1.72 F-16B/F-16D/F-16F/I Fighting Falcon EXPERT kabuki masks

The real subject

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American single-engine combat aircraft with strikingly extensive glazing. The versions listed in the name, that is the F-16B, F-16D, F-16F and F-16I, are two-seaters: the cockpit is lengthened by a second seat, and the canopy therefore has a different division and a different plan than on the single-seat versions. It is precisely the shape of the canopy that decides whether a template will fit, so a set for two-seaters is not interchangeable with a set for single-seaters.

What the set offers

These are templates cut from kabuki paper, that is from thin self-adhesive paper tape. It conforms well to the curved surface of a canopy and leaves no adhesive residue on the finish once removed. The EXPERT designation marks the widest of the graded levels within the same range, in which other subjects also have BASIC and ADVANCED levels available. Which areas the set covers and which kit it is cut for are given in the manufacturer's instructions; the target kit is not stated here, so check it before you build.

Masking tips

• the templates are applied to a clean, dry surface before spraying, not after it
• move a piece with tweezers and press the edge down with a blunt tool so that paint cannot creep under it
• spray straight at the surface and in thin coats, as an angled coat runs under the edge
• remove the mask as soon as the paint has set; it tears the edge off a fully cured coat
• fill in the areas between the templates with strips of tape or with masking fluid

Terms of supply

The set of masks is supplied on its own. The kit, paints, masking fluid and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.