1:48 F4U-1D - MASKS

HGW 1:48 F4U-1D — a masking set

A set of masks from the manufacturer HGW for models of the Vought F4U-1D Corsair carrier fighter in 1:48 scale. It is neither a kit nor a photo-etched set, but an accessory that saves the most laborious part of painting — the sharp frames of the glazed canopy. The templates are pre-cut to the shape of the individual segments, so cutting tape against a rule and guessing the width of the frames are done away with.

The real subject

The F4U-1D was among the main production versions of the Corsair. Compared with the earliest machines it had cleaner glazing without the birdcage framing, a one-piece windshield and racks under the wing for drop tanks or unguided rockets. The powerplant remained the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial, as did the characteristic inverted gull wing, which made it possible to use a large propeller while keeping the main landing gear short.

Use and tips

Apply the masks to a clean, degreased and dry surface. Lift each part with tweezers or the tip of a scalpel, seat it to the frame and press the edges down thoroughly, so that paint cannot seep underneath. Spray in several very thin coats; it is ideal to spray the glazing with the interior color beforehand, so that the frame looks right from the inside as well. Remove the mask while the paint has only just set, and peel it off slowly, folding it back over itself. Any glue residue can be lifted carefully with a wooden stick, not with a solvent.

Who the set is for

• builders of the Corsair in 1:48 who want clean, sharp canopy frames
• modelers who do not want to cut masking tape by hand
• those building a model with the canopy slid back who need perfect glazing
• beginners, for whom a pre-cut mask is the surest route to a good result