1/43 Model Review: 1986 World Champion Alain Prost (McLaren MP4/2C TAG)

Background

The MP4/2 had already won the previous two years' championships and with the updated MP4/2C, and ex-champion Keke Rosberg joined Prost at McLaren. Rosberg struggled with the setup and running out of fuel however, whilst the Williams team were now the team to beat. Prost cleverly took big points finishes whilst Piquet and Mansell took points off each other in their own battle. Coming to Australia, Mansell was 7 points ahead of Prost, with Piquet a further 2 behind. Rosberg stormed in front, but a puncture on lap 62 caused him to retire. Mansell dramatically suffered the same fate as Rosberg and Prost went on to win the race and his second Drivers' World Championship.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530864301

Like the other MP4/2 cars by Minichamps, this is quite an early edition which is number 42 in the McLaren Collection. For its time, I think this is a lovely model. 

Minichamps 436860001

The car was re-released as part of the World Champions Collection and comes with some revised parts. Most of the changes look great, but to me, the rear wing seems to be placed much further back and that doesn't look quite right to me. Though it lacks some of the fine details of some of the newer models, it is still a nice model in its own right.

Score: 7/10

Solido

Solido 14003

I'm quite impressed with this Solido car, and it's very reasonably priced too. It's comparable in quality to the Minichamps version and, though it doesn't come with a driver figure, it does have quite nice cockpit details. 

Score: 7/10

Altaya/RBA

As you'd expect with the RBA cars, these are low budget, low detail cars, so it's never really going to get particularly good scores. It's recognisable enough, but it looks more like a toy than a model. 

Score: 5/10

Spark

Spark Mc-ES-1622-06

This McLaren is part of the 50th Anniversary collection from Spark from the Japanese Euro Sports store. Like the 1985 version, there are only 200 of these made, so these are pretty rare or very expensive. Spark have done a great job on this car. Again the shape is simple but the details in the cockpit, the brakes and at the rear of the car are all beautifully done. The driver figure is good, and the helmet is OK, but I'm still not a fan of the visor. 

Score: 9/10

1/43 Model Review: 1985 World Champion Alain Prost (McLaren MP4/2B TAG)

Background

The MP4/2 was used to dominate the 1984 season with Lauda winning the Drivers' title by half a point from team-mate Prost. In 1985, in an updated MP4/2B, along with the same engine supplier and the same drivers, it promised to be another great season. It would be Prost who would prevail, but not without competition from Alboreto's Ferrari. Prost, the nearly man for so many years, would earn his first of four titles, with 5 wins, and the team their second straight Constructors' crown.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530854302

This is the 22nd edition of the McLaren Collectors edition. To date, this is the only model that Minichamps has released of this car, no World Champions Collector's edition yet. As with the other MP4/2 cars, it was made quite early on, and though basic, it was pretty accurate, just lacking in some of the finer details.
Score: 7/10

Solido

Solido 14002

Solido have made a couple of 1/43 F1 cars. This is of comparable standard to the early Minichamps offering. I like the 3D grills on the top of the sidepod and the brake ducts, but it does lack a driver figure. A nice effort on this model.
Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection / IXO

The Formula 1 Car Collection version of the 1985 car is quite a respectable one. It's when you get down to some of the details that you appreciate the higher quality and care taken by Solido to make their model a bit better overall.
Score: 6/10

Spark

Spark Mc-ES-1622-05

This model was sold only in Japan on “Euro Sports” as part of the “McLaren Team 50th anniversary” set and only 200 of these exist. As you'd expect, this was sold out quickly and resale prices are super high. The model itself is of great quality as you'd expect from Spark, and there's no major errors on it really. 

Score: 8/10

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