1/43 2019 Bburago Models

Bburago continue to produce their low-budget models/toys, a strange blend of detail and the ability to play with it without hurting yourself or your child eating any bits off it. Adding to the Ferrari cars, comes the Mercedes and the Red Bull versions. As much as I critique models on this blog, I'm glad there's a variety of detail, and more importantly budget. It's not like Bburago have the monopoly to make models of these cars, so I'm all for that. 

2019 Mercedes W11

Bburago BU38036-BOT

First up, we have the Mercedes. Ignoring that the front wing is drooping down at the front edge, they've done a great job in capturing the essence of the W11 shape, from the rounded nose tip, the cape, the high front suspension, the bargeboards and sidepod opening, a great halo and rear wing. There are dimples all over it, on the rear wing endplates, bargeboards, and floor owing to some of the detail on the real cars.

The nose horns have been trimmed and the mirrors point in a slightly random upward position. On this particular model, the engine cover doesn't seem to be on properly, but that's just this particular Bottas model rather than a common issue, as you can see on the Hamilton version below, it fits much better.

I like what they've done with the rear end. They play to their strengths, in that the detailed areas are in dark carbon, so you can't really see the detail on the real car as it's zooming by on your screens, but the general shape is excellently done on the bargeboards and the floor. 

Bburago BU38036-HAM

What impresses me most is the livery, I really like it and it elevates the whole model for me. Thinking back to the mid-90s when I was buying budget Onyx models, with their decals peeling off, the comparatively simple liveries applied wonkily, these liveries have a precision about them that impresses me. My slight nit-pick is that they could have painted the inside of the airbox black. 

Score: 6/10 

2019 Red Bull RB15

Bburago BU38139-VERS

The Red Bulls have tended to start the year with relatively simple and uncomplicated aerodynamics, but compare that to the end of the season, it's usually very highly developed. And that trend is true in its performance, in general, they are more competitive at the end of the year, sneaking a few victories along the way, and 2019 was no exception. And so this model looks a lot more basic than the Ferrari and Mercedes models. Couple that with the dark matte finish, this looks the most toy-like of the three.  

Bburago BU38050

That's not to say that the car doesn't share some of the things I like about the Ferrari and Mercedes. The car has a good front wing, its unique nose, the little S duct outlet at the top of the monocoque, the boomerang on the bargeboards, and a nice rear end. Again the decals look great, nicely detailed, accurate, well applied. 

Score: 6/10 

Update of 1/43 Mercedes W10 (Minichamps)

Minichamps have released a US GP version of the same model, commemorating when Lewis drove into a painted spot at the end of the GP reserved for the 2019 World Champion. This means the car is facing the other way in the box.

Minichamps 417191844

Having bought both models, I thought it would be a good opportunity to compare both cars in a bit more detail, both cars being diecast.

From the front of the car, there's not really any noticeable change, other than the front wing endplates which you can't quite tell from this angle. There is a change to the winglets in around the bargeboard area, but we'll consider that later.

Moving to the back of the car, and I know it's been three years now, but I still love the wider rear tyres. Mercedes have very high rear suspension mounts as they do on the front, with the driveshaft covered in a wing shaped cover reminiscent of the Williams FW16. It's great to see even at this scale, the detail that goes into the rear brake ducts and all the tiny wings they squeeze in there. In terms of the two models, I can't really find any differences to spot.

Another area of highly intricate details is the bargeboard region in front of the sidepods. Reduced in size that they're able to develop, hasn't stopped the complexity, with teams managing to get their boomerang wings in. The main difference is on top of the sidepod, with the winglet not connected to the vertical outboard vane, although all the vertical vanes have changed slightly. The new version cleverly incorporates the mirrors, which are vented, hence the increased black region. It's still great to see the winglet on the halo get such good definition, and the different number of gills on the side of the cockpit which is race specific.

The final comparison is from a kind of T-Cam position. I like how the model has the saw-tooth shaped visors in front of the cockpit, and the models feature an accurate steering wheel shape with nice stickers on. As noted above, the US GP car makes an attempt at the vented mirrors.

1/43 Model Review: 2019 Mercedes W10 (Minichamps)

Hot on the heels of the Spark release of the Mercedes W10, or the Mercedes AMG Petronas W10 EQ Power+ to give it's full title, Minichamps have released their model. It's not a resin model, so it won't be as detailed as their resin cars, but let's delve into the review.

