|
|
Post by charleselan on Mar 13, 2021 13:37:45 GMT
For some time now I had the distinct feeling that many of the Spark Model range had a great deal in common with the excellent resin kits produced by French artisan Jean Pierre Viranet under his company name Tenariv. Quite by chance this morning when searching for a full listing of the Tenariv range I found that in fact Spark now use his masters for many of their range.
Apparently Monsieur Viranet has no interest in model cars any more and now produces art work, met him once or twice and he is a delightful man and he had one of the best "eyes" for model cars.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on May 12, 2021 18:00:37 GMT
By way of a little intrigue I am going to keep everyone in suspense here as to what i have just ordered as an addition to my ever increasing collection of 1/43rd models. The subject may be quite a surprise to you all for several reasons especially to those who know my purchasing habits of old. The subject represents quite an iconic victory, well it does in my eyes, and I think it might with some others too. I had sat on my hands for nearly one week before committing to buy this particular model as it is quite expensive, almost double the RRP of a Spark model but it looks to be well worth it. When the model arrives from the Italian retailer I will post photos  . |
|
|
|
Post by René on May 12, 2021 19:27:58 GMT
By way of a little intrigue I am going to keep everyone in suspense here as to what i have just ordered as an addition to my ever increasing collection of 1/43rd models. The subject may be quite a surprise to you all for several reasons especially to those who know my purchasing habits of old. The subject represents quite an iconic victory, well it does in my eyes, and I think it might with some others too. I had sat on my hands for nearly one week before committing to buy this particular model as it is quite expensive, almost double the RRP of a Spark model but it looks to be well worth it. When the model arrives from the Italian retailer I will post photos . Sounds goood!  Maybe a small hint? Colour, race number, year? |
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on May 13, 2021 8:12:24 GMT
By way of a little intrigue I am going to keep everyone in suspense here as to what i have just ordered as an addition to my ever increasing collection of 1/43rd models. The subject may be quite a surprise to you all for several reasons especially to those who know my purchasing habits of old. The subject represents quite an iconic victory, well it does in my eyes, and I think it might with some others too. I had sat on my hands for nearly one week before committing to buy this particular model as it is quite expensive, almost double the RRP of a Spark model but it looks to be well worth it. When the model arrives from the Italian retailer I will post photos . Sounds goood! Maybe a small hint? Colour, race number, year? OK then 🤔 2019 and might be your favorite color. |
|
|
|
Post by René on May 13, 2021 10:05:36 GMT
Sounds goood! Maybe a small hint? Colour, race number, year? OK then 🤔 2019 and might be your favorite color. Ah oui, bien sur! I happen to be looking for the same model but have not yet decided on 1:18 or 1:43. And not yet on which win because they were both iconic.
A 'toilet seat' in your collection! Who would have thought that!?  |
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on May 13, 2021 10:49:03 GMT
OK then 🤔 2019 and might be your favorite color. Ah oui, bien sur! I happen to be looking for the same model but have not yet decided on 1:18 or 1:43. And not yet on which win because they were both iconic.
