what differences between MP4/5B and MP4/6?

[CeeElle]

what differences are there between the Mclaren M4/5B and the MP4/6? what would it take to convert/upgrade the Tamiya 1/20 scale MP4/5B to the MP4/6?

anyone know?

[stevenoble]

They have a different engine.The Mp4/5B is a 10 cylinder the MP4/6 is a 12 cylinder.The undertray is different.The bodywork is different.I think the radiators are all different.I think the front wings are different.I would say that to convert the 5 to the 6 would be quite an undertaking.Perhaps it would be better to get 1 of the multimedia resin/metal models of the MP4/6 instead.

[CeeElle]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

They have a different engine.The Mp4/5B is a 10 cylinder the MP4/6 is a 12 cylinder.The undertray is different.The bodywork is different.I think the radiators are all different.I think the front wings are different.I would say that to convert the 5 to the 6 would be quite an undertaking.Perhaps it would be better to get 1 of the multimedia resin/metal models of the MP4/6 instead.

thank you; i had no idea what the differences are.

how about differences between MP4/6 and MP4/7?

[stevenoble]

The 7 has a thinner nose profile and the sides of the cockpit are painted red and white (on the 6 they are carbon fibre) I think the front wing is different as well.
Are you wanting to build the MP4/6? This might be your best option rather than trying to convert 1 of the Tamiya kits.It will save you a lot of scratchbuilding.

http://www.hlj.com/product/MFHK137

[CeeElle]

the MFH is too rich for my blood. :lol

i'd like to build the MP4/6 but didn't know enough about the various Mclarens to know if modifying a 5B or 7 would be feasible. clearly it's not.

perhaps i'll save my lunch money for when tamiya reissues the 1/12 MP4/6...

[f1wc]

It is possible to mod it from the Mclaren MP4-5B, but you need a lot of modifications though..scratchbuilding etc..

Check out this Japanese modeler:
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~xr2h-fkd...p46/mp4600.htm

I guess it might cost a bit of money, so saving up for the 1/12 is also not a bad idea

[Taiphun]

That's "hirofkd" on this board's page you've linked

[hirofkd]

Yeah, I've been following the thread, but didn't have a chance to post any message.

If you are going to convert an existing kit into the MP4/6, I suggest that you start with the MP4/7, instead. The body is quite different, but other parts are similar to the MP4/6.

Here are some of my in-progress photos, and as you can see, most of the parts are scratchbuilt, or heavily modified.

The front wing is from the MP4/5B kit, but the nose is epoxy putty, and wing end plates are custom photoetched brass parts.


The core of the monocock was narrowed, and the radiator guides were scratchbuilt with styrene. The bottom plate was entirely scratchbuilt, too. The front suspension of the MP4/5B is the pull-rod configuration, but it's push-rod on the MP4/6, so I used the kit parts, but the arrangement is very different. The rear suspension is similar between the two cars, but I had to scratchbuild shocks, and that required me to modify the transmission case, as well. You can use the tires, but that's pretty much the only parts that you can borrow from the MP4/5B kit.

[f1wc]

oops ... sorry Hiroaki.. I just see more impressive work on your webpage instead of the forum
Very impressive work...btw, how accurate would you rate the scratchbuild body?

[CeeElle]

amazing work... and way beyond my skills.

[jaykay640]

CeeElle

Tamiya is about to re-release all the McLarens ( less the M23 ) and that does include the 1/12 MP4/6.
Looks like you will not go for lunch for a bit or you have to find someone who gives it to you on Xmas:-)

[CeeElle]

you know what's funny? i found a model shop i'd never even heard of just 20 minutes' drive from my house. there on the wall is a 1/12 MP4/6 kit, new and unopened. Guy's asking $198 USD for it. he's also got MP4/4s, 5Bs and 7s in stock, along with many other Tamiya F1 kits I've only ever heard about but never seen.