Tamiya McLaren MP4/4 Question

[PJE]

With the new McLaren MP4/4 kits coming out I’ve renewed my interest in the car so I started looking at my old Tamiya kit. It also helped in seeing an interview on YouTube recently with Gordon Murray and how he applied his BT55 design to the MP4/4.
I’m just going to do a curbside with a little extra CF and cockpit detail.
So here’s the question. I know the kit represents an early season car. I want to represent the car in a non cigarette sponsored race with the bars. I’ve always kind of liked that look. What early season races did the cars carry that type of livery?

Thanks for the help.
Paul Erlendson

[prancing_fox]

Only the British gp 1988, i suppose.

[daveyman]

Prosts car at the British GP is the only one that matches the kit spec. Senna had a different rear wing set up on that race.

[PJE]

Prosts car at the British GP is the only one that matches the kit spec. Senna had a different rear wing set up on that race.

I just started watching the ESPN coverage on YouTube. It was reported that both Senna and Prost had higher downforce rear wings (reporter didn’t say the same) installed on the grid! Since it was also a wet race I’ll have to add rain tires to my build.

Paul Erlendson

[daveyman]

If you see footage of the race you will see they are different.

[bossy122]

Other than the snorkels, was there a difference between the early and late versions? Seems like filling in the snorkel holes is an easy fix and then you have the German GP version with the bars.....assuming the pesky rear wing is the same.

[JamesB]

Bossy.... it’s not
Hockenheim, low downforce, slim wing. Even slimmer than in Silverstone.
Paul should modify wing?
Not for Silverstone if you choose Prost.
A more self sure Ayrton got do with biplane Wong. Always? Not! if you play the practice wild card, well Senna used big wing...

[daveyman]

The panels on the side of the chassis are white pre mid season change and they are either removed or painted black once the revised car was up and running. Other than that it would be a case of checking the rear wing settings on the kit and finding a race that matches the spec. Not Monza for sure.

[bossy122]

....pesky rear wing!

A good look at the 2 rear wings at Silverstone.









I hate that Getty Images took over Motorsports Images. Now my search results get me pictures of Malcolm Mclaren from 1988 as well as Mclarens.

[Chumley]

Now my search results get me pictures of Malcolm Mclaren from 1988 as well as Mclarens.

Keyboard now covered in coffee