1:32 F/A-18 Switzerland Panthers special scheme - masks set

A Hornet over the Alpine valleys

Switzerland introduced the F/A-18 in the mid-1990s as a replacement for older machines and has since used it to guard the airspace over one of the most broken-up terrains in Europe. Flying between mountain ridges makes demands on crews and equipment that you will not meet elsewhere, and thanks to that the Swiss Hornets have earned a reputation as exceptionally well-maintained aircraft. The squadron with a panther in its badge is one of those that appear regularly in special finishes for anniversaries and at air shows.

A finish that calls for precision

The extraordinary schemes of the Swiss machines tend to be more restrained artistically than tiger extravagance, but they work with sharp geometric shapes and with contrast against the ordinary gray. For masks that is an ideal task: straight edges and clearly defined areas come out exactly right after spraying, whereas hand painting would give away every hesitation on them.

Practical advice

Check whether a mask fits the shape of the canopy and the outline of the vertical tails, which the Hornet has canted outward. On sloping surfaces a mask seats less easily and it pays to press it down along the longer edge first. Apply the paint perpendicularly from above, not at an angle, or it will get under the edge even with good pressure. After removing the masks, let the model rest for at least a day before you start on the decals or the sealing varnish. The Swiss machines are known for careful maintenance, so heavy weathering is not expected on them; a clean surface with lightly suggested operational wear suits them better.