1:32 Fokker Dr.I

Mask set for the Fokker Dr.I, 1:32 scale

This item is a mask set, not an aircraft kit. It is made by the Czech manufacturer Eduard and belongs to its mask range for 1:32 scale. The masks are pre-cut from kabuki paper, a thin Japanese masking paper with a mild adhesive that leaves no traces when removed. The set is meant to let sharp edges come out by themselves, with nothing for you to trim on the model with a knife.

The real subject

The Fokker Dr.I was a fighter triplane of the First World War period, powered by a rotary engine. Its characteristic features are the three flying surfaces stacked above one another, the short fuselage and the small open cockpit. Given the way the machine was built, the most prominent round and sharply bounded areas on a model in 1:32 scale are the wheels and their covered discs, which are exactly the shapes that come out badly with either a brush or tape.

Usage tips

Apply the round masks to a clean, degreased surface, otherwise the adhesive will not hold. Press the paper down all the way around with a toothpick, as it is on a circle that the edge lifts most easily. Apply the paint in several light coats and take the airbrush square to the surface, not at an angle under the edge of the mask. On aircraft of the First World War period, covering in a linen shade is often combined with colored areas, so plan in advance what goes first and what second, and let the colors dry properly in between. Take the masks off with tweezers, pulling back over themselves. Any adhesive residue that may be left comes off with a cotton swab moistened with water.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build First World War aircraft in a large scale
• Those who struggle to cut an accurate circle out of masking tape by hand
• Modelers airbrushing two-tone schemes with a sharp boundary
• Builders who want the same mask shape on both sides of the model

The set contains masking templates. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.