1:32 B-17E Flying Fortress masks

Spraying templates for the B-17E bomber in 1:32 scale

A set of shaped templates prepared for a large model of the Flying Fortress in the E version. The templates copy the outlines of the glazing and the frames of the canopy, so that after spraying the glass area stays clear and the edges of the frames come out crisp. On a four-engine bomber in a large scale this is work that covering by hand would take a substantial part of an evening.

What made the E version a turning point

The B-17E was the first form of the Flying Fortress that could be sent into a real war. It received a much larger vertical tail with a pronounced dorsal fillet, thanks to which the machine was far calmer to fly in close formation. The main change, though, was defensive: a tail gun position was added, which the earlier versions lacked entirely, along with a powered dorsal turret and a ball turret under the fuselage. These machines fought from 1942 over the Pacific and over western Europe and became the direct basis for the later F and G series.

The covering procedure

• Degrease the glazing first and let it dry completely.
• Lay the templates from the smallest pieces to the largest areas.
• Apply the paint in thin coats, because a heavy coat tears when the masks come off.
• Remove the covering while the finish is fresh, best with the tip of a toothpick.

Who the set suits

It will be valued by anyone building a large bomber who does not want to risk fogging the glazed nose or smearing the frames after hours of work. It suits less experienced builders too, because covering with a template is one of the few shortcuts that does not lower quality.