Accurate Miniatures - McLaren M8B - 1/24

[Beakster]

I'm sure a lot of you know of this kit. Supposedly one of the more difficult to build, but highly detailed.

Over 180 parts with a couple vinyl 'sprues' representing various pipes, leads and cables. I'll be going for a detailed build, replacing the vinyl parts with my own fabrication as it'll give a more realistic finish and the vinyl looks like a pain to clean up nicely.

I've spent a bit of time on Google looking for reference pictures but ones for the M8B are a bit thin on the ground. There are better ones of the M8D. I've also seen a couple of good builds I'll be using as reference. Rather than trying to replicate this car exactly I'm playing the artistic license card and going to represent this car as a modern restoration, that'll allow a bit more freedom where details are sketchy. I'm going for 'looks right' rather than 100% accurate.

I'll add more detail than comes in the kit, not sure how much, I'll see how it goes. If anyone has any pictures that you think don't come up on Google searches, please share them!

I've started some of this kit and I've got this evening set aside to see where I'm at and get a few pictures up.

[Phigr7]

You may have a look at the Can-Am thread I've created on a French Modelers forum.
Périod pictures of M8B on the first page
http://www.forum-auto.com/automobile.../sujet2043.htm

[Beakster]

That's brilliant. I hadn't found that. Thank you

[Beakster]

Not a lot has been done. Main engine block has been painted satin black and the discs and exhausts have been primed.




This is one of the vinyl parts. You can see the amount of clean up needed, most of the vinyl parts are like this. Being flexible, cleaning off this will be a pain.

[F1-Fan]

Hi Beakster,

I will follow your w.i.p. with great interest.

I like your idea of give it a look of a "restored" car instead of trying to go the "period correct" way. It's much easier to find photos of restored cars than of original ones.

Keep the good work.

F1-fan

[lemansnut]

A friend of mine said he used to freeze his vinyl tires to make them easier to sand, maybe that would work on the hoses and such too. Haven't tried it myself but sounds like it should work. Let me know if you try.

Mike

[Specie]

I have built this kit a few years ago.

Be aware that the rear bodywork may not fit with all the hoses and cables installed. Also I was not able to find a paint that would adhere to the vinyl hoses. I would recommend painting them when they are installed.

It is a very nice and detailed kit. It will still look good when its finished.

[rgriffs]

i too have built this kit. it throws up many faults, but the instructions are very thorough and steer you well thorough the build.

[Hemi Killer]

I heard a few times that this kit is a huge pain in the butt, is this true? I like the car, but I have been turned off from it for a while.

[Beakster]

Typical isn't it? I pull this kit out, eager to get going, and then work gets in the way!

Although I haven't done any more of the model, I have been sourcing parts for the braided hoses. Here's a selection so far.
There's modelling specific ones, the smallest 2 on the left.
A bicycle gear inner cable on the right.
The other 2 are braided elastic from eBay. I think these look the most realistic but I need some smaller sizes.

I'm debating whether on not to make my own A/N fittings with hex rod or buy some by Top Studio or similar. Will same money making my own.