1:32 A-20G Havoc TFace

The A-20G Havoc TFace masking set in 1:32 scale

This item is a set of pre-cut painting masks from the manufacturer Eduard, not an airplane model. The designation TFace at Eduard means that the set allows for the inner side of the glazing as well, not just the outside. There is a practical reason for that: on the real aircraft the cockpit frames are painted on both sides, and from the outside the inside of the glazing is clearly visible, particularly in 1:32 scale. If the inner side is left clear, the cockpit looks empty and the frame optically disappears.

The real subject

The Douglas A-20 Havoc was an American twin-engine attack and bomber aircraft. Instead of a glazed nose, the A-20G version got a solid nose with gun armament and was intended for attacks on ground targets from low altitude. The glazed pilot's canopy and the gun positions behind it mean a fairly extensive area to mask on a large-scale model.

How to use the masks

Wash the clear part and let it dry properly. Lift the mask off the sheet with tweezers or a wooden stick, seat it in place and press the edges down carefully with a toothpick. Stick the inner masks on before the part is glued into the fuselage, otherwise you will not be able to reach it later. Spray the paint thinly and over several passes; a heavy coat is drawn under the edge of the mask more easily than two fine ones. Remove the mask shortly after the paint has dried; later the edge goes brittle. On convex surfaces it helps to warm the mask lightly once it is in place, as it then conforms to the shape better.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want the glazing frames painted from the inside as well
• Builders of large-scale models, where the cockpit is clearly visible
• Those who do not want to cut masks from masking tape by hand
• Modelers building the Havoc with an open cockpit

The masks are an accessory to a plastic kit. The model itself and the paints are not part of the package.