Modeling from a toy

I picked up a chinese 1/32 Chevvy 1 1/2 tonner Hard-top to rework for a Navy pickup, close enough for my needs. 

I have done so .The thing is my builds are specifically for things that float .There have been some surprising TOYS that are just right for conversion to what I need or want on a project .In some cases if its close enough , it,s accurized and used instead .  Scratchbuilding a fully equipped  RIDGID INFLATABLE for instance takes to much time so , I will use the toy as a base for my ZODIAC .

Did it all the time with cars and trucks when I was doing the model railroad thing...   

However, that howitzer seems to me to far too much work to make a really accurate model but with that said, it could be improved upon a lot, and certainly a displayable one.. I'd need to see it out of the box to be sure though...

But overall, sure... If it's in a scale that's close to actual modeling scale, it's really quite doable...

I rebuilt my RMX250 race bike, somewhat, from a "Ricky Carmichael" metal miniature toy bike. I added some parts to make it into an enduro-style, and painted it in my graphics. I wish I could find a pic of it..

Those Ultimate Soldier items are not bad at all. They did a decent amount of research and detailing into them in the 1st place.

I've salvages parts from toys for use on projects.......been thinking of re-building a Forces of Valor 1/18 tank as a warm up for a 1/25th scratch build project.

There was a guy on here, last year I think, that was re-working a 1/18 "toy" F-16. He was doing some great work on it. I don't remember ever seeing it finished though. I bought a 1/18 P-47, with the intention detailing it with a lot of scratchwork.....haven't gotten around to it yet.