These F/A-18E/F/ [F 414] Exhaust Nozzles (for the Meng Kit primarily) are a recent release by the Chinese manufacturer Fab Scale. Fab Scale’s online presence is hard to find with the provided QR codes stating that the site can’t be reached. The same is for the supplier, Warspite Model Company. These are nice drop-fit replacements for the exhaust on the Meng kit and I suspect it would also fit the Hasegawa kit.

The sturdy box protects the three pieces, each in their own protective Ziplock pouch. There are no instructions included but since this is a rather simple assembly, it is not detrimental. The box art [line drawings] shows the arrangement of the three parts. I removed the 3D supports with a hobby knife, which was easy, and after a quick clean up the parts were ready for painting.

MMP was founded in 1996 by Roger Wallsgrove, to publish "Mushroom Model Magazine". This quarterly modelling magazine was developed from "Mushroom Monthly”, a club newsletter which ran from 1985 to 1995, achieving a world-wide reputation for quality articles, fearless and honest reviews, and a great sense of humor.From 1997 the magazine was produced in collaboration with Robert Peczkowski and Artur Juszczak (Stratus), which meant a big leap in print quality and design. MMP expanded into book publication in 1999, and since then we have built up a list of books on aircraft and aviation, naval, military vehicles, and military history.

“The History of Science Fiction and Its Toy Figurines” by author Luigi Toiati is a substantial and weighty hardback of 528 glossy pages with 470 pictures (See Photo 1). Although it may feel like one, the author claims in the Forward that it is not an encyclopedia or boring treatise or catalogue, but instead the reader should “consider it a promenade through sci-fi and the toy figurines linked to the subject.” And while the author doesn’t necessarily agree with those science fiction (SF) authorities he cites who trace the origins of the genre back to the ancient times of the Bible, Hinduism, Plato, or Lucian of Samosata (a 2nd-century Syrian satirist and rhetorician), his review of the aforesaid genealogy is extensive and at times tedious.

Helion is a UK-based company that produces books on many aspects of Military History from the Late Medieval period through to the present day. Helion was established in 1996, and since then they have published over 1,200 books with 100 or more new titles coming out every year.

Author, Dr. Stephen Rookes, works for the French Air Force as a researcher and lecturer at the Centre de Recherche de l’Armée de l’air et de l’espace (CREA) in Salon-de-Provence, France. Originally from Devon in the UK, he is now a French national. Stephen Rookes is the author of four books published by Helion, and the author of peer-reviewed articles in English and in French. He specializes in the history of Cuban exiles and takes a particular interest in the CIA's covert operations in Central America and in Africa.

To quickly build temporary runways, US engineering services built various options for the airfield. Aerodrome steel plates were M8A1 used in the Vietnam War in the second half of the 1960s and early 1970s and were installed by engineering units of the US Army.Plates were connected to each other either staggered or in a row and allowed to build either separate small sites or airfields of impressive size. Most often, such coatings were used in army aviation. Various aircraft could be based on the sites created in this way, for example, combat helicopters AN-1Q Cobra, light attack aircraft, and observation aircraft OV-10A Bronco or O-2 Skymaster. Also on such sites were operated well-known B-26K Counter Invader.

Overview

Detail & Wonder (D&W) is a new company that specializes in highly detailed 3D printed landing gear. The gear set comes in a sturdy box with parts secured in custom cut foam. A real nice color instruction booklet. There are four 3D printed groups, four cast wheels and six metal rods. Each landing gear section is printed with support and a “cage” protecting the delicate looking gear. The booklet gives details on how to trim the supports and what order to trim the supports.

Background

For those unfamiliar, the Honda Dax narrative originated in 1969 with the inaugural ST50 and ST70 Dax models. The moniker is derived from the bike's slight resemblance to a Dachshund (sausage dog), with the model plate on the bike's side showcasing an image of the mentioned hound. This model kit in 2024 signifies Tamiya's debut of a new 1/12th scale tooling for the Honda Dax 125 Limited Edition.

Box

Measuring 11.5” x 7.5” x 2”, the box features a vibrant image of the Honda Dax 125, displaying its striking metallic blue, chrome, black, and metallic hues. Typical Tamiya graphics, showcasing three views of the motorcycle, adorn the sides of the box. Inside, you will find:

The book goes into great detail of the development, service, variants, and full history of a classic British World War Two and post-war aircraft manufactured by Vickers under the names Viking, Valetta, and the Varsity. These were aircraft developed in response to the British review of the post-war Civil transportation needs. Later to be known as the Brabazon Committee.

I found this book so informative and full of facts and details of very little-known aircraft.

The articles on the variants that were explored during the development were especially interesting.

The book is full of extremely interesting photos of the aircraft in development, manufacturing, in service, etc. These would be great as references for aircraft enthusiasts.

Another nice touch is the inclusion of the “In Detail” section, showing aircraft profiles and 1/144 scale plans.

For those unfamiliar with HMH Publications’ line of Duke Hawkings books, they are a series of softcover tomes featuring detailed walk-around photos of individual aircraft types. Their focus leans heavily towards aircraft in European use, with forays into common US aircraft. Today’s book is the first in the Duke Hawkings Presents line: Eagles Rock - 48th Fighter Wing - Where Combat Airpower Livesby Michael Stephan.

Charlie’s Plastic Models has produced four 3D printed caddies for modelers, each with different holes, receptacles, and spaces to accommodate various modeling supplies we use in our hobby.

