Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with classic Formula 1 cars lately, and the 1991 McLaren MP4/6, driven by Senna, is just iconic. I decided I needed to build a model of it. I’m not a pro builder or anything, just a guy who likes to tinker.
First, I hunted down a good kit. I ended up grabbing a Tamiya 1/20 scale model. Seemed like a good balance of detail and not being too intimidating.
The Build Begins
I cracked open the box and, man, so many parts! It was a little overwhelming at first. I laid everything out, trying to get organized. The instructions were pretty clear, thankfully, mostly pictures, which is good because my Japanese is non-existent.
- Step 1: The Engine. This was surprisingly detailed. Lots of tiny pieces that needed to be glued together just so. I used tweezers for a lot of it, and I definitely messed up a couple of times and had to carefully pry things apart and try again. Super glue is unforgiving, let me tell you.
- Step 2: The Chassis. This was a bit more straightforward. Bigger pieces, mostly screwing things together. Felt good to make some visible progress.
- Step 3: The Bodywork. The iconic red and white! This is where it started to really look like a McLaren. I had to be super careful with the decals, especially the big Marlboro ones (even though they’re technically not supposed to be there anymore). I used some setting solution to help them conform to the curves.
- Step 4:The Wheels and Suspension. I have to be really careful,I take so long time to finish it!
Painting and Detailing
I primed all the body parts with a gray primer, then sprayed them with Tamiya’s recommended colors. The red was a bit tricky to get even, I had to do a couple of coats. I’m not the best painter, so there are a few imperfections, but hey, it’s my model.
I spent extra time on little details, I used black wash in panel lines to make the shapes * makes a real car looks like!
The Finished Product
After several weeks of on-and-off work, it was finally done! It’s not perfect, but I’m really proud of it. It sits on my shelf now, a reminder of Senna’s incredible skill and a legendary era of Formula 1. My next project? Maybe a Ferrari from the same period…we’ll see!