Review: Toyota Hilux Technical

Showroom Clean For The Discerning Insurgent

Mike Brewer of uTube channel Wheeler-Dealer tells of when he was sitting outside an Afghan US airbase coffee-house waiting for his transport when a plane landed. A bunch of men, tall, chiselled chins, black polonecks, holsters on hip, detrained pushing along an Afghan prisoner in front of them. The Afghan looked up, did a double-take, and yelled 'Mike Brewer - Wheeler Dealers - Great Show."

Slipping free of the dumbfounded polo-necks [Who is this Limey?], he proceeded to pump Mike's hand and quote his favourite sections. As they dragged off the unfortunate ex-combatant he exclaimed, "Mike, why haven't you reviewed the Toyota Hilux?"

So until Mike does, here is my review of the Antenocitis Workshop 28 mm version. The AW website is not the most sophisticated or user friendly in existence but my link takes you right to it. This is a nicely cast resin model which required no filler at all. it comes in one part except for the wheels so assembly takes about 45 seconds - and it sits flat on the table. There are no metal add ons, so no wing mirrors but everything is beautifully sculpted. I really like the aluminium wheels.

Looking For Targets

The model comes empty. I have added a recoilless rifle from another model in the AW range and the figure is Eureka(?).

You will see this particular rifle, the American 105 mm M40, everywhere on Toyotas around the world. It was a popular model even before the Chinese mass-produced an identical knock-off and then Iran knocked off the knock-off.

The model is just the right scale for a modern 28 mm army - I reckon its about 1:50ish.

And you can buy it for the incredible price of £8.50 - great value.

Highly recommended.

Technicals: The Great Toyota War

Nissan Technical

"Ladees and Genu'llmen - the star of our show - fresh from our workshops in downtown Kabul - I give you - THE NISSAN TECHNICAL" - (promogirls go wild).

Weaponry

"As you can see, it is fitted with the tried and tested favourite of the irregular militia - the good ole Dooshka 12.7 heavy machine gun" - (promo girls throw headscarves into the air).

"This reliable weapon isn't some backstreet knock off of the famous Soviet equaliser - Oh No! - it's a genuine Chinese knock off."

"The AA mount is welded to the floor of the pickup so that there will be no embarrassing moments on CNN - like falling off'ove the back when when test firing."

Attaching Your Gun - Firmly

Incidentally, these things are a scratch modellers dream. Have a look at this genuine lash-up (from Technical- Osprey New Vanguard 257).

One Careful Owner

"Admittedly, there is some minor damage acquired from when the car was requisitioned from the previous owner by means of an AK47 - but this has (mostly) been repaired with a new steel plate to replace the driver's window and a bit o' BMP track to armour the door."

""And a little bit o' rust has got into the paint damage on the wing but the motah is as sweet as a nut - after all, 120,000 km is the sweet spot."

The truck is from Antenocitis Workshop and the weapon and gunner from Eureka UK.

Modern British Army Patrol, Airfix 1/48

British Army Patrol

When Airfix were going through their strange-management phase, they wildly over produced British Army Afghan models in 1/48 under the brand of Operation Herrick so these models are cheaply available on eBay.

They are very sophisticated kits, more complex than Tamiya equivalents. As well as the Coyote, Land Rover, vehicle crew, dismounts and Warrior in my collection, they also make a Jackal and a Lynx Helicopter.

The Coyote is classed as a Recce vehicle by the army and is a light Tactical Support Vehicle. It is not armoured against artillery or direct fire but has excellent IED and mine blast protection. Heavily armed, it is used for carrying supplies for smaller Protected Patrol Vehicles, escorting convoys and fast assault against insurgent bases.

Warrior IFV

The Warrior is my latest model. It is of course the Army's legacy Mechanised Warfare IFV.

Warrior is now rather long in the tooth and in need of replacing or upgrading like its stablemate, the Challenger MBT. However, like the Challenger Warrior is still a potent machine with modern thermal imaging and enhanced composite armour.

Note The Profusion Of Electronic Equipment

Warrior is armed with a 30 mm Rarden Cannon and eight 94 mm HEAT missiles. It has a crew of three and seven dismounts.

Side View

The Airfix kit comes with all-round bar shields to disable or prematurely detonate RPG weapons but I decided to leave these off as they make the model bulky for wargaming and, I think, spoil the look of the model.

Aidar Battalion, War in the Eastern Ukraine

SASM/Footsore Ukrainian Range

The Aidar Battalion, named after the River Aidar, was a Kiev Loyalist militia formed from volunteers in the Luhansk Region to fight Russian backed separatists. It rapidly grew to about 400 men and women.

The semi official unit utilised a variety of equipment and uniforms suitable for a light infantry militia.

The detachment above is equipped with Russian weapons and a mix of current and obsolete camo-gear.

