Mclaren MP4/4

[thenic123]

I got this kit 4 months ago off a friend for $30 that he had for 10 years. I've always wanted to have a Mclaren in my small model collection. I did a little searching on the net. I had to get some bits and pieces to do this model. While I was looking I found this site and it gave me good ideas to help my average skills. I pm some of the skilled modelers and Steve Noble was really helpfull . I got most of my ideas from him. I hope i didn't steal to many .
I have been taking a very long time with this model. Usually I take about a month to do a model. The biggest thing to learn this time was to use the airbrush. I haven't used an airbrush before. Steve told me about Hiroboy.com. I spent about $200aud, which was heaps.


Here is a picture of the kit above ^



This is a pic of the "tub" that i had to paint twice because the clear coat didn't come out right.



This is the undertray with the engine glued on.



This is a picture of the front end with the sides, radiators and suspension glued on.



Cockpit picture.







This is a picture of one of the cowling parts painted with the Mclaren MP4 ZERO paint. The paint is a cross between a bright orange and red. It is supposed to be a 99.9% match to the real colour.
http://http://www.hiroboy.com/catalo...oducts_id=1732

I will post some more pictures with my nephews webcam later. It's the best pictures i could take using a webcam .
Cya Everybody

[Captain Mark]

Looking good so far!

[billypee]

Good start on a very nice model. The web-cam photos are not really doing your skills justice as on close inspection everything looks clean and tidy.

Cheers,
Bill

[thenic123]

Hello again.
I have done a little bit more since last time. I have been having a bit of trouble lately. I took some holidays from work,
only to be asked by my brother-in-law to help his boss move office for two weeks. Aaaggh!.... So it's been a bit slow doing this.
But this past week I have done some more. I managed to get the engine on with some wiring.
This is what I used:


They are pretty easy to use. Just paint them what ever color you want. I painted them Titanium gold.
Then painted the tops flat black with a brush. Then I had to drill holes for the wires.
For some strange reason, I liked doing it!....

The only thing I couldn't do was the Electrical boxes on the side pods. Can't get the drill in there. And I'm not very good with a razor saw.
I wish Tamiya moulded them separate.

Here is the the engine with some of the wires:



I still have to do some more wiring, but I will do that when I get the rear suspension on.

I put the turbo and intake on. That was a pain in the butt
When I was gluing the intake on, I got one spot of glue on the part that faces the 'tub' of the "white part" about in the middle.
I don't know if I should leave it.... or take it off and try sanding it and painting it again.
I don't really want to, 'cause if I tape it up, the gloss coat gets stuffed.

What do u think I should do?

I have Circled where it is:


More pics:


Any criticism is welcome!

[nugundam93]

i'd sand down that glue

anyway, i have nothing but good words on your work. nice going!

[Captain Mark]

The plumbing/wiring looks great.

[thenic123]

Hi
I have another update. I finally got the engine on with the wires.
I used the .5mm black wire that was included in the Top Studio connectors.
Also used a .6mm black wire for sort of an oil line to the rear oil cooler. It runs on top of the
gearbox. It all went pretty well together.
I also made an oil line for the oil tank. I used some soldering wire,.9mm thick.
Then used some Sakatsu nuts and painted them clear blue. Then stuck a braided line on the end,
with some heat shrink tube.

Also the wheels and tires. They were a pain in the butt.
I was trying to do them with a tire stencil but the paint didn't turn out right. So I used the decals.

Also I got those damn turbocharger units with the black and white inlets on.
The inlets were a pain in the butt. I had to do these many times, because of the white getting dust on it. I finally done a good set,
BUT DISASTER.... I went and done a test fit with the cowling and the right side one got rubbed and some chunks of white paint came off.
So I have a back up one, I will have to paint and put it on,
UUUGGGHHH!!...I am getting Pi##$d. Nothing seams to fit.
But I might start the rear wing instead. Or maybe I will get this inlet to fit properly with the cowling going on easy.

Anyway, hope you like it. It's the best I could do, for now.





Any thoughts, ideas and criticism on this is most welcome. It is the only way to learn.

[billypee]

This looks very very good. Great work.

[stevenoble]

Coming on beautifully, loving the engine plumbing and all so neat.Great stuff!!!

[thenic123]

Hi
Thanks for the comments.
Just letting u know that I fixed the intake. I had to sand down the white paint. Then paint again.
I left it to dry overnight. On close inspection, the surface was not level.
So I sanded it down with 4000 micromesh, then 6000 and it smoothed it out. It looks good again.
Also I did a bit of reshaping on where it attaches to the radiator. Looks a bit different but at least the cowling goes on no probs.
Now I have to wait for the clearcoat to dry, then I have to glue it on.
Now I will start on the rear wing and the cowling which I am dreading 'cause they are much larger areas.
I know I am going to get dust on them.
Well I will see how it goes.

Thenic123