1/43 Model Review: 1999 Ferrari F399

Background

Although Ferrari were behind the pace of the McLarens, the team were consistent points scorers. The McLarens suffered from reliability issues and a number of driver errors, giving Ferrari an opportunity to challenge for the World Championship. Schumacher broke his legs after a brake failure at the start of the British GP half way through the season, leaving Irvine to challenge for the Championship. But Irvine complained of lack of support and developments to the car following Schumacher's recovery, who was at times outpaced by Schumacher's replacement, Mika Salo, but when the German returned at the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix, they scored a one-two. They were disqualified for a barge-board infringement, but the pair were later reinstated with both titles on the line at the final round in Japan. Irvine was four points ahead of Hakkinen, and just needed to finish in front of the Finn, whereas the Finn would need a win to guarentee victory. Schumacher chased Hakkinen home, with Irvine finishing third with a lack of pace giving the Finn his second consecutive Drivers' Championship. However Ferrari were able to clinch their first of six Constructor's Championship in a row, their first since 1983.

Hot Wheels (Mattel)

Hot Wheels 24626

The Hot Wheels car has a good base shape, the front end is very nice, the sidepods are nicely done with the large undercut, Irvine and Schumacher had different helmet shapes, and I like their multi element rear wings. For a basic budget model, this is not that bad.
Score: 7/10

Ixo / Formula 1 Car Collection

Ixo's car is very similar, but not exactly the same as the Hot Wheels car. The rollover bar is different, as are the exhausts. Ixo were able to get finer detailing on the front and rear end plates and the barge boards and the little flip  up on the sidepod is also more refined. It's nice that the Formula 1 Car Collection version is of Salo, though it would have been nice to have a driver figure and the Belgian GP decals with the F1 logo on it.
Score: 7/10

BBR

BBR Met85

This is the BBR version of the San Marino GP and its factory built, and so I'm left quite disappointed with this model. In terms of the shape and proportions, I much prefer the Ixo and Hot Wheels models. For all the nice details on the suspension, cockpit, exhaust and rollover bar, I can't help to unsee the proportional inaccuracies. There is a Monaco GP version which is similarly plagued with proportion issues.

Score: 6/10

BBR Met99

However there is a Malaysian GP version and I think this is more like it from BBR. The shape of the nose is much more refined and the front wing sits better. They have the controversial changed bargeboard, and lots of vents for cooling on the top of the sidepod. The rear wing is brought further forward making the proportions much better. There is a Make Up Co version of the Japanese GP car which is similar in quality.
Score: 9/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK273

Schumacher's Monaco GP winning car from Tameo is absolutely stunnning. The lines are very clean and defined, the cockpit detail is great, and the multi-element rear wing is a thing of beauty. I would have liked to have seen a little bit more detail on the exhaust and the vents on top of the sidepod, but these are all very minor points to what is an excellent model

Score: 10/10