1:144 Boeing 777 Painting mask (ZVE)

1:144 Boeing 777 – masking stencils for spraying

This set from the manufacturer SX-Art holds self-adhesive stencils for spraying the color scheme on a model of the Boeing 777 airliner in 1:144 scale. The stencils are applied to a painted surface and serve to let the colored areas be airbrushed instead of having a large-area decal applied. These are not masks that cover the glazing.

The real subject

The Boeing 777 is a wide-body twin-engine airliner for medium and long-haul routes and is one of the largest twin-engine aircraft of all. It has notably large engine nacelles, six-wheel main landing gear and a long fuselage of circular cross-section. It was built in several length and range versions, which differ among other things in span and in the arrangement of the wing tips.

A large area and a long edge

The fuselage of the 777 is fairly long in this scale, and that means a long dividing line on which every passage that does not sit down will show. Apply the film gradually: lay one end down, guide it along the fuselage and only then press it down along its whole length from the center toward the edges. Squeeze out any air bubbles, otherwise paint will creep under them. The surface has to be smooth and cured; on fresh or insufficiently matured paint the adhesive grips so well that it pulls the area off when the stencil is removed. Apply the paint in several thin coats; a single heavy coat forms a step along the edge that is clearly visible after clear coating. Take the stencil off shortly after the paint has set and then unify the edge with clear over the whole fuselage.

Who the set is for

• builders of civil airliners in 1:144 scale
• modelers who want the livery sprayed rather than applied
• airbrush users working with long dividing lines
• those who want to finish the model without wrinkling large-area decals

This is a building accessory, not a model. Paints, glue and the kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.