1:48 Panavia Tornado GR.1 Desert Babe BASIC kabuki masks

Masking Set 1:48 Panavia Tornado GR.1 Desert Babe BASIC

A pre-cut masking set of kabuki tape intended for a model of the Panavia Tornado GR.1 combat aircraft in 1:48 scale. With the manufacturer New Ware the BASIC level marks the smallest extent of a set, that is the main things that are covered before spraying. It is not a kit or a finished model but an aid that shortens and sharpens work with an airbrush.

Why a mask instead of ordinary adhesive tape

Cutting frames out of ordinary tape by hand is tedious on the Tornado: the canopy has several narrow profiles and transitions where the blade easily slips and scratches a clear part. A pre-cut mask respects the shape, holds the line along its whole length and leaves a crisp edge with no paint seeping under it. It also removes the most common beginner's mistake - covering the cockpit with tape that does not stick, which lets paint underneath and then means laboriously polishing the glazing.

How to work with the masks

• Degrease the clear parts before applying the masks and let them dry completely.
• Lift the individual pieces off the sheet with the tip of a scalpel or with tweezers, not with your fingers.
• Place the mask and press the edges down firmly with a toothpick - the adhesion of the edge decides the result.
• Spray several thin coats; one heavy coat will seep under sooner than three light ones.
• Remove the mask shortly after the paint has dried, not after several days.
• Keep the rest of the sheet flat, dry and out of the light, and the adhesive will stay usable.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the Tornado in 1:48 scale who want a clean transition between the frame and the glass.
• Those who paint with an airbrush and do not want to spend an evening cutting tape.
• Beginners, for whom masking the cockpit is the riskiest part of the build.

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