Tamiya McLaren MP4/5B

For all the difficulties you're describing, you've certainly overcome them in an excellent manner :)

Keep the updates coming :cool:

Only a quick update with a couple of pictures.The rear wing is taking me a lot longer than I thought it would.It's only made up of 5 parts but it's taking me a while to paint.It's not difficult as such it's just a case of letting the various colours dry before painting the next.The endplates are almost finished,just needing the insides painting black.They don't photograph very well.In reality they are very shiny and glossy but the red seems to reflect badly with my camera and they look a bit dull and the reflections are hazy.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/Picture.jpg

The top part of the wing is finished.I chose not to use the Museum Collection decals because of the problems I had with them earlier.The Marlboro logo's are from Tabu Design and the red/orange Marlboro crests are from the Tamiya sheet that came with the kit.They are also the best match to the Finishers MP4 Red.Here is the top part front.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3531.jpg

and back.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3535.jpg

All the white areas on the wings are painted with Finishers Foundation White.However I couldn't get my airbrush to lay the paint on wet enough,so I sanded this with Micromesh 6000 and 8000 and sprayed on a couple of coats of Tamiya TS-26 Pure White from the rattlecan which gave a nice finish overall.
I also added a throttle wire and assembly (well my representation of it anyway) It's not perfect but it was the best I could do with what I had.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3568.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3564.jpg

Hope to have the rear wing completed and on the car soon.The front wing is painted and drying.I hope to have this polished and decal's applied very soon.See you on the next update.

Throttle wire and linkage really shows the detail you're putting into this build!
Wing end plates are amazing. Looking good!

Keep us updated Steve.

looks great!

I also added a throttle wire and assembly


Looks Awesome oh one day I too will know the powers of the force.

Dave

It is all looking very nice indeed. The end plates still look shiny, so heaven knows how nice they must look in person!

BillyPee

Another update.I've almost finished the front wing,except for the endplates.The rear wing is finished except for a few photoetch fasteners on one side.The first assembly of the rear wing was a disaster.I used 5 min epoxy glue and it oozed out onto the satin black on the inside of the endplates and made a right mess.I tried to wipe it off but in the end ended up sanding it off and repainting the satin black areas.On the second run I used Bostik PVA which is easily wiped away with a dampened cotton bud/Q tip.This was much better.Not as strong but I left it to dry overnight and it was fine.The Finishers MP4 Red sits well against the white and black.
The front wing was easy,just straight white.I used the Tamiya kit decals on this and they went on well.My only hope is that they won't crack or yellow.Only time will tell.I am going to try and finish the chassis this weekend,time permitting.Here's a few pictures of the progress so far.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3614.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3605.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3603.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3602.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3611.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3588.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3583.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3595.jpg

Steve,

looking really, really nice. Great looking finish on the paint too. Whats the background sheet - looks effective!

Sean
__________________________

http://scalereproductions.co.uk (http://scalereproductions.co.uk/)
__________________________

:worshippy

I am loving this Steve. Great finish on the paint and it all looks just so good.

The reflection in the rear wing is fantastic just love it awesome build




Regards
Dave

Hi Steve,

You the man! I love it when the sub-assemblies come together and the model is born. The paint job, the detail, the photography, all first rate.

Regard,
Bill

Steve,Whats the background sheet - looks effective!

Sean

Sean,the background is a piece of heavy artists type paper/card.I got it from an artist supplies store.It costs about 80p for a large sheet and comes in loads of different colours.

Excellent modeling skills being displayed on the assembly and finished product! You did Tamiya and McLaren proud.

