In this, our 9000th review, we take a look at this new kit from Meng Model, via both a short video and many detailed pictures. How will you build yours?

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Nice video review.. and good clear pics. Thanks!

Check here if you'd like to see one in action
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=880_1361449067

Hisham

Well I guess that answers that question then. Very stable firing from side.

The Pick Up great and nice, the ZU-23-2 could be better.

Good to see I'm not the only one, I find the gun a bit chunky, detailing lacks finesse.

I'll buy the kit anyway, but mostly for the vehicle itself.

Cheers,

Christophe

Some LINK pages I thought I were neat-

Technicals In The Mediterranean And ME
http://milinme.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/libyan-military-toyota-technicals/

More typical truck size for ZU-23 Sergei mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=669rQOZHltw

Libyan And Syrian _ZPU-2_ (twin 14.5mm HMG) in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx0QoZgXxYQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNt6i0wZ_ms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g9nBDQLsvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NsDI2ep8ME

Better Tires
http://www.hlj.com/product/defdw35043/Mil

Inexpensive PE
https://secure.hlj.com/product/vympe35580/Mil

Squadron of course has these listed as new, at around 35 dollars, this month if you're in North America.

Note that both irregulars are using the old Wehrmacht trick of applied mud to dull their reflectivity, including the windows-

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/gG_0niC4ow0/maxresdefault.jpg

Though the Libyan's 'forestry service' baseline camouflage probably provides added incentive here compared to the FIBUA nature of the Syria fighting!

The Toyota HZJ75 (kit) and 79 (video) pickups are popular in the ME as guntrucks because they have a shallow, high-set bed which means a simple cutout notch in the sides lets the mount rest even with the wheel wells and allows them to traverse their gunmounts across a much wider coverage arc.

They are still welded to angle iron cross struts resting in the bed but are much more shallowly set than would be on say the Hilux pickup, providing better depression when shooting at near field or sloped targets.

Speaking of which, the only shot I have of a ZPU mount on a Hilux DOES NOT show it resting in the bed at all but rather with the trailer arms splayed to cover the two back corners and front (just behind the cab) of the sidewalls, bringing the gun almost 2.5ft higher than the bottom of the bed with certain CG issues (but much better barrel coverage) as a result.

For diorama builders, also note how the guns are always brought up and across when not actually firing. Particularly in Syria, these units are often fighting in very narrow streets against hair trigger artillery and rooftop sniping/ATGW threats which means they have to get away fast from their back-and-squirt engagements.

Having the barrels hang over the edge when you do your sprintaway is hard on the suspension as the truck takes the tight corners even beyond hitting pedestrians, bicyclers and the odd car.

While the ZU-23 and ZPU-1 are present, the aftermarket is missing a great opportunity here to put together a ZPU-2 for both these pickups as the twin 14.5mm is far and away the most popular mount for reasons of both combined firepower, ammo cheapness and light ordnance weight.

I would suggest that the Sheriff's Badge of the Libyan Mobile National Force and the Nike Swoosh emblem of the Syrian FSA might also be good AM Decal subjects as would some addition accessories (flags), better figures (both mounts are intended to be dual-serviced with a gunner's assistant) and perhaps some camo nets or tarps.

http://milinme.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/zp1177034.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/9/24/1348485022550/cafd1f27-1b92-4069-990d-ab283f09d051-460.jpeg

This is likely going to be a really popular kit with crossover from both the auto and armor communities. I wish Meng all possible success in their production and hope they will to continue with a few more exotics.

I hate to post to an old topic but I just picked up the sister kit to this (Pickup with ZPU-2 [VS-005]). I would love to make it more authentic by adding the Toyota emblems (front and other positions) but cannot seem to find any aftermarket kits to update this. Anyone have any recommendations. Obviously anything that fits this kit will fit my VS-005 version.

Thanks,

Bryan, there is a reasonably priced tailgate for that kit on Shapeways that says "Toyota" on it. It prints out very nicely. It was made as a quick option for those wanting the manufacturer name on the truck. The artist is Hamann Studios. Search for "Toyota tailgate 1/35" and it will be close to the top.

Regards,

Eric

ET Model have this set that include three different emblems for the front and letters for the tail gate:
http://www.etmodeller.com/product/277974454
For VS-001 but may fit 005 as well. At least the front emblems should.

Cheers,
/E