Wednesday, November 8

Meng's new McLaren MP4/4 1988 comes in a pre-coloured version...

Meng have made another pressing of their new 1988 F1 Championship vehicle from McLaren, the MP4/4 in 1/12th scale. This one is a little different however, as it comes pre-coloured plastic with no need to paint (unless you want to that is). We look at the kit's features in our preview...


Meng's new McLaren MP4/4 1988 comes in a pre-coloured version...

McLaren MP4/4 1988 (Pre-colored Edition)
From Meng Models
Kit No #RS-005
1/12th scale
　　Available in: November
The Subject: McLaren MP4/4 1988
After the FIA introduced new engine regulations for Formula 1 cars in late 1987, teams using turbocharged engines encountered some difficulties. The FIA not only tightened restrictions on turbocharged engines, but also decided to officially ban them in 1989. While most teams turned to naturally aspirated engines after receiving the new regulations, McLaren's designers saw a different side of the turbocharged engines. With the idea that the centre of gravity and drag of a Formula 1 car would get lower and smaller, McLaren lowered the vehicle as much as possible, lengthened the front and changed the driver's seat angle from 45 degrees to 30 degrees. At the same time, McLaren started cooperation with Honda. The RA168E turbocharged engine was perfectly integrated with the bodywork design. Thus a very competitive racing car, the McLaren MP4/4 was born.

　The McLaren MP4/4 in red and white livery ruled the Formula 1 races of that year. It was a golden age of McLaren and Senna. 15 of 16 race wins in 1988, with Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna fighting for the championship
The drivers who made the McLaren MP4/4 a true legend were the genius Ayrton Senna and 'The Professor' Alain Prost. Driven by these two top drivers, the McLaren MP4/4 took most victories in 1988. The two drivers took turns to take the victories. In this season, Senna won his first Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship and McLaren won Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship with a total of 199 points. A legend was born.

McLaren MP4/4 dominated Formula 1 season in 1988

The Kit: Meng's 1/12th scale MP4/4 from 1988 (Pre-colored Edition) 
Licensed by McLaren Racing Limited, MENG will soon release a large scale racing car model kit, the RS-005 1/12 McLaren MP4/4 1988 in a special pre-colored edition with no painting (necessarily) needed. The finished model will be 367mm long and 177mm wide. This kit includes fine decals, carbon-fibre decals and also metallic effect decals. You have the options to build the model as the car driven by Ayrton Senna or Alain Prost. Let's take a look at the details of this kit.

The kit's sprues are pre-painted and the carbon fiber components feature pre-made carbon fiber texture. 
The front wing assembly and the upper bodywork are removable. This kit includes stands to show the upper bodywork separately.
The carbon nose box with pre-made carbon fiber texture is removable. Tires made of quality vinyl material are removable.
The wishbones, steering track rods, pull rods and steering column are metal parts.
The RA168E 1.5L V6 turbocharged engine is realistically replicated with finely painted parts.
This kit also includes parts of different materials and shapes like springs, vinyl tubes and screws which make the model look more realistic.
The pre-painted parts feature outstanding paint finishes.
A variety of painting and electro-plating processes are used to better present the metallic texture of different materials.
Parts with pre-made carbon fiber texture have ultimate surface finish and they are much easier to build.
Parts with complex markings have been pre-painted, perfectly showcasing the vehicle’s livery.
The safety belts made of special fabric material are not only realistic, but also easy to assemble.
This kit is due for release in July - You can see more of Meng's kits on their website.