton of that year. They competed for victories at various Grand Prix, such as European and Italian GP, but it was Jean Alesi who would score the only win of the year at the Canadian GP, his only win in Formula 1. They finished 3rd in the Constructors' Championship.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430950027

The Minichamps car sits very far forward in the box. I really like this model from Minichamps. I thought that the shape is pretty generic and simple, but as we will see from other model makers (and my own first attempt at modelling the car for GP4), it's perhaps not as easy as it seems. Anyway, the proportions are great on this car, the front wing has the turning vanes behind it, the rear wing and its stepped double winglets are nicely done. It's a shame that the helmet was so large and for some reason looking down at his legs. For a model of its time at a reasonable budget, I think this is a little gem.

Score: 8/10

Onyx

Onyx 237

Onyx and Minichamps produced the same car back in 1995 offering us a direct comparison. The Onyx car is based on earlier in the season whilst the Minichamps car was based on the mid-season. So just a two element front wing, a sticker for the hole in the engine cover, and only one set of winglets near the rear wheels on this model. The cockpit sits a little far forward, and so the engine cover is elongated as a result to compensate. The model also seems like it was made on a ball rather than a flat surface, with the front of the car pointing down and the rear of the car similarly pointing down, with the middle of the car slightly raised. Because of that, the shape of the nose needs to be higher around the suspension area, and so that looks weird as well. For me, this isn't really that good a model from Onyx.

Score: 4/10

Mattel Elite/Ixo

Mattel T6286

The Mattel car is based on the European GP the exiting race in mixed conditions where Alesi's great car control allowed him to put slick tyres on earlier than anyone else. He was leading the Grand Prix until the final stages when Schumacher forced his way past on a chicane that Schumacher had an input in designing.

The Ixo car is not based on any particular GP. In other blog posts, I've split the two, but as we've noted on multiple occasions, they used the same moulds, so I've combined them in this review. I was hoping for more, considering modelling had come on since the mid-90s, but I was left really disappointed with this model. The car is in general way too tall, particularly that giant airbox. The Mattel car features better decals,  but their attempt at the late season version of the rear wing winglets is laughable, it's truly terrible in how shallow it is. It's all because the sidepod does not taper down at the rear so the modellers couldn't produce an accurate winglet because the rest of the model is so ill-proportioned. The plus side is that the cockpit of the Mattel version is quite nice (of the budget cars I've reviewed so far) and the vents at the rear of the car are nicely detailed and painted.
Score: 5/10

True Scale Models / Fujimi / Looksmart

TSM TSM11FJ012

From what I can tell, these three brands have all released the same version of the model, and I can't really tell them apart. Here is the TSM/Fujimi car above.

Looksmart LSF_ES1701 

Looksmart produced a special limited edition run of 1000 for the Japanese market, this one based on the Canadian GP. The car seems too small for the wheels and tyres or vice versa. I find the nose and monocoque area a little too bulbous and not enough nuance to the actual shape. The front and rear endplates look oversized, with the rear wing so tall it looks like it was still made for the 1994 rules. The camera's are nicely done, the suspension has nice details, the bargeboards are well done and have nice chrome supports. The sidepod is really nice, particularly around the rear of the car and the rolloever bar is really nicely done too. The cockpit detail is nice, and within itself, the proportions are great, but it's a shame they are let down by the rest of the car. The vents at the rear of the car are a little over emphasised for my liking but the diffuser details looks nice. There are parts of the car I'd like to give a 10/10, but the let downs are almost as bad as some of the budget models above.
Score: 8/10

BBR

BBR Met47

This is the Italian GP version, and you can also get the Brazilian GP and Canadian GP versions as well. I do like the Italian GP specific car as it's got a stripped back front wing and rear wing, which are all nicely done on this model. Proportionally, this is of a similar standard to the Minichamps car, nicely done. There's some better details, as you'd expect from BBR on this car, but I feel it could do with a bit more attention to detail and refinement. The shape of the nose is fine, but could be better. The rear vents don't have any detail, but you do get a nice cockpit and seat. Overall, it is better than the Minichamps car as you'd expect and especially for the price, but I suppose I was expecting and hoping for more which would have propelled my mark to a 9.
Score: 8/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK193

Tameo TMK202

The first picture is the Brazilian GP version and the second is from the Canadian GP. I love the Ferrari 412T2 and it's a shame I've spent so much time modelling it, that I'm left deflated by many of the models, with the original mid-90s Minichamps version being a strong contender for my favourite of the lot so far. But trusty old Tameo have knocked it out the park again on their model. For me, it's not perfect, but it's close enough for the scale. The front wing is a masterpiece, the nuances of the front fins, nice separated front wing elements and turning vanes, the nose is spot on. The cockpit is really nice, and all the minor bumps on the headrest and airbox is nicely done too. The opening of the sidepod could be better from top-down view, but that's only a very minor point. The rear of the car is beautifully done, the rear wing and diffuser area is lovely, though, again, I think they could have put a bit more detail into the vent on the engine cover/rear sidepod.

Score: 9/10