Seven have assault rifles, the medic also carrying a disposable one-shot RPG 22, and is supported by a sniper, RPG 7 man, and a PK LMG gunner.

Unit Badge

The Adair Battalion became notorious for atrocities and far right politics - not unusual for either side in the Ukraine War. It was deactivated at the end of 2014 and reformed as a regular army unit.

Rear View

Not entirely issue headgear.

Close Up

The ubiquitous RPG7 - one of the most successful modern infantry weapons in the modern world.

Fire Team

Mote the medic bag and RPG 22 (or similar) on the first gunman.

A Range of Camo

A memoir from one of the Aidar fighters is available on Amazon.

Around 130 Aidar fighters/soldiers were killed between 2014-18, not all by the enemy. Drink and modern weapons are a lethal combination.

Spetnaz Альфа

Spetnaz Detachment

I bought these SASM Miniatures through their UK site: Infamous JT.

Unfortunately, for UK modern wargamers, SASM became Footsore USA and this appears to be the only source. Maybe they will be available in the UK Footsore site in the fullness of time. I hope so because this is a great range and I would like to buy more.

Lieutenant

I am not sure if this guy is speaking into a high tech communication system or flicking the Vs.

The Business End

Letting loose with a burst from a silenced assault rifle.

Overwatch

Peering around an invisible corner.

'Nam: The Air War

F4 Phantom

The next air campaign that I intend to cover for my new game is the air war over North Vietnam.

F105 'Thud'

Accordingly, I have bought a few suitable 1:300 models from Scotia-Grendal's Collectair range. These are old fashioned metal models (lead alloy?) and some of the moulds are slightly ragged BUT they are excellent value for money. This whole collection cost less than £30 including postage.

Mig 17

The Soviet fighters are really small compared to American planes. These obsolete 17s gave the USAF and USN some real headaches.

Mig 19

The Mig 19 was not exactly a roaring success after the 17 and 15, and was not used much by North Vietnam.

Mig 21

The 21, armed with two reverse-engineered Sidewinder missiles, was a formidable opponent. The fighter/interceptor is the same generation as the Lightning and Starfighter.

Winter of '79, Wessex

As the cities descended into chaos, helicopters became vital for transport in and out of urban areas. Even the RAF's air-sea rescue choppers were conscripted into the front line.

Bond Villain Minions

Secret base to dominate the world in an extinct volcano, check, so what does the aspiring Bond Villain need next? Why minions of course, preferably with machine pistols and bright clothes to make them easy targets for when Bond arrives.

Another batch from 7TV.

Cybernats

Elite Stormtroopers of the Alex Salmond Borderers  stand by to repel invaders from The Chipping Norton Murdoch Commando.

Eat your heart out, VBCW fans.

British Patrol Afghanistan

This astonishing photo was taken by a professional British Army photographer, Rupert Frere.

You can follow him on twitter at

@Army_photo

 

 

Sea King

This weeks helicopter in Smiths is a British Sea King in IFOR colours.

1/72 and a steal at a Fiver.

1: 72 Blackhawk

If you modern wargame with 1/72 models it may well be worth you taking a trip down to Smiths. There is one of those Magazine Helicopter deals and the introductory issue is this little beaut for £2.99.

Mars Afghans

Mars are a new company to me from Eastern Europe. Here they have bought up one of the old hitorical 1/72 models from Esci and rejigged them as modern Afghanistans. The clothes can look a little odd in consequence but you get four of these sprues for not much more than a fiver, which is damned good value in anyone's book.

War & Peace: Falkland's war

The Scimitar light tank, used for reconnaissance and colonial warfare. This was the first all-aluminium AFV in the world and you occasionally see them belting down the M3. Armed with a 30mm cannon firing from clips. This one is named Anzio, which immediately attracted my attention, given my family history.

The little boy is playing with a 'jimpy', GPMG. If you look closely it is based on an MG42. All modern general purpose MGs are based on an MG42. It is shown here in 'heavy MG' mode. It is also used on a bipod or sling as an LMG.

The rapier AA missile system. Very effective but can be temperamental when transported to the South Atlantic and used by Mr Average soldier. It was discovered that it can track stealth fighters using infra-red.

Light howitzer. Another effective colonial warfare weapon.

Gazelle light reconnaissance helicopter. Horribly vulnerable, especially when your own side shoot at it. Not suitable for the modern battlefield.

Crack Up - British Army Detachments

   In Crackup the regular British Army is quality level 'elite' so has Eight Tactical Units in each detachment. I have now finished two detachments. The first, led by a captain, has two Challenger MBTs, Two Warrior IFVs with 30mm chain cannon, and four dismounts: commander/rifleteam, rifle team, two rocket launcher teams.

   The second detachment has four Challengers (they are actually Ixo diecast Challenger Is that I could not resist buying at £2.99 each from Model Zone), two rifle teams (one of which is the command team led by a lieutenant) and two rocket launcher teams.

