McLaren M8A Can-Am - Bruce McLaren

[WRCfan]

After finishing up the M23 GP car it is time to tackle a motorsport genre which I have not attempted before - Can-Am. The kit is the Tamiya 1/18 release from Hobbylink Japan: http://www.hlj.com

Being a Kiwi, the McLaren name is very dear to me and these machines are nothing short of amazing.

So here goes:

Great packaging as always from Hobbylink Japan, this kit came with the M23.



The kitset.



Have buttoned up the engine, the fit on this was great despite being an old kit which has been re-released.



The engine has a little added wiring from the distributor. Once the trumpets went on the top of the block it all of a sudden started looking like a McLaren.



I am continuing to hunt for some mesh to make the trumpet covers from as the blue ones (despite finding a photo with them on the real car) look better as a fine metal mesh. Will keep you updated on how I get on with that.

Comments are very welcome as always!

Aaron

[MarcoSaupe]

Very nice start!

[123yokomo]

very nice start ill be watching wrcfan! i got mine out at a local hobby store

[da_ashman]

Nice work so far, will have to watch this one too!
I think I may have seen this car at the Bruce McLaren memorial trackday last year at Hampton Down, Ill see if I have a pic for ya!

[WRCfan]

Have been making slow progress on the Can-Am car.

Have painted the tub, and installed the engine into it. Suspension is very basic as this is a kit released as a motorised version. Engine detail is nice, and the fit is fantastic. Tub was painted with TS-56 to try and replicate the McLaren orange.

Comments are as always welcome!

WRCfan

[123yokomo]

Great progress may I ask what wires you used on the engine

[WRCfan]

Hi 123Yokomo, thanks for the query. The engine plug cord is 0.38mm Sakatsu coloured plug cord.

I stumbled upon it in my local hobby shop, it has the wire through the middle which makes it bendable and is a nice little addition to the engine.

Regards

WRCfan

[WRCfan]

Progress! The body has been shot in paint, I used TS-34 Camel Yellow on the car straight from the rattlecan and will allow the paint to cure a little before moving onto decal work. Finally on the home straight with this one. I was skeptical about the colour although with 2-3 coats now on the body the McLaren yellow now looks not far off. Had to take care of some bodyfitment issues before painting although in the 70's not everything was a flush as the cars of today.

Regarding the suspension if you wanted to do more scratch work on it then it could certainly be achieved although it would also be very time consuming. once the body is on you won't see much of it either. Here are some progress photos. Comments welcome as always.

[WRCfan]

Have buttoned this one up:

Finished thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...90#post6950790