¹⁄35

Low-life Hilux

This is Meng Models 1/35 'Pickup with ZPU-1' which we all recognise as a Toyota Hilux, but to spare Meng infringing the trademark, the vehicle retains the somewhat coy, generalised 'pickup' moniker.

Originally meant to be an OOB build, I decided to militarise it by removing the front doors, adding battle damage, removing all glass and replacing it with mesh in various configurations, and distressing the paintwork.

It’s an intricate little kit, particularly the machine gun. It’s one of those models that’s come through via CAD, and makes you wonder if anyone actually tried to build it before manufacturing it, such are the delicacy of the details.

The kit plastic is offered in three different colours depending on which part of the build is underway. The elements of black plastic I definitely don’t care for, as the items are tiny and reflect no light with which to see the attachment points, etc. Same comment for the PE which is black as well.

The main paintwork is chrome silver over primer, followed by the application of various ink washes, with pigment powders to finish, to replicate a vehicle that’s been in harsh conditions to the point where the paint has simply worn away.

The interior is matt black – I didn’t even use the dashboard dials decal. There’s a spare tyre (all the tyres are nice) but no engine. There’s also a figure of a Middle Eastern fighter to pose seated at the gun, but he was so basic I didn’t use him. I used the windscreen wipers but posed the blades bent or missing as no clear parts were used.

I created a terrain base using an old photo frame, a few pieces of shaled brick, grass tufts, and Vallejo acrylics.