I recall a SOF soldier stating that the 1/35 MENG Toyota Hilux type wasn't used in Afghanistan. SOFs used the Tacoma trucks there whereas Afghanistan Army used the Hilux.

However, I read in the defense blogs that SOCOM put in an order for armored civilian cars, including Hiluxes.

So...is the 1/35 MENG Toyota Hilux model the way it's made used as an actual SOF vehicle? I'm confused as to if this model is actually real SOF or not.

Thanks in advance.

I believe Meng Hilux model is too old to be used as an "official" SOF vehicle in Afghanistan as it's a 1996/97 version. A possible option would be build it it as a Taliban pick-up as pictured below, captured by SOF guys



Talking about the ANA, they seem to rather use Ford Ranger trucks.

H.P.

So what about this conversion from Blast Models ?

I guess the conversion set is based on pics showing this type of pick-up :



which is a Tacoma, not a Hilux...

http://www.brian894x4.com/MilitaryTacoma.html

H.P.

This one ?

That's a Czech Special Forces Hilux. MMK makes a 1/35 resin conversion kit for it. I recall someone built it, but my internet searches didn't bring up a photo for the built model.

Here's a 1st generation (2001-2004) Tacoma like those used in Afghanistan by SOF :



In theater :



H.P.

I have a feeling I might be that SOF guy. SOCOM initially purchased 50 Tacomas for use in Afghanistan. While the solid axle suspension on the Hilux was better suited for the terrain, I rather enjoyed the A/C and the CD player in the Tacoma. (We once attacked the Paktika Province Governor's compound, in the village of Sharona, while blasting the Knack's "My Sharona" through the speakers, but I digress)

We had two. This is what Black Beauty looked like. They came with winch and push bars, unlike above photo.



This was Goldilocks:



And with me on the gun:



So, over the years I'v posted that we did not use the Hilux for the most part, because they did not have jammers, but for non-kineitc missions I sometimes did. (Taking my AMF guys on presence patrols in local villages, or going to Shurta meetings.



In the good old days, it was often hard to tell the good guys from the bad:



But the above guys are in fact some of my AMF (Afghan Militia Force)

So it would in fact have made more sense for us to use Hilux's from jump, and later we may have, but long after I was gone.

Now we tend to use what the locals use. In Iraq, we had NAV's (non attributable vehicles) available to us. In Honduras, we again used what was often used locally:

I've seen non-attributable aircraft, too (Mi-8 helis). The Osprey is an amazing aircraft, but one downside of using it is, it's like a bright neon sign reading, "Americans here!"

So how to use the Meng kit ? Not good for US forces if I understand, so resin conversions available are not right because on the wrong pickup ?

Pretty much. And the one above does not represent the opened tailgate stowage racks properly, nor does it show how we stowed the fuel.

Found some more photos, by the way. Maybe they'll help folks with references.





Both show the black truck.

I suppose one can still use these MENG Hiluxes for Second and Third World police forces and Armies if one can find photos.

And one can always use them for Sci-Fi or post-apocalyptic rebels where Army unit realism isn't required.

Thanks for the answers everyone.

Sidenote: Rob, do you have any comments on the upcoming Live-Resin Quad ATV? Is it true that machine guns were mounted on the rollbar, and up to what caliber? One photo showed a MK-19 AGL on a pole bolted onto the Polaris M800 ATV.

This is not on the roll bar, but I see no reason it won't work. Guys who talk about the recoil tearing the mounting off of its base probably have never ridden a Sporster.

Nice photo, thanks.

Interesting to see that US SOFs still wear the BDU. The gun looks pretty unique too with the RAL 8000 finish.

I read somewhere it is so that the US troops blend in with the locals, not quite such an obvious target.... makes modelling them just a little easier...

Now, where is that quad bike!