(Clockwise from top left: 1. 1982 San Marino GP, found on web; 2. Long Beach GP practice, Rainer Schlegelmilch; 3. Detail shots from Ferrari, the Grand Prix Cars; 4. Overhead shot from Automobile Year No. 30; 5. Brazil, San Marino, and Belgium shots from Ferrari Turbos; 6. Brazilian GP pits from Automobile Sport 82-83.)

1/20 Fujimi Ferrari 126C2 Kit Review

Kit No. 090320
Full Engine Detail
149 Parts

Overview

Fujimi has recently started a whole new line of F1 cars, and this is the first. Kit No. 090320 includes parts and decals to accurately depict either Gilles Villeneuve or Didier Pironi’s team car from the 1982 San Marino GP.

History

It’s interesting that both team cars were involved in the saga of this historic race. Despite team orders to let Villeneuve pick up the win (and points for the championship), Pironi passed him and won the race. Villeneuve vowed never to speak to Pironi again, and he died in practice for the very next race in Belgium. Great F1 lore, and it suggests a display with both of these cars, No. 27 and 28, from the San Marino GP. But if you want to model other versions, here are some tips.

The bodywork included with this kit is accurate for the following races: Brazil, Long Beach, San Marino, Belgium, and Monaco. For decals, you need to use the Tabu Design 20041 decal sheet. See Mark Palacz at www.mshobbies.com for these. Tell him GPMA sent you.

References

Above is a reference collage I put together using my digital camera and one photo I found on the web. First I spread out my book photos and take a shot of them, then I copy and paste other images to make a guide for the car I’m building. 

Books

Each of the following books has several photos of the 126C2 from the early 1982 season races.

Alan Henry, Ferrari: The Grand Prix Cars (Richmond, Surrey, UK: Hazelton Publishing, 1984 and Rev. 1989).

Anthony Pritchard, Ferrari Turbos: The Grand Prix Cars 1981-1988 (Bourne End, Bucks, UK: Aston Publishing/Motorbooks International, 1989). 

Ian Norris, Ed., Automobile Year No. 30: 1982/1983 (Lausanne, CH: Edita Lausanne).

Ian Bamsey, Ed., Automobile Sport 82 83 (Somerset, UK: Superprofile/J.H. Haynes).

Build Diaries/Completed Builds

For photos of a very nice example of this kit, see Eric Cole’s completed build on Automotive Forums:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=925781

KJS