1:35 Cromwell/Centaur - Tamiya

1:35 Cromwell and Centaur wheel masking set for the Tamiya kit

This is a painting accessory, not a model of the vehicle. The masks stick straight onto the wheel and replace both hand lining with a brush and a compass template. The shape of the cutouts matches the wheels from the 1:35 scale Cromwell or Centaur kit by Tamiya.

Masking before the running gear is assembled, or after

The difference is fundamental and decides how long you will be fighting with the wheels. Before assembly you can reach every wheel from all sides: you hold the wheel on a toothpick or leave it on the sprue, apply the mask at leisure on the flat and spray square with the airbrush. After assembly the situation is reversed — the wheels are on their axles, but between them and the hull there is a narrow gap that neither a brush nor a nozzle can reach at a good angle. In that gap the mask goes on blind, the paint necessarily arrives at a slant, and it is exactly a slanting spray that drives it under the edge of the mask. In practice it therefore pays to paint and unmask the wheels separately and fit them to their stubs only when they are finished. The one drawback is handling painted parts, so glue them by the axle and let them cure properly before assembly. If the running gear is already glued up, at least try beforehand where you can get with both mask and nozzle.

Practical tips

Prime the base so the mask does not tear the paint off. Spray in thin coats and remove the mask once it has flashed off. A fingerprint on the rim is better resprayed than polished.

Who the set is for

• Builders of British equipment in 1:35 scale
• Modelers who paint wheels separately before assembly
• Those who want a sharp border with no brush touch-ups
• Builders working with an airbrush and with spray cans alike

This is a masking accessory, not a kit. Paints, thinner and the target kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.