Minichamps 410190077

Spark S6072

Now to compare it to the Spark model, and I think the difference in the finish on the silver in particular is better on the Minichamps car. The blend from silver to black on the engine cover is quite different, I think Minichamps have a better blend and better shaped blend, but there is a bit too much black in my opinion. I complained a bit about the length of the nose on the Spark car, whereas Minichamps have produced a car of similar length, but the endplate on the front wing is a little larger, and for me that looks better proportionally.

It's hard to spot any real differences between the two models, I think Spark have a better treatment of the pitot tube, but that is clutching at straws. The bargeboard area I can't see well enough in these shots to have a proper opinion, but I do have the Minichamps car on order. It appears Spark has more refined detail on the floor, but then I do prefer the Minichamps helmets. The rear wing on the Minichamps car has some very dark edges, I think that's a bit over emphasised, and I prefer Spark's more subtle approach. I like how both models include the sensor that hangs on the inner edge of the front wing endplates. 

Both rear wing endplates look almost identical, but the Spark does include the little opening just behind the halo, whilst the Minichamps have nice grills. This is an area that changes from race to race so I'll give both model makers the benefit of the doubt.

Without looking at the metal Minichamps car in detail, it's hard to find much difference between this and the Spark model, so I will have to give it the same score.
Score: 8/10

Race Specific Editions

Minichamps 417191844

Minichamps have released a US GP version of the same model, commemorating when Lewis drove into a painted spot at the end of the GP reserved for the 2019 World Champion. This means the car is facing the other way in the box.

Minichamps 417191877

Bottas also gets a model from the US GP as he took victory in the W10.

Minichamps 413190244

This is the Bahrain GP version, which only has a 219pcs limited edition run. 

Minichamps 417190344

This is the Chinese GP, an early season win for Lewis at the so called 1000th GP. You can see the early season version of the front and rear endplates as well as the bargeboards area. 

Minichamps 417190644

Minichamps 447190644

Lewis sported a Lauda red helmet, and the halo was coloured red, in tribute to the late Niki Lauda who was known to wear a red cap. Hamilton won ahead of Vettel who was also wearing a special Lauda helmet. There's a limited 500pcs tall box edition available.

Minichamps 417191044

Lewis won again at his home race and waved the Union Flag on the cooling down lap. The flag handily rests on top of the t-cam for additional support. 

Minichamps 417191144

It's rare to speak of a Mercedes flop, but with cars decked in a heritage livery, as well as team personnel in classic clothes, the race was a disaster, with Hamilton feeling under the weather too. To compound things, the Netflix documentary crew were there to film it all. Despite all that, this model looks great. 

Minichamps 410191746

Just as a bonus, we have a Mercedes W08 in the 2019 livery (which I think is my favourite livery of all this era of Mercedes), with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi sampling the car in a 'ride-swap' with Hamilton. 

1/43 Model Review: 2019 Mercedes W10 (Spark)

Mercedes came into the season thinking they were underdogs, but dominated by taking victories in the first eight races of the season. At one stage we were thinking they could finish first and second all season, and then maybe they could win them all. As the season progressed, there was no chance for Ferrari to catch up, and Bottas also faded away in his chase of the Drivers' title.

But in Austria, they couldn't get their tyres working properly, the first chink in the armour of a team operating at the top of their game this season. Then in Germany, an ill Hamilton made numerous mistakes and ended and Bottas crashing out the Grand Prix. After the summer break in Belgium and Italy, Ferrari made the most of their high speed power unit and low downforce car to narrowly take victory from the Mercedes who had better race pace and tyre management, but Ferrari shocked the world in Singapore by winning on a tight and twisty track, where they were so poor in Hungary. The title hasn't been won yet at the time of writing, and the season has produced some cracking races in the middle part of the season, we hope the more competitive 2nd half of the year.

Spark have released their Mercedes models, with both Bottas model based on the Australian GP which he won, and Hamilton who won the so-called 1000th race at the Chinese Grand Prix, the model featuring the winning trophy.

Spark S6072

Spark S6071

With Ferrari and Red Bull having gone down the matte paint route to save weight, it's interesting that Mercedes have reduced their blue swoop to a single line for a similar reason. The addition of the transition from silver to black with the tiny Mercedes logos is something I really like, and it's recreated nicely on this model. For me the nose is just a little too long. The front wing on the real car also sits quite a way forward from the front wheel, but I think Spark have exaggerated the gap a little too much.

