Joined
·
803 Posts
Here's my latest review, everyone. This one's for the Ferrari F50 by Maisto
![]()
PAINT
The kit model is available in either classic Ferrari red or yellow. The paint application is average for Maisto; generally it is well applied but the application is uneven around the seams and it is incomplete on the undersides of the metal sections of the model. In addition, the painted metal sections and the coloured plastic sections are easy to differentiate.
4/8
![]()
EXTERIOR
The model's proportions and scale are accurate but its fit could be a lot better as the panel gaps are large. The model weighs in at around 650 grams.
![]()
The front air dam and brake cooling intakes have perforated mesh that includes the prancing horse on the front of it and the headlights are quite well rendered with separate plastic pieces as are the indicators but the indicators have obvious mounting posts. The sections of bodywork that lead to the cooling fans and the engine aren't made with the metal bodywork but rather with separate plastic parts and the seams between them spoil purity of the model's lines. The rear panel housing the tail lights and another prancing horse is also made with perforated mesh (like at the front) and the tail lights are nicely rendered with the donut-style lamp being replicated rather well - the outsides of all four 'donuts' are red while the centres are colourless.
4/8
INTERIOR
![]()
The stark, minimalist interior of the F50 is reasonably well replicated in the model. The seats are made from hard rubber and they are painted appropriately to simulate the real seats. There are seatbelts too that are separate from the body of the interior and the carbon fibre effect is simulated with diagonal mouldings in the plastic. Mats are moulded into the floor but although the pedals are correctly shaped, they have the inaccurate chrome finish. The nose section opens to show the cooling fans, the battery, the brake cooling fans and the small bag. While the detail is generally accurate, the overall quality could be much improved.
4/8
WHEELS & BRAKES
![]()
Two sets of interchangeable wheels are included in the kit - both are the same style but one has chrome finish (shown here) while the other has magnesium alloy finish. The star-style rims are replicated almost perfectly and even feature the prancing horse on each central locking nut as well as a tyre inflation pin on each wheel. The tyres aren't branded but the tread is dead right. The brakes, however, are less than perfect. The holes are only partly moulded and the discs themselves have the incorrect chrome finish. Although the discs rotate with the wheels, there are no brake calipers to speak of.
3/6
ENGINE & UNDERCARRIAGE DETAIL
![]()
Part of the engine bay can be seen through the colourless plastic cover (which has virtually no distortion) and more detail can be seen when the engine cover is raised. The engine cover can be held up with one or both of the prop rods. One fairly obvious fault is that the wells for the rear wheels shouldn't be painted red but should look like exposed carbon fibre but the engine detail is very impressive with the use of many separate pieces to simulate the engine, gearbox, suspension, etc. Some wiring is present as well and the springs in the rear suspension actually do function with the wheels. The biggest flaw with regards to engine detail is the chrome finish on the exhausts.
The undercarriage detail is minimal featuring lines and indentations simulating the seams between the underbody and grilles beneath the engine but this is all correct of the real car. This category is probably the model's best feature.
5/8
COMPETITION
Bburago and Hot Wheels offer their own versions of the F50 in 1/18 as well. Maisto's is considered by some to be the best offering while others argue that Bburago's own is better while most consider Hot Wheels' one to be a blatant copy.
4/6
DESIRABILITY
The model's quality is far from great but won't be nominated for 'worst ever diecast model' either. The kit isn't as easy to come across as most Maisto models and it also costs slightly more than your average Maisto..
3/6
OVERALL
Maisto's effort with the F50 is average. Nothing is desperately bad but nothing about the model is remarkable (apart from the engine detail). With that said, this model is still worthy of any Ferrari model or supercar model collector's collection.
Total Score - 27/50
© 2004 www.DiecastXchange.com All rights reserved
review added to the DX Model Review Database on 22-SEP-2004
PAINT
The kit model is available in either classic Ferrari red or yellow. The paint application is average for Maisto; generally it is well applied but the application is uneven around the seams and it is incomplete on the undersides of the metal sections of the model. In addition, the painted metal sections and the coloured plastic sections are easy to differentiate.
4/8
EXTERIOR
The model's proportions and scale are accurate but its fit could be a lot better as the panel gaps are large. The model weighs in at around 650 grams.
The front air dam and brake cooling intakes have perforated mesh that includes the prancing horse on the front of it and the headlights are quite well rendered with separate plastic pieces as are the indicators but the indicators have obvious mounting posts. The sections of bodywork that lead to the cooling fans and the engine aren't made with the metal bodywork but rather with separate plastic parts and the seams between them spoil purity of the model's lines. The rear panel housing the tail lights and another prancing horse is also made with perforated mesh (like at the front) and the tail lights are nicely rendered with the donut-style lamp being replicated rather well - the outsides of all four 'donuts' are red while the centres are colourless.
4/8
INTERIOR
The stark, minimalist interior of the F50 is reasonably well replicated in the model. The seats are made from hard rubber and they are painted appropriately to simulate the real seats. There are seatbelts too that are separate from the body of the interior and the carbon fibre effect is simulated with diagonal mouldings in the plastic. Mats are moulded into the floor but although the pedals are correctly shaped, they have the inaccurate chrome finish. The nose section opens to show the cooling fans, the battery, the brake cooling fans and the small bag. While the detail is generally accurate, the overall quality could be much improved.
4/8
WHEELS & BRAKES
Two sets of interchangeable wheels are included in the kit - both are the same style but one has chrome finish (shown here) while the other has magnesium alloy finish. The star-style rims are replicated almost perfectly and even feature the prancing horse on each central locking nut as well as a tyre inflation pin on each wheel. The tyres aren't branded but the tread is dead right. The brakes, however, are less than perfect. The holes are only partly moulded and the discs themselves have the incorrect chrome finish. Although the discs rotate with the wheels, there are no brake calipers to speak of.
3/6
ENGINE & UNDERCARRIAGE DETAIL
Part of the engine bay can be seen through the colourless plastic cover (which has virtually no distortion) and more detail can be seen when the engine cover is raised. The engine cover can be held up with one or both of the prop rods. One fairly obvious fault is that the wells for the rear wheels shouldn't be painted red but should look like exposed carbon fibre but the engine detail is very impressive with the use of many separate pieces to simulate the engine, gearbox, suspension, etc. Some wiring is present as well and the springs in the rear suspension actually do function with the wheels. The biggest flaw with regards to engine detail is the chrome finish on the exhausts.
The undercarriage detail is minimal featuring lines and indentations simulating the seams between the underbody and grilles beneath the engine but this is all correct of the real car. This category is probably the model's best feature.
5/8
COMPETITION
Bburago and Hot Wheels offer their own versions of the F50 in 1/18 as well. Maisto's is considered by some to be the best offering while others argue that Bburago's own is better while most consider Hot Wheels' one to be a blatant copy.
4/6
DESIRABILITY
The model's quality is far from great but won't be nominated for 'worst ever diecast model' either. The kit isn't as easy to come across as most Maisto models and it also costs slightly more than your average Maisto..
3/6
OVERALL
Maisto's effort with the F50 is average. Nothing is desperately bad but nothing about the model is remarkable (apart from the engine detail). With that said, this model is still worthy of any Ferrari model or supercar model collector's collection.
Total Score - 27/50
© 2004 www.DiecastXchange.com All rights reserved
review added to the DX Model Review Database on 22-SEP-2004
