WIP: McLaren M23 - 1976 - Hunt (Tamiya 1:20)

[Sennake]

Hi guys! I'm back in the 4 wheels department after spending a long time building a few 2 wheelers.

I decided to start an entry into the 2008 modelling contest, "tobacco and liquor sponsoring" if I recall correctly, only thing is: I can't find the contest! Am I the first contender?

Anyway, here we go:

Building a model like this always demands a study of the main bodyparts. I noticed that the body consists mainly of 2 parts, an upper part and a lower part. So far so good, but Tamiya made a big mistake: the separation of the 2 halves runs through up to the very tip of the nosecone, which is totally wrong. The nosecone is one single part, that can be detached from the body to be able to work at the parts that are hidden by this nosecone (brake-oil fluid containers, battery, and so on), and the separation only starts after the nosecone.

[DerXL]

Well, that is an impressive start to this model.
I'm still looking for this model myself. If I ever get hold of one, I'm going to build the car that Nelson Piquet drove in 1978.
Until than, I'll be watching your build closely.

I already enjoyed your build of Senna's Toleman (and enjoyed it even more seeing it for real in Nieuwegein), so I think this is going to be good !

I hope you can finish it in time for Nieuwegein this year...

Regards,

[lumpulus]

Nice to see someone actually buidling an M23 model instead of flipping it on eBay. Looking forward to more!

[OrangeR]

Glad to see u back on cars, this will be a great thread to follow as always.
Now, to my knowledge the contest never got started or... has it now?
If not, I think you'll be the absolute winner

[robrex]

Great start Guy!
Yes, you are the first and only entrant in the competition. I think it disappeared when Phil left? I did notice him around lately so maybe it will still happen?

[Sennake]

Originally Posted by Sennake

So I'll have to figure out a way to connect the nose to the main body without glueing it.

I have been thinking a lot, until I found the solution. It will be a snap-lock system at the bottom, and the fasteners on top of the nosecone will be drilled out and replaced by small pins which will be held in small metal supports

[Jamme]

Hello Guy,
I always like following your Wip's!
You always make a great Job out of the kits you are building.
Waiting to see the next UP!
Cheers,

Jamme

[mic329]

That is great and I should be following this thread !!!

[winstonm3bmw]

This M23 is the No.1 F1 what the most I like and now is very difficult to have in market. I must keep on watching your show (thread) to the end.

[auw12]

The M23 is the most beautiful F1 car ever made IMO! Nice to see a master is making this! I'll be following!

[WRCfan]

If you need detailed photos of the engine up close I have them from the Yardley McLaren of Deny Hulme. The Ford V8 engine.

Let me know if you would like them...

[DVST8R]

Wow, fantastic car, I never thought i'd see one being built, I thought the collectors had gotten them all. I think this is the only Tamiya 1/20 kit i don't have, they are so expensive when you can manage to find one, its great to see one being built.

[robrex]

Brilliant!

[bvia]

I agree that Guy's WIPs are some of the best and most prolific on AFF. Thanks (once again!) for sharing with the rest of us fanatics!

Bill

[gionc]

Smart! And very well executed too.