Four Small Wheels8/2003 - models of the month

models - and book - of the month

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New 1:43rd metal kit

TMS007

Renault R23 Spain 2003

£46.75

Two current F1 cars that aren't red in as many issues? Things are looking up for F1 collectors. Things are looking pretty good for Renault too and it was only the combination of Schumacher and the new Ferrari that kept the latest F1 sensation, Fernando Alonso, off the top step of the podium for Renault. The kit is beautifully made with the majority of the parts supplied as very fine white metal castings, supplemented with a modest amount of p/e, turned wheel rims and rubber tyres. The decals are clearly printed and include all of the yellow and dark blue sections so there's no fiddly masking to worry about. The colour instruction sheet includes several photos of the real car for decal placement and a comprehensive guide to the colours needed. The end result will be a fine miniature of an attractive and increasingly competitive subject.

New 1:43rd limited edition resin hand builts

RAM012A	Alfa Romeo 1900SS Ghia Supergioiello	£184.20
RAM012B	Alfa Romeo 1900SS Ghia Rally 1955	£184.20

One of many bespoke bodies built on Alfa Romeo's short wheelbase 1900C chassis, Ghia's Supergioiello is unusual to say the least. It's also, we think, pretty attractive and Ralph Meiser at RaMei has done an excellent job of modelling it. The model checks out well against photos of the full sized car and the general standard of finish is very good. The location of the boot handle is slightly off-centre but otherwise the paint is good, there's a pleasing level of interior detail and the fine etched parts are carefully fitted.
We can find no reference to the Rally Dei Cinema anywhere but there is a photo of the real car in RaMei's catalogue and the model again checks out well. Each model is presented in a large display with a numbered brass identification plaque and Herr Meiser's signature. Just 66 pieces of the white car are being made and the metallic grey Rally dei Cinema version is even rarer with just 33 examples available. Beautiful models and a must for the serious Alfa collector.

New 1:12th resin & metal superkit

MGMP1214

Ferrari P4 Le Mans 1967 #21 1:12

£478.85

The casting quality in the P4 shows many improvements over the PB and the dry fit of the, reasonably thin, main body panels is good. We're used to seeing plenty of detail in these kits and this one doesn't disappoint. There are pins to use as rivets, springs for the suspension, very tightly wound springs for use as ducting, various grades and colours of wire, seat fabric, the list just goes on and on. That's in addition to loads of fine metal castings, turned wheel rims (already fitted with realistic tyres) and several large p/e sheets. The decals are well printed and don't have any obvious omissions and the end result will be a very impressive model indeed. When you consider how many hours of modelling pleasure this will provide it's great value.

Book of the month

ISBN1859609600

Formula 1 in Camera 1970-79
weight 1.7kg By Rainer Schlegelmilch & Paul Parker

£30.00

The face of Formula One changed more in the 1970's than in any other decade. As the machines were changing from the cigar tubes of the early 70s to the high-tech ground effect machines 10 years later, ace photographer Rainer Schlegelmilch was on hand to record it all. Over three hundred of Schlegelmilch's (if you think it's hard to pronounce try typing it!) superb colour shots are collected together here and the vast majority are previously unpublished. Paul Parker has added detailed captions and statistics as well as introductions to each year but it's the photos that speak loudest.

Whether the atmospheric pit-lane images or the spectacular action shots like the one on the cover alongside. Absolutely brilliant, a must for all F1 fans and a great potential source of colourful (if occasionally unsuccessful!) subjects for model manufacturers!