1:48 Mask S.Spitfire Mk.I BASIC (TAM 61119)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I BASIC 1:48 mask set (New Ware)

A mask set for modelers building a Spitfire of the first series in 1:48 scale who want the cockpit panels sharply framed. The package holds a carrier sheet with pre-cut self-adhesive shapes tailored to one specific kit, the Tamiya 61119; it is therefore not a universal sheet of film from which you cut the shapes yourself. The BASIC level denotes the basic scope of the range, the smallest of the variants offered, with wider levels holding more templates above it.

Why a mask instead of a decal or a brush

Cockpit frames can be dealt with in three ways: with a decal, by drawing the line by hand, or by spraying through a mask. A decal always brings a carrier film with it, which breaks up on a curved canopy and has a different sheen. Drawing the line by hand is manageable in 1:48 scale, but it rarely comes out the same thickness along its whole length and a correction means cleaning the whole panel. Spraying through a cut mask gives a frame in the same shade and sheen as the rest of the airframe, and the edge is straight.

How to work with the masks

Wash the clear parts in lukewarm water with a little detergent and let them dry so that no mold release agent is left on the surface. Lift a template off the sheet with tweezers, seat it dry and only then press it down all the way around. Before the frame color itself, a thin coat of the interior shade helps, as any bleed will then not stand out as a light stripe. Spray several thin coats and remove the mask while the paint is still fresh and flexible.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building early-series Spitfires in 1:48 scale.
• Those who want a simple introduction to masking and are happy with the basic scope.
• Builders who do not feel like drawing frames with a brush.
• Beginners with an airbrush who need a reliably sharp transition.

The package holds only the masking templates. The kit and the paints are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.