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43rd and More - Kit reviews by Wayne Moyer Archive Edition |
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43rd and More - Kit reviews by Wayne Moyer Archive Edition |
Showcase Review:
1998 BMW V-12 Le Mans - From Minichamps for BMW Motorsport
by Wayne E. Moyer
This is one of those diecast models that makes me wonder why I keep building 1/43 scale kits. It's dead accurate in all respects, beautifully finished, and with better graphics than I could apply. But then, what else would you expect from a model made by Minichamps especially for BMW?
While American companies continue to haggle about "license fees" with model manufacturers, many European companies, and especially the German ones, have 1/43 scale diecast models made as "promos", or for sale through their dealerships and catalogs. Usually the first run, in unique colors or markings, is made for sale by the auto company while subsequent production batches (if any) in different colors and/or race schemes, go to the normal hobby outlets. Since the model manufacturer has access to factory drawings, photos, and the cars themselves, the "promos" and follow-on models are as accurate as German technology can make them.
This excellent little model represents the second team car (Winklehock/Cecotto/Martini) of BMW's 1998 Le Mans team, but the #1 car of team leader Hans Stuck is also available. There are no mold lines at all on the diecast body and all panel lines, louvers, and scoops are crisp and clean. Its base white paint is especially smooth and glossy; no orange peel or hint of surface roughness anywhere. But the hot-printed graphics really make this model. Notice how the dark blue side panels "fade" into lighter blue; the same authentic fading is done with the "checkerboard" on the cowling. Only the panels on top of the rear fenders look like decals-- there's absolutely no decal film anyplace else and everything is perfectly aligned.
All that "blueprint" engine/suspension/exhaust detail is literally perfect, too. Even the gauge layout on the dash matches photos, while the asymmetric steering wheel and white seat with painted blue belts is equally correct. Painting the electronics boxes molded on the left side of the cockpit, along with the associated wiring bundles, would add even more realism.
Although the wheels and tires aren't eye-grabbing, close inspection shows the wheels are very delicately molded and correct in every detail. There are brake disks, complete with neatly painted calipers, behind them and the rubber tires have tiny but legible "Michelin Pilot SX" sidewall logos. Lights, front and rear, are molded in the appropriate color plastic (no printed/painted lenses here!) and there's transaxle and rear suspension detail molded in relief on the black rear bulkhead.
There are some excellent color photos of this car in the 1998 issue of Modelisme and the model matches them in every respect. Scalewise, major dimensions are exactly (as in 0.00" error) 1/43 scale! It just doesn't get much better than this. If you don't happen to have a BMW dealer nearby, the only other source I know for these excellent German promotional models is Dellergo Import & Export, 3653 Bunker Hill St. N.W., Massillon, OH 44646 (PH/FAX: 330/477-8496) who has the '98 BMW V-12 Le Mans for $45.00 plus shipping.
Contact Wayne at mailto:wmoyer@infinet.com
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