1:48 A-26B Invader Pacific Theater BASIC kabuki masks

Masking set 1:48 A-26B Invader, BASIC level (New Ware)

This is a modeling accessory, not a model of the aircraft: a set of pre-cut masks of kabuki tape for building the Douglas A-26B Invader in 1:48. Kabuki tape is thin and pliable, it holds even on the curved surfaces of a canopy and leaves no adhesive behind when removed. The manufacturer New Ware grades its masks; this set carries the BASIC designation, that is the basic extent. For the same aircraft it also releases the higher EXPERT level with a wider scope of masking.

The real subject

The Douglas A-26 Invader was an American twin-engine attack bomber introduced at the close of the Second World War. The A-26B version had a solid nose fitted with machine guns and was intended for attacks on ground targets. The Pacific Theater epithet in the name refers to service in the Pacific area, where the machines operated in a humid, salty environment, which on a model usually translates into surface wear.

Use and tips

Stick the masks onto a degreased, dry surface, press them down with a toothpick or a stick all the way round, and only then spray. Apply the paint in thin coats, as a heavy coat likes to tear at the edge when the mask is peeled off. Take the mask off while the paint has only just dried, ideally with tweezers and at a sharp angle. On a canopy it pays to spray the interior shade of the frames first and only then the exterior camouflage.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who do not want to mask a canopy by hand with tape
• Builds where a crisp edge on the cockpit frames is what counts
• Beginners who want a clean result without laborious cutting
• Anyone building the Invader in 1:48

This is an accessory, not a model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package.