So far in 2019, I've been impressed by Spark's latest generation of cars and the comparisons with Minichamps have been pretty on-par, the differences being on the colour of the paint or the quality of the decals. There's also a difference in the driver model and helmet too. The front wing is really nicely done, good definition to each element of the front wing and the simplified endplates for the 2019 rules also features their curved slot gap on the top trailing edge. Mercedes have tweaked their cape for this season, and how it integrates with the tip of the nose and is nicely modelled on this Spark model. There's good definition on the sidepods, with that aggressive triangular shape forcing the air down towards the floor. The floor has good details on it, include the little EQ Power decal, with nice slot gaps, turning vanes and contours.

From other angles you can see the high mounted front suspension that Mercedes have been perfecting the last few years, including the deliberately off-centre mounting points that mechanically lower the front of the car on turn in. The bargeboards are also nicely modelled,  as is the rear end, they've done a good job on that rear endplate. The halo also includes the additional fin along the top, and the opening at the rear of it along with the grills, all good details. There's also some nice detail on the rims of the car.

This is a good solid model from Spark of the Mercedes. I was going to drop it down a mark because of the length of the nose, but there are other redeeming features on the rest of the car for me to give this car a higher score of 8.
Score: 8/10

Spark S6087

Spark have released the Monaco GP version with a tribute to Niki Lauda with the red halo and updated front wing endplates.

Spark S6089

We also get a British GP victory of Hamilton's car, which features his arm raised and holding a rather twisted Union Flag. 

Spark S6092

The German GP livery looked fantastic, even though the Grand Prix for the team was a disaster. The front end of the car is white, as the Mercedes cars were pre-war years, and even the team dressed up in novelty pre-war costumes. Still a great model, and yes, I love a bit of wet tyre. 

Spark S6099

This is Spark's US GP version where Lewis clinched the Championship. Like the Minichamps base, it has the words written in the pitlane where Hamilton parked his car. It also comes with various pitboards and trophies in Spark's large box. 

1/43 Model Review: 2012 World Champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8 Renault)

Background

Having had the quickest car in the field since the middle of 2009, the RB8 did not start the season as the quickest, being hurt by rule changes that banned exhaust blown diffusers of which the previous cars were heavily designed around. Vettel still won at Bahrain and scored strong points finishes as seven different winners won the first seven races.

In Valencia, Red Bull brought an upgrade package that saw him dominate only for an alternator failure to occur just after a safety car period causing him to retire from the lead. It wouldn't be until Singapore that Vettel would have the strongest car again, when designer Adrian Newey and his team perfeced the Coanda effect, which used exhaust gases to gain more downforce. Vettel delivered four wins in a row, reminiscent of the previous season.

Vettel had the lead of the championship going into the season finale at Brazil. With changeable conditions, he was caught out with a crash with Bruno Senna's Williams, and the RB8 was lucky to continue, so the race swung to Alonso's favour and then Vettel's and so swung between the two as the laps went on. But despite Alonso finishing second, Vettel did just enough to clinch the championship by 3 points. It is his third championship in a row, becoming the youngest triple World Champion, and demonstrated once more what a great racing driver he is.

Minichamps

Minichamps 410120001

For 2012, there were not a huge amount of track specific RB8's to choose from, the above being the standard model, and below the Brazilian GP version. The standard car is based on the early season, with the stepped nose and the early version of the coanda effect exhaust. Again, another nice metal model from Minichamps.

Minichamps 410120101

The Brazilian car features all the up to date specification changes to the car, with nose cameras on the tip of the nose, a slightly different front wing, new rear wing endplates and updated exhausts. But the best thing about the car, besides the intermediate tyres, is the damage to the floor near the exhaust area, with a big chunk of the floor missing and some bodywork damage exposing the metallic exhaust.

Minichamps 413120201

There is this limited edition tall box version of the Japanese GP and features the late season changes to the shape as discussed on the Brazilian GP version, but obviously without the damage.
Score: 8/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK407

This is the early season Bahrain GP version from the beginning of the season. Another fantastic shape from Tameo, a lovely sheek shape, lovely detail on the rear endplate with the slot gaps. Fantastic work again from Tameo.

Tameo TMK 408

This is the Monaco GP version, which is very similar to the Bahrain car.

Tameo TMB011/TMK411

And finally we have the Brazilian GP version, though there's no attempt at the damage incurred on lap 1, but again we get the car updates from the early season car. 

Score: 9/10

1/43 Model Review: 2011 World Champion: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing RB7 Renault)

Background

Sebastien Vettel in the Adrian Newey designed Red Bull RB7 with exhaust blown diffuser powered him to a dominant second consecutive World Drivers' Championship and Constructors' Title for the team. He scored podium finishes in 17 of the 19 races, winning 11 of them. Mastering the best out of the new Pirelli tyres, he took 15 Pole Positions, led from the start and controlled the race to victory. This is the second of his four consecutive titles to date. 