A 'toilet seat' in your collection! Who would have thought that!? Ah! Ha! Well spotted indeed. I decided on the 2019 Spa Francorchamps winning car as it was getting hard to purchase and the Monza winner is also quite rare now in 1/43rd. The manufacture is LookSmart who are Italian but obviously it is manufactured in China like most of the others these days. They do look very good in the photographs and better than the equivalent Burago model which just isn't so detailed and compromises are made in its construction. They are expensive and it was a bold move to buy one but I just had to have a model of Charles Leclerc's car, "toilet seat" or no . |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on May 13, 2021 11:24:04 GMT
Excellent choice Charles. I thought that was the subject but couldn't work out the manufacturer. Enjoy your purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on May 13, 2021 13:36:19 GMT
Excellent choice Charles. I thought that was the subject but couldn't work out the manufacturer. Enjoy your purchase. Cheers Rob. Last week I was thinking that it was about time I had a model of Charles Leclerc in my collection as he is the first driver I have seriously followed since Mika Hakkinen and that is a fair bit of time ago. There is just something about young Charles that fits with me as a "traditional" fan of the sport; he comes across as a thoroughly decent guy, very respectful and honest as well as one hell of a driver. His first ever F1 victory was at that Spa race and it was a traumatic weekend for him with the loss of his great friend on the Saturday, and not the first time he has had to handle loss in his life either. Obviously it had to be a model of a winning car and what better his first ever F1 victory, here is a promo picture of the model, I will take some better ones when mine arrives.  |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on May 13, 2021 13:56:26 GMT
Thanks Charles-you echo my thoughts re Charles Leclerc. I really like him and the way he goes about his business. He looks like the first driver I will seriously follow since Aryton Senna. In the past I have supported the likes of Schumacher, Alonso and Vettel but only because they were driving the red cars. Charles driving a Ferrari is an added bonus.
|
|
|
|
Post by René on May 13, 2021 15:44:10 GMT
Exactly my feeling also regarding Charles Leclerc. Like you say there is something about him, not only the driver but also the man.  That Looksmart model looks the part! I have a 1/18 by Looksmart of the 126CK which is beautiful so I am thinking about a 1/18 again of Charles's car but that is not cheap... Here's the photo again I made at Spa in 2019. Yes, I think I also lean towards the Spa car as it was the first victory and I was there.  |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on May 13, 2021 16:24:49 GMT
Even with the halo and their size the modern F1 car still looks like a racing car and looks as mean as hell.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisb on May 13, 2021 19:54:33 GMT
it is interesting that someone with as much class as Charles comes along and captivates our attention but isn't in the winning car, it would be good to see Charles win at Monaco, I just think it is a shame that he isn't at Le Mans as well
|
|
|
|
Post by charleselan on May 13, 2021 20:30:17 GMT
René, That is a superb photo of Charles at Spa in 2019 and wonderful that you were there to see his first win in F1. I had a look at our comments on the race earlier and was surprised initially that I had not made a single one myself back then, however I then realised why. I was a little sidetracked by a health issue at the time, so I do not feel so guilty now. Rob, I have been converted to the "toilet seat"  . Also I have always liked big trucks and used to collect model Dinky Toy lorries when I was a young lad  . I will be interested to see how much bigger the model of the Ferrari SF90 is than all my other race cars in 1/43rd scale. It will however take pride of place in one of my display cabinets. |
|
|
|
Post by robmarsh on May 13, 2021 20:55:19 GMT
A comparison photo against a 1970 F1 car would be interesting.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikael on May 13, 2021 21:53:51 GMT
A very impressive model!
Just a small observation: by the last banner image (of Villeneuve) it occurred to me that ... it's interesting (to notice, from the stickers on the car sides) that Ferrari have been using ball bearings from the Swedish manufacturer SKF (in Gothenburg) for "ages", apparently.
In the "old days" it was always said that, "Swedish steel is the best steel in the World". Hence, Swedish brands like SKF and Bacho (tools) made a name for themselves.
In my years in Japan, I have participated in a visit to a Japanese steel manufacturer (located in Chiba, by Tokyo) a couple of times. One time I asked the guide (a retired engineer) about this rumor of Swedish steel. He replied that he knew about it, but said that, nowadays, steel manufacturers can make steel to whatever spec they may wish to, thanks to the present level of metallurgy. So "good" steel or "bad" steel is no longer really an issue. I found this most interesting ...
Please notice the SKF sticker on the side pod (next to "Brembo").
... and apparently, even now, many years later, Ferrari stays loyal to SKF :-) (Please see the side pod again.)
|
|
.
. Also I have always liked big trucks and used to collect model Dinky Toy lorries when I was a young lad 
. I will be interested to see how much bigger the model of the Ferrari SF90 is than all my other race cars in 1/43rd scale. It will however take pride of place in one of my display cabinets.
