1/43 Model Review: 2004 World Champion Michael Schumacher (Ferrari F2004)

Background

The 2004 Ferrari was based on the F2003GA which was an evolution of the F2002. It dominated the 2004 season, with Schumacher winning 12 of the first 13 races, securing his fifth Drivers' Title in a row, the team's sixth Constructors' title in a row, and Schumacher's record breaking 7th Drivers' Title. Ferrari were left pretty much unchallenged for the championship, with Button and BAR being consistent podium finishers.

Hot Wheels (Mattel)

Hot Wheels B6206

Hot Wheels have produced another reasonably shaped car with good proportions with the usual slightly chunky appendages.
Score: 6/10

Mattel Elite

Mattel Elite X5515

The Mattel Elite car is based on the German GP. The front wing endplates are too tall, but their aerials and bargeboards are much better on this model. The overall shape isn't as good as the Hot Wheels model with it just lacking a bit of refinement.

Score: 6/10

Ixo / Formula 1 Car Collection

The Ixo car comes in various sets, but it is essentially the Mattel Elite car, without the fine aerials and lacking red wheel nuts. The Formula 1 Car Collection version is actually of Barrichello's car rather that Schumacher's. They have had to add an extra support behind the front wing under the nose which is a shame.
Score: 5/10

BBR

BBR BG265

This BBR car is from the Canadian GP.

BBR BG278

This one is based on the Hungarian GP. I don't know if there are others, but I find the nose a bit too bulbous at the front. The rest of the monocoque is nicely done and there's nice detail on the suspension arms, the bargeboards and the aerials. Good cockpit detail, nice sidepods and airbox. The Hungarian GP version seesm to be running too little rear wing, which sits a little too rearward for my liking. It's a really nice model from BBR, but that nose just puts me off straight away, that and I think they could have done better on the rear wing.
Score: 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK343

There are a fair few variations to feature, the first being from the Australian GP, with nicely sculpted 3D gills on the sidepod.

Tameo TMK347CHI

By the Chinese GP, the sidepods now had a chimney rather than gills and the tobacco sponsorship on the airbox is much neater.

Tameo TMK347

And finally I wanted to feature the Japanese GP version but is essentially the same as the Chinese GP spec. The proportions on this model are superb, and the refined details are lovely. The detail on the rear wing is superb to me, with the separate elements and the curved edges are vey well done. The bargeboards are nicely defined and very neat, the exhaust area is beautifully recreated. The cockpit is outstanding, this is a real triumph of a model.
Score: 10/10