Building Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/4 1988 F1 car (Tamiya 1/20 scale model kit)

The McLaren Honda MP4/4 dominated the 1988 Formula 1 season at the hands of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Winning 15 out of 16 races, it was the most successful grand prix car in history until the 2023 season. This 1/20 scale Tamiya kit was originally tooled in 1989 and has been re-released a couple of times since. Modern releases don't include the tobacco sponsorship logos, so third party decals were needed for those.
Ways to support my channel:
Patreon: / modelnerd
TH-cam membership: / @modelnerd
Amazon store: amzn.to/370Fk7H
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/modelnerd
Instagram: / model.nerd

[@shauntaylor9251]

Little tip with the masking , before spraying the red spray a coat of clear first . It seals the edge of the tape so the next colour shouldn't bleed through

[@MVeminor7]

Excellent advice. I've been doing this for years.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - I will try that on my next build. I did listen to this advice on my Lotus too, but this was built at the same time so I haven't has a chance to apply it yet :)

[@phonojam3486]

another fantastic build even with the issues with the paint, and oh man the feels when Murray Walkers voice came on!

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, thank you. Did you notice Murray twice called it 1987 instead of 1988? Gotta love him :)

[@phonojam3486]

@@ModelNerd yeah! wouldnt trade him for the world. keep up the good work on your models, i enjoy every video you make, even if historical war isnt my thing, its still entertaining, so thank you

[@steve1315]

You always get one kit that gives you major agg . Good work looks nice can't beat a bit of Tamiya.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Steve. You sure can't beat Tamiya :)

[@alastairmcgregor579]

Good build. Thanks for sharing. I have the old MP4/5b on the shelf and have been putting it off due to the colour issue of the Marlboro red/orange 😂

[@wadetubman]

i used Mr Color C171 Flourescent Red. It is a bright bright red orange. I have seen the marlboro color as painted on cars in real life, and it is designed for TV, and is bright red/orange and changes through the TV to be bright red. I think the other colours sold to match ared more designed to give the look as per the TV screen.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. It's a good point - it might be matched, but it depends what it is matched to.

[@LuKe._.]

​@@ModelNerdhey, I'm not really good painting these type of models with paint gun, so, do you recommend me using a brush to paint the red part in the car?

[@J0hnnieP]

Beautiful done for a race I've always admired!!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you!

[@scaleffect]

This will be a popular video I am sure, such an iconic car. Looks like you overcame the challenges without too much issue, this thing looks incredible. Making me want to build the MP4/5B I snagged at a show, but still a bit scared lol. Thanks for sharing your hard work as always! I always learn a lot each video.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you mate - I'm glad you liked it. Ah yeah, the MP4/5B - another McLaren classic!

[@greenhilldesign]

The MP4/5b is an even tighter cowl fit. I had to test fit mine, so watch for that as mine is stuck on

[@ModelNerd]

@@greenhilldesign Yep - I took the cowl-off shots of mine before putting the cowl on for what I guessed would be the last time. Very tight.

[@bluegambit67]

last time a made built an F! is back in the 90s. with plenty of choice. Don't seem to be many kits about these days.

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, eBay is the only place you can really find these kits these days.

[@robbo1068]

The decals certainly made a difference to the model's final appearance. The minor flaws seem to disappear as the eyes focus on the whole model rather than specific areas where they are (from this side of the screen that is). Three F1 models in a month....and still many more to come in the future! Great job, MN :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Robbo. I'll have some updates on other projects on Patreon later today or tomorrow :)

[@dekon70]

Looks great!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you!

[@johnc4144]

Turned out nice in the end, Top studio do an amazing super detail set for this iconic car if you fancy a challenge! The marlboro red is a fluro red best represented by Mr hobby c171, the reason its sometimes mistaken as a candy red is photos and television cameras at the time could not pick up the fluorescent . If you can get Shunko decals i find these the best replacement brand available.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - I'll have to look up the Mr Hobby colour. I hope I haven't painted myself into a corner now - I don't want a line of McLarens all with different colours, but this one does look too red :)

[@wadetubman]

agree c171 looks like the do in real life (i think other colours aim to look red post TV)

[@MVeminor7]

Great build Stu! The background stories are very interesting. It makes the model come alive.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you! I really enjoy researching those parts too :)

[@KGmodels]

Looks amazing Stu,my brother is making the Tamiya Lotus 79,as his first f1 as after the 102 you posted,we decided to get back into f1,and Thanks Stu for that.We have been looking for an MP4 anywhere,but ebay(but I have had some major problems with hacking of my account in the past)seems to be the only place to do so,as with most f1s,but where do you get all yours from?

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you mate. I've had most of my F1 kits for 4-5 years now, and most were sourced from eBay. Although actually this one wasn't - I got this when I was in Singapore from the Tamiya shop there.

[@KGmodels]

@@ModelNerd Might have to take a trip to Singapore or Japan then ;)

[@greenhilldesign]

Nice building. If you can, paint black under the windshield. The nose also had Marlboro on the decal sheet. Ive used these on mine, Tabu decals are good

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - you're completely right, I don't know how I missed that Marlboro on the nose! Thank you - I'll add it now.

[@Mauscmkwk]

You should try something from model factory hiro

[@ModelNerd]

I'd love to, but my wallet doesn't stretch that far :)

[@MikeUSA67]

Nice one, Stu! One question: do you use the rattle cans inside, or do you go outside (as I always do)?

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you! I use the rattle cans in the garage but with the door open (and a respirator).

[@MikeUSA67]

@@ModelNerd Dang, I hoped you had some ingenious advice for me on how to safely use them indoors 😞I tried once, just a little tap of clear gloss for sealing after a nice painting session - and boy, did I regret that. I couldn't breathe for two days 🙂

[@shooter7a]

It is not "Ayrton Senna's" MP4/4, it is Steve Nichols. He was the lead designer.

[@ModelNerd]

By the same logic, presumably most of the things in your home, none of the clothes you wear, etc are yours because you didn't design them 🤣

[@shooter7a]

@@ModelNerd I just like to give Nichols props. He was a brilliant designer and has some great stories.
th-cam.com/video/wDE2XzqGV6s/w-d-xo.html

[@ModelNerd]

For sure - and those were the days when one man's idea could really make or break the design of a car, and even change F1 :)

[@johntreloar8203]

I think the kit turned out alright Stu, pity about the decals, maybe that's why Tamiya went to a thicker decal?? You know we are our own worst critics, good job and dump the Tamiya spray paints...

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you. Yes, you're right, we are! I'm trying to use up all my Tamiya sprays as I have loads left over from the early days.

[@johntreloar8203]

@@ModelNerd All good Stu, just take your time and try and have optimal conditions when spraying Tamiya paints...