Insurgent Rocket Launcher for Modern Pickup (for Meng) - 1:35 ET Model

[Mike]

Rocket Launcher for Modern Pickup (for Meng)

1:35 ET Model (E35-154)

The Meng Pickup has been with us a while now, and this interesting Heath-Robinson UB-32-57 rocket pod that has been lashed to a pickup seen is certainly out of the ordinary. The set arrives in Meng's usually thick polythene bag on a backing card, with the Photo-Etch (PE) sheet taped to a black card, and the resin rocket body secured in a ziplok bag.

The majority of the PE parts are used to create the angle-iron and sheet metal mounting trestle that supports the rocket pod above the cab of the vehicle that carries it - in this case the excellent Toyota pickup truck by Meng. The basic rocket attachment bracket sits atop the stand, and a scissor-link jack affair is attached to allow the angle of fire to be adjusted. The resin rocket pod is placed atop that, with a PE rear bulkhead and a large PE sheet that is rolled into a tapering cylinder for the exhaust shroud for the rear of the pod. Sometimes this is not fitted however, so check your references to see whether it is appropriate. Casting of the single resin component is good, and the mould block is placed discretely on the underside of the pod, so that cleanup will be easy. A few of the rocket tubes within the pod are empty to imply previous use, but you can see the tips of those still present nestling within their launch tubes.

To fill up the sheet, ET Model have included some PE seatbelts for installation inside the cab, a pair of windscreen wipers, a rear load-door stay, canvas cover hooks for the side of the load area, plus a Toyota badge for the front of the radiator, and a large widely spaced T O Y O T A Logo for the rear of the vehicle, which was presumably missed off the original to avoid licensing issues.

Conclusion

An unusual set that has been well executed, and nicely cast. You will need a length of 0.5mm styrene or ABS rod to help with the build, as quite a few short sections are used during the build. Now I just need to get hold of a Meng pickup to build round it.

Highly recommended.

Available in the UK soon from White Ensign Miniatures

Review Sample courtesy of