I must say that, until now, I’ve only had the chance to build two multi material kits (resin, white metal, PE, etc.), these models are: BBR’s Ferrari 310, and a Jordan by Club “M”, both in 1/20 scale. What I mean is that my experience with this kind of kits is not wide, to say the least; however, when I opened the kit box from Studio 27 I received a pleasant surprise. Everything was neatly packed and protected (resin is a quite fragile material).

  Whenever I check an F1 plastic kit, I always do it in “four parts”:

1)The body and its components (front and rear wings, cockpit, underpan, and monocoque).

2)Motor and suspension (all motor componentes, electronic accesories, air horns, radiators [water and oil], suspension parts, schock absorbers, and other related parts).

3)Wheels and brakes (wheel hubs, calipers, discs, and tires).

4) Instructions and decals.

In this particular case there is a change, because these are not made with the same materials and, most of the times, kits are curbside (no engine), But I’ll try to follow the same sequence.

1) The body is the first thing that called my attention, the molding and casting of resin parts is excellent (there was not a single air bubble), measures are accurate, and everything is very well made. Front and rear wings, and parts of the underpan, are white metal. Here, although general quality is good, it doesn’t match the one in the resin parts, but you can make them look good with a little  job (this is part of the fun).

2)As there is no engine or mechanical components, I’ll go for the suspension parts. They are made in white metal and, as with the front and rear wings, you’ll have to work a little in order to let them ready for painting and finishing.

3)Wheel hubs, calipers and discs, are also in white metal. Wheels, along with resin parts, are the strong points in the kit. They are turned aluminum with a great precision and looks, you don’t have to paint them; maybe put the air valve, a balancing weight and that’s it. Tires are well made too, although the rear ones are a little narrow for the wheels, besides, you have to cut an extra part that comes with the moulding, and “cut open” the four tire “slots” at that point.

4) The instruction manual comes in Japanese and English, which is a relief to many of us. Decals are good quality and they have the tobacco logos.

Generally speaking, this is a good kit with high quality in its materials and a model that, once built, will be a proud addition to your scale model collection, no matter how demanding you are. The price may seem high, compared with plastic models, but remember that if it weren’t for Tamiya’s announcement of the same model, this would have been the only way to have a Ferrari F1 2000, in this scale. We must remember that besides being a Ferrari, it is the World Campion.! Well… it shows that I’m a “ferrarista”.