1:35 sFH 18 - DRAGON

Masks for the wheels of the sFH 18 howitzer in 1:35 scale

This item is neither a model nor a spare part. These are masking elements that you apply to the wheels molded in the kit, so that during spraying the color of the rubber tire is separated from the color of the wheel. The set is cut for the kit of the sFH 18 howitzer from the Dragon company, because the shape and the diameter of a wheel differ with every mold and a mask has to seat exactly. The material of the sheet, the number of pieces and the dimensions are stated on the box of the set.

Why a mask instead of a brush or a compass-cut template

Painting the tire over with a brush gives an edge that is always a little shaky when seen from above, and the darker the color drawn across a light wheel, the more it shows. A compass-cut template, in turn, requires centering for every wheel separately, and with the slightest shift the concentricity comes out wrong, so that the tire looks eccentric. A mask cut for a particular wheel settles into the single position given by the shape of the wheel, the edge is the same on all wheels and the result does not depend on a steady hand.

Recommended procedure

• Degrease the wheel before masking and let the base cure well, otherwise the mask will bite into the paint when lifted.
• Press the mask down around the perimeter with a toothpick, so that no gap stays at the edge.
• Apply the paint in thin coats at a right angle to the surface, not at a sharp angle, otherwise it will run under the margin.
• Take the mask off while the paint has only set, not after full curing, and the edge will then stay sharp.
• Any overrun is put right with a fine brush before the matte clear coat comes.

Who the set is for

For builders of artillery hardware in 1:35 scale who want a clean transition between tire and wheel without lengthy work with a brush. The use is easy even for less experienced modelers, but the benefit is greatest where every imprecision in a visible place bothers one.

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