Thanks for sharing,
Bill

Just a quick update.I made a mess of the front wing end-plates in my haste to get them finished and fitted to the model.The paint wrinkled up a little,so I've stripped them off in Isopropyl Alcohol and re-primed them ready for the white top coat.Whilst they were soaking in the stripper I worked on the chassis and rear wing some more and also finished the odd bits and bobs on chassis (exhaust sensors,engine supports and about 100 or so photoetch bolt heads etc.) I've also clearcoated over the decals on the front wing.
Here's a picture of the rear wing.I've given this a final polish up and added photoetch screw heads to the endplates and rear and also some carbon fibre to the edges of the end plates,which looks better than just the black paint.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3621.jpg

I'm working the late shift all next week and I don't get much time in the mornings,so progress might slow down a bit this week.There is a tendancy,being near the end,to rush these last stages.But I don't want to ruin the model at this stage.So I'll take my time with it.I've still got the main bodywork to paint which I must admit I'm dreading doing.:banghead:

This is looking so good. I like the CF look on the end of the end plates..

Hi Steve,

I love the work on the rear wing. I guess that is the view that most of the rest of the field had of Ayton's ride. The CF looks the business (I have no idea what the reference pictures say). The rear diffuser is a wonderfully pretty design... I had not noticed that before.

Loving every update.

Regards,
BillyPee

Well the front wing is finished and went together very smoothly with no problems.I gave the Museum Collection decals another chance on the wing end plates and although not perfect,they were better.They look great with no carrier film,if only I could master their fitment! I'm going to use them on the main body as the Tamiya decals are,under closer inspection,slightly yellowed.The Finishers red on the rear wing looks really dull in poorer light,but in one of the pics below looks very bright.I've added some Crazy Modeler Brembo logos on the brake calipers and some Sakatsu valves on the wheels.The rivets are complete on the monocoque and engine,although I may give them a wash to tone down the overall look a little.I added the two engine supports.Apart from a couple of small bits the chassis is now finished.Here's some overall views of it.Next up the main cowling.The bit I've been dreading!! I just hope I can mask that red area cleanly!!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3636.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3637.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3639.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3640.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3642.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3643.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3645.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3646.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3648.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3650.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3652.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3653.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3656.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3658.jpg

Outstanding work. Bravo.

The rivets are complete on the monocoque and engine,although I may give them a wash to tone down the overall look a little.

The rivets do appear to stand out too much... but then again, I haven't seen detailed reference pictures.

All the best,
Bill

Just awesome the front wing look great is that Tamiya Pure White you used?

Next up the main cowling.The bit I've been dreading!! I just hope I can mask that red area cleanly!!


From what we have seen of your work so far your not going to have a problem I can't wait to see it :cool:

Regards
Dave

Just awesome the front wing look great is that Tamiya Pure White you used?



From what we have seen of your work so far your not going to have a problem I can't wait to see it :cool:

Regards
Dave

Thanks for the vote of confidence Dave,I appreciate that a lot.I painted the wing with Tamiya White Primer,then 3 coats of Finishers Foundation white followed by 3 coats of Tamiya TS-26 Pure White,decals and finally 3 coats of Gunze Top Coat (the water based stuff that doesn't harm the decals)
I forgot also.The cowling no longer fits due to all the wires etc that I added.No real problem though as I planned to display the model with the cowling off anyway.

Finishers Foundation white

I will have to check int that never used it looks like it would be a great base coat for the Williams FW13B I an working on.

Thanks Steve

Dave

I started the painting of the main bodywork today and have got as far as the white.The body had been sat in the white Tamiya primer for almost 3 weeks so it was more than ready for paint.I gave it a light rub down prior to painting with the Micro-Mesh range of sanding/polishing cloths using 6000 first and then 8000.The surface came up very smooth.I applied the Finishers Foundation White with my very basic Badger 250 airbrush (it's the only one I have that lays it on wet enough) I suppose I ended up putting on about 6 coats in all but the first 3-4 were very light,the last 2 heavier to get more of a gloss.I think I'll let it dry for a week or so before I attempt to mask up for the Finishers MP4 Red areas.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3671.jpg

This is the airbrush I used.It's very basic but it did the job.Not bad for £10.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/IMGP3688.jpg

I really must get something a bit better for painting my car body's.Maybe in the new year.I can feel some sort of fume extractor coming on as well.The Finisher's paints are quite smelly even when wearing my respirator.

