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 AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy System in 1/48^th 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 and 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.

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 and 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).

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.

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.

Each of the openings is sized to allow easy insertion of the bottles and the bottom of the holder is rough textured to keep it from sliding around. This product has solved a problem I’ve battled for a long time. All this for 10 bucks. Check out Charlie’s website for this product and a few other variations of it.