1/43 Model Review: 2019 Red Bull Racing RB15 Minichamps

Dr. Helmut Marko predicted that Red Bull would win 3 races in 2019 in their first year partnership with Honda, and that is exactly what they achieved, though he would argue they could have won more. Max won brilliantly in Austria, and then in a rain soaked chaotic race in Germany, and a brilliant head-to-head victory against Hamilton in Brazil, somewhat payback for losing out on victory in Hungary where Hamilton passed him on fresher tyres near the end of the race. Verstappen had a few off races, colliding with Raikkonen twice in Belgium. In Italy he started from the back and knocked his front wing, and eventually finished 8th, and he was punted off in Japan by Leclerc. Verstappen truly established himself as a credible title challenger if his car was competitive throughout the year, something they hope will be the case in 2020.

New team-mate Albon drove the second half of the year, and had a slightly easier task of a more developed RB15 than Gasly had. He seemed to do a lot of come-back drives, showing potential and good overtaking. It remains to be seen if he can get closer to Max in 2020, but he was unlucky to be punted off a podium finish in Brazil by a rare mistake from Hamilton.

Minichamps released their version of the early season car with Max and Pierre in respectively.

Minichamps 410190033

Personally, I think the matte paintwork on the Minichamps model is spot on, I don't think the Spark model is quite as good. The only other bigger difference between this and the Spark model is the size of the airbox above the driver's head, the Minichamps one being much larger and for me more accurate.

Minichamps 410190010

A great effort from Minichamps in my opinion, these newer models are fantastic.
Score: 8/10

Verstappen Collection Models

Whilst Spark have been releasing a number of special versions, the Max Verstappen shop have released two versions already, one based on the Australian GP, which is the same as the standard model, albeit with different tyres, and they have done a pre-season shakedown livery which sold out almost instantly.

Minichamps 4131999333 Max Verstappen Collection No. 40

Minichamps 413190133 Max Verstappen Collection No. 42

Minichamps 413190933 Max Verstappen Collection No. 44

Minichamps 413191133 Max Verstappen Collection No.45

Update 2 of 1/43 Model Review: 1994 Ligier JS39B Renault

Well I couldn't help myself to some new 1994 models, and with Spark and Minichamps both releasing the 1994 Ligier, when Schumacher tested the car, I couldn't resist getting them both, taking some pics and comparing the two. If you want to see my other posts about this model and my GP4 car, then you can see the articles here.

Spark

Minichamps

It's nice how Spark have put on most of the tobacco decals leaving just a little bit to finish off, but both cars come with the decals to update the cars, not that I trust myself, particularly when these models are so expensive when new now. Almost immediately, playing spot the difference, there are quite a few to spot and from the wide shot, there's quite a few differences in proportions.

You don't get the difference in the modern models, as I believe they get geometric data from the teams, which is why the quality and proportions are very accurate. I can only assume they don't have that data for these models. As noted in other reviews, the front wing is massive on the Minichamps model, but what is there is a lot more refined. There is also much more curvature on the Minichamps model, which I think is a bit more realistic. The rollover bar and sidepods are very basic and quite similar on both models, the only real difference is right at the back of the engine cover, there is a square cut out of the Spark model to allow for the rear wing supports.

Spark

Minichamps

Spark have done some more squat mirrors, which I think over exaggerates the real car a little bit. Bot cars model the round cockpit well, but the Minichamps driver figure and seat fit into it better. Though I prefer the Minichamps helmets, they clearly didn't look at photos of the test as Schumacher ran an early season version of his helmet without the red 'wings' and elf logo. In terms of the overalls, Spark seem to have created some Ligier colours with Benetton logos, odd. On that front, I much prefer Minichamps. 

Spark

Minichamps

The Spark front wing looks so boxy, and the endplate doesn't quite have the unique contours, which I think Minichamps does a lot better in capturing (if it wasn't for the fact that it's huge!). Again the Minichamps wheels and rims are for me much better proportionally speaking. 

Spark

Minichamps

I do prefer the Minichamps suspension, just the points where it attaches to the chassis is much more accurate. However in terms of the lumps and bumps on the monocoque, Spark do seem to have them more prominantly.