Steve

Are you going to spray Tamiya Pure White over top of the Finshers like you do the front wing?
If not why?

Thanks
Dave

Steve

Are you going to spray Tamiya Pure White over top of the Finshers like you do the front wing?
If not why?

Thanks
Dave

Yes,sorry Dave I never mentioned that in the text.The 2 heavier coats were with Tamiya TS-26 I just decanted it from the can and used it through the airbrush for a bit more control around the side vents.
I'm very annoyed at the minute as I've just cracked the windshield whilst polishing it.It's very fragile.I may be able to do something with it or there is a spare one in the kit although it's a slightly different shape.

build looks great, steve... i'm gonna wait awhile before starting mine, as i want to improve my skills a bit. but i'll definitely be referring to this thread when i finally do get started.

maybe i missed it, but what did you use for rivets?

and for future reference, you can try to "rescue" yellowed decals by taping them to the inside of a southerly facing window and leaving them there a couple of weeks. i've got a sheet taped to a window now and it cleared them right up.

maybe i missed it,what did you use for rivets?

you can try to "rescue" yellowed decals by taping them to the inside of a southerly facing window and leaving them there a couple of weeks.

The rivets were from Model Car Garage http://www.modelcargarage.com/default.asp (Bolt head details MCG-609) all seperate on a little rubber sheet.Nothing to cut you just pop them out and glue them on.A really good idea.Thanks for the tip about the yellowed decals,I'll give that a try.

This is looking very nice. Keep it coming!

I've started to apply the decals on the main cowling.I was a little impatient waiting for the paint to dry so I sat it in the airing cupboard where it's very warm and it dried in double quick time.The red areas were masked up with very thin strips of Tamiya tape cut with a fresh scalpel blade.I was very happy with the line between the two colours.After the masking was removed I gave the join line a light polish with Micro-Mesh 8000 grade and this has virtually eliminated the step.I also gave the Museum Collection decals another chance and the results were a lot better.They do look better with no carrier film,they are just tricky to apply.This time I used no setting solutions just plain water and the carrier film came off incredibly easily.The Marlboro's are Tabu Design decals and these were superb to use,highly recommended.Once I've finished the decals and they are dry I'm going to clearcoat the whole thing with Gunze Top Coat,then mask out the black areas and paint the inside black.I'm miffed as I have cracked both the front screens now whilst polishing them,so have ordered a replacement which is the solid carbon fibre type used at some races.It will look different I suppose.Here's a couple of pics.Don't worry about the overspray at the bottom of the vents.This is going to be Micromeshed smooth and painted Satin black.As is the area around the screen/cockpit.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/McLaren%20Chassis/IMGP3697.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/McLaren%20Chassis/IMGP3696.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/McLaren%20Chassis/IMGP3691.jpg

:eek2: Steve the body paint looks great decals too you work fast.


Regards,
Dave

Decals and paint looks very sharp !
Good job.

Top job Steve. I really have enjoyed the journey on this one.

Fab update Steve. Makes me wish I didn't give my 5B to a friend for their 40th :(

Keep up the good work.
Bill

Fab update Steve. Makes me wish I didn't give my 5B to a friend for their 40th :(

Keep up the good work.
Bill

It's going to be re-released soon,grab yourself another one to build!!!! Or if you are like me another kit to put in the stockpile!!!! I keep piling them up!!

one word: awesome!!!!

It's going to be re-released soon,grab yourself another one to build!!!!
I had no idea. Where did you hear that? I am definitely going to grab one if it does... my shelf is Senna-less at the moment and that is just such a no-no for an F1 fan.

Or if you are like me another kit to put in the stockpile!!!! I keep piling them up!!

Yes, I do have a stockpile. I thinned it down a little by selling non F1 models on eBay but it is slowly creeping up again. I am tempted to tackle the B192, 023, or 107B next as I have S27 decals and the Formula Perfect Manuals for each of them... trouble is, they are all multi-colour bodies and loads of CF :banghead:

I had no idea. Where did you hear that? I am definitely going to grab one if it does... my shelf is Senna-less at the moment and that is just such a no-no for an F1 fan.

http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM20026 check the link Bill.

