Half the size with all the detail? Meng's 24th scale McLaren MP4/4 1988

Scaling down to 1/24th scale for this release, Meng have made another pressing of their new 1988 F1 Championship vehicle from McLaren, the MP4/4. Does it have all of the same quality & features at a smaller size? We look at the kit's features in our preview...

Half the size with all the detail? Meng's 24th scale McLaren MP4/4 1988

McLaren MP4/4 1988

From Meng Models

Kit No #CS-007

1/24th scale

　　Available in: February
Meng website

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 1/24th scale MP4/4 from 1988

Licensed by McLaren Racing Limited, MENG will soon release the CS-007 1/24th scale  McLaren MP4/4 1988 model kit. The finished model will be 184mm long and 89mm wide. This kit includes precision PE parts, fine decals, carbon-fiber 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.

This kit includes stands to show the upper bodywork separately.

The front wing assembly and the upper bodywork are removable. 

The front wheels can be turned either side.

The cockpit with it's intricate instruments & steering wheel is replicated here.

Large vinyl tyres are supplied with this kit...

The safety belts made of special fabric material are not only realistic, but also easy to assemble.

The wishbones, steering track rods, pull rods and steering column are all moulded precisely, This kit also includes parts of different materials and shapes like springs, vinyl tubes and screws which make the model look more realistic.

The RA168E 1.5L V6 turbocharged engine is realistically replicated with finely painted parts.

Carbon fibre and cloth texture is provided on a separate decal sheet.

Decals are provided for the two cars #11 & #12 in the F1 championship for 1988

The McLaren MP4/4 created a legendary era on the F1 circuits, one that belonged to McLaren and the racing legend Ayrton Senna. And now, you can also add this legendary race car in the classic 1/24 scale to your collection when it is released in February.

This kit is due for release in February - You can see more of Meng's kits on their website.