Spark

Minichamps

I remember when I was doing the GP4 car that the rear of the engine cover around the Renault logo was not easy, but both manufacturers have done it well, but as I said earlier, the Spark version does have a better trailing edge. Notice the great difference in depth of the main rear wing plain, the Spark car running a particularly low downforce configuration. 

Spark

Minichamps

It's clearer from the above angle the rear wing differences. The bigger difference is in the diffusers, with Spark sporting the early season diffuser whilst Minichamps have produce the end of season version. 

Spark

Minichamps

My, the front wing is huge on the Minichamps car, did I mention that already? Minichamps have added a visor, which is a nice touch, whilst Spark have painted it in the colours of the chassis. The steering wheels are fairly standard and dull, but I prefer Spark's aerials and pitot tubes. 

1/43 Model Review: 2019 Renault RS19 (Minichamps)

2019 is now over, and Hulkenberg is a former F1 driver after a pretty anonymous year, but that was probably more down to Renault's dip in form compared to the previous year when Nico was a constant best of the rest. Ricciardo showed more highlights, becoming more confident in wheel to wheel battles, but he still doesn't look as comfortable on the brakes as his Red Bull days.

The team were disqualified from the Japanese GP for their automatic brake balance management system.

The team finished in fifth place, with their best finish at the Italian GP when Ricciardo lead Hulkenberg to a 4 - 5 finish. The disappointing season lead to a change in the leadership of the design team.

Minichamps have released a limited edition run of Ricciardo's car from the Bahrain GP.

Minichamps 447190003

I think this is a brilliant little model, I prefer it to the Spark model. I think the Spark model if you inspect its separate elements looks nice, but when you bring it altogether, just ever so slightly looks disjointed. I think the airbox on the Minichamps model looks slightly bulkier which I think is more accurate to the car.

I think the car looked particularly good on the dark track under the floodlights, and I think this is a lovely model.
Score: 8/10

Minichamps 417190003

Minichamps 417190027

1/43 Model Review: 1997 Ferrari F310B

Background

When Schumacher joined Ferrari, he declared he would win 3 races in 1996 and challenge for the Championship in 1997, which he fulfilled. The season began with the Williams taking an early lead, but by mid-season, Schumacher fought his way up to lead the battle and carried a one point advantage to the final race at Jerez, the European GP for that season. Schumacher's car developed a cooling leak whilst leading, and Villeneuve eagerly wanted to pounce straight after the pitstop. Famously, as Villeneuve passed down the inside, Schumacher swiped at the Williams, but rebounded off into the gravel trap, as the Canadian brought the car home to claim his only Championship. Schumacher, however, was disqualified from the Championship for this move, though the team kept the points. Despite the costly momentary lapse, this was an impressive season from the German with five wins in total, including fine wet drives to victory at Monaco and Spa stand out to me in particular.

Irvine in his second year with Ferrari, partnered Schumacher in the last of the John Barnard designed Ferrari's. Irvine drove a better year than his first, chasing Villeneuve hard to second place in Argentina, and would have gifted a win to his team-mate at the Japanese Grand Prix to help him fight for the championship. Ferrari finished 2nd in that year's Constructors' Championship.

Minichamps

Minichamps 510974305

Minichamps 430970006

Though this Ferrari is dubbed the B spec version of the F310 from 1996, it bears very little resemblance to the 'truck'. Much more refined shape, much less bulky, much more conventional aerodynamics from the outside made this car quite a nice looking car. Sadly this was the first Marlboro red car, departing from the traditional scarlet red, which takes away from the beauty of this car for me.

Minichamps produced another nice model of this car, featuring two shape variants, well different rear wings at least. There are French GP variants of the non-tobacco livery, and the barcode version ran at other races.
Score: 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK430

I've found two versions from Tameo, this one above is based on the car that won the Monaco GP, with rain tyres. Tameo have done another excellent job in recreating this car, from the intricate shape of the front wing end plates, to the cockpit and the extra rear wing elements, this is another find model.