HLJ has it on list for March re-stock along with the MP4/4 and MP4/13.You will be able to place your order now and get it in March.I think Tamiya are also re-releasing the MP4/6 in 1/12th.Looks like the MP4/7 and MP4/8 are not being re-released though.Lucky I already have them in my stash pile.
I know what you mean about which kit to tackle next.I have loads of kits to do but could give you a reason why I shouldn't build each one.The Nigel Mansell Lola because the decals are slightly yellowed and I can't get any replacements,the Ford Escort Cosworths,Repsol and Michelin Pilot 'cause the colour scheme's are a bitch to mask up,the list goes on.................!! I should just crack on and build them!! What's the worst that could happen?

Check HLJ, or any other dealer of your choice!

In Germany they were actually available with no problem all the time. I even got them at discount price. Was a bit surprised about the re-issue announcement:-)

Well I had hoped to finish the McLaren soon,but I've just totally wrecked the body with the clearcoat.It started off fine.I applied a few mist coats then a couple of wet coats.I got a slight run in the last coat which I thought would polish out no problem.Anyway to cut a long story short I ended up rubbing through the red to the white trying to get rid of the damn run,tried to repaint the red at the front in haste and made a total mess of it all.It's sat in a vat of stripper now but I'm not confident of stripping off the Finishers paint.It seems quite tough.I'm totally gutted as the decals and paintwork had gone great.Now I'll have to start all over again.Modelling certainly has it's ups and downs.I'll try and finish the McLaren in the new year.
In the meantime have a happy Christmas and New Year.Best Wishes.

Hi Steve,

I feel your pain, it was looking so cool too before the clear coat.

Have a good Christmas & New Year.

Happy modelling
Ant

Aw, thats bad. Hope, you want to finish the model :)
The pictures before really looked great, its a shame you have to start again :(

Oh no.....I can also feel your pain, been there done that. Good luck with the re-paint.

Thanks for your comments Guys I appreciate them.I've just had a look at the body this morning and it's virtually stripped back to the plastic with one overnight soak (good stuff that Isopropyl alcohol!!) It's also removed some of the filler I used on the joins,but that's no problem I'm happy to re-prep it.I'm just glad to be able to have another shot at it.I may look at an alternative clearcoat or maybe try to get away without clearcoating it at all when I repaint it.I'll post up some pics when I progress a little.I was really annoyed yesterday but now I'm a lot happier and want to get on and finish the damn thing.Like I said in my previous post,modelling certainly has it's ups and downs.

Steve,

my sympathies too, I have had problems with clear cloating before and am really reluctant to use the stuff anymore.
If you can get a good finish again I would recommeded good ole Johnsons Klear, I have used it on my stratos and Im quite happy with it, on my 310B it looked seriously good for such a simple thing.
Best of luck second time around though mate

Sean
_______________________________

http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk
_______________________________

Steve, really sad to hear about the misfortune with the clear, especially after seeing the photos pre-clear which I am certain do the model no real justice.

Try not to let it bother you and relax, having seen your skills and perseverance, I am certain you'll recover better than before and make an exceptional model out of this :)

I'm gutted for you to hear about the clear-coat problem... modelling is life in microcosm... sometimes it kicks you in the teeth :icon16:

Thanks for the link. Of all the re-releases, the 1/12th scale MP4/6 appeals most... as it has been prohibitively expensive for years... still far from cheap tho'. Colour schemes are a mare on anything other than a Ferrari it seems. I really want to make the Tyrrell 023... I even got myself over the compound curve masking issues... however, now I have looked in the box I see that the paint scheme is the least of my worries :wink:

Well I managed to get the body stripped off successfully.I had my doubts,but that Isopropyl Alcohol is fantastic stuff.It took a couple of soaks and some agitating with an old toothbrush but it worked a treat,straight back to the plastic and importantly no damage to the plastic.I just need to re-fill the join lines etc and it'll be ready for another spraying attempt (hopefully the final one!!)

