Squadron’s Basic Sprue Cutter is the foundation tool in Squadron’s three-piece collection of cutters, a collection that includes a Precision Cutter and a High Precision Cutter. These tools can be purchased individually or in a 3-piece set.

This Basic Cutter is designed to remove larger, less fragile parts from sprue trees, as well as to render large trees into smaller, more manageable ones. As with any cutter, it can be used to remove any part from its tree, depending on the finesse of the operator. This tool is exceptionally sharp and cuts very cleanly for a “basic” cutter. Its 5” length is easy to grip, with well-padded handles.

Sylvain Hautier started Syhart Decals in 2005. Syhart Decals being derived from SY (Sylvain) HA (Hautier), ART (design), Decal (Decals.).

The are several manufacturers of the 1/72 scale Rafale kit and represent various versions, whether Air Force, Marine or two-seater. These decal sets do not seem to be specific to any one manufacturer.

The decals were presented on bright blue paper that looked very similar to the paper used by several other European decal manufacturers. Most decals on each sheet were sharp and in register, with minimal excess clear film. The printed part of each decal had more of a satin finish, while the excess film was glossy.

Kagero continues to expand its line of Monographs, this installment being devoted to the F4U Corsair. It is the second volume covering the Corsair and this book in particular covers from the “-1D” to the “-7” marks. Earlier versions of the Corsair are covered in volume I.

The book is profusely illustrated with black and white pictures of all the above marks, mostly in US Navy service. There are a handful of pictures in French and Honduran service and references to its service in New Zealand, Salvadoran and Argentinean and Royal Navy Service.

Originally founded in 1968, Squadron / Squadron Signal is back in business again after bankruptcy and are now based out of Ringgold, Georgia. Their web page was re-activated in January 2022 for plastic kits. A retail store was opened in 2025 at their Ringgold address and is open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. They have invited The Chattanooga Scale Modelers Club to meet at their warehouse, which occurs on the third Monday of the month. If you can’t make it, be sure to check out their YouTube channel where Brandon and guests are live every Wednesday night. Brandon Lowe and his father, Russ Lowe, re-acquired the Squadron Tools Product Line and are now marketing them once again.

In this case, Brandon Lowe has brought back the Squadron Scribing Tool, available again in a retail crimped clear package.

Be Izzi is a relatively new company from the Czech Republic specializing in hobby tools. This item, the Ultimate Razor Saw, is comprised of a standard handle with a straight attachment fixture and their Ultra Smooth, 0.1mm thick razor saw blade.

This tool is actually a system, with interchangeable straight, curved or Y-shaped attachment fixtures and blades of different cutting variations - basic rough-cut blades to “Ultra Smooth” very fine toothed blades. The blades can be mounted in a number of different positions and/or angles to facilitate a variety of cutting positions or angles. The tool includes it’s own small Allen wrench tucked away at the bottom of the handle (easy to miss if you don’t know its there) to loosen and tighten the small set screws that allow for changing or adjusting the blade or attachment arm. According to the Be Izzi web site, the tool is made to be able to use a variety of cutting blades, not just those manufactured by the company.