Pickup “Technical” with ZPU-2 build – Part 1:Introduction

26/08/2014 by skarach 1 Comment

The vehicle

technical_1

technical_2

technical_3

Witness many modern conflict zones, especially in Africa or the Middle East, and you are likely to see “technicals” – usually civilian vehicles modified to mount a heavy gun [1]. There must be many a workshop in these regions to do these conversions! Of course, their vulnerability against a regular army is obvious. Nevertheless, their use follows the fine tradition of the LRDG or SAS in using modified soft skinned vehicles (Chevrolet, Jeep or Land Rover).

The kit

meng_pickup_zpu_2_box_400

The vehicle in question is a Toyota Land Cruiser (70 series) although the kit doesn’t mention this or include manufacturer’s markings. The gun, a ZPU-2, is a Soviet anti-aircraft gun [2].

Meng 1/35 kit [3] [4].

References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_(vehicle)
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZPU
3. http://www.meng-model.com/index2_new.php?id=240
4. http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/meng/vs004.html (related kit)