1:24 S. Spitfire Mk.Ixc Airbrush paint mask

Masks for the markings of the Spitfire Mk.IXc in 1:24 (1 Man Army 24DET016)

The set 24DET016 from the Belgian maker 1 Man Army is a collection of high-definition self-adhesive masks. It is not a decal sheet and not a kit: the markings are not sprayed over a decal but through a mask, so no film is left on the model and the result really is sprayed paint. The set covers the national insignia as well as the stencils, and the manufacturer designed it for the Spitfire Mk.IXc kit in 1:24 scale from the Airfix brand, part number A17001.

Why masks instead of decals

In the large 1:24 scale a decal always shows: the film has an edge, it silvers on matte paint and it breaks over rivet lines. Sprayed markings have none of these troubles and will take heavy weathering, because they are part of the paint layer. The advantage grows with the area — on roundels several centimeters across the difference between an applied and a sprayed marking is obvious at a glance. The stencils are so large in this scale that they can be sprayed individually without losing legibility.

Use

The surface under the mask must be dry, clean and above all smooth, ideally clear coated. Lift the mask off its backing with tweezers, position it according to the instructions and press the edges down with a cotton swab so that paint does not creep under. Spray in several very thin coats and never in one heavy one — that will creep under the edge every time. Let the paint flash off between coats and cover the rest of the model with ordinary masking tape. Peel the mask away carefully, once the paint has dried.

Who the set is for

• Building the Spitfire Mk.IXc in the large 1:24 scale
• Modelers bothered by the edges and silvering of decals
• Models with heavy weathering, where a decal would not survive
• Builders with an airbrush and experience of masking

This is a masking set for spraying markings, not a kit. The basic kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.