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McLaren MP4/5B |
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McLaren MP4/5B Honda driven by Ayrton Senna 1990 |
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This model was unobtainable for quite some time, until it was reproduced together with the McLaren MP4/8 and MP4/9. Whilst it was not being produced by Tamiya, I searched for it on the Internet, hoping someone had found one tucked away in a cupboard somewhere and wished to part with it. I did find one, but with the £80.00 price tag, it encouraged me to leave it to a wealthier model builder or collector. |
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Ayrton Senna’s death increased the value of this kit, along with the others driven by him in the Tamiya collection. Thankfully Tamiya decided to reproduce the model and market it at the normal retail price. |
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This McLaren, like the ones in the previous two years, was one of the main contenders for the championship. McLaren had completely dominated the previous two years but this year Alain Prost, in the Ferrari, gave Ayrton Senna a run for his money and the championship went all the way to the final race. During 1990 Ayrton was partnered by Gehard Berger. His partner of the previous two years had been Alain Prost, who had this year, moved to Ferrari, the two drivers clashed by running into each other for the second year running, at the final grand prix of the year, held at Suzuka in Japan. |
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I bought a can of white aerosol spray paint, produced by Tamiya, to paint the main bodywork of this car. I am very pleased with the finish obtained which provides a good surface to mount the F1 Specialities decals. |
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I thoroughly recommend the Marlboro decals for this model, available from www.f1specialties.com, they really make a difference to the look of this model. There were more races allowing tobacco advertising than not during the racing season, so my lasting memories of this car, were with the Marlboro trade name emblazoned across the rear cowling and rear wing. |
