1:32 Polish F-16C - Raven - refresched set

The real subject

The F-16 is a single-engine multirole combat aircraft and in the Polish Air Force it is one of the main types. The C version is the single-seater. The set aims at a Polish machine in the rendition that carries the Raven designation, and according to the name it is a refreshed release of an earlier set.

What a masking set is for

The masks are stuck onto a part before spraying and are removed once the paint has dried. The transition between shades is then sharp and you do not have to line it in with a brush. In 1:32 scale the canopy glazing is large and the frames are long, so masking cut freehand easily wrinkles on a bulged shape and the paint bleeds under it. A pre-cut shape does away with that work and reduces the preparation before spraying to a fraction of the time. A cleanly unmasked cockpit frame is, moreover, one of the first things anyone looking into a display case notices on a finished model.

Building and painting tips

Clean and degrease the area before sticking the masks down, or a mask will not adhere around its whole perimeter. Press the edges down carefully, especially in the corners and on the curves. Spray in thin coats and let the paint set between applications; a thick wet coat likes to get under an edge. Remove the masks while the paint is freshly dried, and do so at a sharp angle so that the finish does not tear at the edge. The exact placement of the individual pieces is given by the manufacturer's instructions.

Who it is for

For builders of large F-16 models who want clean glazing frames and sharp color transitions without the lengthy cutting of tape. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.