Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. Issues are available as printed as well as digital copies (or both). They also provide a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front.

UMM-USA has provided the reviewer corps with a side cutting Sprue/Wire “ROUND” cutter. It is labeled “Round” because the cutting jaw is circular at the tip.

The cutter is made from hardened steel and the “tweezer-like action” allows for precise cutting to remove small parts from sprues with a flush cut which will reduce sanding at the attached point. Also, it has a tapered edge and will allow access in tight places for parts removal.

Reading the description on the website (UMM-USA.com), the cutter can also be used on resin, soft wires and photo-etch.

For my sample, I cut some parts from a current project on my hobby bench. As advertised it cuts well and very close to the edge. A little soft sanding may be needed to remove the remaining sprue attach nub but overall, a close cut at the surface. Its small size makes it a very handy tool to have resting next to your tweezers or sanding sticks and will not take up too much space.

Box Art / Packaging

The ICM Maultiers kits are presented in a rigid and glossy box with limited details of the contents offered on the side. The artwork is pleasant and depicts the three vehicles in muddy/snowy terrain. The kit indicates that the contents are half-track cars, Wehrmacht KHD S3000/SSM and Ford V3000S/SSM in cargo and sanitary versions.