Completed: McLaren MP4/1C

[SeanyG]

... Finally!

This only took a month to the day but I have to admit that I am happy to 'get this out of the way'. I'm sure you know what I mean and I bet we have all felt like this about certain builds we have made over the years.

I am not going to be overly damning of the kit as Sandro from Ace was good enough to contact me throughout to try and help me with the numerous problems I had. Also I feel we shouldn't be too damning and encourage these smaller companies to keep improving and producing more for us in the future.

The problems I had in short; I think the suspension as whole could be made a lot more accurately so it actually fits in the first place, the decals need to be thinner and more accurate, for example the rear wing '7' was far too big and my blue for the union jack was missing altogether. A little more could be included on the p/etch set for my liking too as I had to raid the spares box several times - for example there were no fasteners or wing mirror lenses, finally the moulding is poor and I have to be honest the worst I have experienced, I think Sandro knows this and is trying to improve in this area. I think this would all be easier to swallow if these kits were not the same price as S27 ones but unfortunately they are and therefore us modelers expect the same quality. I know Sandro and Ace have taken a bashing on here and I think if these kits were maybe £20 GBP cheaper people would make allowances, just my opinion.

On the plus side, er... well at least it was better than the Treasure Hunt kit I made recently. Thanks to Sandro for keeping in touch throughout the build.

Final additions to the build were embossing powder on the steering wheel and an extra switch added here too. I also added tyre valves (not included) and the Gurney flaps (included) to the front and rear wings.

here's a few pics - as always more will be on my site. A big thanks as always to everyone who followed and commented, I hope the WIP will help you if you try your hand at this one too...











next up... a break from F1 again, Im going for the 1/24 Porsche 911 GT1... I need a Tamiya kit fix as it were and I definately need a full detail build which this is definately going to be, after that will be a full detail F1 build and it will probably be another Tamiya just to remind me that some kits actually do fit together properly.

[billypee]

Great work Sean. It must be really rewarding to have come through a testing build such as this and have a wonderful car to show for it. I can't wait to see the next build.

[stevenoble]

Well despite this not being the best kit in the world I think it looks terrific when finished..!! You have made an excellent model from what you had and it just goes to show what can be achieved.You must have the patience of a saint though....!!!! It looked like a very testing build
The Zero MP Red looks good as well.It's good to know that the correct red is now so easily obtainable.After years of trying to use TS-36 and never being happy with the finish or the colour match, I think Hiroboy has answered our prayers

[Decs0105]

awesome job especially if you consider how bad the kit is
Always great to see your builds!

[Zubski]

Great Work on the kit. Can't wait to see the Porsche 911 GT1.

[SeanyG]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

Well despite this not being the best kit in the world I think it looks terrific when finished..!! You have made an excellent model from what you had and it just goes to show what can be achieved.You must have the patience of a saint though....!!!! It looked like a very testing build
The Zero MP Red looks good as well.It's good to know that the correct red is now so easily obtainable.After years of trying to use TS-36 and never being happy with the finish or the colour match, I think Hiroboy has answered our prayers

thanks Steve, to say it was a testing build is an understatement. I have 4 more Ace kits in the cupboard, hopefully all of them will be an improvement on this one!

and yes Steve at hiroboy certainly has answered our prayers when it comes to matching lots of auto colours - I cant receommend them highly enough. The Subaru Blue, Lotus Camel yellow and of course the McLaren red have all been spot on, credit to him.
I was a little disappointed that I didnt get a reply from him though when I emailed to ask if he knew what the problem may be with my red melting the white, I guess he is a busy guy though so not to worry

[specialstages]

Sean,

Nice job once again. Only you know the hang-ups with the kit because it doesn't show in the finished model. A classic!

BTW thanks for the tips!

[SeanyG]

thanks again for all your words. Just added the rest of the finished pics to my site.