My review sample was billed as the “Finishing Caddy” without Micro Set/Sol holes (for those bottles). The photo of this item from his website (www.charliesplasticmodels.com) shows it containing appropriate items like panel washes, Solvaset, cotton swabs and brushes [Photo 1]. I saw another great possibility for my sample and turned it into “Gluey Louie” by loading it with more basic tools to stick one bit of plastic to another: two kinds of liquid cement, CA, and applicators from The Glue Looper. [Photo 2] tweezers and small clamps. This may not be exactly what it was intended for in the first place but boy, it works for me.

Reviewer’s Comments:Charlie’s Plastic Models has produced four 3D printed caddies for modelers, each with different holes, receptacles, and spaces to accommodate various modeling supplies we use in our hobby.

Carnation Revolution Volume 2: Coup in Portugal, April 1974 is a part of Helion and Company’s Europe@War series, No. 39 (HEL 11844). This is the third book about Portuguese forces that I have read, authored by José Augusto Matos (he co-authored Sanctuary Lost, Portugal’s Air War for Guinea 1961-1974, Volume 1, with Matthew M. Hurley, reviewed, and the first volume by authors José Augusto Matos and Zelia Oliveira.

For those who have not read Volume 1, or the previous review, a recap is necessary as the title states, this book is the second volume of this coup that re-shaped Portugal’s future and starts where the first volume leaves off.

A new 3D printed F-104 Starfighter Exhaust Nozzle set in 1/48th scale is provided by Fab Scale as a drop-in replacement for the Hasegawa kit utilizing the “Early” J79 engine.

Note: There is no official website for Fab Scale at the time of this review, but a few foreign hobby websites were selling this product.

In The Package & Product Notes

The sample review came in a small cardboard box and parts were individually wrapped in Ziploc bags.

There are three (3) parts of this exhaust nozzle set printed with pink salmon-colored resin. These parts replace kit parts R26, R27, U6 (2X), and K3. The printed resolution of the exhaust nozzle is very fine with no visible build up layers and the print quality is excellent.

A new 3D printed AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System in 1/48th scale is provided by Fab Scale as a drop-in replacement for the F-16CJ Fighting Falcon Tamiya kit.

Note: There is no official website for Fab Scale at the time of this review, but a few foreign hobby websites are selling this product.

In The Package & Product Notes

The sample review came in a plastic bag with a cardboard topper for a pegboard display.

Two (2) AN/ALE-50 units are printed with pink salmon-colored resin. These parts replace kit parts J30, J33, and J34. The printed resolution is very fine with no visible build-up layers and the print quality is excellent.

Review Process

I started by separating the parts from their base by using side-cutting nippers. Next, wet sanding removed the remaining support nubs.

The Sd.Kfz 251D halftrack was primary vehicle in German mechanized formations in the Second World War. The vehicle was developed in 1937-38 and entered production in 1939. The variant that Trumpeter has produced is the last variant, ‘D’. The primary difference between the earlier models is that the back of the vehicle is a single sloping piece of steel. Over 15,000 were produced and continued to serve in various post-war armies.

A new 3D printed tool caddy for the model building hobbyist. It has multiple compartments to fit all types of tools and a handy yet convenient addition to any modeler’s benchtop.

In The Package & Product Notes

The tool caddy is molded in gray resin and produced by a 3D printer. The buildup layers are visible (but small), and a nice recessed printed “CPM” logo is located on the backside wall of the caddy. If one wanted to paint it a different color, it can be easily done but I would recommend a good primer coat first.

The footprint measures 7.25” long X 2.56” wide (184 X 65 mm). The back wall is 2.5” tall (63.5 mm), and the lower compartment walls are 1.5” tall (38 mm).

Introduction

This book is the second volume on the history and development of the Mitsubishi Ki-15/C5M high speed reconnaissance aircraft, which was used by the Japanese Army and Navy in numerous roles before and during the course of World War II.

Volume 1, which has already appeared in review on this site, provides an excellent account of the aircraft’s development and service during the war, and the second volume goes into incredible detail on various aspects of this aircraft’s career. The book provides information useful to the historian and modeler, and is profusely illustrated with very impressive drawings and photos of the aircraft in detail.

The Shipcraft series will be familiar to many, but for those who aren’t, the idea behind the books is to provide concise information about a specific subject, providing heavily illustrated reference material and in-depth modelling information including line drawings and color profiles. This latest 64-page paperback volume in the series features a bevvy of British aircraft carriers from the 20s through the 40s, specifically, HMS Hermes, HMS Ark Royal and the Illustrious Class. These ships were the first British carriers designed as such from the beginning, as opposed to others ships that were converted either on the stocks or post-build. Hermes, indeed, was the first in the World to be so designed, although her completion took so long that she wasn’t the first to actually enter service.

“As of October 2023, there were almost 43 thousand female servicemen in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine has one of the highest rates of women in the armed forces among the armies of the world, including NATO armies. In the past, women primarily served in auxiliary positions such as doctors, signalmen, or cooks. However, with the onset of full-scale hostilities in February 2022, more and more women have taken on combat roles such as driving combat vehicles, operating grenade launchers, machine guns, snipers, and drones. Many women also serve as commanders of combat vehicles, units, and reconnaissance groups. Lieutenant General Serhiy Naiev, the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, emphasizes, “What unites them all is that they are true Ukrainian women who could not stay at home when their Motherland cried out for help to the world.

If you use the Micro Set/Sol combination for decal work like I have for years then you have (if you're honest), tipped the small round bottles they come in. While there are some other holders out there, Charles Plastic Models has given us a truly useful combination holder. Not only are there inserts for the Micro decal solutions, but this product also includes a port for the round Solvaset bottle and two bays for the square decal set bottles from Tamiya or Mr. Hobby. Several panel liner and weather solutions also come in the same size square bottles. Behind these are openings for brushes, tools, and anything else you use for decals and liners.