   One more detachment based around attack helicopters and the army is finished. Elite armies don't have many troops.

Crackup!

British Troops, Mercians, in Helmand.

   The background to Crackup, the modern war rules I am designing with John Treadaway are starting to come together. The rules will be usable for any modern war scenario but it is helpful to have a timeline into the near future to give Crackup its own flavour.

   Please feel free to add your own suggestions below.

  

Timeline – early 21st Century

2000: The Real IRA, a regrouped Catholic terror organisations initiates new wave of bombings in London.

2001: Dot Com financial bubble collapse

2001: Western-trained Islamic radicals from al-Qaeda, a Saudi Arabian-backed terrorist organisation, attack New York and other targets in the USA causing multiple deaths.

2002: Nato invades Afghanistan and drives al-Qaeda into Pakistan.

2003: Afghan Tailban start major counterinsurgency in Afghanistan operating from safe refuges in Pakistan protected by Pakistan’s ISI.

2003: Anglic forces led by the USA invade Iraq.

2005: Islamic terrorists bomb London.

2007: American property bubble collapse followed by London and New York banking crisis.

2008: Intensification of American drone attacks in Pakistan.

2011: American troops leave Iraq.

2014: American troops leave Afghanistan.

2015: Franco-German Brigade (Brigade Franco-Allemande, Deutsch-Französische Brigade) sent into Greece to keep order by Eurocorps.

2015: American troops sent into Mexico to assist Mexican army against the drug gangs.

2016: Taliban re-occupy Afghanistan.

2016: Scotland votes for independence causing the breakup of the United Kingdom.

2017: Iran and Shia government in Iraq sign mutual defence pact.

2017: England & Wales vote to leave the European Union.

2017: Georgia invades Caucuses to secure oil; war spreads to include Ukraine and Russian Federation.

2018: Turkey invades northern Iraq to suppress Kurdish terrorism.

2018: China sends troops into various African countries to protect their mining interests.

2019: Taliban take power in Pakistan and Chechnya before collapsing into clan warfare.

2019: France deploys troops in Kent to secure Channel Tunnel initiating mechanised warfare across Kent, Sussex and Essex.

2019: Scots attack Northern England and Ireland invades Free Ulster causing general fighting across the British Isles.

2020: War declared between Turkey backed by Sunni oil states and Iran-Iraq alliance.

2020: Pakistani Taliban invade Kashmir and explode nuclear weapon in Mumbai.

2021: World first Nuclear War destroys Pakistan and many Indian cities destroying central governments on the sub-continent.

2021: Iran closes the Straits of Hormuz precipitating oil and economic crisis. American carrier is sunk attempting to force the Strait.

2022: Chinese economic bubble collapses precipitating civil wars between Communist Party controlled coast and various Marxist and Nationalist warlords in the interior, including nuclear weapon strikes.

2023: Lega Nord declares UDI from Italy and European Union for Padania.

2023: Violent storms flood New York and American East Coast

2023: Wessex New Model Army clashes with British army in Surrey; Reigate destroyed in the fighting with heavy civilian casualties.

2024: Overstretched Eurocorps battles independence movements in British Isles, Belgium, Northern Germany, Southern France and the Balkans, which are often backed by National armies.

2024: General Glutenburger wins US Presidential election for Republican Party campaigning on a platform of moral purification of America and declares storms to be a judgement from God and not Global Warming.

2025: New Model Army concept spreads across world with mixed results but always chaos follows in their wake.

2026: Mexican war spills over into southern US states as drug cartel mercenary units declare war on the USA.

2027: Glutenburger cancels upcoming election, bans political parties, mounts a nuclear strike on Mexico City, and declares America one nation under God.

2028: Glutenburger assassinated by Mexican Mictecacihuatl (Lady of Death) Drug Cartel.

2029: Northern US cities rebel with military support from Canada; Quebec succeeds.

2029: Russian and North American crop failures due to freak weather conditions: mass starvation.

2030: National and civil wars break into smaller and smaller ethnic conflicts across the globe; New Model armies collapse into mercenary militias as electronic communications degrade away.

Modern British Mechanised Battlegroup

      Modern British Mechanised Battlegroup at 1/72 scale in North European camo. A mixture of Caeser, Revell and Altaya models.

   I intend to use these to test out the variant of Hammers Slammers rules for modern warfare that I am developing with John Treadaway.

United States Infantry

   The first unit of my new modern collection is a US Infantry unit and Stryker APC in desert camo. It's interesting how wheeled transpoert is making a comeback for the infantry after the lunge into expensive mechanised IFVs.

   As an aside, does anyone know of a reasonable set of modern skirmish rules? I have Force on Force but the rules are difficult to read with no easy way in and the game becomes unwieldly with all but a very limited number of units in play.