Review
This offering from Meng arrives fast on the heels of the 1/12th offering, and brings it closer affordability wise to more modellers. This offering arrives packaged in a robust cardboard tray and a card lid. Inside the sprues are individually packaged in plastic bags, with the decals being in their own specific bag this also includes the photo etched elements of the model. An examination of the contents reveals no obvious moulding issues, while most of the gates are of a small size there are some that are a tad larger.
As with it’s bigger brother, Meng has supplied a nicely detailed power plant. There is no cable detail present, and that will need to be applied by the modeller if so desired. The engine attaches to the transmission and rear axles, which also has very good brake disc detail. The modeller has been provided with the ability to rotate the wheels if desired via the use of poly caps. The front wheels also have the ability to rotate, and the steering geometry can be set as desired. What I will say is that this will involve forcing rods into clips and so take care or you will end up with a broken steering system. The geometry of the front wheels can also be altered on the finished model, which as a kid I used to like. But knowing how many models got broken while playing I would suggest you setting it when happy. The wheels for this release have been provided with vinyl rubber tyres, which in this particular models case causes me no concerns. To show a bit of forward thinking by Meng decals have also been supplied for the tyre walls, but be careful what you use on the vinyl rubber due to the risk of melting.
The monocoque is another nicely detailed area of the model, going all the way back to the seat of the model itself. Here you will also find photo etch seat harness adjusters with the cloth element of the harness itself being supplied with a very realistic self adhesive cloth material. If you paint all of the areas within the direct location of the driver, you will make your life easier as the build progresses. Meng has supplied decals for the instrument cluster and calls out painting directions as you go. The pods either side of the driver’s area houses items such as radiators and these have been well replicated within the model. Meng has also done a good job of detailing the turbo chargers and you need to take care with these as they are handed rather than duplicated.
As we approached the area of the body shell, the modeller needs to decide what they want to do as regards the display of the finished model. You have been supplied with a great deal of interior detail which will be almost completely hidden if the body shell is applied to the model. With that thought in mind Meng has supplied 2 A frame supports for displaying the body shell to the side of the rest of the model and this will allow you to show the detail of both the exterior in interior of the model. It is worth mentioning at this point, the decals supplied with the release as you have reflective mirror foil to replicate the wing mirrors and a huge number of decals for the body shell itself. There are 6 different decals sheets in this release, and so you get some idea of how much work you are going to be doing on the finished model.
Conclusion
This 1/24th scale offering from Meng is in my opinion is a good release and is affordable for most without causing a divorce if you were caught sneaking the 1/12th version into the house. Yes the part count is lower than its big brother, but that has not come at the cost of detail. Every part of this release seems to have been thought about as regards use and function and I like that they still provided the interior rather than just a portion of the interior that would be seen with the bodywork in place. So this Meng release, which is an official McLaren product is well worth you opening your wallet for, and if you have the ability should result in a very pleasing model.