Four Small Wheels 10/2005 - Editor's choice

Editor’s choices - our favourites from this month’s new releases

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New 1:43rd resin & metal kit

PFL4305

Porsche 917K 1st Le Mans 1971

£81.50

The instructions in this kit are a little more comprehensive than those usual found in Profil's 1:24th kits and they jolly well need to be. This kit has one heck of a lot of detail. Readers may remember earlier high detail versions of the 917 from Profil and when these were released we were a little concerned about how dangerously thin some of the panels were. The doors and rear deck on this are still very fine but aren't transparent this time and we can't see any evidence of air bubbles in the castings which would be very difficult to deal with if present. The smaller castings for the engine and suspension parts are very well defined and there is a fair amount of photo-etching for the finishing touches. The decals are clearly printed and capture very well one of the most attractive liveries to ever decorate a race car. Not one for the beginner but the experienced modeller will be able to make a very good model indeed and it will make a fantastic centrepiece to any Le Mans, Porsche or Martini themed collection.

New 1:43rd resin & metal hand built

MRC168M

Lamborghini Countach King of Haiti

£129.20

Lamborghini models from MR Collection are hardly a new idea and we have seen a great many incarnations of the Countach from them over the last few years. We have never seen anything quite like this though! The car modelled was apparently built specially for the King of Haiti and he obviously felt that the Countach was far too discrete and subtle and needed to stand out a little more. The main body colour is a very attractive shade of metallic blue and this is highlighted with gold, lots of gold! The wheels, all of the vent work, the window frames, bumpers, wheel arch extensions and even the seats and windscreen wiper are gold in colour. MR Collection have modelled the car very well with crisp masking between the blue and gold, carefully fitted small details and an excellent paint finish. It may not be to everyone's taste but it certainly makes for a striking model and will add a splash of colour to any Lamborghini collection.

New 1:12th resin & metal kit

MGMP1231

Ferrari 312B3 Germany/Holland 1974 1:12. Also available MGMP1231MA & MGMP1231MB - builts

£465.85

The casting quality on these big MG kits can be a little variable and this is definitely one of the better ones. The larger resin parts are by no means perfect and there are a few bubbles to fill, but the panel thickness is pretty realistic and the cast in detail is excellent. The resin parts are complemented by a large number of smaller white metal castings and for final detailing there are several sheets of photo-etch, wires, mesh, various tubes, springs etc, etc, etc! The photos of the built model look superb and in the right hands this will make a very impressive model indeed. We can't wait to see a finished one.

New book

ISBN1903706971

RAC Rally Action weight 1.9kg by Tony Gardiner

£35.99

Between 1964 and 1983, professional illustrator Tony Gardiner followed the gruelling RAC Rally around the UK, armed with his cameras. In this time he amassed over 1000 photographs and the pick of these have been selected for this fascinating book. It is in no way a definitive history of the rally but it does give a fascinating look back at an event which is always very, well eventful. The majority of the photographs are in colour and they feature not only the front running factory cars but also many of the privateers who are the backbone of rallying the World over. Many of the subjects included have been modelled and we are sure that if a few enterprising manufacturers get their hands on a copy, hopefully we'll see plenty more.