1:48 Fw 190 D mask (for Tamiya)

Omask Fw 190 D 1:48, cut masks for the Tamiya kit

It is neither a model nor a part of a model, but an aid for painting. The set contains self-adhesive masks cut exactly to the shape of the glazing of a particular kit, so that laborious cutting of strips and tracing round frames falls away. Because the dimensions of the glazing differ between manufacturers, the masks are cut for the Fw 190 D kit from Tamiya in 1:48 scale and will not fit a kit from another brand. The same aircraft type also exists in a version cut for a different manufacturer, so check which kit you are building when choosing.

How to apply the masks

• Degrease the glazing before masking and let it dry completely; on a greasy surface a mask will not adhere and paint will creep under it
• Lift the mask with tweezers and touch only the edges
• Once applied, press the edge down with a toothpick or a blunt point, as it is the pressure on the edge that decides how sharp the transition is
• Spray the paint in several genuinely thin layers; one thick layer builds a ridge at the edge of the mask that stays visible after it comes off
• Choose the color of the frames for the first layer, so that any creeping underneath does not show
• Take the mask off while the paint is only dry to the touch, not after several days, as a fully cured film tears at the edge

A sharp transition versus a soft edge

A mask laid on the surface gives a sharp edge, which is what you need on cockpit frames and on sharply divided fields of camouflage. A soft, blurred transition, by contrast, is made with a mask lifted above the surface, on a thin roll of putty for instance, so that the paint gets slightly under the edge. On glazing frames, though, you always want the first option, that is a mask lying firmly against the surface all the way round.

Who the set is for

For anyone building this type in 1:48 scale who wants clean cockpit frames without going round them with a brush. It saves hours of work and rids a model of the commonest visible flaw on a finished fighter.

The masks are neither paint nor glue. Work in a well-ventilated space before spraying and follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the paint used.