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| Within the review pages we try to give a balanced 'first view'of new kits, hand-built models, books and videos. Our aim is not to set the world to rights but to give collectors who cannot visit GPM an idea of whether the models on offer are accurate and of good value. We also try to give a little background to the cars. Our aim above all is to try to ensure that when you receive a model or book or video through the post from GPM - that you know in advance whether it has any 'hidden'snags or problems | |||||||
Click on a link
to order a model or the logo to see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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If you
don't have the time to build Meri's superkit of the 126C2 this could
be a simpler option, though we're not quite sure why Tron have released
a kit of a subject they already make in another range. |
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| Presumably because
this is resin and the M-Models kit (SMM010) is metal? The lower half
of the resin body has a very pronounced mould line which will need
some fairly drastic (but simple) cleaning up. This flaw will be covered
by the p/e 'skirt' and the two halves of the body do at least fit
together well. A semi detailed engine is cast into the lower body
allowing a little scope for extra detailing and the additional white
metal and p/e parts for the suspension etc. are well detailed. A simple
exploded diagram clearly shows where everything goes and a couple
of colour photos, taken from the Meri 126C2 modelling guide, are included
to aid with decal placement. The kit offers either Pironi's winning
car or Villeneuve's 2nd placed machine. |
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| When we looked at the kit (TRO193P) of the German GP winning 126C3 in FSW 07/2002 we couldn¹t see any obvious flaws. We also said it would sit easily in any F1 collection. The factory built model certainly bears these feelings out, with a very good paint finish and finely applied p/e details (especially the front suspension). Merzario¹s Canadian GP in 1973 was interupted by a damaged front wing which necessitated an early pit stop to remove the nose. |   |
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| He was then sent out without the front bodywork and called back in once a cover plate could be fabricated from aluminium. Tron have captured this improvised bodywork superbly in p/e and the rest of the detailing is also excellent. Unfortunately on our review example there were one or two small blemishes in the paint on one side pod, which is unusual for Tron these days and we hope it is an isolated incident. An interesting subject that will add variety to those Ferrari F1 collections. | |||||||
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| With a name like Vanquish there is no disguising the fact that Aston Martin's 2001 model is a very serious performance car and it's jolly good to see 007 back behind the wheel of an Aston instead of the BMW's he has used recently! |  |
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| Piranha have captured the standard (if there is such a thing?) model very well in finely cast white metal. The shape and proportions are good and the parts dry fit well but it would have been nice to see pedals and seat belts in the otherwise well detailed interior. Very fine p/e parts are included to frame the (reasonably clear) vacformed side windows and for other small details such as the brakes and door handles. With care this will build a great looking model and the only problem we can see for modellers is how to fit the ejector seat and rocket launchers....... | |||||||
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Click on a link to order a model
or the logo to see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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| Renaissance have been promising
more privately entered versions of the Maserati 250F and this kit
offers two with linked histories. |
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| While the bodies appear to be identical the chassis weren¯t, the Bira car having a shorter wheelbase than the BRM owned Wharton machine. This variation works out to just over 1mm in scale so could be viewed as rivet counting. The race versions offered in the kit are French GP for Bira, who finished 4th and British GP for Wharton, who was 8th. During the British race Bira was feeling unwell and handed over his car to BRM reserve driver Ron Flockart, who promptly rolled it! The identities of the two cars were subsequently swapped as BRM gave Bira their nearly new car and repaired the damaged older machine for their own use. The body shape and decalling look to be pretty good for these early season cars and with the Bira car we are given the choice of two-tone painting or applying decals for the yellow sections of the Siamese prince¯s traditional livery. The instructions quote a darker shade of blue for the Wharton car, but we are sure this is incorrect. Our research suggests that the colour should be the traditional BRM dark metallic green which does not reproduce well in photographs. We have checked with some very reliable sources and this has been confirmed. However the only colour photo we have found (in Dennis Jenkinson¯s (The Maserati 250F) the car does look blue. | ||||||||||
| The Ferrari gave Ritchie Ginther his first taste of Le Mans, co-driving with Picard and the model is well finished in French blue. |  |
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| The placement of number roundels was very slightly off on our review sample and the p/e supports on the ends of the vac-formed windscreen should be a little more angled. These are small problems and the balance of the p/e details are very well applied, the decals have been carefully cut into the door openings and overall the shape is good. We expect that future models will be up to Renaissance¯s usual very high standard throughout. | ||||||||||
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| Arenaís very fine Audi Quattro
parts make another welcome appearance. The resin castings are (as
usual) crisp, with just a little flash to clean off, there is a wealth
of fine p/e including frames for the flat screen windows and the interior
detail should keep most modellers happy. At first glance we thought
the wrong decals were included in the Monte kit, but look closely,
and among all the 1981 liveries you will find Mikkolaís 4th placed
machine (this wasnít helped by the kit having the wrong decal placement
photo, now rectified!). |
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| The decals all appear to be present and correct and the small details of the bodywork have been captured very well. The same is true of the HB sponsored Safari kit but the wheels are very wide items with a lot of inset and low profile tyres. Proper narrow items really should have been included, but with the inserts being p/e it should be possible to rectify this with a raid on the spares box. Mikkola was again the driver and this time finished 3rd. | ||||||||||
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