1:48 Hawker Hunter F.4/F.5/J34, F.6 BASIC kabuki masks

BASIC kabuki masks for the Hawker Hunter, 1:48 scale

According to the name, the set from the Czech manufacturer New Ware covers the F.4, F.5, J 34 and F.6 versions. The masks are die-cut from kabuki tape, a thin paper material with a mild adhesive that conforms to curves, holds a sharp edge and leaves no sticky residue when lifted. The manufacturer lists the sets in this range at two levels marked BASIC and EXPERT; this item belongs to the BASIC level. The exact extent of the two levels is given in the manufacturer's overview. It is not an aircraft kit.

The real subject

The Hawker Hunter was a British subsonic jet fighter of the 1950s with a swept wing and one of the cleanest silhouettes of its day. It was built in many versions and served with a number of foreign operators; the designation J 34 belonged to machines in Swedish service. The cockpit has a fairly small but strongly framed canopy, so the sharpness of the frames shows immediately on a finished model, especially on polished or smoothly sprayed surfaces.

Masking tips

• Wash and degrease the glazing first, or the mask will not adhere in the corners.
• Lift the mask from the sheet with tweezers or the tip of a knife and lay it on dry; only then press it down.
• On curves press with a soft wooden stick gradually from the center to the edges.
• Spray the interior shade first, then the exterior color.
• Lift the masks shortly after the paint has dried, at a shallow angle, so that the finish does not lift at the edge of a frame.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building British jet fighters of the 1950s.
• Those who want sharp canopy frames without cutting tape by hand.
• Builders who care about the symmetry of both sides of the model.

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