1:48 Mig-31 BM/BSM ADVANCED MASKS

Masks for the MiG-31 BM and BSM in 1:48 scale

A New Ware masking set at the Advanced level for a model of the MiG-31 interceptor aircraft in its modernized versions. The masks are cut from thin masking paper and serve to cover the glazing and other surfaces during spraying. It is not a kit but an accessory used at the painting stage of a finished model.

The real subject

The MiG-31 is a heavy two-seat interceptor designed to defend a vast airspace. A pair of powerful engines gives it high supersonic speed and long range, and the crew consists of a pilot and a weapons systems operator seated behind him. The key strength of the type is a powerful radar that can track targets at long range and work together with other machines in the field. The modernized versions received new avionics and wider weapons options. For a modeler that means a large airframe with two separate cockpits and extensive, heavily framed glazing - exactly what is hardest to mask.

Why reach for masks

Cutting strips of tape by hand for a two-seat cockpit with many frames takes hours and the result tends to be uneven. A cut mask, by contrast, holds the shape of the frame exactly and adapts to the curvature of the canopy. The Advanced level in this range is more extensive than the basic set - besides the glazing it also covers further items to be painted, typically the wheels. Work by placing the masks on a clean surface, smoothing the edges carefully, spraying the interior color of the frames first and only then the exterior shades. Lift them shortly after the paint has become tacky, pulling them along the surface.

Who the set is for

• Builders of contemporary Russian and Soviet combat vehicles in 1:48 scale
• Modelers who do not want to cut frames by hand
• Those interested in a clean transition between frame and cockpit glass
• Airbrush modelers working with thin coats

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