Minichamps

Minichamps 410110001

The standard model is of your usual Minichamps standard, although it has a slightly ill-fitting engine cover (prevalent on all models). Judging by the helmet, this is based on the Turkish GP, though I can't discernibly see any other difference. I like the tyre shape, with a slight change from the Bridgestones that we have been so accustomed to seeing. There's a nice amount of effort putting the exhaust on the floor of the car.

Minichamps 410110101

The Malaysian GP model, of what I can see, has a different helmet decal in a time when Vettel ran different helmets almost every race, and almost a different helmet for each session. We'd already witnessed a pole to lights victory in Australia, and this was yet another repeat of the same formula in Malaysia.

Minichamps 410110201

This is the Turkish GP version, the fourth race of the year and, you've guessed it, pole position, good start and the inevitable victory extending his lead in the Championship.

Minichamps 410110301

The last of the standard Minichamps models and it's from the end of season Japanese GP where Vettel clinched the Championship with four races to spare. His only mathematical rival, Button in the McLaren, started alongside pole-sitter Vettel, and Jenson managed to win the Grand Prix, with Alonso second, but Vettel only needed one more point to secure the Championship and hence we have a Japanese GP version. The car has updated rear wing endplates, new front rims and the Seven-Eleven logos added.

Minichamps 413110401

There was also a Monaco GP car in a standard tall box, where predictably Vettel had pole and won the race.

Minichamps 413110601

There is another Monaco GP version in an alternative tall box.

Minichamps 413110501

And finally there was a small run of Spanish GP with a standing figure exclusive to some German modelshops.
Score: 7/10

The RB7 is still frequently used as the team's show car, and Verstappen used it in a snow run demonstration, and there were a couple of versions of the model available, the one pictured coming in a large presenation box as part of the Max Verstappen Collection. I love the steel chains around the wet tyres, incredible detail, and the one-off decals on the sidepod look great, advertising the Red Bull owned Austrian GP.

Potamo

Potamo is a new model kit brand to me, but this model is beautifully made. The selection of blue is a bit disappointing and the decals look like they've gone through the wash, a little bit faded. But the shape is fantastic, lovely fine details throughout the car.
Score: 8/10

1/43 Model Review: 1969 Matra MS10 Jackie Stewart Review (Spark)

Background

Jackie Stewart won his first of three World Championships for Matra International, a non-works team ran by Ken Tyrrell. The opening race was won in the MS10 which had already earned three victories in 1968 and won in South Africa in 1969. For the majority of the rest of the year, the MS80 was used. The MS80 ran with the fuel tank to the sides of the driver in sidepods. High mounted wings were banned early in the season due to safety concerns. Stewart won 5 GPs in the MS80, and the Matra is the only car, other than Ferrari, to have won a Championship having not been built in the UK. Jacky Ickx was competitive in the second half of the year in the Brabham, substituting for an injured Jack Brabham, but Stewart's points tally was too much to overcome.

The MS84 was Matra's attempt at 4 Wheel Drive, but Stewart never raced it as it was overweight and difficult to handle. 

Spark S7183

I'm aiming to have owned a World Championship car for every Formula 1 Season, but the 1969 car had always been a Quartzo car of the MS80. Spark have released the Matra MS10, albeit the old car used only for the first race of the season, but I wanted to tick that off my wish list. 

I was really happy with the model when I received it, it was much more impressive than I expected. Another thing I always wanted a model of was with the early and primitive wings, bolted high over the car, directly onto the suspension. 

The cars proportions are nicely recreated, though it isn't the most complex of shapes overall, but it's all the attention to detail that I love about it, from the rivot joints, to the piping along the bottom of the car, it just all makes this a really nice model.

The mirrors are not an after-thought, but carefully modelled with a nice chrome paint. The driver figure is nice, and for a change, I really like the Spark helmet. It's a half helmet with a 3D transparent visor, with Stewart's face under a balaclava nicely modelled. 

Another shot into the cockpit shows a nice steering wheel and dashboard, as well as a good windshield and nicely shaped monocoque.

Moving onto the engine and you can see the detail of the pistons are individually made, twisting around metal rods. Then engine is clearly defined and the cylinder covers look great.

The Cosworth DFV engine from another perspective shows some nice modelling. The extra wing supports is a nice touch.

The rear exhaust area is nicely done, with the red cylinder attached at the top. There's nice detail on the main driveshaft and it all looks fantastic to me.

There's care and attention to detail all over this car, with the wing supports showing nice detail. 

Score: 9/10