A_M_W_2015_05_

Airfix Model World
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Airfix Model World

http://www.airfixmodelworld.com

INTERMEDIATE BUILD

MCLAREN MP4-12C GT3

INTERMEDIATE BUILD

MCLAREN MP4-12C GT3

{39}

Airfix Model World

http://www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Surrounds for the fuel filler necks on both sides were fashioned from composites.

 Carbon templates decorated the steering wheel and dasboard centre console.

 Another homemade carbon template decal coated the windscreen scuttle panel.

Fujimi included chrome-plated

inserts for the

headlamp reflectors; the

details were brushed with

Citadel Abbadon Black.

diffuser were provided by Studio

27...no less than 18 separate

items. Application of these decals

required a calm, methodical

approach, not to mention copious

amounts of Microscale decal

solvents. The front and rear brake

assemblies were, again, simplistic

and designed functionally on the

kit, but additional PE disc (rotor)

faces improved their appearance

greatly. Fujimi’s ten-spoke racing

wheels came moulded in an

accurate metallic gunmetal shade

and, with the centre caps treated

to a wash of Citadel Badab Black,

their detail was apparent. With the

rubber racing slicks stretched over

the rims, the excellent ‘Michelin’

manufacturer’s logos could be

placed on the sidewalls. These

were of the ‘reverse transfer’

style, whereby the markings were

removed from the baking paper,

rubbed onto the sidewalls, soaked

in situ, and then the remaining top

paper was lifted away.

Several carbon fibre template

decals from the Studio 27 set, and

those from ‘home-made’ methods,

had to be fixed to the body

components. The rear cooling

vents proved to be another

onerous task, as each comprised

seven separate decals, but were

worth the end result. Carbon

coating for the large rear wing,

and small canard vanes for the

front wings, also came supplied

on the after-market set. These

pre-cut were excellent, and are

recommended highly over more

traditional (and even more time

consuming) methods.

Glass and shine

Attention returned to the final

body components; detail painting

of the window surrounds and

other items was accomplished by

careful hand-brushing of Citadel

Abbadon Black. The window

masks supplied in the kit were

similar to Tamiya’s in style...

albeit that they required accurate

cutting with their printed lines as a

guide. Positioning of these masks

was much easier than those of

several other kit manufacturers’

offerings, such as Belkits and

Hasegawa.

Decals for the body and glazing

were sourced from a mixture

of the kit-supplied sheet and

that from Studio 27. All decals

applied easily and without any

silvering due to their quality, the

gloss finish and Microscale

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