I started to build Meng's SF pickup for an Afghanistan scene with Evolution figures. Chassis assembled, 2 doors are cut to open, roll bar changed,dashboard modified for comm.set addition. Painting hedgehogs are primed.
Next step is detailing gun mount and making a bumper guard.

Looking good so far. What is the styrene strip between the cab and bed for? Fit, correction or something else?

just filler

Hi Engin

I guess you don't need filler there...The cargo bed is a separate part on the 1:1 model too :



H.P.

Working on figures for years,it must be my obsession to fill gaps. Already carved and cleaned. Thanks

Which time frame in OEF will this represent?

Year 2002,Taloquan-Northern Afghanistan.

Looking good Abi. Very clean cut for the doors.

Mario

You're off to a great start.. I also like the clean cut you did on the doors. And I like the thing on the dashboard.. is that to place a laptop on or something like that?

Hisham

Thanks Mario and Hisham. Doors need more job for detailing and pins to attach them on the hull.
I plan to add a PRC-113 radio with a handset to the space on dashboard and wiring to the X-wing sat. antenna on the top.

Engin

I ask because I was there in 2002. Many of the photos you'll find online of SF in that time are mine. We did not outfit Hiluxes with any gear at that time, although our AMF (Afghan Militia Forces) who were made up of Northern Alliance fighters used them, and we did roll with them. I realize there is not yet a model of the Tacoma, so the best anyone can do is with the Hilux. I've been working to get a Tacoma on the market. Only time will tell.

AMF who were with us, and their Hilux:


Me with one of our Tacomas:


Me with AMF dude and Hilux. No gun, no radio, nothing.


You can see there's a distinct difference between the two trucks. The Hilux is actually better suited for the poor road conditions there as it had solid axles.

I have confirmed that Shahi (in the photo) is indeed the subject of one of the new Master Box figures, as are a few of my other former comrades.

Hi Robert,
Great pleasure and honor to meet you. I've read all your posts on pickup threads before. It is a pity not to have a good Tacoma model on market already and I wish this will be solved one day. Both Mig and Meng models are not good and I think they didn't have a good research before producing these kits. On the other hand and it is reasonable that we don't have good enough photos for SF pickups to make enough changes on the available kits. Glad we have references like you.
I believe my built will not be a 100% realistic using Meng kit but I will try to make a combination with these 2 photos. First for some scratch work and second for the color of vehicle.



Thanks for your help and please know your comments worth a lot.
best regards
Engin

P.S: I wish it will not take long for the MB kit to be released.

Abi, have you seen this link: Meng Hilux

Some good pointers about detailing open doors.

Mario

This is excellent Brother. I wish I could see it before but it will be very very useful.
Thanks

Sorry, I just found it yesterday evening... Some great pics on Dumvee work in progress there as well.

Mario

All there are awesome builts Bro.great blog.thanks

http://www.fast-webstore.com/www-vt-models-cz/eshop/0/0/5/384-TOYOTA-CLV-HiLuX-II
MALVIN

Nice work Engin!

How did you do such a neat job of removing the doors? I.e. what tools did you use?

Thanks Rob.I used a No.12 blade and sandpaper. Not a hard job as plastic was not so strong and door grooves make it easy.
keep safe
Engin

Thanks Engin, I must admit the closed doors put me off this one and I couldnt think of any easy solution to open them without compromising the detail, this sounds good.

I look forward to seeing how this progresses.

Some progress. Scratch gun mount added to roll bar.

Looks like it is going to be a great build, looking forward to seeing the progress!

Interior photos before assembly.

The interior looks really nice! Looking forward to seeing the rest

Hisham

Great work Abi. I like the modified dashboard.

Mario