WIP: McLaren MP4/6 and M23 Pitscene

[Ronnux]

Three months ago I started a new project. Normally I would built most kits out of the box and sometime adding some details, but after my big Ferrari 312B diorama I made last year, I thought it would be nice to do another big project in 2024.

The oldest kit in my to do pile was the 70’s pit crew by Tamiya. It is actually my fathers from when we built F1 cars together back in the nineties. I wanted to do something different and I found out that Decalpool made decals for different teams. I planned to built the Tamiya McLaren M23 77 Villeneuve version with the old Tamiya pitcrew.

But to make it a bigger, challenging project I wanted to make a diorama with a 70’s setting and a 90’s setting. I had the fujimi MP4/6 in my stash and bought an old tire changing crew for the 90’s scene. I got inspired by some pit pictures from Senna in 91 which also had the monitor on top of the monocoque, so I also bought a secondhand driver and engineer set online. Because I wanted to add detail and to challenge myself of not building oob this time, I searched for all the available update sets for the MP4/6.

Thanks to Thomas for creating and donating the missing fuel cap Fujimi forgot!
Thanks to Sergey for the Acu Stion Funnels!
Thanks to Wim for the Carbon decals!

Thanks for watching!!

Ron

[Ronnux]

I started with the M23 with Tamiya etch set. I wanted to add some detail to the engine, so I bought an ignition set from MFH. I also scratchbuilt the rear shocks.

[Ronnux]

For the body I used Tamiya primer, decanted TS101 and TS36. I used a Tabu decal set. I had some issues with spraying TS13 clear. Unfortunately the first coat was to wet and it ate some of the decals a little bit..

[Ronnux]

After finishing the M23 I started with the MP4/6 with all the add-ons.

The kit parts for the rear shocks doesn’t contain springs, so I’ve made them myself. Added some S27 etch parts to the engine and sanded the seatbelts of the driver figure. I also started with the top studio cockpit set.

[Ronnux]

Added some topstudio oxygen sensors, weathered the floor and started with the carbon decals I’ve bought from BBK thanks to this forum

[Ronnux]

Progress of the cockpit and tub. I changed the front shocks and used a top studio set to add realism. Also thanks to this forum I’ve got some Acu Stion funnels from Lezdep!

[Ronnux]

More pics! Added some wiring, a top studio antenna set and driveshafts!

[Ronnux]

I started with the top studio brake set, the body and the Senna figure. Also got a 3D printed filler cap Fujimi forgot from Steinietrabi! It’s a small detail, but looks better then an empty hole

[Ronnux]

I started the 90’s crew, added belts from the Topstudio cockpit set and continued working on the body.

[Ronnux]

This is where it stands right now. The car is almost ready, made a base with asphalt structure, got some spare Williams FW13 Tamiya tires and I’m trying to resin copy 2 wheelguns, because the kit only has two!