Tameo TMK349

The other version is based on the Japanese GP, which comes with removable engine cover, showing some nice detail underneath of the engine, radiators, gearbox and rear suspension assembly. They've updated the airbox which is a nice detail, as well as a more boxy shaped front wing endplate, and of course the rear wing. A fabulous model.
Score: 9/10

GP4: 1994 Williams FW16B Renault WIP update 5

Well, I think I'm finished with the Williams FW16B based on the Australian GP in terms of shaping now, so just to update you on the last couple of changes I've made. 

I've updated the top part of my old 2D seatbelt, and made it much thicker, as it had quite a bit of padding around the shoulder area. Back when the cockpits were more exposed and you could see more of the driver, I felt it deserved something a bit more substantial, fitted around my driver figure. 

I mentioned last time about the inside of the sidepod without taking a screenshot where you can see it, so here it is. I took quite a lot of photos of the car when it was still at the Donington Park museum just before it closed, and it revealed to me this unconventional layout.

As I mentioned last time, I've completely reworked the rear of the engine cover. There's quite a few changes in gradient, some gentle humps, and it's not easy to see when a lot of it is white. If you look at photos, the Renault logo is slightly distorted as the engine cover is shrink wrapped around the internals. I think if I was to start this area again, I could get it to look a bit smoother, but this looks OK to me.

Finally, you can see a slightly different angle of the rear of the engine cover. I've added a fuel cap, on the right hand side of the car for the Australian GP, and you can see the extinguisher handle.

So that's it, after almost a year, the car is complete and here's some final shots of the car. This is by far the most detailed shape I've created to date, and there were areas where I held back a bit (just so that it will run in GP4). I would add the camera in front of the cockpit and a coil to fit behind the steering wheel, but I personally am not going to miss them. I'd also redo the mirrors, but these ones will suffice for now. Anyway, I hope you like it and I hope you enjoyed the journey with me. Drop my a line if you want to contribute to me making my 3D cars.

Now I have a back log of cars to map before I get too tempted to start my next car.

GP4: 1994 Williams FW16B Renault WIP update 4

I've been quite busy over the past few months, but I've been doing little bits here and there on the Williams FW16B. There's still a fair bit left to do, but it's coming together quite nicely.

Not too much has changed from the front view, other than adding some onboard cameras, the mirrors have been slightly tweaked, and some work has been done on the inside of the sidepod. 

Taking off the nose cone and and you can see I've added quite a bit of detail onto the front of the monocoque. For GP4, this will have to be cut down in detail, but I quite enjoyed fitting some detail into this section of the car.

I've finished the barge boards, the number of supports seem a bit overkill to me, it was just more for me to model. 

A lot of work has been done on the cockpit and I've tried to keep it as accurate as possible. I've thrown a bit more polygons than my other 1994 cars to date, and I think it will look quite good when properly painted up. I aim to redo the seatbelts to better fit around my new driver body (from the 1995 Ferrari 412T2).

I've added the hole at the top of the rollover bar, and also added a small hole just behind the onboard camera, and on the other side, it's got the fire extinguisher hoop. Renault engined customers ran these extra inlets at the rear of the engine cover, and this carried over to the 1995 cars too. I still aim to redo the area around the rear light, it's going to be one of the last things I do on this car.

The rear suspension is complete. There's a lot less elements due to the unique rear suspension concept ran on the FW16B, where the top wishbones and the driveshaft are all encased in a wing- shaped cover.  This lowered the whole rear of the car, allowing them to run the unique anhedral lower rear wing. I've also added some body lines onto the sidepod. The rear end plate has been tweaked slightly since the last update.

Moving to the rear of the car and that's a lot more complete now. With the McLaren and Ligier, I already increased the detail around the gearbox area, but I went a little further with this car as there were clearer pictures to work from. You can see how it all integrates with the rear suspension, and you can see the exhaust on the bottom of the diffuser.

Here you can see the detail I've put in on how the rear suspension is mounted onto the gearbox casing and a selection of wires and detail have been added. Unfortunately all the detail comes at a cost and it pushes this car over the allowable polygon limit allowed for GP4, which is just over 65,000 polygons. I'm surprised I reached it so quickly, but I have been a bit more liberal with my polygon use on the detailed regions, whilst the car itself is fairly economical, certainly compared to models being created for more modern games.