1:32 IL-2M HOBBY BOSS

Montex 1:32 Il-2M painting mask set

The set holds pre-cut self-adhesive masks from the Polish manufacturer Montex, which go onto the model and cover the areas that are to stay clean after spraying. The glazing of the two-seat version is longer and more broken up than on the single-seater, so the time saved compared with masking by hand with tape is greater still. The item is not an aircraft kit but an accessory for one.

The real subject

The Ilyushin Il-2M is the two-seat variant of the Soviet ground-attack aircraft, in which a position for a gunner with defensive armament was added behind the pilot. The basic layout stayed the same: a load-bearing armored bathtub covering the engine and the crew, and a liquid-cooled engine. The lengthened canopy with the gunner's position is the most conspicuous external difference from the single-seat version.

Usage and painting tips

With a long canopy it pays to work systematically: lay down all the lengthwise frames first and only then the cross frames, so that they meet properly. Start a longer mask at one end and press it down gradually, otherwise it will ripple. Wash the glazing beforehand in lukewarm soapy water. While spraying, hold the airbrush square to the surface and do not blow under the edge of a mask. The set also serves well as protection for the canopy while filler is being sanded and during weathering, but do not leave it under the final clear coat.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the two-seat Il-2 in 1:32 scale
• Those who do not want to cut dozens of pieces of tape by hand for a long canopy
• Builders who insist on symmetrical, crisp frames
• Modelers working with an airbrush and with weathering

This is an add-on masking set, not a kit. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.