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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 |
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on a link to order a model or
the logo to see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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 The
pink and white Joest entered machine that finished 3rd in 1989 has
been reasonably well captured here. The general shape is very good,
as are the moulded in fine
details and the layout of the sponsorship. Painting is a simple pink finish as
all of the grey and white sections are included on the decals, but care will
be needed choosing the shade of pink. The decal on the side of the car should
match the body colour but it is a little dark. The hand built is in what looks
like the right shade so there is a contrast between the two. The choice is yours,
either match the decal or use the paler body colour.For the 2005 Le Mans cars we will once again hand you over to Ron Peggs who has built them already. |
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 Chevrolet
were class winners again, helped of course by the rule changes that
affected the Saleens (they didn't even bother to enter)
and the Ferraris but the sight and sound of them going head to head
with Aston Martin was a great spectacle. What have we here then?
Certainly a fine model featuring a novel solution to modelling the
rear venturi, which also locates the rear wheels. Because of the
dual option of either Sebring or Le Mans, we get a separate A4 sheet
with details of the building process. After fixing the venturi slats
we are left with minimal p/e parts, but Automodelisme (AUTO2005)
will be useful for placing of part 'L' and the smaller white metal
pieces. The resin wheels on metal backings are as those on the Audis
and simple decals finish off another fine model. |
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 The
same comments apply to this one as to the Champion Audis last time,
so it's missing the slots in the sides and the wheels are a
little fiddly to clean up. The decals are superb in this one and
there are minimal p/e parts. It is well worth seeking out the special
Audi blue (I used VW/Audi Print Blue LZ5F ref 1WBGB) and you will
need to mix a little red to match the headrest and mirrors to the
decals (I also chose to paint the nose). Good one PMA. |
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Every now and again we have a model subject with a real wow factor
and this is one of them, the long awaited return of Aston Martin
to Le Mans. A large p/e sheet heralds the special effort that has
gone into creating this model and the body has many openings for
which the p/e grilles fit perfectly. A nicely detailed cockpit has
lots of decals (many of which I can't find locations for!) and I
did have a few problems with the very nice roll cage, so beware this
needs time and patience. Good white metal parts have been provided
for the rear lighting panel. Finally a decal sheet with carbon fibre
panels rounds off a very fine miniature. A small niggle has emerged
with the wheels which would be oversized in diameter and not wide
enough. However, what has been provided fills the wheel arches well
giving a satisfactory appearance. Now all we need from PMA are the
Sebring cars which won their class and the fabulous looking blue
Cirtek car. The latter has just been announced (PMA0083) -
Ed. It is also worth noting that the colour reference in this kit
is causing
a few collectors problems. The colour which Ron used was ICI 90-005
ref CS41B and it looks spot on to us. |
|
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or the logo to see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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 Nothing
much new here apart from the livery, we have seen the base kit with
the 2004 cars, but it keeps the Luc Alphand story going.
Note when placing the dashboard to offer this up to the body. There
is a slot in the base of it but when fixed to the cross-member on
the base plate the dashboard is too far back from the window. |
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 Pretty
much the same comments apply as above but as is so often the case
I have changed the wheels to Renaissance (RENA058). Note that
although PMA give a paint reference for the red portions of the car
it is more important to match them to the red of the Flying Lizard
on the decal sheet. Again Automodelisme (AUTO2005) will be very helpful
to enable you to place the Flying Lizard head decals. |
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 One
of the most attractive cars on this year's grid and modelled well
by PMA from their familiar Dome base kit with updated photo-etch.
The white metal wheel inserts capture the different styles of wheel
used front and rear. A couple of notes when building, firstly only
two strakes are provided for the rear venturi, though the base has
slots for four, I have used the inner positions. Secondly, you will
need to adjust the rear inner wheel arches otherwise the rear tyres
protrude slightly. Also note that you must fit parts D & M after
screwing the body to the base. Finally, you will need a copy of Automodelisme
as PMA have made the odd positional mistake with the red dots. |
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 The
small French manufacturer Tracta was financed by Pierre Fenaile,
a petro-chemicals magnate, and the cars were designed by Jean -Albert
Gregoire who later went to Hotchkiss. Gregoire's design was the first
successful production front wheel drive car and the combination of
FWD and sliding pillar independent suspension allowed the cars to
be very low. Despite only having 1100 c.c engines they did well at
Le Mans for several years and in 1929 & 1930 won the 750 - 1100
c.c class. The models feature plenty of fine detail and the rear
of the cars look very good. The front is not quite so accurate as
the bonnet line slopes too much when viewed from the side and the
grille is therefore too shallow. Unless you have the model and photos
of the real thing in front of you, you won't notice this and it's
a shame because the models look very pretty. |
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