1:48 H-34 BASIC kabuki masks

Masking set 1:48 H-34 - the BASIC level

A set of pre-cut masks in kabuki tape for a model of the H-34 helicopter in 1:48 scale. The BASIC level corresponds to the basic coverage that New Ware offers - it concentrates on the main areas that are covered before painting. The package contains masking pieces, not a model.

Why a helicopter is harder to mask than an aircraft

The piston-engine H-34 with its radial engine in the nose has glazing divided into a series of smaller panes with pronounced framing, plus side cabin windows and a pilots' station set high above the fuselage. Cutting that many frames by hand means dozens of accurate cuts, each with the risk that the blade will slip on the curved glass. A pre-cut mask reduces this part of the build to a few minutes, and the frames come out the same width along their whole length - and that, more than anything else, is what shows on a finished model.

Usage tips

• First wash the glazing in lukewarm water with detergent and degrease it; grease from your fingers is the most common cause of a mask coming loose.
• Lift the pieces off the sheet with a scalpel, so that they do not stretch.
• Press the edges down with a blunt tool, and only then spray.
• Spray the frames first in the interior color and only then with the exterior coat - the transition then looks natural.
• If the set also contains wheel masks, fit them only once the hub paint is dry.
• Take the mask off while the paint has only just dried, not after several days.

Who the set is for

• Builders of helicopters in 1:48 scale who want clean glazing with no paint bleed.
• Modelers working with an airbrush who do not fancy cutting multi-pane glazing.
• Anyone who has already scratched a clear part while masking by hand.

This is an accessory for painting, not a model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.