1:48 Republic F-84F Thunderjet EXPERT kabuki mask

The real subject

The Republic F-84F is an American single-engined jet fighter-bomber of the 1950s, which came about by reworking the older straight-wing F-84 to a swept wing and swept tail surfaces. It was a heavy, sturdy machine built to carry stores under the wing, served with the air force of the United States and with a number of European allies, and in many countries lasted in service well into the 1960s. The manufacturer listed it under the nickname Thunderstreak.

What the set contains

Painting masks cut from kabuki paper, that is, from thin paper tape with an adhesive that holds on a surface but does not pull dried paint away. The EXPERT designation sets this version apart from the BASIC and ADVANCED variants for the same aircraft. The exact scope of the masks in the individual versions is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Stick the masks onto a clean, degreased surface before spraying and press them down especially at the edges, where paint could creep under. Kabuki paper can be shaped into a gentle curve, so it sits even on a domed canopy. Apply the paint in thin layers and take a mask off as soon as the layer has flashed off, not once it is fully cured. Take it off slowly and at an angle, not straight up.

Who it is for

The set saves work for anyone who does not want to cut masking by hand, and it suits a beginner who does not yet dare attempt a sharp transition of colors freehand. It also pays off where there are many small frames around the glazing and cutting by hand would take longer than the whole spray job. The model, the paints and the glue are not included in the delivery, unless stated otherwise.