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Lewis Hamilton – World Driving Champion
Earlier this year, we saw Lewis Hamilton emerge as the 2008 World Driving Champion. It was a close season all the way to the end, but Hamilton consistently showed that he could rise to the occasion and win or score points when necessary. His championship is well deserved. And now that Mr. Ecclestone promises to permanently ruin Formula One, maybe Lewis Hamilton will be considered the last true World Champion.
While there are many die-cast or factory built models of the McLaren MP4/22 and MP4/23, there are only a few kits available for these cars. Here is a survey of the model kits you can use to build your Lewis Hamilton collection.
1:43
Tameo Kits – Silver line series
SLK 052
McLAREN MP4/22
Monaco G.P. 2007
L. Hamilton Car No. 2
Result: 2nd
SLK 053
McLAREN MP4/22
Italian G.P. 2007
L. Hamilton Car No. 2
Result: 2nd
SLK 062
McLAREN MP4/23
Monaco G.P. 2008
L. Hamilton Car No. 22
Result: 1st
For more information, see the Tameo website.
1:20
Studio 27
McLaren MP4/22 EARLY
S27FK20204
McLaren MP4/22
Canada/US GP Version
S27FK20208C
McLaren MP4/22
Japanese GP
S27FK20215
McLaren MP4/23 2008 EARLY
ST27FK20224C
McLaren McLaren MP4/23 LATE – World Champion 2008
S27FK20232C
For more information, see the Studio 27 website.
These kits look fairly challenging, especially with all of the aero pieces to attach and the chrome paint job. But they are the only game in town for 1/20 scale. Hopefully Revell AG will consider producing a 1/24 version for their F1 series.
1:32
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4/21
From the Airfix website:
Following the recent popular Santander/Abbey Bank TV advert which features Lewis Hamilton as an Airfix kit, we are now pleased to announce the release of a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes kit!
The kit contains 17 pieces with a total length of 148mm and width of 58mm. All parts are fully decorated and pre-painted. A small cross-headed screw driver is all that is required to complete the model.
For more information, see the Airfix website.
This kit is a slot-racer version of the previous season’s car, so it won’t satisfy the purist. But it might be a nice piece to keep on the office desk or in the workshop.
F1 Links
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