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Ford F-350 RUSOF in Syria
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 02:09 PM UTC
Hello to all.

I have almost finished my new model – Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab of the RUSOF in Syria (SSO VS RF, Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, pronounced “seseo”).

RUSOF official site https://sofrussia.wordpress.com/
Official RUSOF VKonakte community (in Russian, but tons of HD pics and videos, especially on the Syrian conflict) https://vk.com/sof_mil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Operations_Forces_(Russia)
I’m a Soldier – Vkontakte community on modern conflicts (tons of Syria pics) https://vk.com/soldiersstory

Here are the prototypes.

Syria.





I am using this Dodge truck as the main reference (I believe the most similar kit on the market to copy it is the Meng F-350). I suggest the MG under the canvas likely to be DShKM. My vehicle will be fitted with a DShKM MG on a hand-crafted mount with a shield as this Dodge.

Ford F-350.
http://apbmotors.net/2010-ford-f-350-king-ranch-crew-cab-turbo-diesel-long-bed-6-4l-diesel-engine-24000/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPH4gCX3EA8




I will also add an M4 and an AR-15 used by the RUSOF alongside the AK-105.

Russian forces in Syria (especially EOD teams) often use dogs. So I’m adding a dog figure. Here are some examples.
https://twitter.com/RusEmbassyUAE/status/814936218844676096
http://eng.mil.ru/en/structure/forces/airborne/more/photo/gallery.htm?id=35185@cmsPhotoGallery
http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=2891565&tid=95994




My dog will wear an NPO Special Materials (Saint Petersburg) NORD tactical ballistic vest. http://www.npo-sm.ru/individualnaya_bronezashita/zhilety_kinologicheskie_nord/


Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 02:31 PM UTC
Here is the box.


Kits and materials used:
Meng VS-006 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab
Meng VS-001 Pick Up w/ZPU-1 (parts of ZPU-1 mount)
Bronco CB35093 GAZ-69A 4x4 Personnel Truck (DShKM)
Master Box MB35181 No Soldier Left Behind – MWD Down (M4, AR-15, dog)
Elf 5301 Headlights
Aluminum foil (chocolate wrapper) – headlamps and rear lights reflectors
Brass plate – MG shield
Tamiya stainless steel PE – shield mount
Paper – dog’ vest element
Syrian (Damascus) license plates printed on photo paper
http://www.plateshack.com/y2k/Syria/syriay2k.htm

Painted with Tamiya and GSI Creos. Weathered with AK Interactive, Ammo of Mig Jimenez, Mig, Tamiya, Nevskaya Palitra oils, GSI Creos super chrome, pencil graphite.
panamadan
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 1,513 posts
Armorama: 1,449 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 06:06 PM UTC
Glad to see the Meng kit being built.
Have fun with it.
Dab
SEDimmick
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: March 15, 2002
KitMaker: 1,745 posts
Armorama: 1,483 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 06:17 PM UTC
If you want, you can replace the grill on the Meng kit with a lower trim model F-350 from shapeways. The Meng F-350 kit depicts a high end King Ranch Model that costs $60k+...something normally not seen on a battlefield

The F-350 comes in cheaper versions that are more appropriate for utility work or on the battlefield

https://www.shapeways.com/product/2TWG7Q9WX/1-35-2011-16-ford-super-duty-grill-and-bumper?optionId=60139626
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 08:37 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Glad to see the Meng kit being built.
Have fun with it.
Dab

Thanks! That was definitely fun for the kit is simple. (Though a pity it lacks engine and the suspension & exhaust are a bit simplified.)
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 08:44 PM UTC

Quoted Text

If you want, you can replace the grill on the Meng kit with a lower trim model F-350 from shapeways. The Meng F-350 kit depicts a high end King Ranch Model that costs $60k+...something normally not seen on a battlefield

The F-350 comes in cheaper versions that are more appropriate for utility work or on the battlefield

https://www.shapeways.com/product/2TWG7Q9WX/1-35-2011-16-ford-super-duty-grill-and-bumper?optionId=60139626

Thanks! Maybe I will get it for my next project, but this one is painted and finished. I am just to take pics prior to final assembly. I am thinking on making another Meng Ford for Syria with some exotic armament (surprise!), for there are a lot of strange pickups out there
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 04:55 AM UTC
So . . . Don't the Russians have an equivalent domestic vehicle they could use?

KL
MLD
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Vermont, United States
Joined: July 21, 2002
KitMaker: 3,569 posts
Armorama: 2,070 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 06:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Glad to see the Meng kit being built.
Have fun with it.
Dab

Thanks! That was definitely fun for the kit is simple. (Though a pity it lacks engine and the suspension & exhaust are a bit simplified.)


Are the doors molded separate from the body like the Hilux kits (with separate windows) or are the body and glass each one piece like the Takoma kits?
Removed by original poster on 07/13/17 - 16:12:34 (GMT).
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 10:09 PM UTC

Quoted Text

So . . . Don't the Russians have an equivalent domestic vehicle they could use?

