1/20 Mika Hakkinen's McLaren MP4/8; 1993 Australian GP

I started this project a couple weeks ago right after I finished my Subaru, but I haven't taken any pictures until now because my camera refused to work properly. :banghead: I decided to build Hakkinen's car because I wanted to do something a little different. It was a very hard decision as this was Aryton's last victory in his last drive with McLaren. I still have not decided 100%. Decals can be removed, right?

A rather basic OOB build, I used a lot of different CF decals that matched the reference pics and also did some wiring. Anyway, some pictures:

Here is the completed nose cone with the underside CFed. The "Tencel" decals are from F1s. I know the end plates in the Australian GP are a little bit different from the kit version, but I think I can live with it. :tongue:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/94126abf.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/4fb1eff9.jpg

The underside and inside of the rear wing are also covered with CF decals. For the Marlboro red, I used TS-36 straight from the can.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/45e4aed1.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/261f7f05.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/a6c93046.jpg

Seatbelt hardware is from Acustion, material from S27. The black tape on the seat is just Tamiya masking tape painted flat black. Sanding the molded plastic belts were a pain in the ass, by the way. The seat looks a lot better in person, it looks too shiny because of the flash.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/5ed792aa.jpg

here is the unfinished engine. Exhaust is weathered with Tamiya set D.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/e7ee4b8e.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/fde711fe.jpg

The electronics are wired according to the reference pics. This is my first time doing wiring, and I will be displaying the car with the cowl off. Not that I have a choice, as the cowl won't fit with the wires underneath.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/87bef32b.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/dc7b7da5.jpg

Here is a mockup of all the pieces I have completed so far:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/ffd491a8.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/8cb99fac.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/5f830c01.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/b183841c.jpg

As you can see from the pictures, I am almost done with it. All that needs to be done is the engine wiring, and some finishing touches like mirrors, a final polish, etc. Anyway, comments are appreciated. Let me know what you all think.

Looks really good, the wiring on the sidepods is especially nice!

Looking darn good indeed.

Your build is looking exceptionally clean and detailed. I too am very impressed by the wiring you've done on the sidepods.

Nice work!! I have the same kit and have decided to do Mika's Australian GP car as well. I started it but benched it to work on something else for now. Sound familiar? FYI HLJ has released the Tabu supplementary decal sheet for the MP4-8 which includes the 'Berlucchi' sponsor logos for the mirrors. I don't know which aftermarkets you have used, but this sponsor seems to be missing in a few of them. Just a tip to add that final touch if it helps. Again nice job!!

The extra decals I used is from F1 Specialties and they include the "Berlucchi" mirror decals as well. I changed my mind and decided to build Senna's car instead, as it was his last win and drive with McLaren. I have another MP4/8 kit that I will later build to replicate Mika's first ever podium at theJapanese GP. :D

I guess I should change the thread title then, huh?

I thought you would change your mind and make it Senna's. Mika's world title car would be a better car to make for Mika.

Real nice clean look you've got. Did the decals come off ok?

Nice work Dave. Can't believe I had missed this thread.

Bill

Hello all,

The McLaren has been finished for about a week now. I've just gotten around to taking pictures of it now. More pics can be found at the completed thread here. (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=907078)

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/davezilla17/McLaren%20MP4-8/4017109b.jpg