1:72 Supermarine Seafire Mk.47

Masking set Peewit 1:72 Supermarine Seafire Mk.47

This item is not a model of an aircraft but a set of painting masks for a model of the naval fighter Supermarine Seafire Mk.47 in 1:72 scale from the brand Peewit. The masks are cut to the shape of the cockpit glazing and other clear areas, so lifting them off the carrier film and carrying them to the part is all it takes. That does away with the most unpleasant part of painting a canopy, namely cutting thin strips from masking tape by hand under a magnifier.

The real subject

The Seafire was the naval derivative of the Spitfire, adapted for operation from the decks of aircraft carriers. The Mk.47 represents the last and heaviest stage of development of the whole family: it has a Griffon engine with a contra-rotating propeller, a reworked nose and, against the early Spitfires, a markedly different shape of canopy and windscreen. It lasted in service into the early 1950s. It is precisely because of the different geometry of the glazing that masking sets for late Seafires cannot be swapped with sets for the early versions of the Spitfire.

How to work with the masks

Degrease the clear part before sticking and let it dry off completely. Carry a mask over with tweezers, press it down with a soft tool from the center toward the edges and check that no edge stands anywhere. Spray the paint in thin layers; a heavy layer will creep even under a well-stuck mask. It works well to spray the frames first in the interior shade and only then in the top camouflage. Take a mask off shortly after the paint has dried, not after several days, when it holds far less well.

Who the set is for

• modelers who want sharp cockpit frames without lengthy cutting
• builders of British carrier fighters in 1:72 scale
• everyone who masks with an airbrush and needs a clean transition of colors
• beginners whose masking tape tears and lifts on curves

The package holds painting masks only. The model, the paints and decals are not part of it.