McLaren body stripped.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3701.jpg

I was so impressed with the Isopropyl Alcohol that I decided to put it to use on another failure model the 1999 Mitsubishi Evo VI Rally New Zealand (Tamiya) The same result stripped straight back to the plastic.I'm going to re-model this now as either '99 Rally Great Britain or '99 Rally Australia as I have decals for both.I can work on it in between drying times on the McLaren.

The bumper and side skirts are stripped.The bodyshell is still soaking.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3702.jpg

:wink: Remember to stay focused :wink:

Merry Christmas

Wow that's pretty impressive that Isopropyl Alcohol did that beat's wet sanding. Good luck with the repaint I am having to repaint some parts on my Benetton B192 but the weather is keeping me from getting any painting done.

Marry Christmas

Dave

Wow that's pretty impressive that Isopropyl Alcohol did that.

Yes,it is very good stuff.I'd never even heard about it's uses for stripping models until some one mentioned it on here.I can't even remember who it was,but if they're reading this then thanks a bunch!! I wish I'd known about it before.I cringe when I think of the models I have binned in the past because I thought they couldn't be stripped and re-painted.

:wink: Remember to stay focused :wink:

Billy,don't worry I'll stay focused.I know what you mean though it is easy to get distracted.It's one of the reasons why I normally work on one model at a time.

Merry Christmas to you both:thumbsup:

I bought one of the Tamiya Weathering sets for exhaust pipes and thought I'd give it a try on the McLaren exhausts.I only used the burnt blue and burnt red colours.What do you think?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/stevenoble/McLaren%20MP4%205B/IMGP3755.jpg

I bought one of the Tamiya Weathering sets for exhaust pipes and thought I'd give it a try on the McLaren exhausts.I only used the burnt blue and burnt red colours.What do you think?

Looks great. I got the same weather set from HLJ and it arrived this week. Gonna add a little blue to my Jordan's exhaust system..

What do I think one word Excellent :grinyes:

Also have a question Steve what do you use to thin your paint for your airbrush? And what color is the red you used?
Also I just noticed the air valve on the rim looks cool.


Regards,
Dave

Also have a question Steve what do you use to thin your paint for your airbrush?

I always use the thinner the same as the paint maker.So Tamiya paints=Tamiya thinner,Humbrol paints=Humbrol thinner etc.I find I get the best results this way.


And what color is the red you used?

The red I used was Finisher's MP4 red.

Also I just noticed the air valve on the rim looks cool.
The air valves were fiddly to fit!! I nearly lost 2 of them when they went ping on the tweezers!!

Hey Steve,

Loving this build. Where did you buy your Isopropyl alcohol from? I've got some stripping to do myself.....:shakehead

Hey Steve,

Loving this build. Where did you buy your Isopropyl alcohol from? I've got some stripping to do myself.....:shakehead

Maplins electronics store supplied the Isopropyl Alcohol.There should be one near to you.I have also heard that you can buy it at most chemist shops.

Steve,

exhausts look great - obviously gonna have to get me one of those weathering sets! I have used Isopropyl before - its good stuff init! Becareful though, on one 'stripping' I was left with a really bad headache from the fumes for 24 hours so just becareful with it matey!

Sean
______________________________

http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk (http://www.scalereproductions.co.uk/)
______________________________

I have used Isopropyl before - its good stuff init! Becareful though, on one 'stripping' I was left with a really bad headache from the fumes for 24 hours so just becareful with it matey!

Yes,I know where you're coming from Sean on the 'fumes' thing.I've started to wear my spraying mask when I do the stripping for the very same reason you mention!!

Is this the 90% ISP you used?

Is this the 90% ISP you used?

I'm not sure of the exact % but it did work very well so I assume it's 90% or higher.The exact brand was Servisol.It came in a white metal container with red writing on it.