KL

Russian civilian automotive market is very different from the American one. It’s mainly hatchbacks, crossovers and SUV’s. (Believe me, considering the asphalt quality in Saint Petersburg, you WILL need a 200 mm ground clearance, not to mention carter protection.) Pickups were historically never used or been marketed here (except maybe VW Amarok or similar upper-segment vehicles not suitable for mass supply to the Army). Basically, there is UAZ Patriot pickup, but it’s a technologically obsolete vehicle, maybe used with the Army in minimum numbers (never on the battlefield). RUSOF mainly uses Tiger-M IMVs and Typhoon-K MRAPs. But I think when they need to stay low they switch to what is available on site and get pickups. Another reason may be to outwardly mimic local fighters (SAA, FSA, rebels etc. whoever). There was an episode during the Afghan war when the Soviets used captured Toyota pickups with MG's for surprise attack on a mujahedeen caravan. It proved extremely successful.
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 - 10:17 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Glad to see the Meng kit being built.
Have fun with it.
Dab

Thanks! That was definitely fun for the kit is simple. (Though a pity it lacks engine and the suspension & exhaust are a bit simplified.)


Are the doors molded separate from the body like the Hilux kits (with separate windows) or are the body and glass each one piece like the Takoma kits?

Meng molds all doors and hood together with the cab on this one. The windshield and 4 door glass panels go altogether, except the rear window. You can check it here http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10362095
Tank1812
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: April 29, 2014
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 886 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2017 - 03:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text

If you want, you can replace the grill on the Meng kit with a lower trim model F-350 from shapeways. The Meng F-350 kit depicts a high end King Ranch Model that costs $60k+...something normally not seen on a battlefield

The F-350 comes in cheaper versions that are more appropriate for utility work or on the battlefield

https://www.shapeways.com/product/2TWG7Q9WX/1-35-2011-16-ford-super-duty-grill-and-bumper?optionId=60139626


I could be wrong but this thread suggests that the light housing also needs to be changed, is that incorrect?

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/247388
WXerock
#450
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California, United States
Joined: July 19, 2015
KitMaker: 672 posts
Armorama: 668 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2017 - 05:15 AM UTC
Yes, the headlights and indicator lights on fleet trim trucks are very different than those in the MENG kit. There are a ton of photos of F350 trucks that are used by police and the military and they are all fleet trim vehicles with a simpler black grill and light setup. I just wish MENG had done more research and given us a kit that was more useful out of the box for a subject that interests us as military models. The grill on Shapeways is for a 2011-2016 truck while MENG's truck is a 2009.

Regards,

Eric
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Friday, July 14, 2017 - 06:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Yes, the headlights and indicator lights on fleet trim trucks are very different than those in the MENG kit. There are a ton of photos of F350 trucks that are used by police and the military and they are all fleet trim vehicles with a simpler black grill and light setup. I just wish MENG had done more research and given us a kit that was more useful out of the box for a subject that interests us as military models. The grill on Shapeways is for a 2011-2016 truck while MENG's truck is a 2009.

Regards,

Eric

There are no little things in this business, and Meng should know that. (I’m not saying anything on their kits like BMPT or Smerch which are great.) I have rebuilt the headlights from scratch to model a fleet trim vehicle. Then retook the pictures.
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Friday, July 14, 2017 - 06:50 PM UTC
Here is the box, again.

Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Friday, July 14, 2017 - 07:51 PM UTC
Here is the model prior to final assembly.













KoSprueOne
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Myanmar
Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 4,011 posts
Armorama: 1,498 posts
Posted: Friday, July 14, 2017 - 08:07 PM UTC
Interesting representation for the F-350. Very nice paint work.




Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 15, 2017 - 12:55 AM UTC
Here is the complete model.















Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Monday, July 17, 2017 - 06:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Interesting representation for the F-350. Very nice paint work.

Thank you!
BroadSky
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Hessen, Germany
Joined: September 22, 2016
KitMaker: 37 posts
Armorama: 34 posts
Posted: Monday, July 17, 2017 - 09:03 PM UTC
Nice build and paint-job!

Did you also change (raise) the suspension or does it come like this out of the box? That's what I'm thinking about (even if it were wrong). IMHO the real thing looks funny with those "small" tires and low "ride".

Regards,

Mark
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Monday, July 17, 2017 - 09:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Nice build and paint-job!

Did you also change (raise) the suspension or does it come like this out of the box? That's what I'm thinking about (even if it were wrong). IMHO the real thing looks funny with those "small" tires and low "ride".

Regards,

Mark

Thanks! The wheels and suspension come OOB. It does really look like the kit's cab was lifted a little, but it's not.
BroadSky
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Hessen, Germany
Joined: September 22, 2016
KitMaker: 37 posts
Armorama: 34 posts
Posted: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - 12:16 AM UTC
Thanks for the reply! It will take a while before I start mine. I was thinking of widening the wheel arches and fitting some HMMWV tires Mad Max-style! We'll see!

Greetings,

Mark
Maher_R
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Dubayy, United Arab Emirates
Joined: February 22, 2013
KitMaker: 46 posts
Armorama: 46 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 01:33 AM UTC
Nice build and paint job Michael!

Cheers,

Maher
Wolf239
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St. Petersburg, Russia
Joined: September 05, 2015
KitMaker: 136 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 01:49 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Nice build and paint job Michael!

Cheers,

Maher

Thank you!
 _GOTOTOP