Simple Mods to Improve AMT McLarens...

[hurtubise56]

Here are a few modifications I do to improve the AMT McLaren M16 kit (I have a lot of McLarens to do and can't afford a resin kit for all of them!).  I first assemble the tub top and bottom, front bulkhead and bottom nose piece, and fuel filler piece, using the rear bulkhead as a temporary spacer. I improve the fit as much as possible on all these pieces, especially the bottom nose piece.  Then I mark  a line on each side of the tub at the widest point of the curve.  Then I sand in front of and behind this line to straighten out the front and rear of the tub sides and get rid of that inaccurate curved side.  See pic 1 below (stock tub on right, modified tub on left).

Pic #1:


Next I re-profile the nose from the very front to the rivet line at the top, leaving the rivets.  Again, you want to remove the "curve" and make the nose a straight angle down from the tub top.  Pic #2 is the stock nose and pic #3 is the re-profiled nose.  Sorry for the blurry pics!

Pic#2:


Pic #3:


Other things I do mostly involve thinning some of the thick parts or re-making them like the windscreen, wing end plates and support structure.  I also profile the upper control arms in front to get rid of the square edges.  A little time consuming, and still not 100% but much better looking than an OOB build.  The nose and tub sanding usually takes me about 20 minutes.  Luckily, AMT's plastic is plenty thick!  HTH!

Brian

[quattro]

Thanks for this guide.

I do have an Andretti M16c on my job list,

and what with the pointer to the Indycals/Shapeways listings as well,

I personally will be watching avidly.

Guess there is something to be said for running on to the pitch late in the game......

[darylh]

Great tips Brian. I'll be using them.